I couldn’t move.
The air felt thick, charged, like the very earth beneath me was holding its breath. The dragon stared at me, its massive form half-shrouded by the towering trees, but those eyes—those impossibly bright, iridescent eyes—locked onto mine with a familiarity I didn’t understand.
Then, it made a sound.
Not a growl. Not a snarl. A soft, warbling chirp.
Something about it sent a shiver down my spine. It wasn’t a threatening sound—it was… hesitant. Disbelieving. Like it wasn’t sure if I was really there.
I swallowed hard, my throat dry.
A strange warmth pressed against my ribs, spreading outward, making my fingers twitch at my sides. I knew this feeling. I just didn’t know how.
The dragon shifted slightly, its nostrils flaring as it took in my scent. Its head lowered just a
