The dragon was the first to awaken. He gasped as he took in his surroundings—the dark forest was fading, and the vines that had ensnared him were loosening. He quickly checked on the egg, relieved to see it floating safely beside him. His eyes widened in horror as he noticed Yara, almost completely submerged in the vines.
"Woman!" he shouted, his voice laced with panic. He scrambled over to her, his hands shaking as he pulled at the vines. His emotions from the hallucination spilled over into his actions, his heart pounding with fear and concern.
He reached her just as her body went below, his hands trembling as he tore at the vines, ripping them away from her skin with a savage ferocity. I won't lose her. Not like that time. Not ever.
