_ - _   Alec’s POV   _ - _

Mr. Marson opened the door for Amaya and she climbed in. I followed after her as the front seat is currently occupied by our school bags. Plus I want to sit next to her and make sure she is in no pain. I was traumatized from seeing her transform into a dragon. She looked over at me as I closed the door with a confused look on her face. I was about to explain myself when she shrugged, closed her eyes, and laid her head against my shoulder. 

At first I stiffened up in shock causing Amaya to chuckle quietly. After hearing her soft laugh, the tension left my body, allowing me to relax and laying my head on hers. Sighing, I noticed Amaya had already fallen asleep, most likely exhausted from transforming. I shifted my eyes to look out the window and I saw something. There was a shadow in the sky. I looked like the silhouette of a bird, but it was far too big and had some sort of tail. I blinked and it was gone. Huh… Must have been my imagination. I thought with an uneasy feeling. Brushing off the unease, I watched as the grassy hills turned into a lush forest of Weeping Willows, Magnolia, Cottonwood and Black Walnut trees. During the twenty minute drive, I saw lots of birds and squirrels flying and jumping between trees. 

“There is so much life in this forest.” I said. “I would have thought that they would all go into hiding with a dragon showing up.”

“Dragons are not creatures to be afraid of. Humans however, have decided that they will destroy or tame anything that could harm them.” Mr. Marson ended with an exhausted tone.

“You said that dragons are not creatures to be afraid of. Why is that?” I questioned.

“Do you feel the need or the desire to go around torching up every person you don’t like?” Mr. Marson asked.

“Well, no, I suppose not.” I answered.

“You are also a dragon are you not? Alec Fireheart?” Mr. Marson said, making my blood turn to ice.

“Never say that name again.” I growled out in a threatening voice, my eyes turning bright red as my dragon tried to take over to rip his tongue out.

“Amaya.” Mr. Marson said, reminding me of her presence.

“You know I hate that name, why even bring it up?” I mumbled to myself, glaring at the back of his head as my eyes slowly turned back to their usual orange color. The rest of the car ride was silent. We arrived at the house, parking the car in the three car garage. Before I could open the door Mr. Marson said my name, catching my attention.

“Amaya is most likely going to have nightmares tonight. She has had her memories of her mothers death and the battle between the dragons suppressed so that she believes that she is a human. I am going to have you stay in the guest bedroom so you can help her if you need too. I believe you are the better out of us two to help her. She seems to like you and is comfortable around you.” Mr. Marson kept a very serious expression as he said this.

A warm feeling spread through my chest as I heard that she trusted me. “I’ll always help her in any way I can.” I responded firmly, determination in my eyes.

 _ - _   7 Minutes Later  _ - _

After Mr. Marson and I had gotten Amaya to her room and settled under the covers, Mr. Marson showed me to the guest room. I was staring at the ceiling when I was interrupted by Valdraxris, my dragon side. A “dragon side” is what all dragons call the being that gives us power and shares our bodies. Dragon sides are often quick at making rash decisions and are often very irritable. They feel emotions much more intensely and, if not controlled by their human side, can make a dangerous situation much worse. Thankfully Valdraxris, also known as Draxris, is a very smart and dependable dragon.

“Stop ignoring me!” Draxris complained from the back of my mind.

“I’m not ignoring you, I’m just thinking.” I responded in my mind.

“Why wouldn’t you let me greet the Princess earlier?!”

“Because I know that you would just do something rash and immature.” I responded with an irritated tone.

“Says the boy who is dying to kiss her.” Draxris taunted.

“Oh, be quiet!” I said out loud, flustered and blushing.

“Oh ho ho? Embarrassed now are--”

“Quiet!” I said, “Do you hear that?” There was a muffled crying noise coming from the room next to mine. “I think that’s Amaya!” I said in my mind, rushing out of bed and searching to find my shirt as I was just wearing sweats to sleep in. 

“Forget it! Go help her!” Draxris shouted. Deciding to follow Draxris’s advice, I rushed out the door and opened Amaya’s door to find her crying quietly in her sleep, tossing and turning as though she was in pain. Just as I was about to shake her shoulder to wake her up, she gasped and opened her eyes, looking terrified. She looked around her room and when her eyes met mine, she seemed to relax a little. She suddenly sat up and hugged as she cried harder. I held her silently while rubbing her back trying to comfort her.