THE CURSE OF THE DRAGON PRINCESS

and kept myself balanced as best I could with only my knees to steady me. It would not do to fall from the saddle now. Not yet. I was only twenty, barely old enough for marriag

out of the saddle, there was no telling what might happen. My eyes scanned the dark

thing about it bothered me. The trees were too thick here to see the roa

that I wouldn't make it without stoppin

as the night chill seeped into my bones. My mind wandered and my body followed the images it conjured up. It seemed like everything I saw turned into some h

ll she had been trained well. She responded perfectly to every command my voice uttered. When her head moved forward I knew that she could sense danger before my hands could even

ng struck by branches from above. We leaped over logs and rocks, jumping and dodging, never slowing down. My feet ached a

closer now. I could feel it, like a distant beacon calling my name. I forced myself to take deep breaths, t

e horse to a trot, pulling her to a stop next to a large oak t

for any sign of danger, but all I sa

ong the ground and I shivered, wishing that I had thought to bring warmer clothing. I looked at my horse, then glanced around the edge of the cave entrance. Nothing moved. I couldn't dete

ted to the lack of sight. There was nothing, no noise, no light. I felt claustrophobic and wanted nothing more than to turn around and walk the few steps it would take to return to my horse outside the cave. Yet I kept going. I took another careful step forward, moving further and further inside. Suddenly, there was a loud cry ricocheting off the walls. Soon the sound filled the caves accompanied by flapping wings as bats flitted about. Their angry cries sounded deafening in the

stood alone, I felt relief wash over me. I let out a shaky sigh of relief and felt tears prick at my eyes. Tears of happiness as I realized the bats weren't coming back. Relief flooded over me and I allowed myself a slight smile. I hadn't heard anything since the bats left. There wasn't even a hint of movement in the dark corners. Warmth loomed in this part of the cave and my skin tingled, goosebumps rising along my arms as I imagined the damp smell o

t back behind my ear. After a second of hesitation, I removed the pins holding my braids in place and shook my hair loose, falling loosely about my face, covering my shoulders. I sighed softly, relaxing my muscles further and staring into the darkness, watching the faint glow of fireflies dancing in front of my eyes. I smiled. Maybe I wouldn't have to fear the nightmares tonight after all.A sudden gust of wind blew across the tops of the rocks and I shuddered as the cool mountain air nipped at my exposed skin. W

Everything will be fine. It wil

n my heart. Slowly I fell asleep, dreaming of home and my family and a man with golden brown eyes and messy black hair that fra