Page 36 of Draven

The tension between us lingered in the air like a storm cloud ready to burst. I hated the awkward silence that had settled between us.

Before, Tobias had been so at ease around me, and I wished I could turn back time to avoid all this.

"Where are you taking me?" Tobias finally spoke, his voice hesitant.

"Somewhere quiet, where we won't be bothered," I replied.

We continued our hike in silence, the only sounds the rustle of leaves underfoot and the occasional chirp of a bird.

Tobias's breathing grew heavier as we ascended a hill, and I forced myself to slow down, mindful of his pace.

Eventually, we reached the summit. The view before us should've been breathtaking, but we had more important matters to discuss.

Turning to Tobias, I reached for his hand, but he took a step back, his expression guarded.

Admittedly, that hurt, but I didn't let it show. Instead, I let his hand drop, my own feelings of disappointment tucked away for now.

"Tobias, I owe you an explanation," I began. "I should have been honest with you from the start, but there are things about me that you need to know."

"Draven, what are you? Some kind of fire mage and shifter hybrid? Why were you hiding the truth from me?" Tobias demanded, his voice edged with frustration.

I took a deep breath, bracing myself before answering him.

"No, I'm a dragon shifter," I said, watching Tobias's expression shift from confusion to disbelief.

"A dragon? I thought your kind was wiped out a long time ago..." Tobias faltered, struggling to make sense of it all.

"There are only a few of us alive," I confirmed.

"Even so... why didn't you tell me from the start? Didn't you trust me?" Tobias's voice cracked with hurt, his eyes searching mine for an answer.

"I do trust you. My kind, or what remained of us, we swore an oath to keep our existence a secret from the rest of the world. I'm aware that sounds like an excuse. I eventually planned on telling you, but knowing Belladonna is still out there looking for me, she's an added complication," I explained, hoping he would understand.

"So by keeping your secrets to yourself, you thought you were protecting me?" Tobias asked, his voice softening with understanding.

"Belladonna's dangerous, Tobias," I said.

I closed my eyes briefly, the memories of being under her control still haunting me.

Tobias reached out this time, his touch grounding me in the present moment.

His fingers closed firmly over mine, and I opened my eyes to meet his gaze. I was here, with him, I reminded myself.

Since meeting Tobias, my life had taken a different turn.

I still had bad days where I felt like I was losing control of my body and my actions, but they were becoming increasingly rare, and I owed that to him.

"Draven, talk to me. Why are you so... scared of this witch?" Tobias asked, his voice laced with concern.

Still holding his hand, I led him to a fallen log and sat down.

Taking a deep breath, I began to recount the events that had brought me to this point.

"I was just minding my own business, living on my mountain and going about my routine when she knocked on my door, playing the damsel in distress," I started.

I finished telling Tobias everything, from the moment Belladonna knocked on my door to the day Zane and his bear shifter allies helped free me from her binding curse.

Tobias tentatively reached out, his hand hovering over my chest as he began unbuttoning my shirt.