The Crystal Dragon Series Collection

by Katie Cherry

  Crystal sniffles as she looks up at them. “I need to go to my room.”

  <<>>

  The warmth of the blanket around me soothes me. As had Nathan’s assurances that the couple we had watched die weren’t Angela’s actual parents, but still the image haunts me. It was my fault. If I hadn’t trash talked the Dragon Hunters, they wouldn’t have followed us as far as they had… they wouldn’t have thrown that-

  I stand abruptly, allowing the blanket to slide down my body and collapse in a heap around my feet. I can’t allow my thoughts to continue in that direction. It just leads me to spiral further and further down. Sniffling, I wipe at the tears on my face and stiffen my resolve. Stepping out of the phoenix-engraved door, I head down a floor to Angela’s room to retrieve Nora. I missed her calm, steady confidence. When I arrive, I find the door already slightly ajar, the light from inside spilling out into the hallway. This castle is almost more of a hotel, I muse, knocking lightly on the door before peeking my head in. There I find Nathan sitting with Angela on her bed. Her head is bowed with her face buried in her hands. His arm is around her shoulders. Nathan looks up at me with a small wince as I cautiously enter. I give him a tiny nod of understanding, gather Nora up in my hands, and silently tiptoe back out of the room.

  “I know it’s selfish to say,” Nora begins, twisting her head to look up at me, “But I’m glad you’re staying here for a few days before you go to Quagon. With this bond that we have, I feel lost without you near,” she admits shyly, shifting a little in my hands.

  I can’t help but smile. “I missed you too, Nora. I wish I could bring you to Quagon, but along with everything we knew before, apparently birds there are extremely rare…”

  “And we shouldn’t bring undue attention to you. That doesn’t mean I have to like it, though,” she sighs. “I miss the good old days when all you had to worry about was getting that baby dragon, Eric, fed and hidden.”

  I stifle a laugh as I open the door to my room. “You know, I never thought I would have called those days the good old days. …But you’re right. It was so simple then, just participating in three Challenges. Granted, the Dragon Hunters screwed everything up then as well, but at least in the beginning, everything was straightforward. Considering.” I chuckle, remembering how lost and opposed to everything I was when I had first arrived to Zilferia. Now that I had a better understanding of the realms and how they worked, my life back then seemed much easier to handle than what I’m dealing with now. “But now… I’m the piece that’s combining the dragons, the Sohos, the mermaids, and the Villagers in a massive war against the Dragon Hunters.” I shake my head as I set her down on the table and sit in one of the chairs. “I never would have thought that this would be happening to me. Me! Fighting a war with magic, for magic. A year and a half ago, I didn’t believe in magic at all- despite my dragon eyes,” I laugh. “I guess I can be pretty stubborn.”

  “That’s one of the things that makes you so admirable, Princess,” Nora returns. “Your determination and stubbornness is what is driving Patrick nuts and throwing the Dragon Hunters off track, not to mention the hope you’re sparking across the realms. It’s the reason you’re so crucial to this and why you’re the only one who could ever hope to accomplish the tasks not only before you, but the ones already behind you. Anyone else would have given up. You are the backbone of those resisting the Dragon Hunters and whatever higher power seems to be leading them.”

  “…Thanks,” I reply, touched by her words, but also more anxious because of them as well.

  If I’m the backbone… what happens when I eventually crumble?

  <<>>

  “Where is she?” Chet demands as he rushes from his room in the Dragons’ castle. “Crystal, I mean. I heard that she’s back… can I see her?” he hurriedly amends, backtracking.

  Pearl laughs, reaching out to ruffle his hair. “Chet, dear, Crystal’s having a bit of a hard time right now. You might want to give her some time.”

  He frowns, the freckles on his face distracting from the serious look in his green eyes. “But I don’t like the thought of her being alone.”

  “The lad has a point,” Alexander booms, entering the room. “I say let him try. She may send him away, she may not. She’s all about being independent at this age regardless, right?” he chuckles.

