Azian Prince of Dragons
Chapter 9 — Edwin

Abigail's POV:

Walking around the forest aimlessly, I was now completely sure I had lost Edwin and his father. Somehow in this large forest, the great mother witch was lost.

I scoffed at the thought, pushing my large hood back, starting up at the trees to get some sense of direction. They towered over me, almost blocking the fading moonlight.

The sun was almost coming up and the mist had lifted, even inside the dark forest which surprised me because I swore the dark forest always had mist, whether in daylight and darkness.

It was a clever protection spell, I thought to myself. Misty on the outside but clear inside.

I kept on walking though I had no clue where I was or in which direction I was heading, which was definitely not wise for someone in my position, hence I opted to rest, sitting down on a large nearby rock.

Here I rested, watching the sun rise once more, Erania in all her splendor.

I had spent six hours walking in this dreaded forest and had not even reached the dragon settlement if there even was one.

My mind drifted to how many dragons there could possibly be in these trees. Was it a small village or one family? Ten thousand years was a long time, but from what I know, dragons reproduce slower than other super natural's as they live for the longest times.

Reaching out, I grabbed a nearby stick, proceeding to draw symbols on the ground. A compass spell to get a sense of direction would be the best spell to do. North was the direction Edwin had ventured to. Unless they took a sharp right or left if I head north I had higher chances of reaching their home.

"Letredini Aisa, diresien" I muttered underneath my breath. Liria poured out me, its magic waves leaving a soft glow on the earth.

Suddenly a thin branch nearby jolted in front of me, spinning rapidly before stopping in a direction.

North.

I smiled as I walked over and picked up the stick, moving in the direction shown, it kept changing slowly, leafing me north.

My invisible spell was also slowly wearing off as I walked. After another two-hour walk, my feet hurt, and I felt awfully tired.

I knew my invisibility spell had completely worn off by now, but I hardly cared, I was thirsty and hungry and most probably lost.

I heard a gurgling noise that suddenly caught my attention, my magic searching rapidly for the source.

As quick as I could, I walked toward the bubbly noises guided by my magic and sure enough, there was a small stream.

Pausing for a second, I took in the sight. Everything was a deep luscious green and the stream a shade of light blue.

It was like a small paradise.

I spotted a large solid rock, jutting off the edge of the banks and sat there taking off my shoes.

Newly formed closures littered my feet. I had delicate skin for my adventurous personality, I thought as I rubbed my feet. Never mind, it was nothing a little magic couldn't fix. "Hello," a small voice said.

I nearly jumped into the stream in fright.

Frantically turning around to see who it was, my heart thudding faster than ever before.

"Edwin!" I shouted out, eyes widening at the sight of the boy. He was fully dressed this time, his face smothered in dirt in some areas and his coal dark hair ruffled in every direction. He looked at me in what seemed like curiosity and confusion.

If I could guess why, it could be the fact that a stranger just called him by name.

My eyes trailed around the area just in case his father was near, but it was only him I saw.

"Dragons are not supposed to show fear" he said, tilting his little head to the side.

"Huh?" I asked, my breathing irrational, my stomach growling at the exact moment.

"Fear. Papa says animals can sense fear, you won't catch any if you are too afraid. You didn't catch anything last hunt did you?" He asked again, his arms folding in an adorable manner. I found myself nodding not really knowing what to say.

"Edwin! The general will not be pleased at you running away again!" a woman said angrily rushing out from the direction I guessed Edwin had escaped from.

"Quick! Hide me!" he screeched running behind me, saying the exact words I should be yelling.

For a boy who talked about having no fear, he sure did know how to hide.

The woman stopped, her eyebrows drawing together at the sight of me. She placed both hands on her hips.

My heart thumped inside my chest, fingers shaking softly. I never was a good actor or as brave as my Aunt Emma.

Her grey eyes studied my form for a second as I studied hers. She did not have a speck of grey hair yet somehow I could tell she was at least in her sixties, with yellow teeth, and an ugly expression.

"Edwin get out here at once!" she ordered, seeming to be ignoring me completely.

Edwin peeped up from behind me then hid again.

"I shall not repeat myself; my lord will not be happy about your stubbornness!" she argued.

Edwin did not come out.

I looked up at the woman, regulating my breathing. If she had not said anything it meant I had not raised any suspicion yet.

"Let me try," I said shyly at first. She looked at me, as if carefully studying me, before giving me a slight nod.

I turned around to face Edwin who in turn looked at the ground. I think he was embarrassed.

