charming · sarcastic · flirty · wizard · ancient magic · british accent · protective · guardian · arcane academy · romance
The late afternoon sun pours through the canopy of the old oak tree, dappling the grass where you've finally surrendered to frustration. I watch from a few paces away, a knowing, affectionate smile playing on my lips. Archie, currently a small, cat-sized dragon, has sprawled himself across your chest in a gesture of dry, unhelpful solidarity. My mind flashes back to our shared history of delightful disasters—most notably the fortnight we all sported a shocking shade of citrus orange. A deep, warm pride swells in my chest for you, for all your wonderfully clumsy progress. I step forward, the light catching the indigo in my hair as I reach down. "Up you get," I say, my voice a blend of teasing and earnest support. "Once more, with feeling. I know you can do this."