WHOOSH—
A deafening sweep of air cut past me. My eyes fluttered open, vision blurred by blinding light. For a terrifying second, I thought I was falling straight into the dragon's horn—until I felt the wind shift beneath me.
I wasn't dead.
Below me stretched wings as vast as storm clouds—sleek, black, and powerful. A gigantic raven carried me effortlessly, each flap a command of the skies.
"Labyrinth…" I whispered, my chest tightening with relief.
I turned my head and there he was, soaring beside me—my little brother. His massive black wings cut through the air like blades, each stroke graceful, terrifying, and impossibly beautiful.
"Yo, sissy!" he called over the roar of the wind, his voice smug but tinged with concern. "Crazy how you left without me. You'd be dragon lunch by now!"
Tears stung my eyes. My lips trembled, but I forced a shaky smile.
"I've… survived so far," I managed, though my voice cracked.
The raven dipped, landing with a thunderous crash against the earth. I slid down its back, my legs shaking beneath me. Labyrinth touched down in front of me, folding his wings with the calm arrogance only he could pull off.
He reached for me instantly, his palms cupping my face as his eyes searched mine. "Are you okay?" he asked softly.
I hated to admit it, but my brother was breathtaking. Fourteen, yet taller than me, his body sculpted like a warrior forged in battle. Broad shoulders, sharp jawline, abs carved like stone—and he wasn't even wearing a shirt. My stupid heart stuttered, heat rising to my cheeks.
"I-I'm fine…" I muttered, tearing my gaze away and looking down, cheeks burning like fire. "How's mother?" I asked quickly, trying to shift the attention away from my very obvious blush.
He gave me a flat look, raising a brow. "Do you ever ask about anything else?" His lips curled into a teasing grin. Then, without warning, he scooped me up in his arms as if I weighed nothing.
I gasped just as an icy blast tore through the air where I'd been standing. A dragon's attack.
"…I just saved your life, yet you ask about Mum first?" Labyrinth grumbled, dodging another blast with effortless speed. "You didn't even ask how I got here!" His tone was half annoyed, half playful, like a sulking child.
Despite the chaos around us, I smiled. "Oh, I'm sorry," I teased, brushing my fingers along his cheek and blinking up at him with exaggerated sweetness. "How are you, deary?"
His raven-dark eyes flicked to me, and a sly smirk tugged at his lips. "Cute… but not convincing," he muttered, then his smirk hardened into focus. "I'll tell you later. For now—survive!"
Before I could protest, he let me go midair. My scream barely left my throat when something whirled toward me—an enormous black axe, forged from his magic.
I barely caught the edge of it, the weapon's weight dragging me downward like a thunderbolt. The ground rushed up, smoke and fog blinding me. "How the hell am I supposed to fight with something I can't even lift?!" I yelled in frustration.
The answer came in the form of a dragon's tail slamming into me. Pain exploded in my ribs as I and the axe went tumbling off a cliff, crashing into the rocky valley below.
Before I could catch my breath, a fire dragon burst from the mist, scales glowing like molten lava. It lunged—its body brushing past me so close that its scales seared my arm raw. I screamed, the smell of my burning flesh sickening.
The axe slipped from my grasp, clattering against the stone. I staggered for it, but the dragon was faster, its maw opening wide. My heart pounded. I flipped backward at the last second, balancing on the axe's blade.
The beast roared, furious. It lashed out again, clipping my foot. Pain ripped through me as my toes were severed. My scream echoed against the cavern walls. Blood pooled, hot and fast.
Then—worse. It lunged again, and before I could dodge, its teeth clamped down on my arm. Agony exploded. My vision blurred with tears as I sobbed, holding the bleeding stump against my chest.
The dragon's body pulsed with light—feeding on me.
"…Labyrinth…" I choked, despair clawing up my throat.
The beast came for the final strike. Rage and desperation fused in me. With one last surge of impossible strength, I lifted the axe single-handedly and swung. The blade cleaved clean through its skull.
For a second, silence. Then the fire dragon collapsed into ash.
I dropped to my knees, trembling, sobbing quietly into the smoke.
But there was no time for peace. A water dragon erupted above me, its body spiraling down with a screech. My eyes closed, body sagging with exhaustion.
"Labyrinth…" I whispered, one last time.
The dragon exploded midair, raining down droplets of water. My brother landed beside me, unscathed, eyes blazing. His hand pressed against my mangled shoulder.
"Breathe…" he whispered.
And like magic—no, because of magic—my flesh knitted, my strength surged back. Even my energy returned in full force.
Tears blurred my vision as I threw myself into his chest. I clung to him, shaking. "I was so scared," I admitted, voice breaking.
His arms wrapped around me, firm and protective. "Shh… it's okay," he murmured, pulling me tighter.
I felt his chest—solid, steady—beneath my cheek. His voice dropped lower, smooth as velvet. "I'm here for you, always." His raven-dark eyes locked with mine.
Heat crawled up my neck as he brushed his lips against my forehead, lingering just a moment too long. His smile was soft, but the intensity in his gaze sent my pulse racing.
I traced my fingers across his face, slowly, wanting, but I wasn't sure what I wanted. I dropped my gaze and placed my head on his chest "sigh..." I whispered with a smile, trying to push back what I knew wasn't supposed to be.
For the first time since entering the Dragon's Cove, I wasn't afraid.