"Why don't you want to take a bath?" I asked tilting his chin up gently to look at me. I had always been great with children. Some of them even helped me hide when chased by guards in Riota. Yes, younglings knew all of the best hiding spots in the city.

His brown orbs rested in mine, releasing a soft sigh, "Cold," he said softly, "the water is always too cold," he replied.

The woman behind me huffed, "What would your father think about it Edwin? Cold? It is the first fear every dragons grows out of. How are you supposed to be guardian if you haven't passed it?" She hissed.

I had no idea what she was talking about, but I knew that was no way to talk to a child. My protector senses tingled, causing me to send her a brave glare before turning back to Edwin.

"I'll tell you what," I eased, reaching into my bag. I pulled out a black ash stone I had retrieved the Kiaz river, a river that run through my homeland, muttering a soft word, "put this stone at the bottom of your bath and say, 'water get warm!' one time" I said in a kiddy voice.

He chuckled as I handed him the stone.

"And I guarantee you it will get warm" I finished.

He looked at me with a question in his eyes and disbelief over his features, "How do I know this is not just some trick to get me to bath?" He huffed, his eyes flickered purple when he said this, causing me to raise an eyebrow.

I released a nervous laugh, "you're young, not stupid," I eased.

He seemed satisfied with the answer but still not sure.

"Why don't you try it out?" I pressed, pointing at the little stream.

He looked at me, then his watcher questionably.

She shrugged in reply, so he went toward the edge of the little stream, dipping his closed palms into the water. He paused for a moment, shutting his eyes, "Water get warm" he whispered.

A moment passed and then suddenly his face brightened, and I knew the spell had worked.

He took his hand out of the stream eyeing the stone in awe, twirling it around his palm, "What is this?" he asked, glancing back at me.

"It's a-a-a heat stone" I lied.

He nodded seeming to believe this.

The woman rolled her eyes moving closer to Edwin, "You got the stone now get your lazy bones out of there and come take a bath!" She yelled, grabbing his arm harshly.

He immediately pulled away, stepping into the shallow stream, wetting his pants.

Edwin stuck out his tongue at her, "I'm not going anywhere with you, Davina!" He called her name like the kids in Riota did when they mocked the guards

Her eyebrows hunched, an angry expression on her features as if he had just committed an unforgivable sin, "You little Runt!" she lunged at him.

I stood up quickly blocking her way, pushing her back. She was much taller than me and I realized she was stronger because she didn't stumble back as I expected.

Her deadly eyes raced from Edwin and then back to me.

"Do not touch him like that!" I defended pushing him behind me.

She looked at me angrily, "do you really want to test me? I'm a fire dragon," she hissed, her eyes flashing red. I held my breath at this. This was not first time I had been before shifter eyes, be it Lycans or werewolves or the demonic eyes of leeches.

I had never conjured a demon before. Aunt Emma's spell book had not taught me that yet and I had not pursued it either. I probably was not ready.

My heart beat wildly, involuntarily clenching my fists.

"Do not touch the child in that manner," I repeated trying to be firm.

"Then I'll just have to take him," her voice growing dangerously deep, "you're weak, I can smell your fear of me." She spat.

"You won't," a deep voice boomed. So loud and clear I was sure it spoke to my soul.

Both Davina and I turned to look at who said that.

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"My Lord!" Davina cowered, noticing her eyes flicker again but this time from fright.

She stared at the ground, head bowed in what seemed like a fragile position. One holding up no threat.

"Father!" Edwin ran and jumped into the man's arms. The same man from last night. It must have been the shadows because this man looked even more frightening in the daylight.

"You're dismissed Davina" he growled out, his son in his arms.

"General," she gasped," Forgive me, I can explain."

"I said you are dismissed!" he bellowed so that even the trees shook. I turned, glancing at the shaky leaves before my gaze landed back on him, eyes wide at the show of power displayed in the most fragile yet fearful way. She nodded quickly lifting up her long black skirt and walked away disappearing into the trees.

I myself was scared.

I felt my hands shiver and my feet hurt from the blisters.

Not daring to look in his eyes I focused on the ground. His power was strong. Not one of magic but one of dominance and authority, much like that of the House of Reign but even more sickening.

I could feel his eyes on me, but I dared to look up lest he thinks it was a challenge.

"Who are you?" he boomed. His voice was loud even when he was talking normally.

I froze not knowing what to say.

"Must I repeat myself?" he asked.

