Chapter 5: Sparks Fly

Dimitri followed her up the mountain where the Lumus flower would be. For all he knew, she simply stole that research to use as a cover story to steal something. Lily made her way, veering off the normal path, going through some dense forest that had monsters lurking everywhere that could kill her. When she reached the flat side of a cliff, Lily went about looking for something along the wall. She felt for a hole that was similar to the key she carried with her. Finding I, she pulls the key out when Dimitri rushes out, grabbing her hands, preventing her from putting the key in. "Wait! How do you know of this place? Outsiders are strictly forbidden." Lily turned to face him, an annoyed look on her face, "The only reason I didn't stop you before I veered off the trail was because I thought you'd give up and head back to your soldiers. I've been honest with you, telling you why I'm here. What do you think I'm going to do? You've seen my research." She was right, having read some of her research, he knew what she was looking for could be the same one he was also trying to protect. "Follow me. There is a safer way to go. Trespassers go this way," Dimitri said as Lily hid the key away, ay following him. They followed the cliff face again until running into some heavy brush on the other side. Dimitri reached back, ack pulling her onto his back. "Hold on tight." He told her as he leapt 40 ft up the cliff, then again and again until he was at the top. The air in her lungs rushed out with the first jump, but she braced herself for the second and third jumps. When they landed at the top, he looked a little too pleased with himself after bouncing her around a few times. "You could have warned me! F*cking crazy ass dragon," Lily grumbled when she looked up to see where he had taken her. It was the gate to the secret garden she had been looking for. The rain made the area smell amazing as she went about trying to find the Lumus flower. It had been planted there a few centuries back by one of the wolf descendants who was married off. It had the power to reveal one's wolf or strengthen one's wolf, and could heal any injury. Unfortunately, they were too late as it was already in bloom and though quite brilliant, its leaves were starting to wilt. "NO, no no! I had hoped to get here before it bloomed! Now I'll have to wait again," Lily said, disappointed, dropping to her knees. Dimitri looked around to see if any more flowers hadn't bloomed, but they hadn't. Her shoulder slumped forward, dejected about her lost time to study the flower. She had hoped to get a couple of petals too. He walked up and knelt next to her, looking at the flower. "Is there anything we can do? Did you have to be here to see it bloom?" he asked, wanting to understand. She shook her head no not looking at him, leaning her head on his shoulder. "Yeah, when it blooms fully, a spark of light is supposed to shoot up to the full moon, but it can go to a wolf in need if one is nearby." He didn't push her away as she leaned on him while she stared at the flower, its brilliance shining still in the full moon's light. She felt nice being this close to him, and Dimitri usually wasn't attracted to females. Lily turned her head, not realizing just how close their faces were, and for just a moment, she felt the world fall away as this man's mesmerizing eyes had her entranced, wanting to fall into them. Dimitri felt the urge to lean down to kiss her, his lips brushing against hers less than a breath away. Realizing what he was doing, he turned his head the other way, leaning forward. "I'm sorry I doubted you. I have to go," he said, moving to the dense shrubs again, in trying to leave. Lily got up confused, wanting to confront him, but when she made it past the bushes to the cliff, all shsawen was a beautiful sapphire blue dragon flying off into the distance. Lily was astounded at his behavior, thinking it odd how he just ran off when he almost kissed her. Climbing down the mountain, Lily headed to the next village she found. An inn came into view as she walked the whole way, wanting to take a break from a long journey. She went to inquire about a room and requested a bath be brought to her room. They brought a tub and buckets of hot water into the room, leaving a few towels and a bar of soap. The servants left, letting her strip do, then submerging herself in the hot water. Sighing in relief, Lily soaks in the tub for a while, letting the soreness of the day melt away. She suddenly heard footsteps outside her door, not thinking anything of it she resumed her bath. A subtle knock disturbed her peace as if became more insistent. "This room is occupied!" Lily shouted. "It's me. Let me in." The voice of the commander from earlier called through the door. "I am not accustomed to waiting." Getting out, Lily wrapped a towel around herself, opening the door a crack. "As you can see, ee I am busy." Pushing the door open, he walks in, closing itfootstepsteps walk by her door. Another knock came at the door as a soldier shouted, "Room checks." Lily pressed him into the wall next to tdooreoor holding her finger to i li lips, encasing him. Opening the door still in her towel, she opens it a crack, putting her foot next to the door, this time saying, "Sir, ple, I am not in a position to just let you in my room. The servant should have told you I came alone. Who are you looking for?" The soldier looked dazed at her, shaking his head, saying, "Our commander went missing, and we are checking everywhere he could have walked from the massacred village. He was investigating the incident when he flew off." Lily didn't seem to be the only one he ran from. "Well, as you can see, it's just me. If I see him, I will tell him you are looking for him," Lily said, holding her towel close. "Yes, miss. I'll be on my way then," the soldier said as she closed the door. Dimitri stayed against the wall, not wanting to alert the soldier on the other side. They both waited for the footsteps to move downstairs again before moving. "What are you doing here?! How did you find me?!" Lily asked curiously, wondering why he was suddenly in her room.