fresh air, thankful for their escape.
“Wait!” The dragon stepped from the cave into the sunlight, dragging its tail behind. It fixed its beady eyes on them, its scales glistening like metal. And no doubt as hard as metal, Rowan mused, keeping a wary eye on the monster. He gasped, viewing the dragon in the bright sunlight, its massive build seeming to cover the entire hill. Away from the cave’s darkness, it shone a bright green but was the ugliest animal he’d ever had the misfortune to meet.
A look of sadness came over the dragon’s face. “Can’t you stay awhile? Talk with me? What’s your hurry?” It shook its head. “I promise I won’t hurt you, either of you.” Huge tears ran down its scaly face, dropping onto the limestone, where it hissed like acid. “You didn’t even ask my name.”
Allegra blew on her bruised knuckles and exchanged an amused glance with Rowan. “Very well, then, what’s your name?”
“Grenalda,” the dragon replied. “Get it? Grenalda, the green dragon.” Her thick lips peeled back in what must have been a smile. “And what are your names?”
They introduced themselves, then Rowan asked, “Where are the other dragons, or aren’t there anymore up this way?”
“Oh, I see other dragons now and then, but they usually fly off somewhere. They don’t stay in one place too long.”
Apparently reconciled to the beast, Allegra patted her foreleg, the dragon’s cheek obviously too high to reach. “And you? Don’t you ever fly away, visit other places?”
“Oh, yes, I can fly anywhere I want. I can even fly to your world, where the humans live.”
Thinking hard, Rowan looked at Allegra, then back at Grenalda. “I never see you or any other dragons in my world.”
“Of course you don’t see me. I fly to your world only at night, when it’s dark. I stay away from places where people live.” She shrugged. “I just get tired of staying here. I like to see other places, another world.”
Thoughts churned in Rowan’s head. “Could you . . .could you take us with you?”
Grenalda smiled. “Of course I could. What do you think I am–helpless?”
“Rowan!” Allegra tugged at his sleeve. “Are you out of your mind? Don’t you know any other way to get out of here?”
He turned toward her, his face set in resolve. “Listen, dearest. We have to return to our world. Much as I’d like to stay here with you, we have to go back. And yes, I do know another way of leaving this place, but I fear it may involve some risk.”
“And this doesn’t? Riding a dragon?”
Grenalda stepped forward, shaking the ground. “Oh, I assure you it’s safe to ride me.” She jerked her head back. “You see those spikes? Plenty of room for both of you to ride me. Just hold on to the spike in front of you. I promise I’ll be careful.” She laughed. “And I promise I won’t perform any flying tricks, like I do when I fly by myself.”
“But how will you know if it’s day or night?” Allegra asked, her gaze covering the perpetual blue sky. “It’s always daylight here.”
“Not to worry. I’ll go and check first. In no time, I’ll be back. It’s easy for me to fly from this world to your own, and it won’t take long.” She raised a foreleg, gesturing toward the lake below. “You wait there for me. Now, move aside, and I’ll be on my way.”
Grabbing Allegra, Rowan hastened backward, nearly tripping on a rock.
Grenalda motioned with her foreleg. “Back farther. Don’t you see my wide wings?” As she flew off, she waved her wings, the air whooshing. She soared into the sky, and within minutes became a tiny speck in the far distance.
“Let’s go back down the hill.” Rowan took Allegra’s hand, leading her to the path that led downward. Watching his step, he continually looked back at her and released a deep breath as he led her down the trail. Only now did he recognize his fright, his vast relief that they had escaped what might have been a horrible
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