The Love

Chapter Six – A Dangerous Love

(Fred’s POV)

The night air was cool, and the stars twinkled like tiny embers in the dark sky. The cave felt warmer than usual, probably because of the fire burning in the center, casting long, flickering shadows on the walls.

Drake sat beside me, his large frame relaxed for once, his golden eyes reflecting the flames. I had never seen him this way before—so at ease, so unguarded.

I nudged him with my elbow. “You look almost… normal.”

He arched an eyebrow. “Almost?”

I smirked. “Yeah, almost. If I ignore the wings, the fangs, the claws, and the whole ‘I’m a dragon’ thing.”

Drake scoffed, but there was a glint of amusement in his eyes. “And you look almost… tolerable.”

I gasped dramatically. “How dare you?”

Before I could react, he shoved me lightly, causing me to stumble. But I wasn’t about to let him win so easily. I lunged at him, tackling him to the ground. He didn’t even try to resist—he let me push him, let me straddle him as if humoring me.

“You’re really bad at fighting,” I teased, pressing his shoulders down.

Drake smirked. “Or maybe I just like seeing you struggle.”

The warmth of his body seeped through my clothes, making my heart pound. His chest rose and fell steadily beneath my hands, his golden gaze locked onto mine. The tension between us thickened, our playful game turning into something else.

Something deeper.

I swallowed, suddenly aware of how close we were. My fingers tightened slightly on his shoulders, and for a moment, I thought he might lean up and close the distance between us.

Then—

BEEP.

A sharp vibration buzzed against my thigh.

I flinched, my breath catching as I scrambled off of Drake. My hands shook as I reached for the small communication device hidden in my pocket.

My heart stopped when I saw the message.

“The soldiers are coming. They won’t leave without you. And they will make sure the dragon is dead.”

I felt cold. Ice-cold.

This wasn’t just a warning. It was a death sentence for Drake.

The message continued:

“They’ve brought what dragons are allergic to. He won’t be able to fight back. We’ll be there soon.”

I couldn’t breathe.

My fingers curled tightly around the device, my knuckles turning white. My whole body trembled, fear creeping into every inch of me.

Drake noticed immediately. “Fred?” His voice was calm but sharp, as if he could sense the shift in my emotions.

I forced myself to swallow the lump in my throat. “It’s nothing.”

He stared at me, eyes narrowing. “You’re shaking.”

I clenched my fists, trying to steady myself. If I told him now, he might not believe me. He still didn’t fully trust me. And even if he did, he wouldn’t run. He was too damn stubborn.

So I forced a weak smile. “I-I’m just cold.”

Drake studied me for a moment longer, then sighed. “Idiot.” He pulled off his cloak and tossed it at me. “Here.”

I caught it, my hands still trembling. He didn’t press me further, but I knew he wasn’t convinced.

And I knew that soon, the soldiers would arrive.

I had to think fast.

Hours Later

The cave was silent. The only sounds were the distant crackling of fire and Drake’s slow, steady breathing.

He had fallen asleep.

But I couldn’t.

I lay there, listening, waiting. My nerves were on edge, my heartbeat loud in my ears. Every minute that passed only made the dread heavier.

Then—

A sound.

Distant footsteps. The crunch of boots against dirt. The faint rustle of armor shifting.

My stomach dropped.

They were here.

I sat up, my breath hitching as I turned to Drake. “Drake,” I whispered urgently, shaking his shoulder. “Drake, wake up!”

Nothing.

He didn’t even stir.

Panic gripped me. They must have already released whatever dragons are allergic to. His body was weaker now, his senses dulled.

The footsteps were getting closer.

I didn’t have time to think.

I grabbed Drake with all the strength I had and shoved him toward the corner of the cave. He was heavier than I expected, his muscles like stone beneath my hands. But adrenaline made me stronger, desperation made me reckless.

I pushed, pulled, dragged—anything to get him out of sight.

Finally, we reached the shadows. I pressed him against the stone wall, covering him with my own body as best as I could.

The footsteps stopped at the entrance of the cave.

I held my breath.

A torch flickered, casting shadows across the walls. The soldiers had arrived.

And they weren’t leaving without blood.