Grace suddenly opened her eyes and anxiously pushed Azrion away.
"What… what are you doing?" she stammered, quickly creating distance between them. "We're not that close."
Azrion scoffed, running a hand through his hair with mild irritation.
"I don't know," he said casually. "You're the one who was acting like a big baby just now. I thought you wanted to thank me."
Grace folded her arms, clearly annoyed. "Thank you? Wow… so you're soft now? You're the one who threw me off earlier. What was that about?"
Azrion smirked as he stepped closer. The sunlight reflected in his amber eyes, illuminating his pale skin and the faint scales along his neck. Strands of his long hair fell across his face and shoulders, giving him an almost untamed appearance.
"I was just following orders, Princess," he replied. His voice was soft yet commanding—dangerous, yet strangely charming.
"Yeah, right," Grace scoffed, rolling her eyes before pushing him slightly away. "Stay in your lane. What exactly are you trying to do? Haven't you heard of personal space?"
Just then, the older griffin descended from the sky with the little one beside it. The smaller creature—Draco—immediately ran toward Grace.
"Aww… are you okay, sweetheart?" she said softly, lifting the tiny griffin into her arms.
Azrion's eyes widened briefly in disbelief before he quickly composed himself.
"Draco… what are you doing?" he called out. "Don't you know who your real family is?"
The little griffin chirped happily before fluttering out of Grace's arms and flying toward Azrion.
Grace raised an eyebrow. "So he really is yours. I found him wandering near the outskirts of our kingdom. You were careless enough to let him wander off alone like that."
Azrion sighed slightly. "Yeah… I guess so."
Grace crossed her arms again. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
"What's that?"
"An apology," she replied sharply. "You accused me of stealing him."
Azrion shrugged. "Well, you proved your innocence. I don't do apologies."
"Oh really?" Grace shot back. "Just because you're a prince?"
Azrion lifted his chin proudly.
"I'm not just a prince. I am the Prince Azrion—heir to the throne of Zerathion."
"Of course you are," Grace muttered sarcastically.
Just then, she realized how much time had passed. The sky had begun to darken.
"I should get going," she said quickly. "It's getting late. You should too. I don't want my guards or citizens catching you here."
Azrion tilted his head slightly, a teasing grin forming on his face.
"Why? Do you care so much for me already?"
Grace scoffed. "Yeah right. Me? Care about you? I'm saying that because of Draco—so don't get your hopes up."
"Whatever," he replied lazily.
Just as Grace turned to leave, Azrion suddenly stiffened. His expression grew serious as he glanced toward the forest.
A faint presence moved through the air.
He quickly climbed onto his griffin.
"I sense a group of armed people coming this way," he said.
Grace's eyes widened. "Oh no… it must be the royal scouts. If they catch me here this late, they'll definitely report it to my father."
Azrion nodded. "Doesn't sound good. Get on."
Grace frowned. "Yeah right… so you can throw me off again? I'd rather run."
"Suit yourself," he replied.
He turned his griffin around and prepared to fly off.
Grace remained standing there, conflicted. Her hand ran through her hair nervously as the sounds of approaching horses echoed faintly in the distance.
Then she called out.
"Wait!"
Azrion looked back.
"I'll… get on."
He stretched out his hand toward her, his expression suddenly calm and reassuring.
"Come on," he said gently. "I promise I won't drop you."
After a moment of hesitation, Grace took his hand.
He pulled her up and placed her in front of him on the griffin's back. His arm rested protectively around her as the creature launched into the sky.
The wind rushed past them as they soared high above the land.
Azrion chuckled softly.
"How long are you planning to keep your eyes closed?, don't you know how to have a little fun?"
Grace clung tightly to the griffin's feathers. "Until I reach my palace. And this… is not fun."
"Alright, that's enough," he laughed. "Open them. You don't know what you're missing."
"No… I can't," she stuttered.
"Trust me," he said quietly. "Just open them."
Slowly, she did.
The sight before her stole her breath away.
The golden sunset stretched across the horizon, painting the sky in shades of crimson and amber. The rivers shimmered like silver threads below them while the distant mountains glowed beneath the fading light.
"Wow…" Grace whispered, her face lighting up with a bright smile. "It's so beautiful."
Azrion glanced down at her, unable to look away.
"Yeah," he murmured softly. "Just like you."
"What?" she asked, turning slightly.
"Nothing," he quickly replied, coughing awkwardly. "You have a nice smile… by the way."
"Oh… thanks," Grace said shyly, her cheeks turning pink.
For a brief moment, the tension between them faded. It felt almost peaceful—like a quiet ride beneath the setting sun.
Eventually, they arrived high above her palace.
"So high even the guards won't notice," Grace whispered.
"My window is still open… but we can't land without them spotting us."
Azrion smirked slightly. "Hold on tight."
Before she could question him, he wrapped an arm around her waist. Flames flickered briefly around them.
In the next instant—
They teleported.
They appeared at the edge of her window, stumbling forward and tumbling into her room.
"Ouch…" Grace whispered, rubbing her head. "Is that your idea of a perfect landing?"
Just then, a knock sounded at her door.
"Your Majesty?" Renee's voice called. "Are you alright? Dinner is ready. I was asked to bring you."
Grace quickly stood up.
"I'm okay!" she replied. "I'll… join you in a bit."
"Alright then."
The footsteps faded down the hallway.
Grace turned back to Azrion with a soft smile.
"Get home safely. And… thank you again, Azrion."
"You take care, Princess," he replied.
Grace shook her head slightly.
"Crystal," she corrected. "My name is Crystal."
Azrion's expression softened as a warm grin appeared on his face.
"Alright… Crystal."
With a flicker of fire, he teleported back outside onto his griffin.
Moments later, Azrion soared into the night sky, flying back toward Zerathion with little Draco beside him.
And for some reason…
Neither of them could stop thinking about the other.