Chapter 15: Love

Asha extended her wings and released her claws, sending her swooping down upon Siannon in a few seconds. Her pupils were narrow slits, and Siannon could feel the heat generating inside the dragon.

Asha’s reaction wasn’t unexpected, given what had occurred, so Siannon knelt on the cave floor, bowed her head, and said, “Baraxia Perditrix Meticulosa, I am Siannon Ellesmere, your friend.”

She looked up and saw Asha had relaxed from her defensive stance but still showed no signs of recognition. “May I approach you?” Siannon asked. “I mean you no harm. I want to show you who I am.”

Asha nodded, and Siannon stepped forward and placed her hand upon the dragon’s snout. She closed her eyes and reached out for Asha with her mind, as she had done so many times for the past 20 years. She felt their minds touch, and then she poured out her memories, each one filled with her love for Asha.

“You helped me find my offspring?” Asha asked.

“Yes, the two who survived,” Siannon said. “You’ve had many more since, and they’ve spread throughout many kingdoms now.”

“Why am I here, then, devoid of these memories?”

“I’ve been taken out of my world and placed here by an unseen power,” Siannon said. “A ship crewed by dead men brought me to Ireland. My father, who died when I was a girl, gave me the dragon bone that opened your cave. I think you can help me get back to my own world.”