The Dragon's Kiss

Chapter 6 - Maleficus

Ashley immediately backed away, her back hitting a tree as she watched them with wide eyes. Erik pounced towards her, but Migara caught hold of his foot just in time to stop him. She pulled him back, pinning him down on the floor as she straddled his body, punching him across the face. He winced in pain, and Ashley scrunched up her nose.

"How dare you attack her?" Migara snapped, glaring down at him.

"She insulted my heritage, my ancestors," Erik growled, before throwing Migara off of himself.

He attacked Ashley once again, grabbing the shoulders of her gown, and lifting her up, as he slammed her against the tree. Ashley hissed as pain shot through her back, shutting her eyes.

"I'm sorry!" Ashley yelled, grabbing onto his wrists. 

Erik paused, and she opened her eyes, glancing down at him. His eyes were wide as he stared up at her in horror.

"What kind of demonic castery is that?" he asked, his grip tightening.

"What?" she muttered, frowning. "That isn't--" before she could complete her sentence, Erik was ripped off of her, and she fell onto the ground, not being able to maintain her balance. Migara threw him down again, placing her foot on his chest. She bent down and touched the blade of her dagger against his neck, shooting him a threatening glare. Erik froze, immediately raising his hands up in surrender.

"Get a grip over yourself, Erik," Migara warned. "If Haco finds out--"

"What on Lyrous is going on here?" A voice asked, and almost everyone froze. The crowd parted like the Red Sea as Haco walked up to them, staring down at the two incredulously.

Ashley quickly got up, and ran up to him, hiding behind him. Haco frowned, glancing at her and then the duo on the floor.

"Migara?" He raised an eyebrow, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Relax," Migara sighed, getting off of Erik and offering him her hand. He took it and stood up, rubbing his arm. "We were just showing the girl how we fight here."

Haco frowned, glancing at Ashley again. She looked away, gulping.

"What was the need for it?" Haco questioned, clenching his jaw. "I told you to protect her, not try to scare her," he scolded.

"It isn't her fault," Ashley said, and once again, all heads turned to her.

She glanced at Erik, whose eyes were wide now.

"Then whose fault was it?"

Ashley took a deep breath, her gaze fixed on Erik. "Mine, actually."

Erik frowned in confusion, before quickly covering up his expression and lowering his gaze. 

"Yours?"

"Yes, I asked them to show me. Sorry."

"What does 'sorry' mean?" Haco asked.

"It means, forgive me," she replied.

Haco let out a sigh, shaking his head. "Anyway, come on. Belina wants to see you."

"Who's Belina?" Ashley questioned as Haco took her wrist.

"The one who will determine what to do with you, and who exactly are you," Haco said the last bit softly, before leading her away.

Once they were out of sight, Migara punched Erik in the gut, making him wince and double over.

"Ouch," he rubbed the spot, glaring at Migara.

"You could've got us both in serious trouble. You fox." She rolled her eyes.

"She insulted my eyes," Erik retorted, staring at her in disbelief. "It's a known rule. Insulting the eyes is declaring war."

"Not wherever she came from," she seethed. "She has been brought back from the human realm after centuries. She probably doesn't even remember any such rules exist."

"Whatever." Erik rolled his eyes. "She isn't the Daughter of Light. I'm certain of it. If she were, she would have regained her actual form the moment she stepped onto our lands."

"No one asked for your opinion," Migara retorted. She clapped her hands, now turning to the people. "Everyone go back to whatever you were doing. The spectan is over."

- - - -

"What actually happened out there?" Haco asked, as they walked together through the busy street.

"What Migara said," Ashley replied, not bothering to glance at him. 

She was busy observing the shops on either side of them, taking in as much as her mind could possibly register. Some were selling exquisite antiquities--pots made of gold and silver, tiaras and necklaces studded with jewels, as well as vases with intricate, hand-craft paintings--while others sold exotic foods, the scents of which made her stomach grumble. 

"We both know that isn't true," Haco replied. When he noticed her lack of attention towards him, he stopped, stepping in front of her. She bumped into him, letting out a small gasp as she backed away.

"Are you accusing me of being a liar?" she muttered, scowling up at him.

"No, I think you're trying to protect them," he frowned. "I don't understand why'd you do that. You don't even know them."

Ashley sighed. "Well, if you know, then just let it go," she shrugged. "Who cares why I'm protecting them? Maybe I'm just nice."

"Fine, but you should know, you are an important asset to us. Anyone who tries to harm you will be defined a traitor," Haco replied, before he started walking again.

"I'm no asset," Ashley rolled her eyes, following him. "I'm just a normal girl you accidentally kidnapped. They should have your head for it."

"Marvelous," Haco chuckled, glancing back at her. "So you protect those who tried to hurt you, but want me dead, huh?"

"They're not the ones who kidnapped me," Ashley retorted, smiling at him sarcastically. "You did. You're the reason I'm stuck in this situation in the first place."

"Hmm, that's fair," he nodded, looking in front again. 

"Where exactly are we going, by the way?" 

