Lily POV

“Enzo! Please!” I begged my mate. The screams from the dying soldiers echoed through the palace halls. White and silver tiles were stained red with blood. The stained glass was shattered, leaving the battle on palace grounds in plain sight. The buildings on fire were the only light in the capital city of Mystic Falls, the Dragon realm. Dragons could be seen fighting tooth and claw in the air.

“Trust me Lilly.” Enzo Black said, “Get Amaya to safety. I will protect you both, I swear it on my life. Now go!”

With tears in my eyes, my long white hair whipped in the air as I turned and ran through the palace to my daughter's room . The castle is being attacked by ‘Firebreakers’, as they call themselves. They believe that the Black family is not fit to be the leaders of our race. The Firebrakers believe that the Black family is weak for caring for the sick and injured in times of need. They believe that the strong survive and the weak should perish. This caused a war that has been going on for decades and this would be the last battle.

Bursting into my daughter's room, I ran to her crib. Her black eyes stared up at me sleepily. She is wrapped loosely in a soft gray blanket placed in a cushioned wooden crib. I gently grabbed the hatchling and cradled her to my chest. Running to the window, I threw it open and  jumped with my daughter in my arms. Midair, I turned into my true form, a dragon. I spread my white wings wide and started flying. My hands turned into giant paws and I was careful to sheath my claws to protect my daughter that still laid in my arms. My long tail helped me keep my balance in the air. My white hair faded into fur. I sped to the gateway to the human world to escape with my daughter.

“LILLY!” I heard Enzo's voice shout. The warning was too late. Searing pain erupted from my left wing causing me to cry out and dive toward the ground. Turning to land on my back, I created a firm cage to keep Amaya safe in my arms.

Enzo POV

“LILLY!” I screamed. The large red dragon chasing her spit fire, hitting her left wing. Falling to the earth at a blinding speed, she crashed to the ground on her back. In a rage, I tackled the dragon midair, ripping its head off with my jaws. Spiting the bloody head to the ground, I dropped the headless body and raced to Lilly. Her white wing was riddled with black smoldering holes, blood slowly seeping to the ground. A giant sharp rock had stabbed through her back and you could see the tip of the rock poking out of the fur on her chest.

“Lilly! Lilly! Are you okay?! Where is Amaya?! Stay with me please!” Panicked, I glanced in the sky, looking for more attackers, or soon to be victims of my rage.

“She’s here.” Lilly said in a weak voice, opening her arms. Amaya was shaking in her mothers arms, quietly whimpering. “She is unharmed, just scared. Take her to the human world. Keep her safe. Hide her from those that seek to hurt her. I love you both so much. I love you. I-'' Lily's eyes glazed over, her arms falling from our daughter limply. 

Tears silently fell from my eyes as I watched the light in my mate's eyes fade, turning from a striking silver blue to a ghostly pale color. Screams and roars fell on deaf ears. Leaning over, I gently closed Lilly’s eyes, taking Amaya in my black paws. Tears streaming down my face, I started beating my black scaled wings to the Gate between the human and dragon realms. Amaya shifted in my arms, cuddling closer, oblivious to the loss of her mother. 

Flying through the gate, we emerged into a dark green forest. Grief tearing through my chest, I looked at my daughter in my arms. It will be okay. I swear to never leave your side, my sweet daughter. I thought, landing and shifting to human form.

_ -  _ -  _ -  _ -  _

Walking through the trees, I made my way to the house I had built for Amaya and Lilly if they ever needed somewhere to hide. I had ordered my first advisor, and best friend, Oliver Marson to stay here incase of an emergency.

“Your Majesty, what are you doing here? Where is Her Majesty Lily?” Oliver Marson asked. He was taken by surprise when the bloodied king suddenly stumbled through the door of his human residence, the princess in his arms.

“She’s gone. She gave her life to save Amaya in the battle. The Firebreakers attacked just like we feared. I need you to go back and bring the most trusted guards. Make sure they can stand being humans for long periods of time. We need to stay here until things calm down. Once-COUGH” Coughing up blood, my chest erupted in pain. “I was afraid this would happen.”

Oftentimes when a Dragon’s mate dies, the other will follow soon after. The only times that this has not happened is when the surviving dragon has a hatchling to take care of. Even then they die a slow painful death. The heart will stop causing the coughing of blood. Right before the dragon dies, the lungs pump fast and hard in the effort to restart the heart.

“Your Majesty, I will take care of these matters right after I see that you get the rest you need” Marson said firmly.

“No, Amaya needs to-”

“Enzo. It will do Amaya no good if you are dead.” Marson’s dark brown eyes stared into Enzo’s, waiting for him to follow the sound advice.

After some hesitation, Ezno said, “Alright, I see your point. Thank you as always.”

_  -  _   16 Years Later   _  -  _

“Dad!” I heard Amaya call from downstairs. “Hurry! We are going to be late! Make sure you don’t forget anything like last time!”

“I’m coming, I’m coming.” Walking down the stairs with my bags, I saw Amaya waiting impatiently at the bottom of the stairs. Her long white hair fell loosely to the backs of her knees. The gold ring around her iris made her blue eyes stand out even more. Reaching the bottom of the stairs I asked, “Can you please help me take these to the car?”

“Of course!” Amaya said, quickly taking bags from my arms. She had grown to be 6’2’’, nearly as tall as me. I climbed into the 2015 Black Honda Fit after closing the door behind Amaya.  

“Are you excited to see grandma again?” I asked Amaya, knowing the answer.

“Yes! I can’t wait! I love her cookies the most!” Amaya’s face was filled with joy and anticipation.

“Hahahaha, okay little miss sugar rush!” I laughed as I turned on the radio. Amaya gave a big “Oooh!” and immediately started singing to the Christmas song that was playing. Music filled the air as we sang along while driving down winding roads.

As the beginning notes of Jingle Bells started playing, I felt my chest tighten. Ignoring the feeling, I started to sing along with Amaya. “Laughing all the way! Haha-Cough!” No, no, no! Not right now! Amaya- I could feel the exact moment my heart stopped. I knew I only had moments left to restart my heart. My arms locked in place causing the wheel of the car to jerk right. My foot was still on the gas pedal making the car go faster down the bridge, gravity helping as well. The front right wheel hit the curb sending the car flying and twisting in the air.

As the car hit the ground, the seat belt pulled hard against my chest. The harsh pressure caused multiple ribs to break, one puncturing my lung. Blinding pain stopped me from breathing, effectively stopping me from restarting my heart. I heard sobbing beside me. Amaya… I heard glass crunching and then felt something pulling me out of the window.

Amaya, no, I don’t want you to see this. Close your eyes, it’s okay. I couldn’t get the words out of my mouth. I couldn’t move, no matter how hard I tried.

“No, Dad, please! No…” I could hear Amaya sobbing next to me. Then I felt the world fade.

Slowly…

Slowly…

The soft blanket of black enveloped me, the pain finally gone.

I love you my sweet daughter~

Hi Everyone! This is the very first story I have written. I have 3 completed chapters after this, though I am still building the story line, so I am not sure if they will change or not. Please let my know what you think so far!