The glow pulsed beneath my palms as the water seeped into his wounds.

  It spread like the warmth of a blanket—then shifted, rising, humming, almost alive. The light arched and curled around my fingers, climbed up my arms. Then suddenly— I wasn’t by the lake anymore.

  Darkness swallowed the edges of my vision, and a whisper slipped through it. Low, rough, spoken in a language I knew I had never heard, yet somehow felt in my bones.

  “Vae’shira thal’kai, mor’kael en’soriel…”

  The voice trembled, not with fear, but with devotion… and a dangerous kind of hope.

  A hand I didn’t recognize brushed my cheek in the memory—warm, calloused, tender. Someone leaned close, breath brushing my ear.

  “Naevor aeth’ren, kai’vor en’sei.”

  The words echoed through me, vibrating deep in my chest as though tugging at something buried far beneath my ribs.

  And then, just as quickly as it came, the memory snapped. The lake was back. The wounded man. My hands shaking on his skin. My lungs begged for breath.

  “What…” My voice quivered. “What was that?”

  I slumped over slightly once it released me.

  “Satisfied?” the stranger whispered under a growl, resting his head on the river stones beneath him.

  “What- I-” I turned my hands over and over, scared and concerned about whatever that was. Seemingly unscathed, my hands looked normal. Bloody. But normal.

  A memory seeped through the rush.

  “I didn’t kill it" Damien's voice said.

  “You think its still alive?” I replied.

  “Maybe, I don’t know.-...”

  “Where did you land?”

  “South I think, I came from the south.”

  “The- the dragon…" I whispered and gulped.

  Could this be- no it couldn’t possibly. This was a full grown man!

  I looked the stranger over for scales, none to be found. Horns? Non existent. Talons? Only if they looked like normal fingers.

  My thoughts grew more unsettled the longer I mulled the possibility over.

  He was incredibly large in stature. Had to be near seven feet tall by my guess.

  The stab wound placement was congruent with Iron Vow Knight training. Making sure it was out of reach between the shoulder blades and through the heart.

  The light, how could it be anything else besides an oath locking into place? Unless it was a different spell for something unrelated.

  He didn’t want to be saved either, fought me over it even. Either his life had met rock bottom, or he knew what he was getting himself into if he let me help save him.

  I looked back at the man, and hesitantly pressed the bandages back on the wound. “Stay still, ” I told him softly, trying to hide the mixed emotions stirring in me. He mumbled once I sat back on my heels. The blood had almost instantly lightened. And I breathed my own sigh of relief. “The water seems to be doing the trick.”

  Dragon or not, I had done it, all on my own. What would I had done if had listened to him and walked away, letting him die? I couldn’t live with myself If I had. If life wasn’t already hard enough, how could I handle this on top of it?

  “You’re must be out of your mind… “ the cough that followed was wet.

  “An odd thing to say to someone who just saved your life.” I looked to the short sword, the dark blood that covered the blade. It seemed to be made out of obsidian. It confused me a little, knowing how easily obsidian broke. It would never make a good blade for fighting, especially for dragon scales. Enough of the double edged short sword was spared from the blood, that I could see magic runes inscribed. Ares had taught me what to look for when it came to dark magic or cursed objects. That lesson was a bit of a blur, but the runes were so distinct, far from anything human. . This sword was meant for whatever the man was.

  “Are you on some psychotic break? A wanted criminal?” my brow knitted together in the middle.

  “Criminal?” he shook his head and laughed with little mirth at that. “A psychotic break? At this point I think we both are.”

  I tossed my eyes and pressed firmer on the wound. “I might agree with you on that point” I replied.

  I lifted my eyes to the tree line, noticing a flat patch of grass under a small willow. A few dead logs would provide something for him to lean against.

  I pursed my lips and whistled a short tune, calling for Bone. He neighed, but didn’t come immediately, I imagined he was still afraid to come out of the tree line. The mans bleeding subsided so I felt comfortable enough to stand without the wound needing the pressure of my hands. This way I could be more urgent and clear with my call.

  I whistled again with more fervor. A rustling came from the bushes and he appeared, clopping away on the stones. He circled checking out the scene, then came close to my side.

  “I need to get him over there,” I said pointing like he understood me. I always felt he could to some extent.

