CURSE OF THE DRAGON FLAMES

CHAPTER 9 - MORWENNA AND MAGIC

HAZEL’S POV

I woke up that morning to rays of sunlight slipping through the window as they hit my eyes. I struggled to keep them open as the light blinded me.

Then my gaze shifted to him, lying shirtless on the couch. I stood up from the bed, pulling the blanket down as I walked toward him unconsciously, like I was under some kind of spell. He was still fast asleep, but I could not help staring at his perfectly carved face.

His features were shaped with absolute perfection. Neatly arranged dark eyebrows, a pointed nose, and cherry-red lips that made my eyes linger for far too long. Then his long, silky black hair caught my attention. Gosh. This man was indeed beautiful.

I lifted my hand to touch his hair, but he turned suddenly, making my breath cease. I did not want him to catch me hovering over him, so I hurried into the bathroom to bathe. When I was done, I came downstairs to look for the woman whose house had become our safe haven after our escape from Eldorado.

I descended the stairs but stopped in my tracks as a tantalizing aroma hit my nostrils.

I followed the scent into the kitchen and found her washing dishes while a pot of hot soup bubbled on the stove. She did not notice me at first. She walked to the spoon rack, picked a wooden spoon, and turned toward the pot—then froze. She had finally noticed me standing there.

“Hey dear, hope you slept well?” she asked, turning to face me with a wide smile.

“Y-yes,” I stammered, surprised by her kindness.

“Let me help you with this,” I said, walking closer.

She hesitated, but I insisted and took over washing the dishes. She smiled at me while she stirred the soup, and I smiled back.

Seeing us like this reminded me of my mother. This was how we used to work together in the kitchen before that incident separated us. I could not help but wonder how they were coping without me.

“What is it, child?” Morwenna asked, pulling me from my thoughts as she gently wiped away the tears that had begun rolling down my cheeks.

Surprised by her actions, I stared at her.

“I just miss my parents,” I said, trying to hold back the tears threatening to fall.

“Everything will be okay. I promise,” she said softly, placing her hands on my shoulders.

When I looked into her eyes, I could see how much she cared, and it softened my heart.

“Thank you, ma,” I said. Her words filled me with warmth, a feeling I had only ever known with my mother.

“Call me Morwenna,” she said gently. “You do not need to be formal with me. Consider me a friend.”

I could not believe this was coming from someone I had known for barely a week.

“I’m Hazel,” I said, forcing a bright smile.

DRAVON’S POV

The morning sun shone into the room Hazel and I shared. I was already half awake when the scent of aloes and roses her scent hit my nostrils, intoxicating my senses. She was standing so close to me, staring.

I did not know why, but when she tried to touch my hair, I knew the last string of my control would snap. So I turned quickly, scaring her away. Soon, she ran into the bathroom, got ready, and left the room. I knew she would join Morwenna in the kitchen.

My mother died while giving birth to Aiden, but since I met Morwenna, she had become like a mother to me. I was not happy that Aiden’s birth took my biological mother from me, yet I still tried to care for him. All he ever returned was hatred. I never understood the reason for his actions, so I kept my distance to avoid trouble.

Every hour we remained here, the danger grew. Aiden would search the forest first. He knew me too well not to. And if the priestess had already spoken, then the Inferno was no longer sleeping.

I bathed, tightened my cloak around me, and made my decision before heading downstairs.

“Good morning, Morwenna.”

She turned sharply. “Good morning, son,” she said with a smile.

I turned toward Hazel. She kept her eyes lowered, avoiding my gaze.

“Good morning, huh—”

“Hazel,” Morwenna answered sharply.

Hazel. What a beautiful name for a beautiful soul, I thought.

“Oh, good morning, Hazel,” I greeted knowingly.

“Good morning,” she replied shyly, still avoiding my eyes.

“You can call me Dravon.”

She nodded slightly.

I turned back to Morwenna. “I want to search for a job.”

Morwenna did not like the idea.

“You will draw attention,” she said sharply, arms crossed. “The city is crawling with eyes. Hunters. Soldiers. Spies.”

“I know,” I replied calmly. “But we cannot live on your kindness forever.”

Her eyes flicked to Hazel, who stood quietly behind her.

“She is still afraid,” Morwenna said softly. “You think leaving her here is wise?”

“I am not leaving her,” I said. “I am finding us a way to survive.”

Hazel looked at me then. Our eyes met. There was worry in hers but also something else. Trust. It settled heavily in my chest.

“I will disguise myself,” I continued. “No one will recognize me. I will work. I will listen. The world speaks freely in markets and shops.”

Morwenna shook her head. “You have never worked among humans.”

“Then it is time I learn.”

Silence stretched between us.

Finally, Morwenna sighed. “Stubborn dragon,” she muttered. “Very well. But if you are caught, do not expect me to come burning cities to save you.”

I tilted my head. “That is all I ask.”

She placed her hands in mine, reaching into my dragon and masking it with magic.

“Go now, son,” she said with a smile.

HAZEL’S POV

The moment Dravon left, the house felt different. Quieter. Colder.

Morwenna noticed immediately.

“You worry for him,” she said as she stirred a pot hanging over the fire.

“I worry for both of us,” I replied honestly.

She smiled, not unkindly. “You are stronger than you think, child.”

The days passed slowly. Morwenna taught me small things how to dry herbs, how to listen to the forest, how to feel when the air changed.

That was when I began noticing strange things.

The way candles lit themselves when she was worried.

The way the wind responded when she whispered.

The symbols carved into the walls that seemed to move when I stared too long.

One evening, as rain tapped softly against the windows, I walked into her small library. I decided to pick a novel to keep myself busy. Morwenna had told me earlier that she loved novels just like I did.

The number of books crammed into the small space confirmed her words. It seems we have so much in common, Morwenna, I thought.

I reached for a book, but as I pulled it out, I accidentally bumped into the adjacent shelf. To my shock, it began to fall.

I screamed, bracing for impact but before my eyes, the shelf halted midair and slid back into place, as if held by an invisible force.

“What just happened?” I thought.

Then I sensed someone behind me.

I turned and found Morwenna standing there.

I stared at her in shock.