Chapter Twelve

The nymphs that so enjoyed spending time with the human were stirring up a fuss, dragging Marcel from this rest and toward the human village just outside of the forest.

He couldn't help but wonder what had them worked up enough to go anywhere near that place. The humans had long since ostracized the fae for not participating in their wars that would frequently pop up. They claimed the fae harbored malicious intent toward their kind and longed for the day they would die out.

Marcel couldn't help but scoff at the thought. If the fae wanted the humans dead, they could have achieved so long ago. He just never saw the point in getting involved in the petty squabbles of beings that were practically children to him.

One of his nymphs tugged on his arm with force, all but dragging him along, faster. For them to be this stirred up, something must be wrong with the human they've claimed as one of their own. They pull him through the town to where a large mob has gathered. Sinking into the shadows, he watches the horrific scene unfold. Held up in the arms of some meat-headed brute was the human he'd grown curious of. She violently struggled as the crowd screamed obscenities at her, one scruffy man in particular. Then, Marcel watched on, stunned, as the humans who should have accepted her began throwing all manner of objects at her.

He could do nothing to intervene, despite the atrocity that unfolded before him. With each stone that tore into her flesh, with each new bruise and cut, he grew angrier. But still, he had to hold his temperament.

Even though the forest accepted her as one of its precious children, she was not his to protect. At least not yet. If that damned dragon didn't get his shit together though, he would easily take her away from him and give her the life she deserved.

By the time she was being dragged away by the brute who had been holding her, Marcel's fury was boiling just beneath his skin. The humans of this village would soon learn a lesson in treating others how they wished to be treated. 

Marcel quickly honed in on the ring leader. He was standing in the middle of the crowd, inciting their violence with his chest puffed out like an overconfident rooster. Marcel grimaced. These kinds of men were all the same and were simply a waste of air. He strutted about like he was the chieftain of this small little village when he was nothing more than a peasant, just like the rest. To take pride in harming such a frail girl warranted a harsh punishment.

Thinking carefully about his next actions, Marcel eased out of the shadows and approached the group of humans. They would regret this night for the rest of their short lives. 

***

The air rushed around my body as I fell toward the ground. I'm so stunned by what just happened that I can't process what's happening fully. Shouldn't normal people be scared about falling to their death? I know the ground must be coming up to greet me at a fast pace, so I close my eyes and brace for the blow. 

Suddenly, I heard a deafening roar from close by, and before I could make an impact with the ground something large closed around my torso with extreme force. 

Air rushed out of my lungs as the force constricted my already sore ribs. I opened my eyes and looked up at what could have possibly grabbed me. All that I see is a black mass hovering above me. A sound reminiscent of heavy leaves rustling in the wind fills the air, and then a low growl resonates through the black mass and the talons sinking into my skin.

Realization hits me, my heart starts beating out of my chest and I can hear the blood rushing in my ears, almost drowning out the noise of the growl and the beast's mighty wings. The dragon. I must have woken it up somehow, or the ground shaking earlier did. But why did it grab me? Wouldn't it have been easier to let me fall to my death? Or perhaps it wants its meal to be fresh. The thought sends a wave of fear and panic through me. 

As my mind races to the worst possible outcome, I'm abruptly thrown to the ground at the edge of the forest. I roll through the thin brush at the edge, snow clinging to my clothing. It hurt but it could have been far worse. Hesitantly, I look up at the imposing beast that stands before me. 

Its red eyes glow with what can only be hatred. The deep growl still reverberates through its chest. It turns its head and looks up at the cliffs. Is it looking to where I fell from? I look at it myself, only to see that the ledge I had been perched on only moments ago is now gone, leaving a pile of rocks on the ground as the only indication that it had existed at all. I shudder, my blood turning to ice. That would have been a painful way to leave this world.

The dragon swivels its head back to me. The ferocity behind its gaze stills my movement. I dare not even breathe. It leans in, stopping only a foot away from me, and... sniffs? It takes several shallow breaths, almost like a dog searching for something. Is it trying to decide if I'm edible? Then, stopping at my chest, it catches the scent it must have been looking for. The beast draws back and lets out a deafening roar. I don't have time to cover my ears to block out the noise. All I can do is wince against the pain echoing through my skull. 

The dragon stamps its front legs on the ground and extends its wings to full size. It's huge, much larger than even the biggest building in the village. My heavy stone of fear sinks low into my stomach. With a mighty breath, violet-colored flames stream from its mouth. I can feel the heat radiating from it as it scorches a line in the ground, stretching from the far end of the meadow that ends at the forest and to the edge that ends in the cliffs. A deep crevice forms in the ground, the smoldering earth melting any surrounding snow. 

The dragon looks at its work, then, apparently satisfied, it turns to me again. With another bone-shaking growl, it turns and walks away. 

I look from where the dragon disappeared into its cave to the charred earth that is only a few feet in front of me. As I look around at the line the dragon's flames drew, the meaning becomes painfully clear. 

This beast has drawn the border of its domain, and forbidden me from returning.