The next two days with Sebastian were rather uneventful other than his sarcastic remarks and treating me as if I was fragile, which just made me growl and him laugh. He was one of the few people I had met who could get under my skin so much with his statements and it frustrated me about myself. What was wrong with me?
"I think you're well enough to go," he said.
"Aye," I whispered, looking out of the cave to the forest below us.
"One question," he said, making me turn my attention back to him.
"Aye?"
"Where are you going?" he asked. "Your kind usually don't roam so far- especially into dragon territory."
"We all thought you were extinct and I'm just adventuring."
For once he didn't seem sarcastic, but honestly curious.
He didn't say anything and I looked at him noticing for the first time his eyes were the color of frost- so clear, but dancing with light flecks of pale magenta and sky blue. They were unnerving and welcoming at the same time.
"It's dangerous," he said, "being out here alone without knowing the territory. Easy to get lost, get caught in a storm or to get hurt. Is there anything you're actually looking for?"
He seemed worried, but there was also a small hint of ridicule to his words and it frustrated me to no end. He didn't understand that I just wanted to see the world, to escape the fact that my brother was dead, and perhaps just maybe after all that was done I'd start looking for a mate.
"Nothing… I'm just trying to escape some demons, but it seems I've stumbled into the lair of one," I said coldly.
He looked hurt by this comment, but quickly pushed it down.
"Yes, the lair of someone who didn't leave you in the cold to freeze, who fed you, sheltered you, and asked for nothing in return. Yes… Seems I'm a real demon."
Behind the disdain was the hurt he was trying to conceal. I wished I could take back the words I had said. Sometimes my tongue was quick to lash out before I had really thought. True this man sitting in front of me was sarcastic, infuriating, and angered me to no end, but he had saved me from being frostbitten.
"I didn't… I didn't mean for you to take it so seriously, Sebastian," I said honestly.
He sat there quietly for a moment. "No… I'm sorry. I've been on my own for much too long. You're not the only one trying to outrun demons, she wolf."
I ate looking down at my bowl, not really knowing what else to say. His words rang true and also opened my eyes slightly. I wasn't the only one going through something.
"What are you running from exactly?" he finally asked.
I glanced outside feeling his heavy gaze reading me.
"My brother was killed. I was there and there wasn't much I could do. He didn't deserve to go out like that… He was a good man and the only family I had left and there was nothing I could do."
He moved closer, handing me a small piece of cloth and it took me a moment to register I was crying. I used it, giving him a quiet thank you and I saw him glance outside.
"Perhaps you should wait till tomorrow to continue your quest," he said.
I looked up at him, slightly infuriated. I showed a small crack and here he was thinking I was unable to leave? Hadn't I proven I wasn't made of glass to this man yet?
"Why?"
He glanced at me. "It smells of snow- reeks of it really. And it will be a bad one."
I looked at him intently. He could smell an oncoming snow storm?
"How are you so sure?" I asked.
"I'm a Halfling ice dragon; it's one of my gifts."
I sighed glancing outside myself. The clouds did look ominous, but I really needed and also wanted to get away from Sebastian. My thoughts were clouded by his presence.
"If you don't mind me staying," I mumbled.
Where had the clouds come from anyhow?
"It's fine. No need to rescue you again when you're right here."