Aurora and the Fire by Jessica Hammatt (the ebook reader TXT) 📕

exactly what yet. It wasn’t just the patterns, which when they reach her neck and arms become more intricate, but also her dress that spoke highly of her stature among the people. Aurora’s outfit begins with her top which, beginning at her ribcage, begins as one piece then become two separate pieces which are wrapped gracefully over each of her breasts then tied of at the back of her neck. The matching deep ocean blue skirt began belted at her waist just below the belly button and ended just below her knees. Slits on either side of the skirt not only gave for better movement but also sent Dreka’s blood to boil looking at her thighs and what secrets lay beyond what the naked eye could see. No jewelry adorns Aurora’s body because to her it would only be an irritation always getting in her way, but no matter, she doesn’t need it. He could see how much she didn’t require any other kind of adornment besides what her body and skills of material produced for her.
He was beginning to let himself sink into her warmth but then the water entered him. Not really, but it felt as if it were in his head gently soothing every pain. It ended quickly and Aurora seemed to teleport back where she stood on the other side of the cavern. Too much, she thought. This is too much. The feeling that was received from the healing left her breathless and wanting more. She calmed her voice and spoke ‘Thought I owed you that. Since you’ve or we’ve, I suppose, have chosen to be bonded, then we should start by becoming friends.”
“Agreed” he had to admit, that shook him up some too but business had to be done. Something was coming, fast and hard. This, him and her, were meant to be. Somehow this was in the hands of a greater fate than he could imagine. For now, they would talk. They would learn of each other and make the connection that will hold them. Wherever they are they will know where the other is. Physically or metaphysically.

So they talked about everything. Differences in each other’s tribes. The worlds beyond. Everything except what was to come. They stayed away from that topic all through the evening. Aurora told him meanings of the different symbols that decorated her and how the markings she bore on the outside reflected who she was inside. Amazing, he thought. She spoke of purity and innocence, scales of justice and balance, eternal Water Bearer to the Earth and the gods, and more.

Dreka gave some good news that once enraged with the need to protect what he cherishes, he could transform into the enormous dragon again. Bad news was, he couldn’t go back to his people now but he didn’t care. He had already began his journey alone along time ago that just so happened to bring him here. Aurora explained her journey on her own that took her no where. Then they began talking of distant places, different opportunities, and impossible things that could be possible. The connection has been made, the bond complete. Now, for a way out of here…..
Earthbound

The paths tunneling and twisting upward toward the surface kept reaching so far that Aurora and Dreka thought it may take longer than the few days they had been climbing to reach the top. Unfortunately, the narrow virtue and unpredictability of the tunnels make it impossible for flight. Now, as they climb together, hot skin touching cool as they take their steps forward. Dreka was so hot during this that he was thankful when they came to one of the smaller caves that ran along the tunneling path. Inside each of the side caves is a small, shallow pool that he and Aurora loved to bath in and talk. Sometimes they would talk of nothing but when the conversation turned deeper and as he would watch her, his heart would start hammering in his chest and the heat would rise fanning the fire building within him. Aurora had to watch herself as well because when his skin or hand would touch hers in passing or to help her up, electricity and adrenaline would surge her with a wave of desire. Dreka would save her a few times when the climb began to seem impossible and he would push her onward with his mind and she would grugingly comply. She knew the importance of getting out as he does.


Aurora’s senses heightened and she could sense everything, she knew the surface was just above them past the last bit of earth above her. Both of them excited over the thought of fresh air, Aurora moves away a piece of earth and grass big enough for each of them to fit through. Dreka watched as she climbed out of the entrance to the surface, in slow motion, her leg came up high he supposed to boost the rest of the way, then she suddenly went limp. Why did she just pass out? He wondered as he slowly went to her then watching in amazement and worry as her body slid gently from the hole. Dreka’s senses perked everywhere. Listening intently, he surveyed above not with his eyes but the rest of him. Nothing came to him telling him that there was danger above, so he slowly began his ascent. Out up to his chest, his lungs thankful for the fresh air flowing through them now. With no Aurora in sight, Dreka resigned to taking to the sky to see if he could spot her from above, but when he was almost completely out he felt a sharp pain pierce his thigh. He had only the time to look and see the dart sticking out from his leg, then the drug took its effects quickly and darkness.

