Chapter 5 THE FLIGHT TO DRAKORATH

Haven had seen many men in her twenty one years of being alive. She had seen handsome men, and dangerous looking men. They visited their village a lot, to buy goods.

But this man standing before the entire village wasn't beautiful nor dangerous.

No! He was both.

Eyes the color of molten lava, surrounded by long dark lashes, a face before that showed no hint of emotion as he stared at the villagers like he couldn't care less about any of them. His dark hair was messy, resting on his shoulders and some falling over his face.

He stared at Haven unblinking, and the more he stared, the more she felt the mark on her wrist burn. Her eyes flickered down to her wrist and the mark was now glowing, a little brighter than before.

She quickly pulled her sleeve further down to cover it, her heart drumming in her ears.

Auren kept his gaze fixed for her for a long period of time without blinking. She couldn't help but shiver under the intensity of his gaze and her eyes immediately dropped to the ground, unable to keep staring at him.

“You," he said.

The villagers turned to each other, wondering who it was that the king had selected. Who could have possibly caught his eye or angered destiny?

“Haven Thorne," he called. Haven's heart skipped a thousand beats.

No it couldn't possibly be her! The king won't choose her among the high class society girls there. But as she stared into his eyes, something in them told her the bitter truth.

He did choose her, and the only thing she had to do was abide by it.

“You have ten minutes to say your farewells. Then we leave." A gush of wind blew among the villagers, threatening to sweep them off their feet. By the time it cleared, the king had left.

The village erupted into murmurs and whispers. Mira wastes no time in pulling Haven into her arms and holding her close. 'Forgive me, my child. I can't do anything to save you.”

Haven fought back the tears threatening to fall past her eyelids. She wasn't going to start crying. If she wanted to survive whatever lay ahead then she'd have to be strong.

The villagers stared at Haven with mixed emotions.

Some stared at her in pity. Over the years, the dragon king had taken in several brides, but none had ever made it back home. Once they left the village, no one ever saw or heard from them ever again. Human servants who work in the dragon kingdom always told tales of the brides being used for a brutal dragon ritual.

They never survived!

Others stared at Haven with awe and pride. They were marveled at how calm she was taking the news about being the latest sacrificial lamb. Most of the girls before her bowled their eyes out and begged not to be taken.

Lyra held her hand and looked at her with tears streaked eyes. “Be strong, Haven. For mom and I."

Haven pulled away from her aunt and pulled Lyra in a hug. “I will miss you Lyra. I don't know if I can survive what's out there, but I'll try.”

Their peaceful yet bitter farewell was interrupted by the flapping of wings and a loud roar that shook the ground.

They looked up and saw a huge dragon, scales dark yet glistening like obsidian and eyes red like lava. It landed at the center of the square and stretched out one of its wings .

“Farewell is over," Draven said. “It's time to leave."

Haven would give anything not to go with them, but fate has decided. She gave her aunt a last minute hug, both too emotional to actually say anything.

With slow, reluctant steps she moved towards the dragon. With shaky hands, she climbed up the creature's wing and settled on its back, gripping its neck for stability.

‘Hold tight, we are taking off.’ The voice didn't come from the people around her, it came from inside her head, like a blanket wrapped around her consciousness.

Did the dragon just…speak to her?

'Not speak, communicate, human. Focus and you will understand.’

Haven blinked. It could also read her thoughts as well?

'Of course. It's one of the perks of being a superior being.’

Haven was having a hard time making sense of what's going on. A day ago she never believed in things like these. If someone had told her she would be riding a dragon, heading to a kingdom full of them, she would have laughed and called them crazy.

But here she was, on the back of a dragon who could not only speak, but also read her thoughts.

And they say miracles didn't exist!

'You have quite interesting thoughts, Haven. I'm going to enjoy having you as my bride.’ The voice came again, this time slightly amused. The dragon banked left and Haven let out a scream, tightening her grip. ‘'I won't let you fall, Haven.’

Haven took a deep breath and tried to calm her racing heart.

They kept flying through the clouds, past mountain ranges and huge forests. Behind them Draven and the others followed, their wyverns falling in step behind the dragon.

Haven stared in awe at the places she never thought she would one day dare to venture.

After flying for a long time, she could spot a city in the distance. Beyond the mountains they were currently flying over, lay a city larger and brighter than any she had seen.

As they drew closer, she could identify signs of life below. Children playing around, parents going out for their daily activities and vendors shouting out their wares. They didn't seem the least affected by the convoy flying above.

'Welcome to Drakorath, little flame.’