The Dragon's Bride
Chapter 6

Catori’s dream......

There was no ground beneath my feet. I was clawing at the air.

Falling.

We both were falling.

Our fingertips touched and I saw green sparks in the darkness.

Then I slipped through his fingers, and all I could feel was a loss.

“Come back, I try to say,” but my voice never came.

I watched hopelessly as dragons tear at his skin with their teeth and claws; he fought them off, but his effort was feeble.

Catori jerked awake with a stare, her head spinning from the rush of getting up too fast.

She hawked around her bedroom, noting that it was still night.

Catori’s sheets were drenched in sweat, her head throbbed as she fell back down on her bed, waiting for the dream to recede.

Her dream about those dragons felt real, then she remembered. Dragons were real; she saw them with her own two eyes, twice.

Catori pulled her sheet over her head, fearful that she wasn’t safe in her room.

Feeling restless, Catori turned her night light on. That was when she noticed an old red binding book on her bedside table.

There was a name on it, (Nightwing.) It also had a golden dragon encrusted just below the name.

Catori’s breathing came out in a rush at that, all sorts of thoughts running through her mind.

Did a Dragon leave it here?

She took up the book gingerly and examined it. Electric current raced up her arms, causing her to drop the book.

The moment it dropped to the floor, it opened to a page on its own.

Catori got down to the floor to inspect the page. It only illustrated an image of a dragon.

She spun a few pages, then decided to read the entry book. Wanting to make sure that she wasn’t hallucinating or dreamt about seeing dragons.

She ran her finger over the words on the first page.

(If this book replaces you, then you are a descendant of the mighty Apepi.)

Catori span to the next page, feeling confused about who Apepi was and also wanting to know more, especially if Dragons were real.

(Originating from the land of Britannica, Dragons are neither malevolent nor benevolent.

We are magical beings, blessed by Queen Shiva to be the bridge between the spiritual world and the world of the living.

Being guides for those that seek answers, and to provide help to those that are lost.

Apepi was the first, being both a beloved and well feared ruler. Blessed with all the gifts of earth, wind, water, and fire. Fathering two sons and one daughter, he set the notion for how our people should be.

Considered to be over sized snakes, by those who didn’t understand us. Hunted and killed by those who fear us.)

Catori skipped a few more pages until she came across a page mentioning the name ‘Nightwing.’

The image it showed was of a golden dragon, surrounded by olive trees.

(The oldest and most cherished son of Apepi, Nightwing, ruled the kingdom of Britannica for many centuries, before the son of Roma challenged him. Simply because he didn’t like his soft nature, there was no battle as expected, because Nightwing willingly gave up the throne.

Later, it was made known that he had found his mate among the humans, which is taboo amongst his people.)

Again, Catori stopped reading, to wonder who had left this book in her room and why?

She doubted that anyone would believe her, so she decided to keep the book and what she saw to herself.

After getting back in bed, Catori lay there wide awake, her mind swirling with thoughts. Until she finally fell asleep at dawn.

“Catori, it’s time to wake up.” Her mother came into the room, drawing the curtains and making as much noise as she could.

Catori groaned then rolled over, thinking that this was why she wanted to join the monastery, but after what that book had said, she doubted she would ever set foot back in that place again.

“Come now, young lady.” Farrah said, picking up things from off the floor.

She held the book in her hand, then sucked her teeth. “Now I see why you are sleeping so late. How many times do I have to tell you? I don’t want you reading things like this.”

Catori said nothing as her mother continued to go off about how a book like that will only rot her brain, and the usual thing about her needing to get married.

Thankfully, Lucian came into the room to chase his wife out.

“Can you not chew her ear off today?” Lucian said, trying to push Farrah out.

“I don’t understand why you keep taking her side. It’s as if she can’t do anything wrong in your eyes.” Farrah pushed his hands off.

Lucian pinched the bridge of his nose, “she was attacked yesterday, and your nagging isn’t helping. Either of us.”

“Nagging?” Farrah said furiously.

“Yes, you might not see it, but the way you behave is what pushes people away from you.” Lucian nodded.

Farrah’s face went red, and she turned to leave the room.

Lucian turned to Catori, “get as much rest as you want. Yesterday must have been traumatic for you.”

Catori said nothing at first. Instead, she got out of bed and picked up the book that her mother had thrown in the trash bin.

“Did you leave this book in here?” Catori waved the book.

Lucian let out a sigh, “there are just some things you don’t understand and need to know.”

“Did you?” Catori grilled.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I am the owner of the book.” Lucian admitted.

“That isn’t answering anything. Why are you dodging the question?”

“When you feel better, I will tell you all that you need to know.” Lucian told her.

Catori threw the book down, “you know what? Forget it. I don’t want to hear anything now or ever. I don’t see what’s so hard in answering my simple question.”

“Because you might not be ready for the truth.”

Catori gave a laugh. “I saw dragons, real life dragons. I don’t see what else could be worse than that.”

Feeling defeated, Lucian turned to leave the room, then stopped. “At least read the book first, then come and replace me.”

“Are you Nightwing?” Catori asked.

Lucian paused for a split second, then continued out the door.

Catori threw herself on her bed and screamed into her pillow. She always hated that her parents treated her as if she was a child.

She never knew what was going on unless someone else told her.

Catori spent the rest of the day in her room, only coming out to shower, then went right back.