The Vow of a Dragon by C Mari (ready player one ebook TXT) 📕

I hoisted myself ever so carefully atop of the edge of the steep mountain, even though I need not be careful.
After I had pulled myself over the edge, I took a seat there for a minute to view the scenery.
I had sworn never to use the transformation again, but I would never tire of the amazing sight of being so high up in the air.
As I peered over the edge to look directly below me, I had thoughts of falling. Not suicidal thoughts or anything like that, but the thoughts of how my rush of adrenaline would force the transformation to save me from certain death.
With that, I was invincible. Whether I wanted to be or not, it was the instinct of my other side that would protect me.
But I vowed never to use that side again; not after what had happened.
I pulled my camera from my bag to take another picture of the trees I was looking down upon. They were just beginning to turn a bright red from the chill of autumn bearing in. Although autumn has been here a whole month already, there were very few colored leaves that the green and brown nearly suppressed them.
It was beautiful nonetheless.
Taking in enough of the scenery, I continued my ascent to the top of the mountain.

When I reached the very top of the mountain, I spent a while gazing at the scenery below me. This was the closest I would ever feel to flying anymore.
The autumn air whipped around me.
I enjoyed the mountains more in autumn and winter. They were more beautiful at this time. Not to mention more isolated because no other person dared to venture this far up in such weather.
The frigid air did nothing to me, though. Not with the half of my blood that could adapt to any climate.
I laid my back on the giant rock and looked up at the sky; the white and blue sky.
White and blue were my colors; but not merely white and blue. My colors were the perfect shade of sky blue and a white that was purer than any snow.
But never again could I be those colors. Not after what I had done.
As I began to let myself drift into sleep, I saw something dark fly over me that startled me awake.
When my eyes burst enough to concentrate on the sky, it was gone.
Perhaps it was simply a trick of my mind. Or maybe it could have been a bird.
I let my mind drift back to its state of rest, convincing myself it was nothing even though my other half knew that was wrong and wanted to go after whatever it was. It called silently to my other half as my other half yearned to go to it.
It flew back and I saw it this time. I saw all of it. From here, it looked like a raven except a great deal larger. Its body was entirely colored a dark black that resembled a moonless night. Its wings were spread out far apart and I could see the sharp talons on its feet. Its tail stretched out as long as the span of its wings. Above all, its eyes were what grabbed my attention. They were full of a murderous intent and they held me there, frozen with fear and excitement.
It was a dragon! It was another dragon!
In all of my time I have never seen another actual dragon! I was the only dragon I ever knew of! But now there was another, flying above me.
I thought of transforming myself to go investigate it further. But that would mean giving into my other half. Do I dare break my vow? Do I dare give into the dragon again?
Suddenly, the other dragon spiraled down and crashed onto the mountain within the trees to conceal itself. It probably thought it was safe up here for the same reason I did; isolation.
It was so close. It was just on the other side of the mountain.
I didn’t even have to transform.
Without thinking, I went to find the dragon.

