Dragonbound: Birthrights (Book 2)

Finally, the companions were near the border to Avestitia. They sat up camp near the ledge of a small cliff where trees and brush grew wildly. The sun was hot, the wind just as scorching. Kiaran stood near the edge of the drop-off, her hand resting on a narrow tree.

Her heart ached as she watched the vast grasslands ahead of her. The wind carried hawks far away so they looked like little sparrows. Glancing back, she saw Davin laughing while playing a hand game with Ryker. The boy pouted and smacked Davin’s hand away, done with the game.

Nurra, however, stood on his hind legs, his claws reaching for Davin’s hand in curiosity. He opened his fingers, revealing nothing which only aggravated the dragon. Apparently, he was hoping for a treat.

Her stomach churned as she remembered the last few days with them. The flower she was given...It made her heart thud and her cheeks grow warm. It was stupid, and she hated it.

But, then again...She always found herself looking at it when she was alone. She found herself watching Davin when he wasn’t paying attention...

Hesitantly, she returned to them and sat against a log. One knee was drawn up, her other leg stretched out ahead of her. “So what kind of food will there be in Vintar?” Ryker asked happily. The question made Davin tense slightly and Kiaran’s heart skipped.

“All sorts,” Kiaran forced a small smile. “Apples and pears and many, many more fruits--but the excellence of the vegetables--oh! And the meats are absolutely delicious.”

Ryker smiled widely, showing his hunger. “That sounds wonderful,” he beamed softly.

“There’s honey and desserts. And many drinks to choose from as well,” she added.

He held a smile, looking excitedly to Davin. “What should we have first?” he asked.

“...We’ll just have to see,” he answered.

The afternoon was lazy, setting up camp early for the day. Davin was resting in the shade, stretched out on his side and propped up on his elbow. He twisted a blade of grass in his fingers, watching it absently.

Ryker sat near him, his eyes on his little hands. He was very quiet the last few days. He kept mostly with Charmer to avoid talking with either Kiaran or Davin.

Davin’s attention moved to Ryker, and he asked, “Are you nervous to be moving into a castle?” His voice was soft and comforting.

He shrugged a shoulder, his eyes still on his hands. The wind ruffled his light hair, otherwise, he was as still as a statue. “Why are you so distant?” he pressed. Ryker’s stunning eyes shot to him, narrow and troubled. Davin sat up and faced him. Leaning forward, he rested his arms across his knees. “You can talk to either of us, no matter what is troubling you,” he said.

“I know,” he responded.

“So...What is the problem?” Davin continued to push.

“I have never left my home, let alone my country,” he said. “I suppose...that I am nervous. I have no idea what I am walking into.”

“It is much easier to live in Vintar than it is here,” Kiaran said. “I know someone who would love to meet you.” Ritiann would love to see her grandchild. However...she wondered if she should tell her who Ryker really was.

Davin’s eyes slowly moved to Kiaran, but his words were still directed at Ryker, “Is there something else on your mind?”

He slowly shook his head. “Honestly...everything is on my mind. It feels cluttered.”

Davin mussed up Ryker’s hair a bit, saying, “It’s alright. Kiaran’s the best you could ask for. You’ll be safe and happy. Why don’t you find something to do?”

Ryker nodded and slowly stood. Fishing out a large book from his pack, he paced away, sitting under his own tree to read in solitude.

Once alone, Kiaran and Davin faced each other. “This has been a rough time together,” he said gently. “But it’s a time I’d not trade for anything.”

“Davin...” she slowly looked away, hoping to create a bit of distance. But maybe it was already too late. “When you get home, be sure to check on Torin and the tribe...”

His expression darkened into unease as she shifted the conversation. “...Alright,” he said lowly.

After so long, Davin had busied himself with setting a fire to cook. Ryker was skipping around in the grass, and Kiaran sat by herself. Nurra sniffed the flower she held in her fingers as she twirled it. The petals twisted with her movements and she paused. Her fingertips felt the softness of the flower and her insides cringed. She glanced over to Davin as he worked, the setting sun warming his skin. Looking back to her flower, she felt a deep feeling of regret.

“Did Davin give you that?” Ryker asked softly. She looked up to find him crouching ahead of her. “I’ve never seen a lily in that color.”

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” she replied. He nodded and she said, “Yes. He did give it to me.”

“Does that mean he likes you?” he sat, crossing his feet.

“I should hope that he likes me,” she let out a short laugh. “We are companions, traveling and fighting together. It’d be awful if we disliked one another.”

He watched her with a flat expression. She knew exactly what he meant, but she didn’t feel the need to answer. Finally, he held a hand out and she gave him the flower. “It is a thoughtful sentiment,” he shrugged. “Too bad flowers tend to die after a few days.”

He held it gently as he spoke some words, softly, in a strange language. A soft hue of purple light surrounded the flower as it glowed. The lights burst into sparkles as they fell to the ground like purple shards of ice, melting into nothing. Handing it back to her, he said, “It is preserved forever, now. It will never wilt or die...But it is like glass, so it can break if under enough stress or pressure.”

She smiled as he dropped it into her hand. It was cold, feeling just like glass. It seemed that the boy would never cease to surprise her. Taking the flower, she gazed at it with all the fervor as the moment she had first received it. “Thank you,” she said.

“Do you think highly of Davin?” he whispered.

“I do,” she admitted softly, a gentle smile tugging at her lips.

“Are you two going to marry?” he questioned.

Her eyes widened slightly as she looked past him to Davin. “N-no,” she grunted. “Why would you think that?”

“I don’t know,” he shrugged. “I thought there was something more than just friendship between you...”

“Ryker, I think maybe your thoughts should be kept to yourself sometimes,” she muttered.

Ryker chuckled, as if sensing her embarrassment. He found it amusing.

That evening, once Ryker was asleep, Kiaran and Davin sat side by side, watching the small moon in the distance. Neither of them could sleep. An owl was nearby, each hoot causing Nurra to disappear in search of it.

“Davin,” Kiaran broke the silence first. When he looked to her, she found that she was unable to face him. “You know as well as I do that you belong in Rishana.”

He waited a moment, eyeing her closely. “You believe I thought otherwise?” he asked slowly. Surely, she could read it in his eyes each time they looked at each other. “I don’t...want to go back,” he admitted.

“That isn’t a good decision,” she stated. “I’m going to war. And you have a country which is falling apart without you.” Her chest ached a little. She had considered returning the flower to him in an attempt to get him to listen. To maybe believe the lies that she were telling. “You don’t...have any reason…”

She trailed off as he leaned closer to her, his forehead touching hers. She gazed at him, feeling stunned. It was the equivalent to being hit hard in the jaw. Her body refused to push him away. She couldn’t even tear her eyes off him.

“Kiaran, I--”

“No--Stop,” she finally shook free of his touch. “Davin, I don’t love you,” she bit out sharply, each word leaving her tongue to feel like fire. He stared at her in brief shock. “Quit...Just stop trying so hard. Go home and forget about this.” She pled silently that he’d return to normal. To focus on Rishana and himself. “I...only took that flower because I didn’t know what else to do with it. I was a little surprised. That’s all.”

He frowned, his eyes never leaving hers. “I want you to know,” he began softly, “that going home won’t fix anything.” He stood, breaking gazes with her, and walked away.

Once she could no longer hear his steps, she let out a long, heavy sigh. Closing her eyes, she told herself that it would be normal again soon. Whatever normal was.