The Shadows Within

Feeling movement behind me, I turned to Finn.

"What are you doing?" I asked, watching him tilt his wing to me.

It was like he made a ladder for me to climb onto his back.

"You're going to ride me, Sparky." He announced, triggering a flutter of butterflies to erupt in my belly.

It was like sparkles went up in my eyes.

"Really?! Wait... won't I be blown off?" I asked, slowly walking towards him and securing my bag onto me.

For my question, I surely didn't seem like I was backing down from riding him, which caused him to chuckle.

"Are you doubting me?" He cackled. "I'd never let anything happen to you."

"Hm... Okay!" I smiled, stepping onto his wing only to feel him lift it.

Instantly, I was in free fall as a slight squeal left me before his other wing prevented me from tumbling off him. Somehow, I found myself in between them and on his back. However, my heart was in my throat.

It wouldn't be my first leap off a great height, but it was the first time it would be without my intention.

"You jerk! I could've fallen off!" I growled, feeling the adrenaline rush through me.

It was like electricity coursed through every nerve, raising my temperature as sharp huffs left my lips.

"Hm... so you do have a danger sense on you. Just one that goes off late." He burst into laughter.

Slapping his back, I couldn't help when my eyes twitched, "It works just fine! You fucking jerk!"

"Ah, don't you like my teases when you constantly make me a mess? If you fell, I would've caught you, Sparky." He was unbothered by my aggression.

Though I felt like plucking his feathers out because of what he did, for once, I was at the end of all the teases.

"Oi, little king! If that happens, I might die of a heart attack!" I huffed, pouting, worming my way close to his neck.

"That be bad. I wouldn't have a future wife if that happened." He cackled.

Oi, aren't you enjoying this too much? You'd probably go too, or will you?

That thought caused my heart to ache, withering all the anger into oblivion.

Ah... fine, laugh at me. I'll get my payback later. After all, you were so cute under me earlier.

"If I ever marry you, idiot." I sighed, letting myself fall against the base of his neck.

This was also adorable.

"Hm... we'll see." The dragon hummed happily.

It made me shake my head.

"Mhm. I guess we'll see what happens." I grumbled, feeling exhausted after that rush of adrenaline.

"Ready?" he asked, clinging to the edge.

"As ready as I'll ever be, hubby." I huffed.

"Ah, I like the sound of that." He breathed before launching himself off the edge a second later and into a free fall.

Instinctively, I held on to dear life, thinking it would blow me off, but the wind didn't even hit me. While I was on his back, not even his movements affected me. The bracelet on my left wrist was glowing, locking me into him.

Ah... you enchanted...

Spreading his wings, he glided before flapping them, which took us up and above the castle. He circled it once, allowing me to see its state of ruin. I had fixed the interior, but the outer parts were still in the same state as the inside.

This wasn't his intention, though. No, he let me get used to the feeling before he got higher up.

Heights were never my fear, though.

Are you okay? Finn's voice radiated within me.

"You're in my head?!" I gasped, jaw-dropping.

But that means! No! You can't!

Solas popped his head out of the bag to see what was happening.

"Wow! We're so high up!" the pup wagged his little tail.

Oh, don't worry. I can't read your thoughts but can transfer mine to yours. It's hard to speak with the wind hitting my face and all. Finn informed, gaining altitude.

Unlike me, he could feel the full gust of the wind. Caressing his feathers, I felt a tingly sensation grow within me.

So, this was the wish...

"I'm fine, Finn. Thank you for everything." I answered, smiling soon after.

Nothing should surprise me, but it did. It wasn't long before the castle was nothing but a tiny spec behind us. He was above in the clouds a second later, erasing the world under us. At that moment, it was the first time I had taken fresh air into my lungs since I got into this world.

The miasma was below us, giving Fathal's lands a purple hue. However, what stole my sight was the beautiful sky above us. Blow, the miasma always covered it, making the stars hard to see. However, this was more beautiful compared to the starry night I saw before I fell into this world.

Perhaps it was because, unlike back then, I was happier than ever, and it simply took my breath away. The breathtaking array of colors shimmered like a tapestry woven from stars and stardust. No photograph of the Milky Way could capture its true beauty. The world seemed utterly majestic from high above the clouds, transporting me to another realm.

