POV Casimir
I woke to absolute silence. The storm had stopped. Dawn light filtered into the cave, but something was wrong. The air felt charged, heavy with presence.
Beside me, Selene stirred. Her fever had broken, but she was weak and pale. Her ankle was worse, angry red and swollen.
"Casimir," she whispered. "Do you feel that?"
I did. Like being watched by something vast and ancient. A gust of wind blew into the cave. Our fire scattered. And then, blocking the entrance, was a face. A dragon's face.
Massive beyond comprehension. Scales like polished obsidian. Eyes like molten gold with vertical pupils, staring with intelligence that made me feel like an insect. Smoke curled from nostrils large enough to swallow a man whole.
My hand went to my sword. But I did not draw. Something in those eyes stopped me.
Do not fear. A voice filled my mind, though the dragon's mouth did not move. Deep as mountains. I mean you no harm. Yet.
I forced myself to my knees. Beside me, Selene did the same, gasping. We bowed our heads.
"Great one," I said steadily. "We come seeking your aid."
I know why you come. I have watched you.
The dragon's head withdrew. A body as large as a castle, wings folded against flanks.
I watched you enter my mountain. I watched you carry her through darkness, though your body screamed for rest. I watched you choose her life over the quest. You could have left her. Retrieved help. Continued alone. You did not.
"I would never leave her."
That is why I reveal myself. You are not like others who have sought me. Those came for power. For glory. You come for love. That is rare.
The dragon lowered its head. I could see the intelligence in those eyes, older than any human wisdom.
I will ask questions. Answer truthfully. I will know if you lie. My kind can taste deception.
"Ask."
Why do you seek my blood?
"My son is dying. A blood disorder that will kill him within a year. Ancient texts say dragon's blood can cure such afflictions. I came to save him."
You would risk your life, and hers, for a single child?
"Yes."
Even though dragons might be dead? Even though this might be a fool's quest?
"Hope is not foolish when it's all you have left."
The dragon's eyes shifted to Selene. And you. Why do you follow him into danger? You could stay safe in the palace. Why risk death?
Selene met those golden eyes. "Because I love them both. Because I cannot sit idle while there's any chance. Because I've already lost too much. I will not lose them without fighting."
You speak truth. Both of you. That is good. Lies would have ended this poorly.
Now comes the harder part. I will pose three riddles. Answer correctly, and I will give you what you seek. Answer incorrectly, and I will know you are not worthy.
"We accept."
The dragon settled.
First riddle: I am the beginning of eternity, the end of time and space. I am the start of every end, and the end of every place. What am I?
I thought quickly. "The letter E."
Correct. Second riddle: A king, a queen, and two twins all lay in a large room. Yet there are no adults in the room. How is this possible?
Understanding struck. "They're beds. A king-sized bed, a queen-sized bed, and two twin beds."
Also correct. You are clever, human king. Now the final riddle. This one is not about wit. It is about truth.
A pause.
What is the price of love?
I went still. This was about values, about sacrifice.
I thought about Selene. The years protecting our son through poverty. I thought about Ari, bright and brave despite illness. I thought about myself, a king bound by duty until I learned what truly mattered.
"Everything," I said. "The price of love is everything. Your crown, your comfort, your safety, your pride. True love costs everything you are and could be. And it's worth it."
Silence. The dragon studied me.
Then: You speak a truth deeper than you know. Yes. Love costs everything. I know this. I paid this price long ago.
Sorrow in the dragon's voice, grief older than kingdoms.
You have answered correctly. You have proven yourself truthful, clever, and wise. I will grant your request.
The dragon extended one massive foreleg. A single talon came forward.
I will give you my blood freely. Use it to heal your child. But understand: this is the last gift dragons give to humans. After today, we withdraw forever. The age of dragons ends.
"Why help us at all?" Selene asked.
Because I, too, once loved a child. My hatchling, taken by humans who sought to enslave it. I failed to save them. You will not fail.
The talon pierced the dragon's forearm. Blood welled, not red but silver-gold, luminous. "Your vessel."
I fumbled for my waterskin, emptied it, held it beneath the wound. Silver-gold blood flowed thick, smelling of lightning and stone. When full, the wound closed instantly.
That is enough. More would burn the child. One dose. Mixed in water. At moonrise tonight. Do you understand?
"Yes. Thank you."
You have given me something precious in return.
"What?"
Hope. That humans can still love more than power. The dragon turned. You cannot climb down with her injury. And time is precious.
"We'll manage—"
No. I will take you. On my back. I will fly you to your capital.
The dragon extended a wing like a ramp. Quickly. This is the last time I carry humans.
I helped Selene onto the dragon's back. The scales were hot. We settled between two spinal ridges.
"Hold tight. Do not let go. The fall would kill you."
We barely had time to grip before the dragon launched. One powerful leap and we were airborne. Wings unfurled, massive.
We climbed higher. Selene clutched me, her ankle pressed against the hot scales. Below, Cloudmount shrank.
Then the dragon flew. Impossibly fast. Wind screamed past. The world below became a map of forests and rivers.
Terror and exhilaration warred in my chest. Beside me, Selene was laughing and crying.
"We did it!" she shouted.
I pulled her close. The waterskin was tied to my belt, precious beyond measure.
We flew for hours. Then ahead, the spires of Vespera's capital appeared.
The dragon descended, circling the palace. People in the streets stopped, stared, screamed. Guards rushed to battle stations.
The dragon landed in the courtyard. Guards surrounded us, spears raised.
"Stand down!" I roared. "The dragon is a friend!"
I slid down, then helped Selene.
The dragon regarded the assembled humans. Your kind has not changed. Always afraid.
"Thank you," I said, bowing. "For everything."
Use the gift well. Raise your son to be better. Teach him that power without wisdom is worthless. That strength without compassion is cruelty. The dragon's eyes bored into mine. Teach him that love is the only magic that truly matters.
"I will. I swear it."
Then farewell. We will not meet again.
The dragon spread its wings. With two strokes, it lifted off. It circled once, then flew toward the mountains.
We watched until it was nothing.
"Casimir!" Anya's voice cut through the silence. She ran across the courtyard. "Thank God! We didn't know if you were alive—" She saw Selene's injury. "You're hurt!"
"Later. Where's Ari?"
"In his chambers. He's..." Her face crumpled. "He's worse. Much worse. I don't think he has much time."
My blood turned to ice. "Take us to him. Now."
We rushed through the palace, me carrying Selene. When we burst into Ari's chambers, we found him barely conscious, his skin translucent. Doctor Saren stood vigil, face grim.
She looked up. "Your Majesty. Princess. I'm sorry. It's happening faster than we thought. I don't think he'll make it through the night."