  “Thank you!” Chet beams, already racing toward the stairs. The first few he takes two at a time before slowing as he grows closer to her room. Finally, he halts, staring at the golden phoenix etched into the wood. Taking a breath, he cracks his knuckles to release some tension before he finally knocks on the door. “C- Crystal?” he hesitantly calls. “…It’s Chet. Can I come in?”

  The door opens and he’s relieved to see her smiling, although it looked like she had recently been crying. “Chet! Of course you can come in!” she warmly greets, standing back from the door to leave him room to enter. As he passes her, he can feel her warmth and the magic he had been growing attuned to. “You look like you’re doing much better already,” she says as she sits in one of the chairs by the table in her room. Chet slowly sinks into the one closest to her. Nora remains perched on another chair, preening under her wings.

  “I am doing better,” he confirms. “I’m glad the doctors deemed me worthy to use some of their special healing serum on,” he adds, fingering his cheekbone, which had been broken early on with the Dragon Hunters after he had been captured, but hadn’t healed until the Village hospital got to him.

  “I’m glad too,” she smiles, reaching out to hold his hand. He flinches a little at the touch, unprepared for a girl like her to make such a move towards him. “I’m also glad you came to see me. I was feeling… pretty lonely,” she sighs. “No offense to Nora, of course. She definitely helps, but the human touch can just be really powerful to help calm me,” she explains. Noting the frozen look on his face, she draws back. “Sorry… I probably should have asked first,” she murmurs, looking embarrassed.

  “No… it’s fine,” he says, standing. Looking confused, she stands as well. “I want to help you however I can,” he declares before hesitantly wrapping his arms around her. She relaxes into his arms and returns the hug, laying her head on his shoulder. Warmth blossoms in his stomach. He had never been this close to her before… to any girl, actually. There weren’t too many girls with the Dragon Hunters, and he hadn’t been in the Village long. Still, he knew that Crystal was special. Very special. He tightens his arms around her, feeling the urge to make her feel safe in his arms.

  After a few minutes, she stirs and he loosens his grip, stepping back a little. When she looks up at him with those blue-gold eyes something inside of him seems to awaken. Instinctively, his head begins to lower, his eyes on her soft lips. Moments before reaching them, however, he turns his head, finally kissing her cheek. Stepping back, he keeps his gaze on the floor. “I hope you get feeling better,” he murmurs before walking to the door. As he closes it behind him, he can’t help but look back. Relieved to see her smiling with a warm look on her face, he lets the door click into place, separating them. But he knew it would only be temporary. The smile on his own face grows until it nearly hurts as he stays by the door for a moment longer. Hope blossoms in his chest for the first time since she and Nathan had rescued him from Patrick. Crystal truly is a miracle worker, he chuckles. I never thought I would feel this way again.

  <<>>

  “I know they weren’t my actual parents…” Angela sobs, “But they treated me like I was their daughter. They were the only parents I had known for years, and I had started to feel… I don’t know, safe, with them?” she continues as Nathan listens patiently, slowly rubbing her back. “I just can’t believe that… that they’re… gone… dead because of me,” she chokes, burying her face in her hands once more as the sobs renew in strength. Nathan waits for a few moments for her to continue. When she doesn’t, he scrambles to think of something that may comfort her.

  “It’s not your fault,” h
e finally says, feeling the words fall hollow. Come on. If you don’t believe it, she won’t believe it, he says to himself. “It really isn’t. They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Walter was on the porch, reading. That had nothing to do with you, okay? The Dragon Hunters are just seriously awful people. I tried to save them… they just wouldn’t listen… I’m so sorry. I wish I had had the foresight to have the portal put elsewhere, or to at least take a longer route to try and lose them, but with Crystal, I didn’t want to risk it. I’m so sorry. I’ve been trying to not take the blame as well… but one thing I know, is that it was not your fault,” he finishes, putting his other hand on her leg for emphasis.

  She looks up at him with watery eyes, staring into his to see if he really believes it. Finally, a small smile appears on her lips. “Alright. I won’t take the blame if you won’t then, okay?”

