Chapter 27

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Caspian's body clinging to the dark dragon as he flies effortless through the heavens. Caspian's eyes looking through the never ending clouds scattered throughout the the skies. He looks down to find Artemis' hair glowing as her arm begins to illuminate her marking. Her body attempting to heal the fever raging on through her. He pulls her closer as he feels Kaleo dive down. He glances over and notices they are in the mountains. The coldness nipping at his cheeks while Kaleo's wings fan steadily allowing them to land. 

Caspian squints around trying to figure out why Kaleo brought them here. Kaleo's tail wraps back around him lifting him and Artemis off his back. The light of the sun bouncing off the snow making it hard for him to see anything while the temperature quickly seeps through his clothes making him shiver. Kaleo unwraps his tail from his waist before nudging him forward. Caspian continues looking around and finds what appears to be springs of water upon the side of the mountain. He looks to Kaleo who just nods his head towards it. Caspian begins walking slowly towards the water. The wind whipping him while he clutches onto Artemis. Her body temperature like a heater within his arms. 

Kaleo watches upon the naive human who seems so unsure of himself. The dark haired human turning back to look at him again. Kaleo almost wants to throw him in the water. He knows the water has healing powers. He has seen it work for creatures before. Finally having enough of the man's indecisiveness, He wraps his tail around Artemis's waist lifting her from his embrace. Her form running as hot as his, he knows she is too warm for a human. 

Caspian watches on as the black scales wrap around her waist taking her from him. Kaleo slowly dips her into the water where steam comes off Artemis. Her body begins convulsing from the temperature difference. Caspian doesn't hesitate walking directly into the water. The water surprisingly warm even with the snow encasing it. He walks to Artemis whose body is still shaking. Her hair turning as white as the snow as her arm's marking becomes a beacon of light. 

"Kaleo, what is wrong?"

Kaleo pulls her waist farther down into the water alarming Caspian. He is quick to try grabbing her up but Kaleo continues tugging at her waist. He turns his alarmed eyes to the dragon. 

"Stop! She won't be able to breathe!" 

Kaleo narrows his eyes at him before unwrapping his tail from her. Artemis still thrashing in Caspian's hold, he doesn't realize what is coming. He feels a pressure on his head and looks up to see Kaleo's tail weighing heavily on him pressing him down. 

"What are you-"

His sentence being cut off as he goes under the water his lungs filling with water. He struggles for a minute until he realizes he can breathe. He eyes open wide in surprise. He realizes this isn't normal water. He looks down being able to see Artemis who has stopped moving. Her body temperature returning to normal. He feels the pressure lift from his head and slowly comes up from the water. The wind causing his skin to prickle from the cold. He looks down to see Artemis has returned to normal but is still asleep. He pulls her close still standing waist high in the water to find her temperature has returned to normal. He looks to the midnight beast whose eyes are set upon his beauty. Kaleo slowly leans forward placing his large head to the couple nudging Artemis. Caspian can feel his breath blowing from his nostrils onto him. 

Caspian...

Caspian looks down to find a half awake Artemis. Her eyes barely able to stay focused let alone open. He leans down kissing her forehead thankful she is okay. Their moment cut short by the pressure of Kaleo's tail wrapping around him lifting them both up out of the water before placing them back on his back. Caspian gently rubs the creatures neck leaning forward to look at his silver eyes. 

"Thank you Kaleo." 

Kaleo nods his head once before beginning to flap again. Caspian grasp tightly as they lift from the mountain side. He looks down to a sleeping Artemis whose body is soaked to the bone but her fever is gone. He hunches over her guarding her from the whipping winds. His body racked with shivers from the cold. He prays this journey will be swift. 

His prayers being answered but not as expected. The are still on the mountains when Kaleo lands yet again. This time at the opening of a cave. Kaleo creates a sound Caspian has never heard before while he slowly enters the cavern. A loud growl reverts off the walls making Caspian's body rigid for a whole new reason. He grips to Kaleo like his life depends on it. He truly didn't believe in this creature's trust until a few minutes ago. Now, he is questioning that yet again. 

They come to a wide opening in the cave. He then realizes they are located at the center of the mountain. One light shining from the top of the cavern like a peak of a mountain. A movement catches his eye. He squints in the darkness until two blazing blue eyes look to him. He gasp as the eyes alone are the size of his head. He feels all the blood drain from his face as the majestic beast bares its teeth at him. She lifts her head which is easily twice the size of Kaleo's as she roars causing the cavern to tremor. Caspian taking small gasp trying to regulate his breath. 

Kaleo can feel the human's firm grip and hear his shortness of breath. He chuffles at his mother before turning to allow her to see the silver savior upon his back. His mother's eyes going wide seeing her form before she steps to them. Caspian can see the creature's gaze has turn to his love. He holds her tightly narrowing his eyes to the beast. Although he is terrified of the size and deathly form, his instincts kick in to protect his queen. 

