The Dragon Princess novel Chapter 3

Elina coughed and pressed her palm against her stomach where she felt a burning pain. A piece of wood had lodged itself into the side of her stomach. Blood now coated her hands and her already bloodied tunic. She heard the boy suck in air at the sight and feebly opened her eyes. She was growing weak and tired. Her energy was drained. the glow in her eyes was merely just a flicker now.

"Save yourself. Go. I'll heal soon." She said softly and tugged on his shirt which was starting to get crimson from her bleeding.

His unusually bright blue eyes which reminded her of the ocean, stared at her own honey gold ones rather unsure. Slowly his grip on her loosened. He let go of her and got up. Elina slowly propped herself against a pile of stones, the only remains of the house that once stood in its place. She hissed in pain as she carefully took out the piece of wood. She would heal but with her energy drained out, she doubted if it would be on time. She was sure one of the dark soldiers would find her and kill her even she managed to heal. She bit her lip hard, drawing blood, when a sudden shoot of pain coursed through her body. Though a great mage, she was still a five year old child who barely reached up to the height of her father's waist.

Beings that possessed magic like herself were much stronger and grew up faster compared to the humans - mentally and physically. Though they did stop ageing normally once they reached the adult age. She wondered if Fin would find her and take her to the Guardian Agatha that her mother mentioned. Elina was almost in an unconscious state when she felt something wrapping around her stomach.

"Can you stand?"

It was the same blue eyed boy, she realized with a start.

"Why are you still here?" Elina squinted at him.

"You saved my life once, it's now my turn to return the favor. My mother taught me that a Prince always puts his people and kingdom before himself."

'Prince? From where?' Elina thought to herself.

"My dragon Fin should be around here somewhere. You should be able to recognize him by the royal crest on his saddle. He's a mixture of green and blue." She told the boy, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I think I see him. Come on, just a little farther."

The boy was strong for his age. He supported Elina's weight on his back and managed to walk them to Fin without getting spotted or burnt. He helped Elina onto Fin and hauled himself up, a moment later. Elina was surprised that Fin didn't object. He usually didn't take well to strangers.

"Fin find the Guardian, you should be able to see her at the end of river Avalon." Elina told the dragon, who at once flapped his huge wings and took off the ground.

The boy wrapped an arm around her waist to keep her from falling and kept his other hand on the reins. For some reason Elina felt safer being close to him even though she knew they were far from it. Her consciousness was held together by a thin thread which was ripping by the second.

"Stay awake." The boy whispered and shifted Elina in his arm. He was easily an inch or two taller than her which made it a little easier for him to keep his grip.

No sooner had they reached when a woman who looked to be no older than in her twenties, with long raven hair and bright silver eyes, swiftly walked towards them. Her eyes widened when she took in Elina's state.

"Princess Elina! Gods, quick boy follow me. This is getting out of hand too quick."

Agatha quickly saw to that Fin was properly nursed before grabbing a few bottles off shelves.

"She's the princess?" The boy asked in a surprised tone.

"I thought you would have recognized by the shade of her eyes. She's Princess Elina Madeleine Aurora Dragna, heir to the throne of Corona." Agatha said as she dabbed a dark blue substance on Elina's stab wound using a white feather.

Elina groaned and slightly squeezed the boy's hand which she held tightly in her grasp.

"It's alright. It's over now. You're okay."