When he awoke, Dreka shot up in a hurry and quickly surveyed his surroundings. He could see no signs of Aurora or anyone in the bunk tent he currently occupies. To his surprise, he still had all of his gear including the knives and the throwing spear heads he and Aurora had fashioned from the stone taken from the tunnel paths they had ventured. They had time to ensure the sharpest of homemade weapons. Aurora led them in making this very sharp and efficient weaponry since she not only carries the knowledge of such things but also carries most tools needed to create weapons from the surroundings. He noticed how good she was at everything she would do. It amazed him at the same time also would make him swell with pride when he watched her doing something past his everyday expectations. She usually seemed to pass his expectations numerous times a day.

Aurora called to Dreka, inside his mind from hers. The bond was getting stronger he could tell by the strength of the pull, she was pulling him in her direction and he would follow her. Even if he had another choice, to Dreka, she is the first and foremost to him, so no other choice is a choice to him. He allowed himself a quick moment of thoughtfulness, wondering if Aurora knew just how powerful their bond was and was becoming and how important they are to each other now, naturally and for always.

He quickly but quietly made his way through until his head was out of the entrance to the tent. Dreka could see the shaded skies above the trees that engulfed the land in a huge blanket. Placed in what he supposed was a people made clearing among the enormous trees. Other bunk tents like his, all seemed to sink into the earth and into the trees surrounding them. Acting not unlike Aurora’s wings, changing like a chameleon would with it’s surroundings and looking as if it was always a part of the huge forest. His ears started to pick up movement from one of the nearby tents. He rolled and stealthily came to stand on the side of the tent, behind the doorway which was the only one to this tent same as the others. Her voice getting louder in his head, more urgent, he also heard the sound of movement coming closer. As Dreka knelt to the grass to wait, he saw two women step from the tent with towels and equipment he couldn’t recognize from the distance and vantage point. Dreka held there at the side of the tent. What he could make out was that these woman are smaller than the average woman’s stature. They remained barefoot as most did on this world, but their clothes are less elaborate than Aurora’s or that of the fairy people in general. Aurora’s dress holds it’s own category of extraordinary that couldn’t compare to anyone’s. There were times Dreka could swear she was of noble blood somewhere but hadn’t given the subject much thought and probably never would mention the thought of his. Aurora, his fairy warrior princess. Or queen. No matter, she was his, whether or not how fully she understood this doesn’t matter. For now just him knowing is enough. Judging from the two women he just seen, it looks as if this may be a plain people. Why the knock out dart, though? Maybe they just weren’t sure who was climbing out of the dirt and into their territory is all. He hoped that was all. He’d hate to eat an entire people for their stupid mistake of messing with a dragon and his woman.


That last thought sent another wave of heat through him. His woman. She is his isn’t she. Although Dreka was unsure how strong her feelings were for him as of yet, he was certain she felt something. The dragon could catch the slightest of subtilties and Aurora being as quick,stealthy, and clever as she is, pushes him to stay at his best to catch her doing something involuntary or something she is not aware of. Though difficult, the task is not impossible. Dreka has so far been able to notice when they get close, how quickly she dashes away like she’s just been burnt. The way her eyes change from a dull green when she hasn’t noticed him yet then changing to a brightly shining emerald green when he comes in her sight or just like they’ll when she’s able to hit the skies. The sky runs a very close second if not an almost tie with her affections for it and him, he tends to think. The way he had it thought, though, was that noone came between an Arian and the air, especially this one. Aurora looked as if she loved the air in the skies more passionately and intently than any other creature he had known.

Right now, though, to be held in close place to her skies and heavens, Dreka feels like that is enough. For now. When the time comes, Aurora doesn’t know it, but she will have a