He was going to kill the dragon, and then…
And then…
And then…
He would force me to marry him, and I would never be free again.
“Fight!” I yelled at the dragon. I begged the beast, inserting every ounce of feeling that was roiling through me into my words. “Please, don’t give up.”
I didn’t even know if the creature could understand me, but for a moment, it seemed like maybe it could. Its golden eye met mine before it let out a cry of distress, flapping its wings as it gained enough power to take off once more.
The wind stirred my hair, blowing red locks into my face as the dragon lifted off the ground. Red blood pooled beneath the beast as it rose, and I stifled a sob. The magnificent beast looked like it was in so much pain.
But perhaps this was for the best.
For one brief moment, I thought the dragon might be able to escape. Maybe Remington wouldn’t win. Perhaps evil would not triumph on this day. I would die, but maybe the beast could survive.
My breath caught in my throat as the dragon lifted five, then ten, then fifteen feet in the air.
“Go,” I whispered. “Live for both of us.”
It looked like it was getting away, but then Remington roared. The sound sent shivers down my spine as he released his grip on the sphere of magic. He lobbed it through the air towards the retreating dragon.
I watched in absolute horror as it arched perfectly through the air. “No,” I whimpered.
Too late.
Everything moved slowly. So slowly. Too slowly.
The sphere inched towards the dragon, its path clearly marked against the bright blue sky.
The injured dragon let out a cry of distress, flapping its wings as it tried to fly faster. It moved higher in the sky, stirring the wind around us, but it wasn’t fast enough.
I screamed, the sound of my voice blood-curdling, as the sphere continued on its deadly path. I had seen magic like this before. It left holes—giant, deadly holes that went straight through bodies.
My legs shook as the ball hit the dragon right under its left wing. The magic exploded, coating the creature’s entire body in bolts of red lightning.
A thunderous roar erupted from the beast. The rocks shook, and the trees trembled as the magnificent beast cried out in agony.
My heart clenched in my chest as the dragon went tumbling to the ground. Its injured wing dragged as it tried to right itself. My lungs seized as I struggled against my bonds, wanting desperately to help the poor animal.
Remington laughed.
Helaughedas this magnificent animal plummeted back to the ground far faster than it had before. The dragon landed in a movement that could only be described as ungraceful. Crimson blood poured from its wing, staining the ashy ground beneath it.
The Red Shadow was already spooling more magic in his hands.
“After this, they shall call me the Dragon Slayer,” he thundered. “Just think about it, sweeting. You shall be the wife of the Dragon Slayer. Imagine the glory that will be bestowed upon us both at court.”
“There is no glory in slaying innocent creatures,” I spat. “I will never marry you. You are a horrible, conniving bastard and I despise you. The blood that stains your hands will never come off. How could you find joy in killing such a splendid creature?”
A sob wrenched through me as I stared at the dragon. It was lying on the road, its golden eyes shut as it heaved heavy breaths. Blood poured out of its wounds, staining the ground beneath it. It appeared to be moments away from dying.
Remington stopped short. His mouth opened and closed as a look of incredulity crossed his face. “Do you… Do you care for this animal, thisbeast?”
“Yes,” I replied. My voice wobbled, but I continued. “No living creature deserves this kind of treatment. Certainly not something as impressive as this dragon.”
The Red Shadow stalked towards me, his eyes flashing in anger. He gestured to me, the injured beast momentarily forgotten, as he drew near. Now that he was closer, I could see that not only was there a cut down his chest, but Remington was limping. A long cut ran down one of his wings, and soot covered him from head to toe.