The ruins of Eldrath shimmered under the ghostly light of the twin moons. Broken pillars rose like the bones of a forgotten civilization, their marble veins pulsing faintly with old magic.
A soft wind howled through the ancient arches, carrying with it the scent of ash and dragonfire — and the fragile peace that followed their desperate reunion.
Eric sat near the cracked fountain, his sword resting against the cold stone beside him. His clothes were torn, scorched in places. Blood from shallow wounds had dried on his skin, but he barely noticed.
All he saw was her.
Seraphina knelt across from him, tending to the cut on his arm. The faint glow of her magic shimmered from her fingertips, golden and warm. Her silver hair framed her face, now dirt-streaked but still impossibly beautiful. Her horns caught the moonlight, and for the first time, Eric didn't see a monster—he saw the woman he loved.
"You shouldn't have come back for me," he murmured.
Seraphina looked up, her golden eyes soft yet firm. "And leave you to face them alone? Never."
Her voice trembled slightly, betraying the exhaustion beneath her strength. "The moment you drew that blade against the dragonlords, you bound yourself to my fate. You're part of this war now, Eric."
He gave a half-smile. "Then I'll fight it with you. For you."
A silence lingered between them—heavy, fragile, filled with unspoken things. The ruins around them seemed to breathe, as if the stones themselves listened.
Finally, Seraphina lowered her hand and whispered, "You shouldn't love me."
"I already do," he replied without hesitation.
She flinched at the words, her eyes shining. "You don't understand what that means. My blood carries the mark of the Drakonis line. My father's wrath burns across realms. If he finds us—if he finds you—he'll tear this world apart."
Eric stood, his hand reaching out to lift her chin gently. "Then let him try. I've seen what his fire can do, Seraphina… and I've felt yours. The difference is, yours gives me life."
Her breath caught. The world seemed to pause. For a heartbeat, she forgot who she was — a princess of dragons, bearer of ancient power — and became only a woman before the man who had risked everything for her.
When he leaned closer, she didn't pull away. Their lips met softly, uncertainly at first — then deeper, fiercer. The air shimmered with the warmth of her power, golden light swirling like embers caught in wind.
It wasn't just a kiss; it was a vow.
But the world would not let them keep it for long.
A sudden tremor rolled through the ground. The fountain cracked. From the distant cliffs, a crimson glow flared — followed by the unmistakable roar of dragons. The air trembled, the heat rising like a warning.
Seraphina tore herself away, her expression turning grim. "They've found us."
Eric grabbed his sword. "Then we fight."
"No," she said sharply. "You can't face them. These are my father's sentinels — his personal guards. Even I can't stand against them for long."
"Then what do we do?"
She hesitated only a second, then spread her arms. The air rippled around her as her form shimmered, wings unfurling from her back — not monstrous, but majestic, their membranes translucent gold, glowing softly.
"Hold on to me," she said. "We fly."
Eric didn't argue. He climbed onto her back, his arms around her waist as she launched into the air. The ground fell away in a blur of stone and fire. Above them, the night split open with the furious roar of pursuit.
Three dragons — red as molten iron — burst from the clouds, their eyes burning with vengeance.
"Seraphina, they're gaining!"
"I know!" she shouted over the wind, twisting sharply to evade a stream of fire that cut across the sky. Heat scorched Eric's cheek as he clung tighter.
Lightning crackled in the distance as storm clouds gathered over the mountains. The air reeked of ozone and rage.
Seraphina banked low, wings slicing through the mist. "Hold tight! I'm taking us into the storm!"
The first drops of rain sizzled against her wings. Behind them, the pursuing dragons roared in defiance, flames hissing as they met the cold rain. The storm thickened, bolts of lightning flashing across the heavens.
One of the dragon sentinels dove, jaws open — but Seraphina spun midair, a burst of golden light erupting from her palms. The beam struck true, searing across the beast's scales. It screamed, spiraling into the sea below.
Eric shouted over the wind, "Two more!"
Her breathing was ragged now, magic draining with every spell. "I can't outfly them much longer!"
"Then we turn and fight."
She looked back, her eyes fierce and shining. "You really are insane."
"Only when it comes to you."
With a sharp cry, she folded her wings, diving through the storm. The remaining dragons followed, lightning splitting the clouds around them. At the last second, Seraphina flared her wings open — and Eric leapt from her back, sword drawn.
The first dragon lunged, but Eric landed atop its neck, his blade driving between the scales at the joint. The creature howled, twisting violently. Eric held fast, yanking the blade free and slashing again. Sparks and blood filled the air.
Below, Seraphina faced the last sentinel. Her wings blazed gold as she unleashed a torrent of fire that met its crimson flame head-on — the clash exploding in a blinding surge of light.
When the roar faded, silence returned, broken only by the rumble of thunder. Two dragons plummeted into the storm-tossed sea.
Eric tumbled onto a rocky outcrop, coughing, his sword still in hand. Seraphina landed beside him, trembling, smoke rising from her hands.
They were alive. Barely.
He reached for her. "You're hurt."
"It's nothing," she breathed, though blood stained her sleeve. "You shouldn't have jumped like that."
He smiled weakly. "Seemed like a good idea at the time."
For the first time that night, she laughed — a raw, breathless sound. Then she sank against him, her head resting on his shoulder as rain poured down around them.
The storm washed away the ash, the blood, the fear — leaving only the warmth between them.
Eric brushed a strand of wet hair from her face. "We can't keep running forever."
"I know." Her voice was soft, almost lost in the rain. "But for now, let's just… breathe. Just this moment."
He held her close, his arms around her trembling body. Above them, the storm raged — but within the circle of their embrace, there was peace.
In the distance, unseen, a figure cloaked in shadow stood atop a cliff, watching them through eyes of molten gold.
"The mortal lives," the figure whispered. "And the dragon princess defies her bloodline."
Lightning flashed, revealing the cruel smile of Drakonis, Lord of the Infernal Skies.
"Then so be it. Let the prophecy burn anew."