  “Deal,” Nathan smiles, pulling her into a hug. When he pulls back, he hesitantly asks her, “Are you going to be okay?”

  Letting out her breath, she lowers her head once more. “I think so. It’ll just take some time. I know I only knew them for a few months, but I still had a home there with them.” Wiping her eyes, she looks back at him with renewed determination. “But, I also have a home here now. With the King and Queen… and with you.”

  Wrapping his arms around her, Nathan tries to banish the guilt sparking in his chest. Only, I won’t be here for you. As soon as Crystal’s ready, we’ll be heading to Quagon. And as I told grandma, I have no idea when we’ll be back. It may be a long time.

  Instead of voicing this, though, he just strokes her hair and holds her close.

  <<>>

  Jared shifts nervously as he stands in line with the other soldiers, Adam walking back and forth before them, his hands behind his back and his shoulders straight. Jared tries to copy this, but it feels so fake. He wasn’t a soldier. He never would be. But for his King, he would need to try.

  “Alright, soldiers,” Adam continues, his boots striking the stones as he paces, “welcome to another day of hard labor. The wall around the Village needs to be completed as soon as possible, and you are our greatest workforce. You are all strong and able-bodied… and if not, you will be by the time this wall is completed. If I see anyone lounging around but for the set rest times, there will be punishments. Understood?”

  “Sir, yes, sir!” Jared barely remembers to shout with the others and lowers his eyes in embarrassment, although no one else had noticed. He wished he had a friend to talk to, but even in this makeshift army, he couldn’t seem to find anyone with something in common with him. No one wanted to be associated with the bumbling boy who nearly shot the Village’s most important members. He still felt ashamed for that arrow, loosely fitted to the string, that had landed near Nathan’s feet.

  Although, that had led him to meet Angela since he had been released from duty for the day. And that was something he could never regret. Meeting her, and somehow becoming friends with her, was the best thing that had happened to him- before or after being recruited. It had now been a few days since then, and he was beginning to ache with desire to see her again. She was the first friend he’d really had in years. They still didn’t know each other too well, but he knew he wanted to try. Perhaps she could be someone who wouldn’t make fun of him or look at him differently after discovering his secret.

  He, just like the infamous Patrick, was Giftless.

  *****

  Fall was ending, but even the brisk air couldn’t cool Jared’s skin. Sweat poured in rivulets down his face, chest, and arms, leaving tracks in the dirt upon his skin. Panting, he stands and wipes at his face with the back of his hand, which only serves to smear the dirt, mixing it with the sweat. Grimacing, he transfers some of the mud to his pants. Stretching, he looks around at the others working. They were all slaving away on carving out the stones for the wall. No one took notice of him. Noticing the nearest wheelbarrow was full of the blocks meant for the wall, he sighs and walks up to it, hoisting it up with a grunt. Wheeling it away from the smell of sweat and grime, he walks toward the wall. He had volunteered to be one of the ones to transfer the stones from the miners to the builders, hoping it would be the one job to give him a bit of a respite.

  Today, the builders are on break when he reaches them, so he leaves the stones beside the others and looks around. Still no one took notice of him, far too fatigued to care that he was slipping away, hiding behind stacks of blocks. Once enough distance was between him and the builders, he turned his face toward the castle. He knew if he was caught he would be punished, but he couldn’t help but gravitate toward where he knew Angela would be. Pulling off his shirt, he wipes at his face with the clean side before putting it back on, hoping to be a little more presentable before stepping into the home of the most important people of all of Zilferia. Now wishing he had time to properly clean himself, he sighs and knocks on the door, using the code Angela had told him about.

  A servant opens it and ushers him inside before closing the door behind him. He starts to leave, but Jared quickly stops him. “Where is Angela’s room?” he asks nervously, hoping that the servant won’t call him out for abandoning his post with the other soldiers.

  “This way,” the servant simply replies, leading him up a couple flights of stairs before stopping by the first door on the left of the hallway. “This is where Angela Dove resides,” he says before slipping away. Left alone in the corridor, Jared takes a deep breath. Knocking on the door, he immediately berates himself. What are you doing? She isn’t going to want to see you. She’s likely with her boyfriend- who you nearly shot. Sighing, he backs away and turns back the way he came. He’d only taken a step when the door opens behind him.

