Dragon’s Breath

Gently squeezing my shoulder Gregory replies, "I was asking about your brother, but I can tell that that's a sore subject for you. If you do not wish to tell me I understand."

A few more tears slip from my eyes but I'm quick to wipe them away, "My brother was killed eight summers ago," I tell him.

His eyes cast down hanging low with sorrow.

"I'm sorry too, hear that. losing family members can be hard," he replies.

"I just can't help but blame myself. If... If I had been stronger then he would still be with me," I choke out, no longer able to hold back my heartbreak as I fall back into the chair, a disheveled heap as my grief pours out in a flood of uncontrollable tears.

My throat is tight, and my eyes burn, as my tears continue to pour down at lightning speed. Gregory kneels down in front of me pulling me into a hug, he rubs my back soothingly. I rest my head on his shoulder, as my body's wracked with an onslaught of gut-wrenching sobs that burst from my chest.

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry." I continue to say over and over feeling ashamed to have allowed myself to show such weakness. I hate being seen like this but the tears that I've held back for so long just won't stop.

"Shh... calm down Nora, you're okay. There's nothing to be sorry about," he says slowly while holding me in his arms. His sweet voice surrounding me like a warm blanket coaxing me to calm down.

After a few minutes I find myself calming down in his embrace, he has a fatherly touch that I've never felt before, but have always needed. He lightly pulls me from him wiping my blotchy, tear-stained face.

"Feel better?" He asks softly his brown eyes gleaming and the faintest of smiles on his face.

"Yes," I whisper.

Gregory sits back in his chair.

"You never got the chance to properly grieve for your brother did you?" He inquires.

"No, I didn't have the time," I croak.

"Better late then never I suppose," he sighs running a hand through his silvery hair.

"I just can't believe that your family left you in such a state for so long," Gregory rants.

I cast my eyes down, "My father told me the day that Fafnir died that it was my fault. No one comforted me on the worst day of my life, not even my own mother, I was completely and utterly alone," I wobble out sniffling softly.

I feel Gregory's large hand on my shoulder, warmth radiating from him, "You are no longer alone and I'm sure whatever happened to your brother wasn't your fault," he assures me.

"But if I hadn't been there distracting him, then he could have focused on the fight, he could have dealt with those humans," I murmur the last part my voice low and menacing.

Surprise engulfs his face, "humans... humans killed your brother?" Worry sounds in his voice as his face scrunches in concern.

"Yes," I reply bitterly, "We were leaving for Mimmgar when humans attacked us. We hadn't even left our lands when it happened."

Gregory's features are swallowed by shame his eyes downcast.

"I had no idea, I'm sorry," he apologizes.

He lifts his eyes staring into mine determination swirling in them.

"I will do everything within my power to find whoever it was that killed your brother," Gregory vows.

His eyes burn with pure honesty, I don't doubt him for a second.

"When my brother was first killed I blamed you, but now I can see that I was wrong," I say smiling up at him sorrowfully.

"While I may not be responsible for your brother's death, I do feel that I am partly to blame, there is something that I should tell you," The seriousness of his words have me cringing and my heart pounding.

"What do you need to tell me?" I question with a raised brow.

"The killer we are looking for is most certainly part of the royal family, I'm just not sure who," Gregory affirms.

"Suspecting your own kin, never thought I'd see that, what makes you think the killer is a royal?"

I say this my voice full of false humor in an attempted to lighten the mood, but I see that I failed when he sighs, "It has to be a member of the royal family, because we come from a magical blood line..." he pauses for a moment. "we're a family of dragons slayers."

My muscles go rigid as my heart catches in my chest. I'm frozen to the chair.

Dragon slayers. The royal family is a bunch of dragon slayers. Just when I thought nothing else in my life could go wrong. It makes sense as to how my brother was killed so easily, and why my father is so wary of them. Dragon slayers much like other humans from magical blood lines, similar to sorcerers are able to wield magic where regular humans cannot.

I toss my head back, my hair falling behind me, a roar of laughter erupting from deep within me. I'm clutching my stomach and gasping for air with tears brimming my eyes. I'm laughing so hard that my stomach is clenching in pain, but I just can't seem to stop.

By the time I come down from my laughing fit, I slump in my chair my head hanging back as my lungs fight for air. I bring my head forward my lungs no longer burning, and I wipe the tears from my eyes.

Gregory's staring at me his eyes gaping, his face contorted in shock and confusion. His brows furrow like he's trying to solve an impossible puzzle.

"Nora, are you, alright?" He inquires tentatively.

"Actually I'm doing more than alright, nothing has ever been so clear in my entire life," I sing.

He looks at me concern apparent in his warm brown eyes.

"This wasn't the reaction I was expecting," he tells me honestly.

I lazily smile at him.

"This was exactly what I needed to hear. Now I know just how much my father is a lying bastard. This also makes it easier to find my brother's killer. We just need to start investigating everyone with royal blood that lives in the capital," I state confidently.

"I suppose you're right, but let's hold off our investigation for now. Whether you realize it or not you need time to come to terms with things. You seem a little off, just take a break," he offers.

He's right, I need time to allow this new information to sink in I don't go rushing into things. Rubbing my hands together briskly I give a throaty groan shoving my right hand through my hair.

"Yeah I know, I'll...I'll try?" I say the words come out questioningly awkward, as I feel unsure of how to respond to him. I'm not even sure if I'm ready to come to terms with my feelings. What do I even feel? Anger, hatred, sadness? Everything feels so blurred together, my mind surging with perplexity.

My words and actions are divergent, they pull in opposite directions as if my mind's narrator and navigator have entirely different ideas about the situation. To the casual glancer, I'm just like a ball bouncing appearing to be free. Yet in reality, I am restrained by a rope. A rope I created and willingly tied myself to. The last eight years of my life I've been trapped by Fafnir's death never grieving nor finding the peace I've been so desperately searching for. But now I can finally lay this all to rest, I can be free, I'll no longer have to be haunted by him.

"Gregory, I realize that since my brother's death I've frozen myself, I've never truly left that day, the day he died. I've thought for so long that I've made myself stronger, but the only strength I've gained is physical," I admit shamefully.

He places a hand on his chin, thinking for a moment.

"When a person doesn't allow themself to move on as you've done, they feel trapped. You're not, you just need to let go, stop blaming yourself and find closure, then you can move on, which is easier said than done. But I truly believe you can do it," he tells me softly.

As difficult as it is to admit, his words make sense.

"We can begin searching for your brother's killer tomorrow, for now, I'll have some maids bring us dinner," Gregory offers.

Dinner? It's dinner time?

Gregory leaves his chair going to the door, he cracks it open only sticking his head through. A few minutes later maids come in with carts of food. We eat in comfortable silence. I'm thankful that I didn't have to eat in the dining hall, Gregory's already seen me as a hot mess I don't need anyone else to.

My mind is still muddled but I think in time I'll be able to feel some semblance of normalcy again.

Nora has finally opened her heart but has she done the right thing? Could Gregory truly be a friend or is he a deadly enemy? Nora is one spent closer to revealing the truth behind her brothers death, stay tuned to find out what happens next. Hope you enjoyed the chapter don’t forget to like and comment.- Ray