  “Can you stand?” I asked the man bending down next to him. The man lifted his head, his breathing calmer now. He winced as he pushed off the ground to his knees.

  “You can use Bone as a crutch,” I said holding a hand out for him to take, he did so gently. Then he put a hand to the boulder, since it was more solid than my weaker frame.

  The man wobbled to my horse putting the uninjured arm around his neck. Bone whinnied in irritation once the man touched him. Stomping his hooves and shaking his head.

  “Bone, please?” I begged. My horse kept at it, the man trying to stay up right and hold the horse.

  “Shhh,” the man cooed as he leaned on Bone. Petting the side of his neck with a large hand. Bone stopped instantly, leaning into the pets. He was weak for physical touch, mostly from females so this was incredibly odd.

  “Buen chico,” the man whispered and scratched under Bones jaw and ear. Bone’s back foot lifted slightly, opening up his side for the man to scratch deeper.

  “How-…” I stood in shock. Where did his self preservation go? Who was this man?

  I cleared my throat and composed myself. “Take him to the willow please,” I said gesturing to the little clearing. I clicked my tongue and Bone walked slowly so the man could take small steps.

  The man took his place against the log with a groan holding his shoulder. Bone stayed near, as if to watch over him, or expecting more scritches.

  I bent down on a knee, and helped adjust a wet bandage to his wound to rest between him and the log, that way I could look for firewood. The man winced while he leaned back, panting slightly once he finally got to relax.

  “Thank you- …” he looked at me, eyes drooping.

  I bit back the sarcastic comment I wanted to make about finally receiving a thank you, and dropped my shoulders. “Happy to help… I’m Jade by the way,” I politely smiled, dusting off the skirt of my dress.

  “The princess?” he said raising an eyebrow.

  I flinched slightly, I didn’t think my name would be so recognizable. All things considered, I wasn’t wearing anything fancy, no crown or jewels. I had borrowed the dress from Madeline.

  Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

  How could he have known?

  I thought it best in the heat of the moment to ignore him. “Rest here, and Ill go collect some wood for a fire,” I said quietly, going through one of my bags for the flint and steel.

  The stranger hesitantly nodded, his expression slowly knotted at the brow once he finally took a good look at me.

  Our eyes held for a second too long. The color of his tan face, flushed from the events moments ago.

  He thought for a moment then spoke “I'm…Isaac,” he stuttered. Part of me was flattered to be stared at by him, if I was being honest, I didn’t think I had ever wanted to describe a man as beautiful before, even then it felt like an understatement.

  I pondered the idea that he could be lying about his name. But what did it matter at this point.

  “I will return shortly,” I smirked and turned to gather wood. “Keep and eye on him for me,” I told Bone. My horse just shook his head in response.

  I walked a ways pondering who Isaac was. I hadn’t looked hard at the blade that impaled him.

  Blades that had magic, were meant for big game. Mostly used by bounty hunters. A rare blade no less, meant for rare powerful creatures.

  Would he tell me he was dragon if I asked?

  Wood, I need to gather wood, I reminded myself. Bending down and picking up sticks of all sizes.

  The wind blew gently on my face, tossing strands of my hair. I turned my head the way it was gliding over me, pointing me to dragons peak. I squinted my eyes to see it.

  If my theory was right, then dragons wouldn’t welcome debt—not to anyone. And yet… he had surrendered to me. Why?

  Dragons weren’t supposed to feel. They burned and broke and took. That was the story, wasn’t it?

  But if this one was human. Or close enough. Why would he care enough to give up his life for mine? It would’ve taken nothing for him to overpower me. I had some training, yes—but nothing that could stop him. My strength came from long walks, from holding a paintbrush steady for hours. Not from battle.

  The lightning.

  The memory made my heart flip. Arcs of light pinning my hands to his back.

  A lightning dragon.

  Fear and excitement tangled together in my veins.

  “You could have a real chance of winning the war against Thule.” Damien’s voice echoed in my head.

  I glanced back at Isaac. He sat quietly, one hand absently stroking Bone along the bridge of his nose. Bone leaned into it.

  This wasn’t a beast.

  How would I ever ask him such a favor? How could I suggest this person give up their life to protect me? What if he had a wife and children?

  I closed my eyes and sighed. I couldnt jump to any conclusions right now.

  I needed to remember to write Madeline. Figuring out how to tell her i saved a mans life and now he was possibly the dragon? No, I needed to keep this close to the vest.

