Again, thank you everybody for the sweet reviews and follows to my story! :) I'm sorry it took so long to update-school makes me so busy! :(

Andrea woke to the sound of a whimper. Her eyes shooting open, she found herself pressed into the dragon's side. The smooth skin was shuddering, and Andrea gasped when she realized the creature was in obvious pain. Scrambling back, she soon located the source of the ache. The places where the crude iron chains had cut into her were oozing blood, and the areas around them were swollen and red.

"Oh my goodness," Andrea breathed and finally looked at the Queen.

Darkened blue eyes stared back at her, her suffering evident in the hazy pools. Andrea's heart broke all over again, and she gently placed her hand on the dragon's nose. It seemed to calmed the Queen, and she squeezed her eyes shut, savoring the soft touch of the princess.

"Can't you lick it like you did to mine?" Andrea spoke gently and stroked the scaly skin.

The dragon opened her murky blue eyes again and they seemed to say I can't. Her eyes darkened further and her lids drooped in exhaustion.

"They must be infected," Andrea muttered to herself. "Oh no," she gasped when the creature dropped onto her lap, her energy finally spent. Andrea's arms cradled the Queen's head as she began crying. "No, no no. Don't give up!" How could I have been so stupid to forget about her injuries last night? "Please," Andrea rested her forehead against the dragon's. Tears leaked out of her chocolate-colored eyes when she thought of the agony her kingdom had put this dragon/woman through. Now she was going to die, and it was all Andrea's fault for not saving her sooner from the prison and not attending to her wounds as soon as they landed. Her eyes closed, she failed to notice the golden light that flowed out of her and surrounded the dragon's body. Suddenly, the head resting under her neck shifted, and Andrea raised her own head with a gasp. The creature stared up at her, the beautiful blue eyes back to their normal state. Andrea's eyes shifted quickly to the injuries, and found them gone. The white scales shone brightly, and there was no evidence of the time the dragon had spent in captivity. The Queen raised her head, and Andrea, who realized that her arms were still cradling the creature, let go quickly, her mouth still slightly open. The creature stood up and walked away a couple of feet before a bright, white light enveloped her. Andrea shut her eyes from the harsh brightness, and when she opened them again, the most beautiful woman stood before her. The woman's short hair was as white as snow, and her eyes were still the same familiar brilliant shade of blue as the dragon's were. She wore brown pants tucked into black boots lined with fur, which surprised Andrea slightly, since women weren't allowed to wear such garments. A cream-colored blouse was partially hidden under a black woolen cape. Andrea's mouth, which was open before, dropped even further as she took in the vision before her.

"Y-your Majesty?" Andrea felt stupid, but she didn't know what to call the Queen.

"Andrea."

Andrea almost swooned when she heard how the woman pronounced her name-she emphasized the second syllable like the French did. Plus, her voice was smooth, silky, and soft. The brunette stood still, trembling slightly and not knowing how to act or respond. The woman walked slowly towards her and unconsciously, Andrea stumbled a step back. The other woman stopped, frowning slightly. "I won't hurt you," she said softly.

"I-I know," Andrea mentally scolded herself for being rude. "I'm sorry. I'm just...wow." she blushed deeply and turned away.

A gentle hand on her chin startled the brunette before she realized it was just the Queen turning her face. Her eyes hungrily captured the crystal blue pools, and for a moment, they just looked at each other.

"Thank you," the Queen said, breaking the silence.

She dropped her hand and Andrea wanted to scream at her to put it back on her skin. However, she refrained and smiled shyly. "You're welcome Your Majesty."

"Call me Miranda. 'Your Majesty' seems so droll."

"Yes Miranda."

"Tell me Andrea," Miranda's sharp eyes pierced hers, "why did you save me?"

Andrea took a deep breath and forced herself to maintain eye contact, "I've heard your story since the day I was practically born. I never really questioned why you were in captivity until I grew older and matured somewhat. You have done nothing wrong from what I can tell, and I still don't know why my father sent his best soldiers to capture you. Your treatment was barbaric, and I deeply apologize for what my father and my people have done to you."

Miranda studied her for a bit before repeating softly, "Thank you Andrea."

"You're welcome," Andrea smiled. "So, um," she shuffled awkwardly, "where do we go from here? Will you take me back to my kingdom?"

"We're going to find my followers," Miranda rested her hands on her hips and turned to face the woods. "Then I will take you back to your kingdom."

"But why do you need me?" Andrea frowned at Miranda's back. "You have your powers back now. You're free."

"I'm not 'free' as you so eloquently put it," Miranda snapped, her head twisting around. Immediately, Andrea wilted inside but tried to mask her pain with an expression of indifference. "I am a hunted woman now, and since I made the mistake of taking you with me, I am now in even bigger danger. I don't have all of my powers back because that cursed prison I was in drained me of all of them. I turned back into a woman because your magic helped fuel mine."

"I'm not that magical," Andrea crossed her arms and blinked furiously to keep the tears at bay. She didn't know why she was reacting so strongly to the older woman's words. She had heard much worse from her father and Master Irv.