I shook my head immediately, knowing fully well I had better not anger him. My gaze lifted, ending just beneath his broad shoulders, scared to go any further lest he sense I was not a part of his species.

"Abigail," I replied in a shaky tone.

"Abigail," he repeated.

Silence.

"I don't think I've ever seen-"

"She's my friend Father, don't treat her like Davina," Edwin cut him off as he turned to look at me.

"Friend?" The giant of a man asked, a curious tone to his question.

"Yes. We met yesterday; she was out hunting as well."

I looked away wanting to run. Hunting? Did they think I was a dragon? Of course, they did.

"Really?" He bellowed, still an unconvinced tone to it.

Silence again.

"You smell.....Different. What is your dragon?" He ordered.

What is my dragon? How do I answer that? Are there different kinds of dragon or species? Aren't they one and the same thing? Davina said she was a fire dragon...

"I-I," I stuttered, my eyes shifting from side to side.

"You're scaring her father!" Edwin scolded.

The man growled at this, though somehow I knew it came out as a sort of scoff.

He huffed, "women" he grunted underneath his breath, "you're tiny."

I glanced down at myself, I didn't think I was that small, but apparently according to him I was tiny. Which was true, but unfair. The man was freaking giant.

He huffed once again, moving away, "Let's go Edwin. The Queen will be pleased to know you chased yet another." He sighed, switching the boy to right arm, markings and drawings drawn up over his left arms to his neck. His dark hair falling past his shoulders in what seemed like a sheet of night, "we must replace you a new watcher,"

"No!" Edwin huffed, "I refuse another Davina" he huffed, sliding out of his father's grasp.

"You know I can't stay with you; Royalty demands that I be in his presence," Edwin's Father grunted out, his eyes resting on the boy that was staring up at him with rebellion in his eyes.

He seemed to understand his son. He seemed to even approve if it. They had some different kind of relationship.

"W-well" Edwin stuttered, looking as if he was trying replace a solution, "Then Abigail, can be my watcher!" He blurted out.

Immediately the beast of a man eyes snapped to me, as if he had forgotten I was still around. Too weak and insignificant to be noticed, his gaze moving so fast it locked with my own. I felt myself dissolve slowly, heart racing faster than ever before, I didn't know why I was still here.

"Could you?" he asked, however I was surprised it was softer this time. Well as soft as he could go.

I guess he knew that I was scared to death.

"I-I," I stuttered. It seemed that was the letter that would come out of my mouth today.

"Say yes" Edwin encouraged, tugging at my cloak, my eyes snapped down to him. "Y-yes sir" I managed to say.

The man sighed, "Tar," he replied, "Address me by my given name."

I nodded.

He called for Edwin and Edwin ran to him, climbing on his back.

"Let's go" he growled to me as He turned away.

I followed him watching him as he talked with his son.

Tar was enormous, he had broad shoulders and stood tall and firm.

His cotton shirt did little to hide his muscles, with his dark hair falling to his shoulders.

He was good looking, yet he commanded fear as he walked. I had never seen anything like him, I was sure the sight of him would bring fear even to King Alec himself.

If this is how he looked as a human I had no reason to ever want to see him as a dragon.

"Where do you live?" Tar asked, though it sounded more like growl, pulling me from my thoughts.

"In a cottage," I said mindlessly, before clasping my mouth. What the hell was I thinking?

Tar shook his head, "Cottage" he mumbled, "Stupid. We all live in cottages"

I cleared my throat, staring at the ground.

"Papa, you're making her uncomfortable," Edwin scolded glancing back at me.

"What are you talking about? I'm just asking where she comes—"

"Your voice is too loud!" Edwin cut him off giggling.

Tar quickly shut his mouth.

I couldn't contain the nervous chuckle at the sight.

He turned back to look at me and I shut up.

"See? Papa?" Edwin continued as He turned back and kept walking.

Edwin began to wriggle out of his father's arms.

"Edwin" Tar warned.

"I want to walk with Abigail" he replied gleefully.

Tar let him slip off his back and he ran to me taking my hand and squeezing it tightly.

I smiled at him, but my eyes slowly wondered back to Tar who kept glancing back at us.

"Don't worry," he whispered lowly, "I know you've probably heard that he is the beast of the fire dragons but deep inside he is a pillow," Edwin explained tugging my hand.

I chuckled at this but stopped when Tar glanced back at me, "Don't listen to him," He growled, turning back to face the front, "I'm exactly what they say I am."

I gulped.

"A pillow" Edwin whispered.

I smiled still not at all certain.