Chapter 25: Wings of Trust

*Why didn't I ever get the chance to be a child when I was a little girl?* I wondered as we made our way from inside the portal and onto the dirt road.

With every step we took, I couldn't help but remember a passing memory of mine. One that made me smile for a second before it was gone once again. *When I was younger, it was always my responsibility to be the one who had to carry the weight of everyone's actions. But now, I didn't have to, and that makes me really happy. I have the chance to be taken care of, so I can finally rest my shoulders.*

It is a strange yet comforting feeling I have, which is something I will never be tired of.

After we stood up off the dirt road, our eyes bored into the distance. A shadow of something seemed to be glistening in the far distance. Out of nowhere, a strong gust of wind came barreling through, and it knocked us off our feet.

Being the curious person I am, I wanted to explore our surroundings more. Everything around us had an aura that made us want to explore it even more.

So, I turned toward Gabriel and asked, "What is that over there?" with desperation in my voice.

**I have to learn more about where we are. I don't want to regret it if I didn't do so.** I thought as my heart beat rapidly in my chest.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, "Hmm... I don't know. Why don't we walk closer to find out what it is?" Gabriel told us while holding his hand out for us to grab. So, instinctively, I grabbed it.

"Alright, let's go," I told them, and then we started walking further. The sun blurred our vision, causing us to have difficulty seeing where we were headed. So, we had to squint our eyes.

Out of nowhere, something flew in front of us and bared their teeth. Then, it flew upwards, and its wings glistened in the hot, shining sun.

"What do you think you are doing on my land!?" It hissed angrily. The creature's words caused us to stop mid-step. Their words caused us to shake with fear.

Although we were afraid of the creature, Elias spoke up first. He Raised his hands as a sign that we are not a danger to the creatures' well-being. "We come here in peace." Elias declared, hoping to deter it from hurting us.

Meanwhile, my mind was racing with so many thoughts going around.

As the last word left Elias's mouth, the creature laughed loudly which echoed in the desolate desert, that was so cold, and spit fell from its mouth.

"Hahaha... Peace.... No one who enters these lands comes in peace. They only come to wreak havoc." Then it started flying faster and higher into the sky, causing dust and dirt to swirl around.

Steeling myself, I replied back, "We didn't come all this way to cause a ruckus. All we want to do is to continue our journey." I told them with determination in my voice.

"Okay, I believe you," The creature said, and then it started flying downward, back onto the ground.

Once it was close enough to the ground, it sprawled out its wings and bent its head.

"Climb on my back. I will take you to your destination," the creature told us with a sly smile on its face.

We hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do or say next. My eyes glanced between Elias and Gabriel, searching for some sort of understanding between them.

*Are you sure this is what we should do?* I silently communicated with them, hoping to receive an answer that would please me.

While I waited for one of them to answer my question, I shifted from one foot to the other. Sweat started forming on my brow and my nerves started growing rampant in my chest.

**I don't really know who that creature truly is. It could be from someone who was sent to cause a block on our journey.** I thought while trying to calm myself down.

*Yes, we should. I believe that this creature will be more useful for us.* Elias revealed with a nod and a small smile.

Hearing what he said, I felt the butterflies in my stomach decrease. Knowing that they have been with me every step of the way, made me feel safer, like I didn't have to do this journey all on my own.

Sighing, I slowly nodded, then looked at the creature. "Let's do this," I told them with confidence in my voice, before grabbing Elias's and Gabriel's hands.

Gabriel leaned closer and whispered in my ear, "Are you really sure that we should be doing this?" He asked me while shifting from one foot to the other.

I nodded once again and then started climbing over the creature's tail onto its back. Oddly enough, the body of the creature was warm and inviting, so instinctively, I grabbed onto its neck and held on for dear life.

Everything that was happening I was both excited and scared. Yet, being with my two mates, I could have never expected anything like this to happen to me.

Once we were all on top, the creature cocked its head and laughed. It suddenly spoke, "I can see that you are still fearful of me. There is no need to be. My name is Zara, and I am a Dragon/wolf. So I know a thing or two about forbidden romance." It replied as it started flapping its wings.

**That's good to know. I am happy that she finally introduced herself to us. Now I don't have to worry about being taken advantage of.** I whispered to myself while listening to every word that she was saying.

As each word fell from her mouth, we breathed a sigh of relief.

Elias's eyes widened, and his mouth slanted down angrily. "Can we get on with this journey?"