"On the contrary, you are. You are extremely powerful," Miranda started to pace back and forth. "I can feel your power-it radiates off of you in waves."

"Then why is it I can only do it when I'm feeling angry or sad?" Andrea crossed her arms tighter and glared at the other woman.

"Because emotion, especially extreme, fuels magic. When you healed me-"

"I didn't heal-" Andrea started to protest.

"Quiet!" Miranda cut her off and Andrea closed her mouth, her dark eyes staring daggers into the Queen's. "You healed me because you pitied me."

"I felt compassion for you and extreme sorrow that something so beautiful would die!" Andrea yelled and threw her arms in the air, not noticing Miranda's sudden still posture. "I don't even know why you kidnapped me in the first place. That's pretty cliché, don't you think? The dragon kidnapping a Princess? Now what am I supposed to do?"

"Help me." The words were so soft-spoken, they sounded almost like a plea. Andrea's anger drained out of her almost immediately when she heard the proud Queen's call for help.

She gazed in Miranda's eyes, searching for what she didn't know. Deep pools of crystals pleaded with her own chocolate eyes, and Andrea felt herself melt. "Alright," she said quietly. "Where do we start?"

"We need to find what's left of my followers," Miranda's posture suddenly stiffened and her eyes turned dark. Her jaw tensed as she spoke her next words. "And then we need to find my children."

They had been walking in silence for a while, Andrea's head still spinning from learning about the Queen's daughters. That bit of information completely threw her for a loop and helped fuel her anger towards her father and especially Christian. To be in captivity for so long, not knowing if your only children were safe or not... Andrea shuddered at the thought and timidly peeked over at the proud woman next to her. The older woman's posture was tall and graceful, filled with purpose and confidence. Andrea's own immaculate posture, the one she had spent years perfecting at a result of her royal bloodline, looked sloppy next to Miranda's, and the brunette self-consciously straightened her back even more and raised her chin. Feeling better about her appearance, Andrea's thoughts found themselves turning again to the Queen beside her.

"I can practically feel the questions burning a hole through your pretty little head," Miranda said, making Andrea jump slightly. "Ask," she waved her hand in the air, but did not falter her steps.

"Um," Andrea stuttered and then cursed herself. She was a princess! She shouldn't stammer. "First, um, well," she struggled to what she should ask first. There was so much she wanted to know.

"I come from a long line of dragons," Miranda started, her boots making a soft crunching noise on the orange and red leaves that littered the ground. "My father was king of the dragons before he was killed in battle when I was just a baby, and after my mother died when I was 25, I inherited the throne. I was betrothed to a good man, George, and we were married for a short time before he died of a deadly illness. Soon after he passed, I found that I was pregnant. I was blessed with two beautiful daughters, Caroline and Cassidy," Miranda took a breath and closed her eyes. "They are the joys of my life, and now I've lost them as well. I can't imagine..." she trailed off and then seemed to pull herself together and said quietly, "I've suffered a lot of loss in my life."

Andrea tentatively reached out and placed her hand on the Queen's. Her dark eyes stared into crystal blue ones tenderly as she said confidently, "There will be no more loss. We will find your daughters." Squeezing the soft hand beneath hers in reassurance, she smiled at Miranda.

The snow-white hair tilted to the side as Miranda appraised the young woman before her. "You have given me a precious gift Andrea," the Queen reached up and tucked a stray piece of chocolate hair behind the princess' hair, making her gasp slightly at the action.

Andrea's fluttered shut at the contact and she breathed, "What is it?"

"Hope."

Pale cheeks blushed with color as the young woman took in that one, fragile word. Her heart swelled with an emotion she couldn't place, but all she knew was that her world now revolved around the woman standing opposite her.

"I swear to do everything in my power to help you Miranda," Andrea vowed, trying to convey her emotions through her forceful tone.

Miranda's lips turned up into a small smile, the first one Andrea had ever seen from her. "Good. We will fly then to gain more ground. Most of my energy has returned and I can now transform back into a dragon."

"Fly?" Andrea squeaked, her palms suddenly becoming sweaty.

Miranda's eyes turned soft. "I apologize for injuring you the first time we flew together. I was not thinking when I grasped you in my talons."

"It's not that," Andrea replied sheepishly. "I'm terrified of being away from the solid ground."

"I see," Miranda tapped her lower lip with her finger.

Andrea shivered slightly, part from thinking about flying, and partly because the cool air was finally starting to take its toll on her fragile skin. Miranda undid the front closure of her cloak, and rather grandiosely swept it around before it fluttered down on the princesses shoulders, sheltering the pale skin from the slight wind. Andrea clutched it with her hand and gave her best smile to the older woman, conveying her thanks. With the cloak gone, the Queen's white, fitted blouse was on display, highlighting the slender frame of the beautiful woman. Andrea's breath was stolen and she found it difficult to concentrate on anything else, but with great difficulty, pulled herself back into the present.

Miranda gave a short nod. "I will help you this time, but it requires physical contact from both of us to make it work."

"Physical contact?" Andrea's heartbeat began to increase. "What kind of physical contact?"

