"It feels so good!" Isadora exclaimed savoring the sensation of being airborne. She looked at the ground and all the could see was tiny dots of people.

A frown settled on her face when he didn’t say anything. She turned to face him and he was staring at her in a manner that brought butterflies to her.

"You haven’t said anything," she said, tucking the stray strand of hair at the back of her ear.

"What can I say when I have you in my arms," he said tightening his gaze around her waist. Isadora blushed hard trying to concentrate on the dragon. But there was something bothering her, and Alexander could tell. He instead chose to let her decide whether to ask or not.

"What will happen after all this is over?"

"What do you think?" He asked back, flashing one of his cunny smiles.

Isadora craned her neck to look at him. "I want us to be together, just like ancient times."

A frown settled on his face. "Ancient?"

Isadora bit her lower lip in her teeth. So he didn’t remember? Damn it! She thought all the precious moments they shared together that time would be etched in their minds forever but she was dead wrong. After all, she herself didn’t remember a thing until she read that book. The book, yes! Maybe she should give it to him once they are back.

"I’ll tell you about it once we get back." Confused, Alexander simply nodded though a series of questions were running in his mind. He had to trust her in this.

"Thank you," he said out of the blue.

"For what?"

"For saving my life. And for existing." Isadora could feel the sincerity in his words. She didn’t know why but whenever he spoke, his words worked magic in the chords of her heart. And she was sure no one else would make her feel this way. She leaned on his chest, a warm feeling of security emanating from around him. For a fleeting minutes, they just rode in silence enjoying each others company.

The dragon landed softly on the ghost mountain where the little left witches were waiting. Upon seeing it was the Valorian prince and Crescian princess who had arrived, they acted vicious.

"What brings you here Your Majesty? You know no one is welcomed here unless they are witches."

"I’ll talk," Isadora offered before Alexander could slit his throat out of anger.

"I brought the dragon and so I’m entitled to stay in the ghost mountain." She said.

"How did you do that?" The witch asked.

"Even I don’t know. All I know is that your leader is dead and I’m the new dragon guardian. So you better give me the respect I deserve," she said calmly yet her eyes stated otherwise. Alexander was impressed by the way she handled the situation.

"Anything for you my lady," the witch said bowing deeply.

"I need two horses and some food." The witch nodded at a boy who disappeared into the caves and came back with two horses. Another man followed him carrying a basket of food.

Alexander took the reins of the horses while Isadora went to Whirlock. She held his face closely creating a bond between them, like a telepathy, in which they communicated. Whirlock was sad that she was leaving him alone to lie down in a cave for God knows how long. If Isadora died, that meant there would be no other dragon guardian. And how she tamed him even brought unanswered questions to her. The fact that she had stayed airborne and saved Alexander was also a mystery to her. Had her inner power got activated? She’d tell Newton to test it once she was back.

"What are you thinking?" Alexander asked walking closer to where she stood petting the dragon but she seemed lost in her thoughts.

"Whirlock is sad I’m going to leave him."

Alexander understood her but the destruction this being had caused was enough to imprison it forever. Were it not for her love for the dragon, he’d have suggested to kill it.

"For the sake of our people, you have to." Was that even helping? She huffed her cheeks and commanded Whirlock to enter the cave. The dragon obliged, though sad. The mountain shook slightly as the huge dragon made its way in the cave that would turn out to be its sleep den, forever maybe.

Alexander held her by the shoulders as she watched Whirlock disappear into the darkness. She felt as if she had lost a piece of herself.

"We need to leave Isa," Alexander coerced, taking her away from the mouth of the cave. The witches bid them farewell and the two had to ride through the woods up to the capital, the Crescian capital in that case. Darkness was fast approaching and Alexander knew they couldn’t make it in time.

Isadora had not said a single word since they left the mountain and it worried Alexander. It was like being separated with the dragon cast a trauma on her. He didn’t know why but rumors had it that the dragon guardians were connected with the beast in a special way. Maybe she was sad she had left Whirlock alone.

And how she got a role only ascribed to the strongest of witches, Alexander couldn’t tell. Everything about the Isadora he was seeing now was a mystery, and he feared even she herself was yet to unravel it.

"We camp here tonight," he announced alighting his horse close to a pool. This was a good place to spend the night since they were all tired. If they decided to ride to the Capital, they’d arrive at least at midnight, without taking into account the dangers on the way. Griffin’s men and the rogue witches were still out there, and Alexander vowed to annihilate them once Valoria was back to its feet.

He lit a fire and roasted some meat which they ate in silence that it freaked him out. Unable to hold the drama anymore, he asked,

"Are you alright Isadora?"

"Yes," she forced a smile but before she could turn to face him, she blacked out.