Chapter 118 Elara's dragon

Chapter 118 Elara's dragon
Authors pov
Elara's POV

Elara stared at the gates for a few seconds before taking another step toward them. She refused to believe that Caven could simply lock them inside the kingdom and expect them to surrender without even trying to escape. If there was a way through the seal, she would find it, and if there wasn't, she would find another way out.

She tightened her fingers around the edge of her dress and walked forward again. The closer she came to the gates, the heavier the air felt, but she kept moving until she reached the invisible barrier. She raised her hand and pressed it against the space in front of her, expecting to feel something solid beneath her palm.

The force came without warning.

Elara was thrown backward so violently that her feet left the ground. She landed hard several feet away, the impact knocking the breath from her lungs as pain shot through her back and shoulders. Before she could even push herself up, Joyce rushed toward her and dropped beside her, immediately taking hold of her hand.

"Elara, are you hurt?"

Elara shook her head, though her breathing was still uneven. "I'm fine."

Joyce helped her sit up, her fingers remaining wrapped tightly around Elara's hand. She looked toward the gates with a worried expression before turning back to her. "I don't think this seal can be broken."

Elara followed her gaze, her jaw tightening as she stared at the barrier that had just thrown her away.

"Then where are we supposed to go?" Joyce asked quietly.

Elara was silent for a moment.

She had been thinking about it ever since they realized they were trapped. The first person who came to her mind was Viktor, and although she still wasn't ready to tell Joyce everything about him, she knew one thing for certain. If she could reach the vampire kingdom, Viktor might be able to help them.

"I want to visit Viktor."

Joyce frowned. "Who is Viktor?"

"A friend."

"From where?"

"The human world."

Joyce's eyebrows rose. "You have a friend in the human world?"

Elara nodded, avoiding her eyes. She wasn't ready to explain how she had met Viktor or what had happened between them. There was too much to tell, and they didn't have time for a conversation about her past while they were standing inside a sealed kingdom with Caven's guards probably searching for them.

"He can help us," Elara said. "If I can get to the vampire kingdom, I think Viktor can help us get out of here."

Joyce stared at her for several seconds before sighing. "We're not really allowed in the vampire kingdom."

"I know."

"Caven doesn't let people go there and caius, the vampire lord doesnt allow dragons in too.."

"I know that too."

Joyce rubbed her forehead, clearly trying to think of another option. "Then we have a problem."

Elara watched her closely. "You said we're not allowed there, but you look like you're thinking about something."

Joyce hesitated. "I might know a way."

Elara sat up straighter. "What way?"

Joyce glanced around before lowering her voice. "There's a passage."

"What passage?"

"A tunnel that connects this kingdom to the vampire kingdom."

Elara stared at her. "You know a passage that leads there?"

"I don't know if it's still open," Joyce admitted. "I have never used it, and I don't even know if the entrance is still accessible."

"How do you know about it?"

Joyce looked toward the palace. "Caven used to talk about it."

Elara's expression hardened.

"Once, I accidentally overheard him speaking to one of the guards about the old tunnels beneath the kingdom. I didn't understand why they were discussing them at the time, but I remembered one thing. There was a passage that connected this kingdom to the vampire kingdom."

"Then we should check it."

Joyce looked uncertain. "Elara, if the passage is sealed too—"

"Then we'll find another way."

Joyce stared at her for a moment before finally nodding. "All right."

They hurried through the kingdom, keeping to the quieter paths as they made their way toward the old section of the grounds. Joyce led Elara through a narrow trail hidden behind several abandoned buildings, occasionally stopping to make sure nobody was following them.

The farther they went, the quieter the kingdom became.

Eventually, they reached the base of a rocky hill where thick bushes covered what looked like nothing more than a section of uneven stone. Joyce pushed the branches aside and revealed a narrow opening beneath the rocks.

Elara crouched beside it.

"This is it?"

Joyce nodded. "I think so."

They entered carefully, moving deeper into the darkness until the passage widened enough for them to walk side by side. The walls were old and covered in dust, and in some places, pieces of stone had fallen from the ceiling. Neither of them spoke much as they continued, both afraid that the tunnel might collapse or lead them nowhere.

Then Joyce stopped.

Elara nearly walked into her.

"What is it?"

Joyce pointed ahead. A large stone wall stood across the tunnel.
Elara's shoulders dropped.

There was another seal
The entire entrance had been covered with dark markings, and a faint glow moved across the surface like a warning. Joyce stepped closer and studied it, but she quickly shook her head.

"I don't know how to open this."

Elara reached toward it, but before her fingers could touch the stone, something moved behind them.

A deep sound echoed through the tunnel and both of the girls turned suddenly.

A large shadow appeared at the entrance making Elara froze.

A dragon stepped into the tunnel.

It was enormous, its body filling most of the passage as it moved toward them. Its scales caught what little light surrounded them, and with every breath, a thin stream of fire escaped through its nostrils.

Joyce's hand tightened around Elara's arm.
Neither of them spoke.

The dragon stopped several feet away.

Elara could hear her own heartbeat.

The creature lowered its head and looked directly at her.

Then, to both girls' astonishment, the dragon bent its massive body and bowed.

Joyce's mouth fell open. Elara could barely breathe.

"What..." she whispered.

The dragon raised its head again.
Then it spoke.

"I am yours, Elara."

Elara stared at it as her mind struggled to make sense of the words.

"My dragon?"

The creature lowered its head once more.

Before Elara could say anything else, the dragon turned toward the sealed passage. Fire suddenly burst from its nostrils, striking the stone wall with enough force to shake the entire tunnel.

The seal cracked.

A second blast followed.

The markings shattered, and the enormous stone barrier broke apart, pieces of rock crashing to the ground and revealing the dark passage beyond.

Joyce stared at the opening.
Elara looked at the dragon.

It lowered itself until its body was close enough for them to climb onto its back.

Elara's heart raced. "We have to go."

Joyce looked at her. "Go where?"

"The vampire kingdom."

Elara climbed onto the dragon and turned toward Joyce, extending her hand.

"Hop on."

Joyce hesitated for only a second before taking Elara's hand and climbing onto the dragon behind her.

The creature shifted beneath them.
Then voices suddenly echoed from the tunnel behind them.

"Stop them!"

Elara's eyes widened.

"Don't let them leave!"

Joyce turned sharply.

Several guards appeared at the far end of the passage, weapons already drawn as they rushed toward them.

Elara grabbed the dragon's scales and held on tightly.

"Go!"

The dragon lifted its head even though the guards were getting closer.

"Stop them!" one of them shouted again but the dragon opened its massive wings and then it launched forward.