Chapter 14 Isla
FOURTEEN
ISLA
The words hit Isla like a revelation, unraveling assumptions she’d carried since childhood. She’d always imagined love as something that should flow effortlessly. Her parents had made their relationship appear seamless, but now she wondered if she’d only seen the polished surface of their bond.
They chose each other every single day, she realized, especially during Dad’s illness.
“I feel foolish for thinking it should just click into place,” Isla admitted, her voice barely audible above the boat’s steady rhythm. “Like everything would be magical and perfect once I found my person.”
“That’s not foolish—it’s human.” Evelina’s smile held decades of hard-earned wisdom. “The magic comes from two people deciding to build something beautiful together, not from some cosmic force doing all the work.”
The larger island soon materialized through the ocean haze, its bustling harbor a stark contrast to Everflame Isle’s serene isolation. Colorful buildings climbed the volcanic slopes, and Isla could make out the ant-like movement of people going about their daily lives.
“Is this place also full of dragon shifters?” Isla asked as they approached the crowded marina.
Evelina’s posture stiffened almost imperceptibly. “Yes, this is rival clan territory. Veyrik’s domain. But they have superior shops and supplies, so I venture here occasionally. I haven’t encountered any serious problems yet.”
The next few hours passed in a whirlwind of exploration and discovery.
They wandered through markets overflowing with exotic goods, visited bookstores that sparked endless ideas for their own project, and collected an eclectic array of supplies.
Isla found herself genuinely enjoying Evelina’s company, the older woman’s sharp wit and extensive knowledge making every stop educational and entertaining.
They were examining hand-carved wooden shelving displays when Isla noticed Evelina’s entire demeanor shift. The woman went rigid, her green eyes tracking something behind Isla’s shoulder.
“Follow my lead,” Evelina whispered, her voice carrying an edge of steel that hadn’t been there moments before.
Isla nodded, her heart rate spiking as she turned to see what had caused such alarm.
A man and woman approached with predatory confidence, their movements too fluid and controlled to be entirely human.
The man was tall and broad with brown hair and ice-gray eyes that seemed to catalog every weakness, while the woman moved with lethal grace, her dark hair framing sharp features and piercing blue eyes.
“Hello, Kalis. Sylara.” Evelina’s greeting was polite but strained.
“Well, well.” Kalis’s voice carried amusement that didn’t reach his cold eyes. “What brings the esteemed Evelina to our territory today?”
“Simply shopping for some items. I wasn’t causing any disturbances.”
Sylara circled them with feline precision, her calculating gaze making Isla’s skin crawl. “Our Alpha Veyrik doesn’t appreciate Everflame dragons conducting business here without permission. You know the protocols.”
“You’re absolutely right. I should have requested authorization first.” Evelina’s diplomatic tone never wavered, but Isla could sense the tension radiating from her rigid posture. “I had a special guest, and in my excitement to show her around, I failed to follow proper etiquette.”
This is my fault. Guilt twisted in Isla’s chest as she realized her presence had put Evelina in this precarious position.
“We’ll overlook it this time,” Kalis said, stepping closer until his imposing frame invaded their space. “But tell us—who is this pretty little human?”
“She’s here to assist with a new establishment we’re opening. Nothing more.”
Sylara’s laugh was sharp as broken glass. “We can sense there’s considerably more to it than retail consultation.”
“I don’t need to divulge personal information beyond what’s relevant to your concerns.”
Kalis moved with lightning speed, crowding Evelina until she had to crane her neck to meet his intimidating stare. “Yes, you do. And you’d better start telling the truth, or there will be serious consequences.”
“I’m not threatened by you.” Evelina’s voice carried regal authority despite their disadvantageous position.
“You should be.”
The air suddenly shimmered with otherworldly energy. Sylara’s form began to blur and expand, bones cracking and reshaping as crimson scales erupted across her skin. Within seconds, a sleek red dragon towered over them, her razor-sharp claws digging gouges in the cobblestone street.
Terror flooded Isla’s system as the massive creature fixed her with predatory focus.
This is really happening. I’m about to be eaten by a dragon.
Evelina must have sensed her fear because suddenly the older woman was shifting too, her elegant human form dissolving into something magnificent and terrifying. Her deep blue scales soon caught the afternoon sunlight as she positioned herself protectively between Isla and Sylara’s snapping jaws.
Kalis transformed with brutal efficiency, his golden dragon form launching into the air before diving toward Evelina with murderous intent. The two dragons collided with earth-shaking force, their roars echoing off the surrounding buildings as civilians screamed and scattered.
Isla pressed herself against a stone wall, helpless as she watched Evelina struggle against two opponents. The older dragon fought with desperate courage for several minutes, but the odds were impossibly stacked against her.
I have to do something. But what can a human do against dragons?
Suddenly, a thunderous roar split the air as a massive shadow fell across the battle. Isla’s heart lurched as she recognized the molten green eyes. Damon’s obsidian-scaled dragon form descended like divine retribution.
The battle was swift and brutal. Damon’s raw power and protective fury overwhelmed their attackers, sending them fleeing into the sky with various injuries. But when the smoke cleared and the dragons shifted back to their human forms, Isla’s relief evaporated.
Evelina was bleeding heavily from a jagged wound along her ribs.
“I’ll get help—” Isla started forward.
“No.” Damon’s voice cut through her panic with absolute authority. “No one will assist us here. We’re outsiders who just injured the Alpha’s primary enforcers. We need to leave immediately.”
His green eyes met hers, and she saw something that made her breath catch—not just concern for his aunt, but genuine fear. This powerful, controlled man was afraid, and that terrified her more than the dragon attack.
“I’ll shift back. You’ll need to help Evelina onto my back and maintain pressure on the wound during flight.”
Isla nodded, adrenaline sharpening her focus. She watched Damon’s human form blur and expand until the massive black dragon crouched before them, his intelligent eyes never leaving her face.
With strength she didn’t know she possessed, Isla helped the injured woman climb onto Damon’s broad back, positioning herself behind Evelina. She pressed one hand firmly against the bleeding wound while gripping Damon’s ridged scales with the other.
“Hold on tight,” she whispered to Evelina, though she wasn’t sure if it was reassurance or prayer.
Damon’s powerful wings caught the air, lifting them skyward with surprising gentleness. As they soared over the endless ocean toward Everflame Isle, Isla could only hope they’d make it home before Evelina lost too much blood.
Please let her be okay.