Azulon
It had tasted so good. Like nothing I had ever had before. The sauce was a little gritty but I hadn’t minded. But then, I had felt my body turn into lead and I remember asking her what she had done to me. I remember the look of regret and shame that crossed her face. Then, I dreamed.

When I woke up, my head pounded and my back ached. I had been poisoned. How did she know how to make a sleeping potion? I was about to ask her but I realized she was gone. A note sat by my head. I painstakingly sat up and read the note. What kind of decision had she made?? I couldn’t see why she had chosen the worst choice there was. She had said herself she had hated her life back in the kingdom. My hands shook and my chest hurt at the thought that maybe she had hated me too. But, I couldn’t let her get away. It wasn’t about the Elders anymore. I knew that she would regret her choice for the rest of her life if she made it back. I groaned as I stood up. Then, I slowly changed into a dragon and leapt out into the night sky. The moon was bright and gave me some extra light even though I didn’t need it. As a dragon, I could see clearly to the ground from over 14,000 feet. I flew into the desert and scanned the ground. I saw a flash of yellow and spun around. Of course, Liliana was wearing the magic cloak. I landed by the yellow and saw that it was her hair. She looked so peaceful in her sleep. Her face didn’t look quite so protected and it didn’t have that sad look about it. I gently scooped her and her small bundle up and took off into the air. She slept on all through the ride.

It was hard for me to imagine why she had wanted to go back to the kingdom. With her brother distant and cold, a busy mother, a father who didn’t want much to do with her, her betrothed her couldn’t care less for her. What kind of life was that? I supposed that it was a life much like mine. I was born into a high ranking family. My mother was the Empress’ lady-in-waiting and my father was one of the Elders. When I was born, they expected me to rule Celestinia one day. They had high hopes for me. That is, until they found out I could shift. I could still remember that day like it had happened only last week. I had just started the training that every dragon goes through to help determine what they would become, like a warrior, or a scribe. I remember I was practicing my tail blows. All of the sudden, I had felt immense pain and I stood in human form. I had immediately been taken to the Elders and my mother. I remember how scared my mother looked and how tired and sad my father was. They had exiled me to live alone in a cave and to only come to Celestinia for celebrations or dire emergencies. I shivered at the memory.

Liliana
I woke up stiff and cold. I looked around and realized that I was back in the cave. I expected to feel angry but only felt relieved. You sat with your feet dangling off the edge of the cave mouth. Your raven black hair shone with a blue-ish sheen in the rising sun’s light. I stood up and sat next to you. You were quiet and you gently swung your legs. I got dizzy looking down. You seemed to realize I was there and you turned your piercing blue eyes to me. You looked betrayed and you had no idea how sick that had made me feel. You stared at me as if trying to make me feel even worse than I already did. “I’m sorry.” I whispered. You grunted and shifted away. I sighed and the burn of regret seared deeper into my stomach. I tentatively reached out and tapped your shoulder. You turned around ever so slowly and your eyes were a strange silver color. I repeated, “I’m sorry.” You took a shaky breath and stood up. Then, you offered your hand to me and I took it with gratitude. I knew that you had forgiven me—somewhat. I didn’t know why I was so sorry for drugging you when you had stolen me away. But, I wasn’t missing the kingdom life. Maybe that was why. You led me over to a small cavern entrance that I hadn’t noticed before and you crawled in. I knew I was meant to follow you, but I felt a pang of fear. What would you do to me once I was inside? A horrible vision of my bones lying abandoned in this small inner cave with you washing blood of your hands crossed my mind. You could do it. But, somehow I knew you wouldn’t. I crawled into the cave and I could see your eyes glowing. I knelt down and gazed at you. It was quiet except for the quiet sound of the wind whistling outside. Then, you whispered, “I’m sorry your life here wasn’t good enough for you. I’m sorry if this offends you but I really didn’t see what the choice was. You said yourself that you hated your life in the kingdom. So, why did you leave? Look, Liliana, I want to let you go believe me. But if I did……Look never mind that. What was there for you in the kingdom that made you want to go back so badly?” Your eyes looked sad and cold as if they were waiting for my answer to warm them up. You were right. You probably already knew what my answer would be though. “I don’t know why I’m never good enough for anyone.” You whispered voice thick with emotion. “No,” I whispered back. I hesitated before using your name. “Azulon, no. I never ever meant that. I wanted to go back to the kingdom maybe for a sense of normalcy or to see my mother again. Maybe to try to get my brother back. I’m not sure. But please, I made a bad choice and I’m sorry.” My voice cracked a little at the end and your eyes softened. “How did you know how to make that potion or whatever that was anyway?” You sounded a bit impressed. I smirked and whispered into your ear, “That’s my little secret.” You made a sound of annoyance and got up. “By the way, you’ve been here a week.” You probably remembered that from my note. I nodded and all of a sudden, there came a sound like no other I had ever heard. It was a swishing noise that made my ears buzz combined with an unearthly screech. Your eyes widened and you yelled, “Go!! Get into your cavern and only come out if I tell you to!” You looked genuinely afraid so I jumped up and ran. I had only made it to the last wardrobe when something landed in the cave and made it quiver. I opened the door to the wardrobe and scrambled in. I left the wooden door open a little bit so I could at least hear what was going on. I heard something take a deep breath and chuckle throatily. “So, you actually did obey the Elders’ orders.”
“Hello to you too, Darius.” I heard you say wryly. I peeked out and saw a sickly green dragon standing in the mouth of the cave. It- Darius was still sniffing the air with a terrible dragon smile plastered on his face. I shivered as the dragon spoke again. “The Elders and the Empress (May she rule the skies forever) would like to meet your maiden. They will be expecting you in two days time in the Empress’ cave. You are to be there at dusk. Have an excellent rest of the day and…. Good luck.” He laughed again and I heard him take off.