"To the Temple of the First Caster."

"And what is that supposed to be?"

"It's where the first caster's body was incinerated. He's still a strong source of power for us," Haco explained.

"So can't you use that power to summon a Transporter? Why don't you send me home?"

"It's not that easy," Haco sighed. "That power source is currently being used to keep this town alive. Provide us with warmth, allow us to distribute food and water, do small scaled castery for everyday tasks, and hide us from the dracones." 

"Uh, you mean that shroud of darkness? That got destroyed after you announced your name?"

"Yes, that. Nice description," Haco laughed.

"So dracones do not know where you guys are."

"It's a kind of an illusion. They wouldn't know they're in Maleficus if they were standing inside it."

"Maleficus?"

"It's what we call this town. Named after the caster who created it. Her name was Malefica."

"Nice," Ashley muttered. "How far away is this temple? I'm kinda tired," she said, looking around. They had left the busy town square behind, and were now in a more secluded area. There were old stone buildings at small distances, surrounded by trees and other, shorter plants.

"Oh, we're almost there," Haco replied, slight amusement to his voice. 

Ashley frowned, but did not say anything. They stopped before a grove of trees that stretched as far as she could look. 

"Now what? Where's the stupid temple?"

"Mind your tongue," Haco scolded. "Talk with respect, please."

"Sorry."

"The temple is behind the trees," he said. "We have to go over them."

"What?" Ashley asked, staring at him in disbelief. "You're kidding, right?"

"What does that--"

"You're joking, right?"

"No." He shrugged. "Not everyone is allowed inside the temple, only the ones skilled in combat as well as castery can reach it. Or everyone would be trying to tap into its power, and it'd be exhausted way before its time."

"Can't we just go through the trees?"

"If you want to be kidnapped and sacrificed by lycans, sure."

"Now what the hell are lycans?" Ashley sighed. "Werewolves?"

"Men who turn into ferocious animals during the day."

"I'm pretty sure they turn at night."

"No, they turn during the day."

"Alright, whatever you say, genius. How do we get over the trees? Can't this Belina woman come here to meet me? I'm the guest here," Ashley pouted.

Haco chuckled, shaking his head. "You really are the laziest girl I've ever met."

"And you're the most annoying kidnapper I've ever met. Couldn't you just tie me to a chair, ask my parents for money, and let me go when they pay up?" she retorted.

"How many times have you been kidnapped?" he asked, looking genuinely surprised.

"Fifteen or twenty."

"What?" He asked, gaping at her.

Ashley maintained a serious face for a moment, before a smile fought its way onto her face. Haco rolled her eyes as she let out a laugh, shaking her head.

"Cute."

"What?"

"Nothing. Nothing at all. How do we go over the trees again?" She cleared her throat.

"We fly," Haco smirked.

He stepped closer to her, and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her to his chest. She felt her cheeks flush as she lowered her gaze.

"Is this safe? You're not gonna drop me, are you?"

"I'd never let you get hurt," Haco replied, his voice soft. She looked up at him, their gazes meeting. She felt her heart skip a beat, as she properly observed his features for the first time. She already knew he was good-looking, but staring at him up close, she was sure he wasn't human.

There was a light stubble dotting his chin, as well as his sharp jawline. His skin was dark, a beautiful shade of brown, reminding her of freshly cooked toast. His nose was shaped perfectly, and not even the scar across it could lessen its grace. His eyes looked like the sky, blue, and splendid. And to finish it off, his dark brown hair framed his face perfectly, falling over his forehead in a messy, yet graceful manner. None of his features alone stood out enough to mark him a caster, yet the way they worked together proved he couldn't be human. The man was a piece of art, far too perfect to be ordinary.

"Are yoy ready, Ash?" His voice broke her out of the trance she had fallen into, and she quickly nodded, looking away from him. "Hold on tight."

She obliged, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

"Levitia divignem egonous."

He wrapped his other arm around her as well, lifting her off the ground. Slowly, a gust of cold wind started to blow from beneath their feet, gentle, yet strong enough to lift them up into the air. Ashley let out a squeal, her eyes widening as she held onto him tighter, glancing down.

"I wouldn't look down," Haco said, offering her a small smile.

She met his gaze again, gulping.

"It's okay," he reassured. "Slow and steady. Close your eyes."

She bit her lip, shaking her head.

"It's okay. I won't let you fall, Ashley," he said in a soothing voice. "Enjoy it. It's one of the best feelings you'll ever experience."

"I--I have a height phobia," she squeaked out, closing her eyes shut. "I'm gonna puke on you."

"You won't," he replied.

One of his hands slowly moved from her waist, and travelled up her back, stopping at the nape of her neck. The thin material of the gown barely provided her bare skin with protection from his touch, and she curled her toes, sucking in a breath. He tilted her head down, making her bury her face in his chest, as he leaned his chin on her head.

"There. It's gonna be over before you know it. Keep your eyes closed, and leave yourself to me. I won't let any harm come to you, I promise. You're safe with me."

- - - - - -