Selcia stops seeing the human now protectively blanketing himself over her savior. She narrows her eyes hoping to scare the young man. She saw the way his body and eyes responding seeing her. He was terrified. The man now caressing her savior is anything but terrified. He is willing to stand to her to protect her. She is impressed. 

"She is my queen and I will not allow any harm to come to her." 

The young man's voice slightly shaken but his resolute makes her bow to him. Caspian's body surprised seeing the beast bowing. The creature then reopens her eyes to study him before making the same sound Kaleo made when entering the cave. This must be the way they communicate. He has no time to process when the gray scales of the dragon's tail come down to wrap around them both. He holds tightly to Artemis while looking to Kaleo who has relaxed to the cave's floor. He turns back as the beast gently lays him down beside her stomach. The heat seeping from her soft underside warming his form. 

"You are Kaleo's mother?"

Caspian questions seeing the dragon give one nod before coiling her body around the couple encasing them both. The heated walls drying his and Artemis' clothing. He looks down brushing her damp hair from her face. The silk running through his fingers. Her eyes begin fluttering open again as they search around. Caspian cups her cheek making her hypnotic eyes focus on him. 

"Artemis, my love, can you hear me?"

Caspian?

Caspian nods his head as her eyes remain open now. She begins moving in his hold. He releases her and watches as she stands up slowly, a bit wobbly. He stands up bracing her sides while she recognizes the gray scales. Her hand reaches out gently grazing the beautiful creature. 

"Selcia... It's wonderful to see you again." 

Artemis words gentle but enough to make Caspian smile. Her voice like a melody dancing upon his ears. He notices the large creature's form unraveling from them. Artemis steps forward raising her hand as the beast places it's nose to her palm. Artemis smiles gently rubbing her as if she wasn't a terrifying beast. Kaleo makes the sound again causing Artemis to turn to him. She smiles widely before stepping away to wrap her arms around the other winged creature. 

Artemis then turns back to her prince who stands there smiling adoringly at her. His eyes warm and loving. She steps back to him while Selcia moves aside giving them space. Caspian wraps her tightly in his arms lifting her up off the ground. She giggles holding onto his neck. 

"You scared me love..." He pulls back to look into her eyes while cupping her cheek. "Sweetheart, what happened?"

She shakes her head not completely sure what had happened. 

Artemis, you allowed your emotions to build up. You didn't give them an outlet. The emotions caused your body to over exert heat... You have to allow yourself to feel.

She turns to Kaleo with furrowed eyebrows. Caspian notices she now is speaking to dragon as her eyes appear to glow slightly. He continues to glance back and forth between the two as they continue to speak. 

This has never happened before. Why have I not experienced something like this prior?

Have you ever been around so many extremely heightened emotions before?

Artemis thinks about and realizes he is right. Although she has been around emotions, nothing has ever been as overpowering as the rage within the great hall. She turns her eyes to Caspian who is still holding her as he waits. 

"Kaleo says I was holding in too many emotions which caused my body to revolt against me." 

Caspian turns to the dragon for a second before turning back to the metallic eyes of his queen. He leans down slowly bring his lips to hers. The sweet taste of her lips soothing his worries and warming his core. Artemis quickly reciprocates pressing her body to his. He braces the back of her neck enjoying the pleasure she brings. He pulls back only enough to allow a breath to past between their lips. Foreheads connected as he speaks to her. 

"No more bottling your emotions." 

Artemis nods her head against his while smiling gently. Caspian pulls her into a hug as his face goes to her neck inhaling her forest scent. His lips pecking at her slender neck. Artemis smiles against his shoulder. Their moment interrupted by the chuffles of the dragons. They pull apart as Selcia moves allowing Artemis to see her egg. Artemis gasp walking over to it still holding Caspian's hand. He studies the large egg when realization hits him. The egg sits as tall as him. Artemis walks over placing her hand against it. 

"Selcia, she will be arriving soon." 

Selcia makes the sound again and Caspian finally realizes her name. 

"Selcia?"

Artemis nods while Selcia leans down placing her nostril to Artemis side. She rubs her softly before looking to Caspian who looks still worried. She reaches out grabbing his hand pulling him to Selcia. Caspian timidly places his hand on her while she snorts playfully. Artemis giggles and Caspian laughs rubbing her softly. 

"It's wonderful to meet you Selcia." 

The dragon making the familiar sound again. He smiles to the gigantic creature. Kaleo craning his head to the entrance of the cave catches the young couple's attention. Artemis' body going rigid by Kaleo's words. 

"What is wrong love?"

"Kaleo says there is trouble in the kingdom... We need to leave NOW!"

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