  “Hello?” Angela.

  He turns and gives her a sheepish smile. “Uh… hey,” he greets, feeling lame and out of place.

  Her face brightens as she recognizes him. “Jared! Come on in,” she invites, waving him closer. He instinctively takes a few steps before stopping.

  “Oh… I couldn’t possibly.” He swallows hard and the heat under his skin seems to increase. “I was actually hoping… you’d like to go on a walk with me?”

  Her eyes soften as she looks at him. He tries not to notice that she looked like she’d been crying. “That sounds great, actually. Nathan just left, and I would appreciate not being alone with my thoughts for a while,” she explains as she steps into the hall with him, closing the door behind her. Jared can’t keep the smile off of his face as they walk towards the doors leading out of the castle. He was getting to spend time with her! He still might get in trouble later, but it was already worth it to see that beautiful smile on her face. Pulling on her jacket at the door, she smiles at him again. “Where do you want to go?”

  “There’s… actually a really pretty river near where I grew up,” he hesitantly suggests.

  Taking his arm, she beams up at him. “Sounds wonderful,” she assures him as he opens the door.

  Jared nearly sighs with relief as they step into the cool outside air, still feeling overheated from the hard work he had been doing that day. Angela’s cheeks turn a pretty pink shade as the wind rushes around them. She takes in a deep breath, letting her shoulders relax. “Oh, this is nice,” she murmurs. “It’s been a long time since I was able to step outside to simply enjoy being outside.”

  “I’m glad I could help,” Jared replies, his smile stretching wider as he takes in her bright, happy eyes.

  Smiling back at him, she steps up beside him. “Lead the way!” So, he does. All the while feeling an unusual heat burning beneath his skin. Thank goodness it’s nearly winter so the cold air can help average it out a little. He sneaks peeks at Angela as often as he feels he can get away with as they walk. She walks steadily and confidently, despite wearing boots with high heels on them. Her grey, legging-type pants, although lined so they would provide more warmth, hugged her figure. Her jacket wrapped tightly around her as well, the perfectly white fabric complimented
by the red fur around the hood, which also served to make her blonde hair look even more naturally stunning. Nearly tripping over a rock, Jared immediately moves his eyes back to staring straight ahead.

  The pink in his own cheeks had nothing to do with the brisk air around them.

  <<>>

  By the next day, I’m growing bored, but still remain a little hesitant to go to Quagon. What if the Dragon Hunters chase us there too? And they all get hurt because of me? With my unease only growing, I decide I need to talk to the one person who has always given me good advice and helped me to overcome the obstacles in my path.

  “Thaddeus,” I call after knocking on his door. “Thaddeus, it’s Crystal. …Are you here?”

  There’s a moment of silence before I catch the faint reply. “Come in!” Easing the door open, I look into his house. It’s more disorderly than the last time I had visited, and I find Thaddeus eased back on his couch, his leg up on the table, still in its cast. He looks tired, but otherwise better since Hunter had attacked him through Nathan. “Crystal! How nice of you to visit,” he says, pushing himself into a more upright position. “How are you doing?”

  “I’m alright, Thaddeus,” I reply with a small smile, touched at how he always looked after me before anything else. “How are you doing?”

  “Healing up well, considering,” he chuckles. “Now, what can I help you with, my dear?”

  “Well… I’m not really sure,” I sigh, sinking onto the couch beside him. “I just feel really restless and anxious, I guess.”

  “Have you tried meditating?” He chuckles at the blank stare I give him in response to the question. Honestly, it had never crossed my mind. It felt like something only old monks who lived alone in the mountains would do. “I’ll take that as a no. Now is as a good a time as ever to teach you,” he continues, slowly drawing his body from the soft cushions. “But let’s do it someplace else. I’m tired of staring at these walls,” he explains, limping toward the door. Picking up the crutches leaning against the doorway, he waves for me to lead the way.