  My arms were full now. I wished for an axe to break larger logs, but thick branches would have to do. I kicked at a dead tree, the wood snapping easily beneath my boot.

  I glanced back at Isaac again. He was coaxing Bone closer, murmuring softly. Bone obliged, bowing his head for more attention.

  If the lake hadn’t turned him to dust. If Bone trusted him…

  My adrenaline finally began to ebb, and pain flared in my knee. I decided it was time to head back before my strength gave out entirely.

  I lit the fire quickly, warmth blooming into the cool night. For the first time, I could truly see—stones, trees, the shoreline glowing amber beneath the flames. Above us, the stars spilled across the sky, galaxies dusted in violet, pink, and white. The Milky Way stretched like a promise.

  I returned to the lake and soaked the clean bandages from my pack, careful not to wring them dry. I filled a canteen as well—water to restore Isaac’s strength.

  He sat against the log, eyes tracing the heavens.

  Isaac was beautiful—but not in a soft, summer meadows kind of way.

  More like rainy day.

  His dark hair reminded me of waves under moonlight. His eyes glowed bronze in the firelight. His face was the kind artists took their time to sculpt and perfect. His lashes dark enough to soften him, making him not just handsome… but pretty.

  I quickly looked away before he could catch me gawking, and knelt beside him.

  “How are you feeling?” I asked, handing him the canteen. “Lean forward. I need to change the bandages.”

  He drank gratefully, then leaned in, hugging one knee. I pressed the cool cloths against his back. He hissed softly as the water ran over the wound.

  “It stings.”

  “Maybe that means its working,” I murmured, attempting lightness.

  The bleeding had stopped. The wound was shallower now—though the angry red branches beneath his skin worried me. I cleaned what remained, careful and thorough.

  “I think it’ll heal in a day or two,” I said. “It already looks better.”

  I shifted back onto my knees—and immediately gasped. Pain shot through my leg, sharp and sudden. I sat back quickly to relieve the pressure. A hiss escaping me.

  Isaac’s expression changed at once. He set down the water and looked down at me, concern deepening.

  “You’re hurt.”

  “It’s nothing—” I clasped a hand over the stain of blood that had seeped through the dress, my cheeks warming.

  He ignored me.

  Taking the cloth from my hand, he stood and rinsed it at the lake, returning moments later. He knelt in front of me and reached a hand out to my ankle.

  I braced for cold. Instead, his fingers were warm. He looked up at me, a raised eye brow—questioning. Asking for permission to see the wound.

  “It's just a scratch, really.”

  “Lying about it won’t do you any good.”

  I parted my mouth for a rebuttal, but nothing surfaced. Instead I forfeited and gave a weak nod. "Alright..."

  He lifted the hem of my dress just past my knee, his other hand sliding gently up my calf, bending my leg slightly. His touch was careful. Respectful.

  “You don’t have to—” I started.

  The look I received in response stopped me. It wasnt harsh. Just firm. Almost as if asking me to challenge him. It was intimidating, so I simply I fell quiet.

  The cool water met my skin, and I relaxed as he cleaned the scrape with small, deliberate dabbing motions. He was meticulous. Gentle. His warm hand never left the back of my knee.

  “These river stones can be deceiving. They hide shards of obsidian.”

  The short sword I had pulled from his back glinted in the firelight on the shoreline.

  “I didnt even feel it. Must have happened when I fell at your side... Thank you,” I replied meekly.

  The gash faded quickly, healing little by little.

  “You shouldn’t be out here,” he said at last. “A Princesa like you should have a knight by her side at the least.”

  My mind had completely forgotten how he knew that so quickly. “How do you know that?” I asked.

  “You are well kept. Clean. Your horses saddle bears your crest. I've seen your portraits.” His gaze flicked to me. “You are Princess Jade of Elsinora.”

  “Oh.” I bit my lip, cursing myself for not being more vigilant. I decided to turn the tables. “And you are not just some man,” I said carefully. Hope threaded my words. “Are you?”

  He glanced away, ignoring me once again. “Why are you here alone?”

  I leaned back against the log fighting the urge to roll my eyes as they drifted to the stars. “I needed to be.”

  “Alone? In the woods?”

  “I was hoping to scream for a few hours,” I said dryly.

  He paused. “An odd plan.”

