Hidden Paradise, part four

Having slept over and eaten breakfast with Grey’s family, who sympathized with my plight, I was now back in the forest, the crisp air cooling my inner fire.

I’m still angry at Mother for treating me like I’m cattle to be traded for money. As if I don’t have a will of my own.

But the bigger problem is that my people are stuck in the past. They want to hold onto tradition with an iron vice, mostly out of fear. But times are changing, and we need to change with it, or else we’ll perish.

I inhale deeply, the cold air filling my lungs. We’re dragons, for goodness sake! We are a strong people who have and can endure anything.

My inner dragon suddenly becomes restless, trying to claw her way to the surface. And that familiar human scent follows.

I can’t help but smile, “Are you stalking me?”

William reveals himself, stepping away from some bushes, “Like I could hurt you.”

“That doesn’t really answer my question.”

He blushes, “I was hoping to see you again.”

I tilt my head, walking toward him, “Why?”

“Because I like you.”

My dragon goes crazy as soon as he says that, and I can’t stop the heat rising in my face. “You’ve only known me for a day.”

“But I can tell you’re a good person.”

I smile, “Well, thank you, but this isn’t the safest place for you.”

“Why not?” William sits on a moss-coated log, “We’re in the forest.”

“Because a lot of my people are afraid of what’s outside the valley.” I hold my hands behind my back. “And they’d see you as a threat.”

He scoffs at me, “Me, a weak human man, a threat?”

“Yes,” I stand taller, “because you’re different from us.”

William frowns but seems to understand, “Well, is there a place we could meet safely?”

My mouth curves upward, “There is one place I know.” I begin walking, “Aren’t you coming?”

He scrambles to his feet, “Didn’t think we’d be going now.”

I giggle a little. He’s cute.