Chapter9

Kassandra After drying off from the little lake incident, Drago carried me back into his treasure room. He carried me in his arms and then he placed me on the animal skin bed. Drago laid next to me and he said to me. "Time to sleep, Kassandra." "I'm not sleeping next to you," I said as I tried to get away from him but, Drago wrapped his arm around my waist and he pulled me back down. Drago held me close to his chest so that my back was pressed against his chest. If I was going to escape I had to time it well and use the right moment to escape. I stayed awake the whole time and eventually, I heard Drago snoring softly. I quietly and carefully looked over my shoulder and Drago was fast asleep. I took a deep breath and I carefully moved Drago's arm off my waist and surprisingly I was able to get away from him. Before Drago could wake up, I created a clone version of myself by using my magic and then he got comfortable again. I sighed in relief but, I knew my clone had a time limit since I couldn't hold my spell for long. I quietly snuck out of the treasure room and I used my invisibility spell to hide my appearance and my scent from the other dragons. Once I made it to the entrance, I came to a halt and I was shocked when I saw some of the dragons sleeping near the entrance. I took a deep breath and I told myself that I can do this. I quietly and carefully snuck passed some of the sleeping dragons and I made it outside of the cave. I sighed in relief and then I headed to the edge of the woods. I took one last look to make sure that no one was able to sense my presence and then I made a run for it. Once I was far away from the caves, I cancelled my invisibility spell. I sighed in relief and then I thought to myself. 'All right, I need to get out of the woods and find my way back to the Dragon Presist' village. Knowing my father, he would have secured it by now.' I looked around and I need to find a way to get back to the village but, the only problem was, I have no idea which way to turn since I flew here. I figured I need to get to higher ground so I can work out where to go. I walked through the woods and I was starting to get cold and my feet felt like they're on the brink of being frozen solid. I came to halt and I needed to rest my feet for a while. I sat down near a stream and I washed the soles of my feet and I also used my healing magic on them. Once I was feeling better, I was about to continue my journey but that was until I heard a growling sound. I froze on the spot and then I quickly clicked my fingers. I used my invisibility spell to hide myself and my scent again. I stood near a tree and then I watched a large wolf appear from the shadows. I held my breath because I didn't want to make a sound to alert the wolf. Just then, three more appeared and they were sniffing the air. "What is it, boss?" I heard one of them ask their leader. "I thought I smelt an unmated human girl here," The leader spoke as he sniffed the spot where I was sitting to heal my feet. "You're right, it's faint but, she was definitely here." "If that's the case, then where did she go?" "I don't know, let's go and find her, she couldn't have gotten too far." Their leader told them before they disappeared into the shadows. I sighed in relief before I cancelled out my invisibility spell. 'I guess those guys weren't your average wolves, they were werewolves. I better keep moving before they come back.' I continued through the woods and it was getting harder and harder to see because the fog was getting thicker but I was able to use my light spell to clear some of it away. I spotted a cave and I walked towards it. I lit up the cave to make sure no one was around but, the only thing that was in there was a sabretooth tiger and her cubs. She growled at me and I calmly told her. "Please don't get mad, I just need a place to rest for a while. I promise I won't come anywhere near you or your cubs." I sat down in the cave but, I sat near the entrance. To make sure the wolves don't smell me, I put up a barrier to hide my scent and my body. I sighed a little before resting my back against the wall. The cubs sat up and then they ran over to me. I was surprised by this and then they started sniffing my legs and then one of them climbed onto my lap and curled up into a ball before falling asleep. The other one laid down next to me which took me by surprise. "It seems my babies like you." I was surprised when I heard that voice. I looked at the sabretooth tiger and I asked her. "Did you...just talk?" "I did." "Whoa, and here's me thinking the fog has made me crazy." The sabretooth tiger chuckled at me before approaching me. "Not at all, some of us are shapeshifters but others, are ordinary animals who have the ability to talk." I was impressed by this and then she rested her head on my lap to warm me up. "Tell me something, did you come from the Drago's horde?" "Yes I did, how did you know?" "I heard rumours there was a new bride who had arrived from Cassina. I'm guessing you're Princess Kassandra." I nodded my head and I asked her. "How did you know my name?" "I told you, there were rumours about you." "I see, do you have a name?" "I do, my name Lily and these are my cubs Blaze and Luka." The cubs purred when I touched their little heads. "Come on, you'll catch a cold if you stay near the entrance like this." I followed Lily deeper into the cave so we were away from the entrance with Luka in my arms. We got to the spot where Lily was sleeping and then I sat down on the soft grass. The cubs curled up next to me while Lily laid down behind me so my back was resting on the side of her body. "Get some sleep Kassandra, you've been wondering through the forest all night." "Okay, and thanks, Lily." I spoke with a smile before falling asleep with the cubs sleeping on my lap to provide me with some warmth while Lily using the side of her body as a pillow for me.