  “If you were me,” I said quietly, “you’d understand.”

  “If I were you,” he replied, drying my leg with the cloak, “I would have stayed home.”

  “If I had,” I said, meeting his eyes, “you would be dead."

  Isaac pressed his lips together, then nodded once in quiet defeat.

  “Fair point,” he said. “But what if I am the danger? You seem… a little naive.”

  I drew my leg away as his words settled heavily in my chest. Maybe I was too trusting.

  But he hadn’t hurt me—hadn’t really tried—when he’d had every opportunity. And Bone… Bone liked him. My horse barely tolerated the stable hands.

  Isaac wrung out the cloth and laid it carefully over the warm stones to dry, folding it with practiced precision. Hardly the habits of a reckless man. Or a monster.

  “Why are you out here?” he asked.

  “Will you answer my question if I answer yours?” I tilted my head.

  Isaac's golden eyes flickered, wary now. One brow lifted slightly. “Sí, Princesa,” he said at last—tired, but curious.

  He crossed the short distance between us and settled against the fallen tree beside me, one arm braced over a bent knee.

  “To keep it brief…” I reached into my bag and unwrapped the bread and cheese. I offered him some, and he accepted without hesitation. “My childhood love returned from his trial—the one that makes you an Elite Knight.” I took a bite, bitterness curling in my mouth. “I found him kissing someone else during his knighting festival.”

  Isaac finished his portion far quicker than I expected. I blinked, half-wondering if I’d imagined giving it to him.

  “That is why you ran?” he said quietly, licking the last crumbs from his fingers.

  “It gets worse,” I let out a humorless chuckle. “I wanted to marry him.” I stared into the fire. “My kingdom is drowning in debt. In two weeks, I will be married to King Archibald of Thule.”

  Isaac nodded once. “I’ve heard the rumors.”

  I groaned as a tear slipped free. I tossed a stick into the flames, watching it spark and crack. It helped. Marginally.

  “Jade,” he said softly—my name like a salve pressed to an open wound. The tears came anyway.

  “You carry a heavy weight. Being royal isn’t all its cracked up to be.”

  I laughed weakly as I wiped my cheeks with my sleeve. “I love my purpose, my ability to help my people. I love being their advocate and seeing so many walks of life. Its just this part that’s not pleasant.” I worried I was airing out too much too fast to this stranger. “I thought I was out of tears… I don’t know why I am telling you all of this.”

  I was surprised when I looked up at Isaac, genuine concern on his expression. He shifted closer but didn’t touch me. He just stayed. Silent. Steady. Giving me space to breathe. “You came here to scream, did you not? Don’t let me stop you.” A twitch of a smirk on his lips, the peek of a dimple in his cheek. "Is there really no other solution?"

  I considered his words, getting a little lost on his face. “I would do anything for my people,” I whispered at last. “If I don’t marry him… I fail them."

  I hesitated, then shook my head. I closed my eyes and forced a slow breath in—then out—until the tightness in my throat eased.

  “My friend Ares suggested we marry,” I said quietly. “He’s a mage. Wealthy. Respected.”

  I swallowed. “My father considered it. But war would follow. Thule would crush us financially. Ares wasn’t enough to stop that.”

  “And the knight?” Isaac asked.

  “Damien?” I drew my knees to my chest. “I couldn’t marry him either. For the same reason.”

  I watched Bone wander to the water’s edge. “It’s for the best… I think.”

  Isaac stayed silent, close but restrained. His fingers worried at the fabric of his trousers, betraying the thoughts he kept to himself.

  I stared at the lake, watching Bone’s ripples distort the Milky Way reflected on its surface.

  My thoughts drifted to Eli. I missed him already. Ares would take care of him—I knew that. Still, guilt tugged at me for leaving without a word.

  “You asked what I am,” Isaac said at last. “But I think you already suspect.”

  He tossed a stick into the fire.

  I swallowed. “You’re a dragon,” I said softly. “The one my knight tried to kill.”

  Isaac looked at me then—really looked at me—and my heart tightened under the weight of it.

  A smile curved his lips. White. Warm. A dimple cut deep into his left cheek. I felt like I had tripped over it, caught completely off guard by the beauty it brought to his face.

  “Its thanks to you, he failed,” Isaac said gently. Then, with unmistakable amusement, “—but yes.”