Chapter 31: Lokaliin

The moon was shining down beautifully on the still waters of the lake, giving it a mirror like finish as the stars twinkled playfully atop the surface. The air was warm, a very subtle breeze whispering through the lush grass that grew along the banks of the lake. All around her was quiet except the gentle breathing of her prince. The dragoness tilted her head to the side to look at his face as he slept, the long eyelashes tickling the apples of his cheeks, his strong jaw and full lips. He looked peaceful sleeping beside her their bodies cuddled together, her hand on his chest drawing lazy circles. She felt a strange sensation deep within her chest that she had never experienced in her long life. She felt weightless, and free from the burdens of her life. Her heart had never been so full, and she rested her head on his chest listening to the steady thump of his heart. The rhythm threatening to lull her to a deep sleep, she closed her eyes and held onto him for a brief moment enjoying their last moments alone together before she knew they had to leave. She slowly and carefully removed herself from his side, her long hair a veil around them both as she sat up. He stirred slightly at the absence of her warmth and she smiled sadly reaching a hand to gently touch his cheek. Life was cruel to her, and this was yet another reminder of the bittersweet moments it brought. For the first time in her life she felt happy and accepted by another human despite what she was what she could become. He cared not for her blood line her cared about her heart, and right now it was breaking thinking of leaving him behind. She knew without her companions to aid her in killing that monster that they would likely die together, fang and claw, fire and death to consume them.

Jarvan could feel something warm and smooth on his face, a loving caress that reminded him of when he was a child and his mother would offer him affection before being whisked away by his father. He opened his eyes blinking away the exhaustion that clawed at his eyes and begged for more sleep. He stared into the beautiful violet eyes of the dragoness, getting lost in the valley of fire that lay hidden in the depths. She was smiling at him, a sad timid smile that made his heart sink. She was thinking of the morning, and he knew he had to as well.

"We should head back" she whispered standing up, her hair flowing around her porcelain skin like a cloak.

Jarvan swallowed and nodded his head, rising to his feet he quickly gathered his clothes and dressed himself. A faint blush tinging his cheeks as he turned to find the dragoness staring at him, a smirk on her face her pupils dilated to reptilian slits. She blew out a ring of smoke towards him and stepped back letting her draconian strength flow through her veins as her body transformed into the gleamy darkened scales of a dragon. She bowed her enormous head and pushed it against his body almost knocking him over. He swept his hand over the top of her head running his fingers through the thick coarse mane and smiled.

Shyvana stomped impatiently and Jarvan chuckled "Alright, I'm moving"

He pulled himself atop her shoulders and ran his hands over her smooth scales clutching tightly as she easily bound into the night sky headed back towards the camp.

The flight back was faster, but none the less mesmerizing as he took in every detail only a dragon could experience, before they landed in the large familiar field just outside the camp the others were still sleeping at. Shyvana landed gracefully despite her large size and waited for the prince to dismount before inhaling deeply her chest glowing a brilliant purple that slowly spread throughout her body as she shrank.

The feeling of transforming was always unpleasant to the dragoness and she shuddered as her bones snapped back into place and the scales receded under her skin. It was like a burn that couldn't be soothed until she was back in her human form. She felt lightheaded and her knees wobbled slightly as she stood to her fully height, her eyes still glowing with draconian power as she surveyed the field.

Her armor was exactly where she left it, untouched hidden under the fallen branches of an oak tree. She quickly pulled on the shimmering dragon scale bodysuit and began the tedious job of fastening all the leather strapping of her plate armor. Tugging on it to set it properly she turned to face the prince, giving him a warm smile, her heart beating faster as he returned it. He was so handsome, tall and rugged but kind and gentle any mortal woman would be lucky to claim him as their mate. She felt her gut twist at the thought and the dragon in her growled and lashes out viciously at the thought of another touching what should have been hers after the night they spent together.

"Shy, I want to thank you" He said taking her by surprise

"Thank me? For what?" she asked confused her head cocked to the side as she studied his face for any malice.

"For everything, for helping my men and I, for saving that little girl from the fire" he scratched the back of his neck nervously "For helping me figure out what is important in life"

Shyvana smiled and stalked towards him, placing her hand on his shoulder "I would do it all again if I could, you are the kindness human I have ever met, you care for everyone before yourself you only need to see your worth"

Jarvan pulled her into a tight hug savoring the warmth that radiated from her body, his head in the crook of her neck inhaling her smoky scent before pulling away "Honestly Shy, thank you"

She nodded a small pained smile on her face as they broke apart "Of course Jarvan, although I'm not sure what I did to help"

He smiled and brushed a lock of hair behind her slender horn "Your presence brings me a sense of peace I haven't felt in a long time"

The dragoness blushed and looked away shyly muttering under her breath, steam billowing from the top of her head. Jarvan chuckled softly and stepped back bringing her attention back to him "Thank you for tonight as well, for showing me a piece of your world"

Shyvana inhaled heavily and nodded a small blush creeping onto her cheeks "Of course, I wanted to show you, so you wouldn't forget me"

Jarvan laughed "Oh Shy, for as long as I live I will always remember you" his face dropping and a frown slipping onto his face "I'd hoped that you'd change your mind and come with us back home"

The dragoness shook her head swaying her long hair "I cannot, and my heart breaks at the thought of never seeing you again" her voice was barely a whisper as she ducked her eyes beneath her bangs to hide the glistening of fresh tears.

