The Dragon Realm

Pov. Asteria

I was woken up by Emily poking my face. I was planning on faking being asleep, but my eyes snapped open when the dragon roared.

"What?" I snapped.

"We are almost there," Emily giggled.

"What did I say about the bridle?" I said to Emily while rubbing my eyes. She pouted and once again wrapped her fingers to the bridle.

I could see the stars disappearing already and the sun coming up. I looked down at my watch, ten or so more minutes until we were there.

"How long have you've been awake?" I asked Emily.

"A few minutes," she answered.

I could see the portal ahead of us. I pulled Emily down and braced ourselves for the impact. I made sure to have a firm grip on the bag and Emily. I could feel the dragon speeding up. The wind almost threw us off her/his back.

"Hold on!" I screamed at Emily over the strong wind. Suddenly it felt like all the air was knocked out of me. I sat up but kept Emily down. I was almost falling off, but it was so beautiful. I could see everything. I was barely holding to one of the dragon's spikes and keeping Emily from falling off as well. At the end of the tunnel, I could see a sunny sky.

When we reached the end of the portal, I let Emily sit up, and I looked behind me. All the dragons seemed to be roaring in triumph.

"Welcome to the Dragon Realm," I told Emily. The dragon suddenly flew pike down to land safely. Thank the gods. I made Emily hold on to the bridle because, in an instant, I was grabbing to the spikes so I wouldn't fall off. My legs were like one of my dolls. When we were one meter off the floor, I had to let go. I would take my chances of landing on my feet rather than being stabbed by one of the dragon's spikes. Just when I knew we were going to slam on the floor, I let go, with the bag in hand.

"Emily, don't let go!" I screamed.

I stretched my feet out, and my hands stretched up the air pulling the bag. I braced myself for the impact, trying to land on my feet. I was expecting pain, but I landed on my feet. My knees, bending slightly. Once I got out of my shock, I ran towards Emily. And she was there safe and sound. Her hands were red from gripping the bridle so hard. I let out a slight relief, and that seemed to make her blink out of shock.

"Come," I said, holding my hands out for her to jump. Putting the bag down. She stared at my hands in confusion. "Jump," I explained.

She slowly gets up in the dragon's back, balancing herself, and jumps. I stable her before walking in front of the dragon. I stretch my arms out, waiting for the dragon to come closer. I took the bridle off slowly. Once it was off, I threw it as far away. I bowed in respect and gratitude.

"You are free now," I assured the dragon resting my forehead against his/her snout. I could hear the guards running here. I lifted my hands and made Emily do the same thing.

"We bring no harm!" I proclaimed. "We released these dragons in a sign of peace." The guards looked around, scanning each one of the dragons. "May I speak with your leader?"

The guard in front moved his head in the signal of us to follow him. I lifted the duffle bag and started following the guard, and Emily followed. I hadn't noticed the red dragon was following us as well.

The guard guided us up to the castle, and we carefully followed. The guards guided us through the castle halls to the throne room. It was true, the thing about dragons loving shiny things. The throne room doors opened, and thankfully the dragon fitted in through the doors perfectly.

I instantly bowed in respect and waited for the signal to rise.

"Rise, child," a woman's voice ordered, The Queen. "What are your intentions here?"

"We are looking for sanctuary, your Majesty," I said and bowed my head in respect. "We released fifty captive dragons to show we come in peace."

"And who may you be to have the power to free that many dragons?" The Queen questioned, leaning forward in her throne. "And from who you may be running?" She finished.

"My name is Asteria Light, Princess of Elora the Light Kingdom," I answered, standing straight. "I'm running from my kingdom. They will be looking for me."

"And what may be the reason for your scape?" she questioned with more curiosity in her tone.

"I have my reasons," I replied. "We only ask for two weeks, at least," I said, trying to act confident.

She hummed and clicked her sharp nails against her throne. "Two weeks no more." she proclaimed.

"Thank you, we appreciate it," I said and bowed in gratitude. "One question," I said to the Queen. "Is she a male or female?" I asked, pointing up to the red dragon.

She chuckled, "It's a female, dear." I smiled and looked up at the dragon. Well, who would have thought? A sassy dragon. "The maid will guide you and your friend up to your chamber. I hope you don't mind." She said I knew there were more than enough chambers in this castle, but I nodded.

Just we were about to step out. I held back. " Could you maybe keep my presence in your kingdom a secret?"

"Of course, I wouldn't want trouble to follow you here," she chuckled and then shushed me away with her hand.

The maid guided us up to our chamber, but the dragon stayed behind. She bowed in respect and flew away. Once we reached our chambers I looked down at my clock. My clock had rearranged to this time zone. I started pulling everything out of the duffle bag lined up the things in the bed.

Emily took off all the winter clothing I had put on her and put it inside her backpack. I put everything back into the bag, but I left my sword outside by the bed.

Emily and I looked into each other's eyes and threw ourselves in the bed. In a few minutes, we were out.