"Merely our foreheads resting against each other's," Miranda waved her hand in the air. "Nothing too superfluous."

"Right," Andrea bit her lip. "Shall we do it now?"

Miranda's response was to step forward and tilt her head down to meet Andrea's. Smooth skin touched the brunette's forehead, and her long lashes fluttered at the soft contact. Suddenly, the smooth skin melted into scales, and Andrea's eyes flew open in shock. The majestic white dragon was back, her piercing blue eyes locked onto Andrea's.

Climb on my back now Andrea.

"Miranda?" Andrea whispered incredulously after she heard the smooth tones of the Queen's voice in her head.

Yes it's me. I wove a slight spell between us that allows us to communicate telepathically. This spell also allows for another special thing, but to find that out, you must climb on my back.

Andrea gripped the cape tighter around her body and followed Miranda's orders. Tentatively, she placed her foot on a strong shoulder muscle, and quickly pulled herself up to rid the dragon's leg of her weight. The brunette swung her other leg around the broad shoulders and gingerly lowered herself down on the smooth patch of skin so she was resting comfortably.

Wrap your arms around my neck so you don't fall off.

Andrea's long arms wound around Miranda and her eyes automatically squeezed shut, her fear petrifying her being.

No, no. Keep your eyes open Andrea. I won't let you fall.

The princess obeyed and unconsciously tightened her arms, making the Queen secretly smile when she felt that slender body being pressed closer. Miranda's arched her back and tightened her muscles in preparation to take off. As she did so, Andrea felt pure excitement flood her entire being and she gasped at the sensation. It was the happiest she had ever felt in her life-so full of exhilaration and anticipation, Andrea couldn't stop the wide smile that stretched across her face. Her heart felt light and she found herself mimicking Miranda's actions, arching her own back and breathing slightly heavier in excitement. Miranda growled softly before she shot off the ground like a rocket. Her massive wings unfurled, and she rode the wind higher and higher. Instead of the overwhelming panic Andrea should have felt with the unexpected takeoff, all she felt was euphoria. Internally, she encouraged Miranda to fly higher. Her body still crouched low over the dragon's, and she squeezed her thighs unconsciously to tell the creature to go faster, like she did with her horse. Miranda's nostrils flared as she took in the crisp, fresh fall air and she climbed even higher. Soon, they were in the clouds, looking down on the forest below them. Miranda's wings opened to their fullest, and she allowed the wind to blow her along.

Do you see why flying is so enjoyable now?

"Yes," Andrea sighed in happiness. The sense of freedom she felt in the air was overwhelming. She felt powerful.

This spell was to allow you to feel my feelings, and allow me to feel yours. As I don't sense any fear from you right now, I can only assume that it worked.

"It did!" Andrea laughed joyfully and hugged Miranda the best she could. "Thank you!"

Without warning, Miranda swooped down before pulling back up in a deep arc, making Andrea whoop with glee. The brunette stretched her arms out and closed her eyes, savoring the sweet caress of the wind tickling her body. She felt special, being able to share this incredible moment with the most marvelous woman she had ever met. Miranda's own heart felt elated as well, and she tossed her head in pure joy. Certainly, it was the best flight she ever had. The Queen wanted to keep this precious creature on her back safe forever. The older woman sent the feeling of fondness to the young woman through their connection, barely containing her joy when she felt the timid response of hope and affection Andrea sent back. The dragon let out a happy growl and increased her pace, all the while keeping a firm concentration on the brunette's feelings and thoughts, sending her positive messages to encourage the feelings coursing through both of them.

They landed gently, and Andrea scrambled off the dragon's back, wanting to talk to the woman immediately. Within seconds, the Queen was back and Andrea beamed at her.

"That was absolutely marvelous," Andrea's eyes shone as she looked into Miranda's eyes. "I never knew that flying could be that spectacular. Thank you."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," Miranda smiled and tilted her head. "Shall we continue on foot?"

"Yes, we should find shelter," Andrea looked at their surroundings for the first time. "Where are we?"

"My land. We should find some of my followers," Miranda began setting a brisk pace, despite her long flight.

"Alright," Andrea naturally fell in step with her and couldn't help but feel a tendril of unease when she took in her surroundings. They were walking in a forest of trees, but the bark was blackened and soot littered the ground. Mountains kissed the sky in the distance, their dark appearance foreboding and frightening.

"I can feel you reactions to this place," Miranda looked at Andrea, who blushed. "The spell is still in tact."

"I apologize. I did not mean to offend you."

"You have not," Miranda's eyes turned sad when she surveyed her terrain. "My poor kingdom was reduced to this state of death after the Great War. My people scattered, fearing their own lives, and it appears that nobody has returned to change this place into the beauty it once was. Even I feel uneasy here."

Andrea's heart broke when she heard the wistful tone. "Miranda, I promise-"

Suddenly, a strong force collided with her body and she yelped pitifully before the wind was knocked out of her. Andrea fell on her back to the ground, and she barely had enough time to register the pain before a cloaked figure straddled her stomach and pined her down, effectively trapping any attempts to free herself. A sudden chill swept through Andrea's body when she felt a long knife being pressed into her neck.