Jarvan grabbed her chin and tilted her head up to meet his crystallin blue eyes "Never say that, you'll see me again when you come to Demacia" he said his voice wavering.

The dragoness sniffed and pushed off his chest gently, reaching into the many compartments of her armor and pulled out her mothers' pendant. It was still as lustrous and beautiful as the day her father gave it to her mother as a reminder he would always love her. She felt tears spring from her eyes and glide down the planes of her cheeks, as she rubbed her thumb over its smooth surface. She clutched it tightly to her chest, offering all the love she could ever give her parents in that silent moment before reaching out and placing it in the prince's hand.

"I want you to take this, so you may always remember what you mean to me" she said her voice filled with emotion as she stared into his eyes.

Jarvan started to shake his head to refuse but she quickly ended his argument before it began "No, please don't refuse me this, where I'm going I don't need it"

He took a step back surprised and looked at her in disbelief "what are you saying"

Shyvana gave him a weak half smile "We both know, that when I face Nevonaar that I'm never coming back"

Jarvan felt anger sweep over him "How can you say that?"

She stepped back and shook her head when he tried to hand her back her mothers' pendant "Please, he is an elder dragon the strongest species besides the celestials and I'm nothing but a mere half breed, I'll kill him for everything he's done but I don't hold onto hope that I won't perish with him"

"Then I'm coming with you" Jarvan spat, anger clouding his eyes and the dragoness sighed.

"No, this journey has gone on long enough, I have made my peace with death. I have lived longer than any mortal could ever wish to live that is enough for me, all I'm asking is you live the only one you are given and remember my name" she said her voice empty.

Jarvan shook her head and set his jaw firmly, grinding his teeth in frustration before speaking "I can't let you die"

Shyvana began to walk slowly back towards the camp a flame in her outstretched hand her voice carrying through the trees "You have no choice, I will go and find that monster and I will slew him and if I do live I will come find you"

Jarvan frowned and followed the stubborn dragoness "How will you find me, do you know where Demacia is?"

Shyvana chuckled lightly to herself staring at the flame in her open palm as she poured energy into it watching it explode outward and fan her face with its warmth "Nothing can stop a dragon from collecting its prize"

Jarvan cocked his head confused at her analogy "Prize?"

Shyvana swung around to face him a smile gracing her features "The prize of your friendship, the prize of a home a life without the treat of fire and fangs at my neck"

Jarvan smiled "Then you shall receive your prize when you come to Demacia, I shall see you get what you rightly deserve"

The camp was quiet still, everyone huddled in their sleeping bags under the stars, the soft breath hitting the dragonesses ears as she walked back toward the fire. It was low, a bed of angry coals a reminded to add more fuel and keep her companions warm. She turned her head and offered a weak smile to the prince as he sat down beside her, adding a few logs to the fire his face a mask of emotion as his gaze lingered on the flickering flames.

"When will you tell them?" she asked quietly, bringing her knees up to rest her chin as she looked away from him to the fire watching the smoke lazily float upward.

He grunted and ignored her question, grabbing a large branch to poke at the coals and move around the logs to achieve a better flame. He could feel the dragoness watching him waiting for an answer and he sighed heavily.

"In the morning"

Shyvana nodded and brushed a loose hair from her face sweeping her gaze over her sleeping companions "I think you should rest now"

Jarvan rolled his shoulders and stifled a yawn glancing at the dragoness curled up in on herself, her eyes reflecting the fire glowing brightly.

"Are you sure? Surely you must be tired" he said leaning back on his palms as he looked up at the darkened skies.

Shyvana rolled her eyes and smirked behind her knees watching him, it was clear to her that he was exhausted, and tense and she didn't require the sleep a normal mortal did. "Its fine Jarvan, please rest I can take watch"

He smiled at her in thanks and made his way to his respected bed roll, surprising her by scooping it up and brining it beside the fire to sleep next to her. He smiled cheekily at her and winked "So you can protect me from my nightmares"

The dragoness snorted a billow of smoke rising into the air and she swatted him playfully "Just go to sleep"

Jarvan obliged setting up his bed roll, stretching himself out as he got comfortable his head in the dragonesses lap which earned a groan of frustration from her lips.

Shyvana mindlessly began to play with his long black hair, twirling it between her fingers as she reflected on their time spent together. It was astonishing that she a half breed abomination had found herself in the company of five humans, one of them a royalty no less. Even stranger still that she found herself becoming attached to them, even Hart who was insufferable at times she would miss. She glanced down at Jarvans face, he was asleep eyes closed breathing heavy and evenly a sure sigh that he was no longer awake. She stroked his cheek lovingly before bending down and kissing it gingerly. Despite what she was, a dragon she found herself surrounded by people she cared about, and the one who slept soundly on her lap she dare say she might love this mortal man.

"Goodnight my lady" Jarvan whispered a ghost of a smile on his lips at he felt shyvana's soft lips leave his face.

The dragoness smiled "Goodnight my prince"