My heart raced. I could see the large, black dragon through the trees.
It was beautiful.
With all the cuts and blood stains spread across its body, it was still stunning. It only added to the fierce look.
It stirred and growled and suddenly, it transformed. In its place was a man; a very handsome tall, dark stranger type of man. His hair was the same black as his dragon scales and his skin was perfectly tanned. The scars and blood were still visible but it only made him seem sexier and even more like a bad boy.
As I slowly approached him, his eyes burst open. His eyes were almost as black as his hair but with outlying gray. They hypnotized me and all I could do was stare and get lost in his eyes.
“Who are you?” He growled roughly but obviously pained. “Why are you up here!?”
“I--” I stammered, not knowing what I was going to say but not sure I could even speak if I did. Then the man’s harsh, beautiful eyes grew even more fierce and violent. “I saw you, flying.” I finished.
This dragon frightened me, even though he was extremely beautiful. But I didn’t care how afraid I was; I had found another dragon. I wanted to cry from joy instead of fear. Though, it was best to not have him want to murder me just yet and make his acquaintance first.
“I had to come meet you.” I stated in awe.
“You’re a dragon too.” He acknowledged instead of questioned.
“No.” I replied automatically from defense. It was partly true. I had given up that title when I swore to never transform again.
“Lies!” The man shouted. “You act less afraid than most fools! You are up here on this mountain in the middle of autumn!” The man then stalked closer to me and looked into my face. “And I smell it upon you.”
The man continued to hover over me. He was an entire head taller than me, so I only came up to his chest. He glared down at me with anger still in his eyes.
He was so close that I could breathe in his scent also and oh how sexy it was. It was overwhelmingly masculine.
It took me until I checked out his body again to notice that his scars had completely vanished. I gasped in wonder. The man smirked.
“The power of a dragon.” He whispered in scorn.
“I have shunned my dragon half.” I admitted proudly, standing straight in confidence.
“Really?” The man asked in puzzlement until he quickly regained his sneer. “Why? I know of no one who would disown their dragon. I on the other hand, have disowned my human side. Humans are weak.”
“It takes a strong human to deny their stronger half.” I shot back in a confident whisper.
The man stood straight, not giving into our argument. He looked me in the eyes, ready to retort; but he stopped and stared into my eyes in wonder and bewilderment. He then, in the gentlest way, caressed my hair.
I was frozen in fear now as his fingers brushed the lightest of blue tips of my hair that were almost as bright as the blond above it.
Everyone thought I had it dyed, but it was honestly my natural color.
“You,” The man started. His voice and eyes lost all trace of scorn and hate. It was replaced by absolute amazement. “Your colors are the purest of white and the lightest of blue, correct?”
“Yes.” I answered, wondering the reason of his astonishment of my colors.
It was easy to tell a dragon’s color in human form as well. It was the one thing that both our human body and dragon body shared. It would be the color of our hair and eyes. My colors were white and blue. My hair was blond and the light blue on the tips. My eyes were a gleaming aqua blue.
His color was obviously the darkest of black.
“Does it matter?” I asked, still confused.
“It matters greatly, my lady.” The man said, bowing to me and gently caressing my hand in his and bringing it to his lips for a tender kiss. I imagined those soft lips brushing across the rest of my body. It sent a shiver throughout my body and I had to shake myself back. “My name is Eli.” He continued.
“I am Lea.” I replied.
“It is a beautiful name for a beautiful woman.” He complimented, kissing my hand again with his soft, handsome lips. “Come, fly with me.” He offered while standing straight and ready to transform.
“No.” I declined hastily. I was not ready to give up my vow for a man, not even a handsome man of my own species.
“No?” He asked, staring at me in confusion.
“I have already told you, I have turned my back on my dragon half.”
“In that case,” Eli said, coming even closer to me so that I could again breathe in his scent. He pressed his body against mine and placed his hand on my back, pulling me closer to him. He then placed his soft, handsome lips on mine and kissed me deeply. My body reacted on its own and kissed him back. I was weak against him. “We will be forbidden lovers.” He continued. “I will fight against nature to be with you and you will be mine.” He pulled our bodies apart slowly. “Meet me here tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” I questioned.
“Please do. From now until tomorrow will feel enough like an eternity without you.”
“You’re leaving?” I asked breathlessly.
“I must, my love.” He answered with a sigh. “But promise to meet me here tomorrow?”
“I promise.” I sighed.
His eyes lit up gladly as he brought our bodies together again. I matched every curve of his body as I closed my eyes and let him kiss me again.
When I felt him pulling away, I tried to hold him there. He chuckled as our lips parted.
As I opened my eyes, the large, black dragon was flying through the sky.

I climbed the mountain today, just like I had yesterday, except without stopping to view the beautiful scene. I had something else on my mind. Of course, it was Eli.
I had just met him yesterday. Was this all going too fast? Yes, it is, but it seemed Eli and I were made for each other.
Eli was perfect and handsome and sweet. Didn't I deserve somebody like that?
What about Logan?
No, I couldn't think about Logan anymore! What happened with Logan made me realize I had to be alone forever! At least, I was alone forever, until I saw Eli. I had Eli.