He closed his eyes, allowing himself to wash away his fear, to embrace his new life outside of the tyranny of the Spring Court. He had been given a second chance, a place where he could find himself and discover the world. Proving himself to the Draaken would just be another stepping stone of his growth as a fae and he allowed himself to fully embrace this. One step, two steps… He found himself walking among the craigs without fear. He focused on all the good that had happened since he’d left the Spring Court. Another step… one more. He could hear the Draaken shuffling on the craigs above him, no doubt anticipating his next move and thoroughly intrigued by the tiny fae among them. 

He came around a pile of broken rocks to stop. A large Draaken was sprawled out across his pathway, grooming its paw as if it wasn’t concerned about his presence there. But, this wasn’t the Draaken that tugged at Phoenix’s attention. Movement out of the corner of his eye and, from behind the Draaken, a much smaller one was stalking towards him. It paused, a foot raised when he turned to look at it and he felt his heart quicken. For a moment, he almost let his fear slip, almost calling for Prince Aspen but, to be honest, this smaller Draaken was kinda… cute. It was clear it was a cub from the fuzzy texture of its fur and the way its wings didn’t seem as though they were full size yet. Even the spike on the end of its tail didn’t seem all that sharp. It began to stalk again. From its forehead and back over its head between its ears, a fuzzy razor calic of fur was raised up, giving it a very distinct look. He remained completely still, even when the cub was close enough to touch. It leaned forward, sniffing the hem of his shirt before it gave a piercing little chirp and bounded away. 

This momentary lack of attention was all the more the Draaken needed to pounce. In seconds, the bigger one was on its paw and in Phoenix’s face. He wasn’t even sure he could move, even if he wanted to. He forgot how to breath, all the blood drained out of him and his brain just turned off. The larger Draaken’s fangs were inches from his face, it’s hot breath making even the cloak too much. He remembered what Aspen had said; Draaken respect bravery and, in order to imprint and bond, he needed to show a level of bravery that would make the Draaken respect him. 

Despite every fiber of his being telling him to flee, he tentatively reached a hand out and gently placed it down on the velvety nose of the beast. The very air around them seemed to still and it grew eerily silent. The Draaken gazed down at him with bright pink eyes, their slit pupils unnervingly sideways as it gazed down on him. A ‘huff’ of hot breath brushed his hair and Phoenix almost jumped when he heard the unmistakable sound of purring. 

My name is Vaekith, Protector of the Forest. Her voice sounded everywhere and nowhere at the same time and Phoenix stared up in awe at the Draaken before him. He wasn’t aware that they could speak! 

A rumbling purr, almost like a laugh. Yes, I can speak to you and you alone. I can hear your thoughts, while you can hear mine. You stink of fear but your bravery has swayed me, Little One. 

Vaekith raised her head just as the cub bounded over once more. This is Emerth, the Clumsy One. He is my cub.

Emerth, now that his mother was comfortable with Phoenix, rubbed against him, nearly knocking Phoenix over as his tiny purr echoed louder than his mother’s. 

Footsteps sounded and Prince Aspen appeared beside Phoenix, bowing slightly to Vaekith. Despite Aspen’s position as Winter’s Prince, Vaekith huffed in his direction, clicking her jaws together in warning. Emerth was quick to hide behind his mother’s leg, peeking at the Alpha with an unwavering look.

“I mean no disrespect, noble Draaken.” Prince Aspen spoke clearly and without an ounce of fear. “Phoenix is my soon to be mate and I brought him here in the hopes that he could find the freedom and thrill of riding upon your backs.”

Vaekith had laid down once more, her legs tucked beneath her as she narrowed her eyes at the Prince. This one is crafty. She told Phoenix. Not just anyone could bond with Dorkain, Eater of Skies. 

Phoenix wasn’t sure if he was meant to share that information but he turned to Aspen and said, “She won’t hurt you.” He said simply, unsure of what he was supposed to do now. 

Aspen didn’t try and come any closer but he did turn his attention to him. “Ask her to fly.” He said it as if it was the most obvious thing in the world and he heard Vaekith growl. Impertinent child! Her voice seemed to hiss, her spiked tail lashing behind her but again, Aspen looked completely unbothered by Vaekith’s apparent rage.

A dark shadow fell over them and Aspen’s Draaken appeared behind him, his paws silent on the rocky floor. His eyes were focused on Vaekith, as if they were speaking to each other and Emerth hurried to an opening in the rock face to hide. For a moment, the two beasts eyed each other before Vaekith tore her gaze away, growling low. 

Let us fly, child. She told him, pointedly ignoring Aspen and Dorkain now. We shall strengthen our bond. 

Phoenix glanced at Aspen but he just shrugged a shoulder. Right. Only he could hear Vaekith. He didn’t want to have Vaekith waiting too long. He walked up to her and gave her a questioning look. He hadn’t seen how Aspen had done it. And then, to make matters worse, it seemed she was laughing at him.

He flushed bright red. “Well, I didn’t want to pull your fur pulling myself up! I wasn’t sure what to do! Don’t laugh at me!”

Suddenly, he was picked up from behind and lifted up onto Vaekith’s back. 

“Y-Your Highness!” He sputtered, clinging to Vaekith’s spike and looking down at the Alpha. The place where his hands had touched remained warm and it had his belly turning pleasantly.

“You were taking too long. Draaken aren’t known for their patience.” 

Hang on, Child. It was the only warning he got before Vaekith spread her wings and leaped into the air. Phoenix didn’t know if he would ever get used to flying. A scream ripped from his throat once more and he squeezed his eyes shut. His knuckles were white from gripping her spike so hard.

You amuse me, Child. Vaekith’s amused voice filled Phoenix’s head. You stand in the face of certain death but flying, you wail like a cub! 

He was used to having his head down, having both feet firmly on the ground. The sensation of not being in control was utterly terrifying for him. At least with a giant Draaken in his face, he could choose to run or stay.

Open your eyes, Child. I won’t let you fall.

He hesitated at first, the frigid air sharp on his face but eventually, he did open his eyes and was once more greeted with the dark sky above the clouds. He remembered Prince Aspen’s words, questioning whether he trusted him or not. He wanted him to be free and, to do that, he would need to learn to fly a Draaken. 

Use your knees, not your feet, to hold on. 

He did as Vaekith said, just in time for her to tuck a wing and freefall to the side. This time, he didn’t scream. Fear still gripped him but her laughter inside his head seemed to stabilize him enough to remember to grip with his knees and trust Vaekith. With eyes wide open, he was able to view the breathtaking view as Vaekith dove down beneath the clouds to show the blanketed Winter Court far below. Patches of black among the glowing white of snow. Firefly pinpoints of light from towns and spotted farms dot the landscape and, rising up against the backdrop of it all, the Winter Palace. Like a dark mountain that had grown up out of the land and lit up like an active beehive. In a land of ice and snow, Phoenix found far more beauty than any gardens in Spring Court.