Chapter 72: Personal Bodyguard Dragon

From the smoldering fire, Xilon swore he heard Ash's voice. Impossible. She couldn't have survived the dragon flames.

"Xilon!" came the voice again.

No, it had to be the Tryn playing a trick. But as Xilon peered into the inferno, a woman's shape took form. Slowly, Ash shuffled out of the fire. Her hair was singed and slightly smoking. All her clothing completely burned off.

How?

"A-are you real?" He reached out a hand to cup her cheek. Her flesh was hot like fever, but unblemished.

She blinked at him several times before she looked over her shoulder at the oily carcass that had been the Tryn. "Is it gone?"

"You don't ever have to worry about it again." He pulled her into his embrace, his heart soaring. He didn't care how she might have survived the dragonfire. Perhaps her Grams was right and she did have Renjerian blood, however slight, in her that protected her from the fire.

"Damn!" she mumbled against his chest. "Cause I really wanted to run my blade through it."