20 Chapter 20: Acasia

I felt as if I won a major battle. Finding the sketchbook was heartbreaking and eye opening. Bastian's pain was so incredibly deep, and I would do anything to ease it. He needed to trust that I knew what was best. Stubbornness was the way of men and it didn't matter if they were human or dragon.

We ate lunch in the library and I realized something else was wrong. He wouldn't look at me when he finally spoke.

"I am going away with Laryn. We will be gone a few days and you are staying behind."

I calmly rested my fork beside my plate. "Where are you going?"

"We are raiding a neighboring realm."

Fear made my voice tight. "And I have no say in this?"

"It is the way of dragons. A bride's place when her dragon goes hunting treasure is at the hearth. You will do as told."

One step forward and one-hundred steps back when dealing with a pigheaded idiot. "When do you leave?"

"In an hour."

I wanted to hit him, and I could tell by his refusal to look at me that he postured for the sake of his dragon's pride. I had pride too, and if I was to do as told, I would show him that he better choose carefully when giving orders.

I slowly stood from the table and entered my chamber, which I rarely used. The door didn't have a lock, and I hoped Bastian would leave me be while I stewed. An hour later, he entered the room. I didn't look at him.

"I meant to tell you yesterday."

If this was his apology, it wouldn't cut it. I refused to roll over. He strode from the room and within minutes, I knew he was gone. I was too angry earlier to cry, but no longer. My stupid dragon hurt me so badly. If he'd spoken to me about his leaving, I'd have been apprehensive and definitely sad, but I wouldn't feel like this. I finally managed to wipe the tears from my face and get up.

I wandered through Bastian's room and the library. I finally decided to go exploring outside on my own, so I changed my clothes. The problem was figuring out how to get out. I walked through the long hallway where the door separating me from the humans was. It was locked. I walked back to my room and picked up a heavy gold goblet. I then proceeded to beat on the solid door until finally it was answered by a young woman, approximately my age.

She looked fearful but curious. I decided not to explain as I walked past her, but turned to offer a smile. I noticed a key on the backside of the door. I didn't think about what I was doing, just grabbed it. I refused to be locked within the dragon's love nest any longer.

No one stopped me, though by the looks on their faces they wanted to. I wasn't sure what I would do, but I wasn't past violence if needed. I would not be stopped. Finding a door leading outside was harder than I expected; after forty-five minutes, I finally escaped. Seeing my surroundings from the air was much different than walking them. I took off on my adventure.

Twenty minutes later, going from geographical memory, I found the stream I always noticed when flying with Bastian. I soaked my feet and enjoyed the breeze. I moved on and found an outcropping of rocks about a mile downstream. They weren't too large, so I decided to climb. On the other side, I noticed a dark opening in the rock and walked over to it. Looking inside, I could see the back of a small cave. The space inside was about six feet wide and four feet deep. An idea began to form. I hiked back to the lair, walked in the humans' door, and made my way back to the library.

Relief showed on every face I passed. Once I was back in my rooms, I began gathering the things I would need. I wrapped items in blankets and clothing, tossing them over the side of Bastian's perch. There was no way I was making multiple trips through the main section of the castle and tipping them off to what I was doing.

I always had more than enough food served for my meals, and there was a basket in the library kept filled with fresh fruit. I made a food bundle, but decided I would carry this one out the following day. I didn't want an animal eating what I would need to survive on my adventure.

I slept fitfully that night in Bastian's bed. I had his smell around me, but also needed his warm body that I'd grown accustomed to. My miserable night only made me angrier when I woke up. I dressed before peering over the side of the perch to assure myself my things were still there. I counted all five bundles. My breakfast waited at the table, and I wrapped it in a cloth and stuck it in the food bag I would carry.

The startled servants didn't stop me and seemed less inclined to stare. Once outside, it took three trips to get my things to the cave. I was exhausted, but decided to hike back to the lair and spend a last night in Bastian's bed. I knew he would find me and bring me back, but I wanted to make a point. He could discuss things with me or I would revolt. I left the food hanging from a nearby tree so animals couldn't get to it. I'd bring more in the morning in case Bastian took longer than I expected.

By the following morning, I still hadn't managed much sleep. My anger completely boiled over before I left for my cave. I decided to throw a temper tantrum worthy of a dragon's bride. One after the other, I tossed Bastian's gold and jewels off his perch. It took two hours, but every minute was well spent. All three rooms off the library were devoid of treasure.

I looked over the side and saw piles and piles of discarded treasure. Drawing my anger in, I wrapped a few more items up and carried them through the lair and out of the castle. When I was outside, I walked around the dented gold and jewelry, some of which was broken. A part of me cringed over the damage, but another felt satisfaction.

I soaked my feet in the river before arranging my cave how I wanted it. I brought several books, and once everything was put to rights, I lay down to enjoy an afternoon of relaxation. I had no idea how much time passed before I fell asleep.

It was the roar that woke me. My dragon was back.

I'd worked hard at covering my trail. It wouldn't stop him, but it wouldn't make it easy either. The continuous roar grew closer before it faded.

I grinned.

I had a little light left to continue reading, but it disappeared fast. I ate a bit of food to keep my stomach from growling, and I waited. An hour passed before I heard the mighty roar again. It came much too close, and I thought he'd found me. He moved away roaring again, but the sound had changed to one of anguish. I remembered this from Laryn after he flew off the first night I met him.

My poor dragon. Guilt set in.

A noise outside my cave had me worried. The crunch of twigs and straw let me know someone or something approached. I scooted to the back of the cave and picked up a large gold goblet to use as a weapon. I'd never seen flesh-eating animals in this realm, but it didn't mean they weren't here. The head that peered inside was not Bastian's.

I was in trouble.

"'Tis a good hiding place, my lady. Your dragon is too wound up to go close to the ground and follow your scent." Laryn stared at me with blue sparks in his eyes.

I put as much force as possible into my words, "Go away."

He looked me up and down. "I think not." He ducked his head and entered my hiding place.

"Bastian will kill you." Pure bravado, but I had to try.

"He must catch me first. Once in my territory, I will hide you in my lair and he will soon forget you."

"Like you forgot your bride?"

I saw his pain, but he grabbed my arm. I kicked and swung my arms to no avail. He was stronger. He jerked my hair, dragging me out of the cave.

"No, you mustn't do this, Laryn."

His facial muscles softened and he reached up to my cheek. "Sleep."

"Nooooo..."