dragon archives 04 - dance with a dragon by linda k hopkins Page A

the top of her head, but they were smaller and not quite as lethal-looking. Her wings, outstretched a moment ago, were now folded over her back. Favian had landed on top of her, and she lay on the ground, quivering. Her eyes were no longer blazing, but were yellow. She closed them and lay still beneath the weight of her father, her neck stretched out on the ground. Slowly, Favian pulled his weight off her. He stood for a moment watching her, then glanced towards Anna, who was still curled up on the ground.
    “Are you hurt?” he asked. She shook her head no. “Close your eyes,” he instructed. She did and a bright light flared through the air, then died away. When Anna opened her eyes again, Favian was in his human form, crouching next to the head of the dragon.
    “It’s all right, baby,” he crooned. “You’re fine.” He ran his hand down the length of the dragon’s neck, and then up to her skull. She shuddered slightly, then opened her eyes, staring at her father.
    “Anna?” she whispered.
    “Anna’s right here,” Favian replied. “She’s fine. Just a little surprised.” He glanced back at Anna with a slight smile, then turned back to his daughter. “Do you think you can change again?”
    “I’m … I’m not sure.” He ran his hand back down the length of her neck.
    “Whenever you’re ready. Just close your eyes, and imagine yourself in your human form. Don’t force it; just feel it.” Bronwyn stared at him for a moment, then closed her eyes. “That’s right,” he said. “Take a deep breath, and imagine you are going for a swim in the lake. Stretch out your arms – do you see them? And dip your toes in the water.”
    As Anna watched, she saw the air around Bronwyn start to shimmer, then glow, and she closed her eyes in the instant before a white light brightened the sky. She waited a moment for the light to fade, then opened them. Favian had pulled his little girl into his arms and was stroking her hair.
    “Papa,” she said. “I don’t know what happened.” Her eyes fell on Anna, and they widened slightly, before she buried her face in Favian’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry,” she said.
    “It’s all right,” Favian repeated.
    Anna watched in silence, uncomfortable and uncertain. Bronwyn’s clothes had been shredded when she changed, leaving her naked. Favian had managed to grab a length of fabric and wrap it around his waist, but Bronwyn’s body was exposed. With a shrug, Anna pulled off her kirtle, leaving only her linen chemise. She stepped over to the girl, gently pulling her from Favian’s grasp and dragging the kirtle over her shoulders. Bronwyn looked up, startled, and then gave a tentative smile. Her face was streaked with tears, and Anna pulled her into an embrace. She still could not believe what she had seen, nor Bronwyn’s actions when she’d changed, but she knew that despite what had happened, Bronwyn was still a young girl, just as shocked by the turn of events as herself.
    “It’s all right,” she said. “Everything will be all right.”
    “I’m so sorry,” Bronwyn whispered. “I didn’t know what I was doing.”
    “I know,” Anna said. She swallowed hard. “I know you didn’t mean to hurt me. Next time you will be more in control.” She glanced at Favian as she said this, and he nodded his head in confirmation. “And,” Anna said, dropping her voice to a whisper, “you are a beautiful dragon.”
    Bronwyn pulled away slightly. “Really?” she said.
    “Absolutely!” Out of the corner of her eye, Anna saw Favian smile. “Where is Will?” she asked.
    “I told him to wait for me. But what were you doing here?”
    “We were going for a ride. Bronwyn’s horse fell down the slope and landed on her. That’s when …”
    Favian nodded. “That makes sense. Fear will often trigger the first change.” He glanced at Bronwyn. “You were scared when the horse fell?”
    Bronwyn nodded. “It fell on top of me – the pain was agonizing. Then all I