Even the moon appeared to be bathed in a mesmerizing bluish glow. I didn't even know what it was called in this world, and unlike the other world, there were two. One was red and was behind the other. The way the light glistened on Finn's feathers was also extraordinary.

It almost appeared like he was shimmering under me. I was riding a beautiful shooting star.

"Finn... this... your world's beautiful." I giggled, unable to take my eyes off the glistening dragon.

Seeing him glide against the clouds made me reach for one. My fingers went through it like nothing. They always appeared so solid from below, but they were puffs of moisture. We flew for a while before leaving the mist behind, meaning we were in human territory.

Brace, Finn warned, hitting a barrier soon after.

Going through it was easy enough, but it caused him and Solas to groan. A second later, we both plunged towards a clearing. Everything was so blinding that I didn't see anything until we hit the floor.

Although it was a rough landing, Finn's magic protected me from it. Worried, I got off him when he panted, shaking his head. A second later, he shifted into his humanoid form. He grabbed his head as a soft yellow aura radiated from him.

"Are you okay?" I gripped his shirt.

Solas appeared the same as him while was the same as when the night started.

"Yeah, I'm okay, sweety. That barrier drains demons to cross it. It seems the current saint has made it stronger. What an annoying bug she is." Finn grumbled, triggering me to hug him.

"I don't like that feeling. It was like I was being ripped apart!" Solas whined, settling in his bag.

Is that how you felt, too?! Evelyn's getting stronger while I'm...

"Why are we here?" I mumbled, snuggling in his chest.

I wished I could help him, but my magic never came at command.

"For our date, sweets." He chuckled, recovering faster than I thought he would.

Solas was still shivering in the bag.

This isn't necessary, but I don't want to sound like a brat after you went through all the trouble to get me here.

Back in Fathal, every place was crawling with demons, so he probably thought it was no place for a date.

How thoughtful can you be?

"Hm... Does Gael have to come through it every time he comes here?" I asked, trying to think of something else.

Finn shook his head. "No, he and other demons use tunnels and caves surrounding the border, but I can't have you go through that; those can be dangerous around the human side. Though he's a slippery snake, so don't worry about him."

Reaching to touch his cheek, ensuring those blue eyes were on me.

"Are you really okay?" I asked.

There was still a shimmer of gold on him. Instead of answering me, he leaned into me for a kiss, which I gladly gave him. For a few seconds, we indulged in one another. Though he eventually tugged away from me.

"What do you think?" he smiled.

"Pervert." I huffed, going to kiss him again.

However, instead of letting me, my lips met with his fingers.

"We should go, or we might miss the event." He tugged away from me.

Leaving me feeling dejected, I sighed. This demon wasn't easy to win. Not while he had something in mind to do.

"Where?" I grumbled, watching him point towards where there were lights.

A town? Why?

"To the village there," Finn announced, smiling.

It left me confused, gazing at him like he was crazy. When we went down, everything was a blur. I hadn't seen the town there.

Wait, they didn't see us crash, right?!

There weren't any alarms blaring off or screaming. Surely, they would've been frightened if they saw a dragon crash down. Another concern grew, too. This dragon would surely...

"But won't they see you?" I asked.

"Oh, sparky, who do you think you're talking to?" he smirked, eyes shimmering.

But... you have wings, a tail, and horns!

"But—" I began, only to stop when he snapped his fingers.

In an instant, all the features that made him a demon were gone. My heart skipped when I saw the Finn, which I thought I would never see. It was like I was back when he was cheerful, but those eyes were the same ones I used to see, though they were starting to have a sparkle of life within them.

"What? You look like you want to kiss me now more than before. Should I indulge in that desire of yours?" He smirked, grabbing onto my left hand.

"How..." I mumbled, amazed.

"Magic sweets. Though maintaining this drains me, but before you worry, I'll be fine, I promise." Finn pressed his lips against my hand, triggering me to simper.

There was no use in fighting him. Not while he was out to charm me. Instead, I followed him out as Solas hid in my bag. It wasn't long until we walked in between humans. They were none the wiser that a demon lurked in their numbers.