Chapter 13 — Blessings and the Price

Part 1 — Exile, Then Saving the Nation

Discord: https://discord.com/invite/asmotoon

Chloe insisted on sharing my tent because “it’s been ages,” which prompted Ellie to finally snap.

“L-Lady Chloe may be an ancient dragon, but you look like a child. What if Dan… slips?”

Chloe blinked, then burst into laughter.

“What’s so funny?!” Ellie’s ears went red.

Chloe beckoned her closer, whispered in her ear, and Ellie turned scarlet. “I-I’d never think something like that!” she yelped, fleeing into her own tent.

I crawled into mine, slid into the sleeping bag, and stared at the canvas ceiling, still wondering what Chloe had said.

“What’d you tell her?” I asked.

“Curious? Too bad. Girl talk. More importantly, you still haven’t told her, have you?”

She meant the pact—the “urge.”

“Some ‘girl’ you are,” I muttered. “Yeah. Haven’t found the words yet.”

She wasn’t fooling anyone with that taboo excuse earlier; she just wanted me to say it myself.

“Handle it soon,” she said. “Just a bit of advice from your elder.”

I sighed. “And say what? ‘I saved you, signed a desperate contract, and now the side effects are a nightmare—sorry’?”

“Pretty much.”

“If I tell her that, she’ll drown in guilt.”

“You didn’t even hurt her. No harm, no foul.”

“It’s not that simple.” I sat up. “You know how terrified she was.”

Chloe didn’t flinch. “You’re both exhausting. Can’t your bond survive a shared secret? Or are you just scared?”

Maybe I was. Maybe I was afraid she’d walk away if she knew. All that talk about protecting Ellie might just be selfishness.

I burrowed back into the bag. Silence settled in. Wind rustled the leaves; owls hooted.

“Still awake?” Chloe asked.

“Yeah.”

“Come over here. Bet you’ve been lonely.”

She had her arms out, half out of her sleeping bag.

“I’m an adult, you know.”

“So was your grandfather when he pouted the same way. Get over here.”

She yanked me, bag and all, against her.

“Hey—”

“There, there.” She cradled my head. No point resisting; no human strength could pry me free.

Warmth. The scent of home.

“When was the last time… ten years old?” she mused.

“Don’t remember.”

“I do. Right before your grandfather’s last campaign.”

The last time I saw him alive.

“Want to nurse?” she asked suddenly, tugging her collar open.

“Absolutely not.”

“Tsundere. You loved it as a kid.”

“I’m a grown man.”

She chuckled. “You’ll always be a child to me.”

Her hand stroked my hair. She was waiting for me to talk.

“Chloe… did I mess up somewhere?” I whispered.

“Who knows. But I do know you must never betray that girl’s feelings. Treat Ellie kindly.”

“I know. I can’t regret anything again…”

Rest now, her voice seemed to say. A gentle lullaby wrapped around me.

Sleep, Warrena. As long as you stay true, I’ll be your sword.

Her words felt like prophecy. I drifted off with a hint of unease.

----- End of chapter -----