The Dragon and The Treasure Hunter

The cave was in sight, a gaping hole at the top of the mountain. It had taken Adaline ages to climb. No longer under the trees' safety, the sweltering sun cascaded over her and caused beads of sweat to form upon her brow. A soft smile graced her lips, and Adaline used one limber hand to wipe away the droplets that threatened to fall into her ice-colored eyes.

She had made it to the dragon's lair.

A contented sigh made her chest rise and fall before she stepped nimbly forward. Now, all she needed to do was get in and out. The treasure was hers.

'Simple enough,' She thought as she made her way to the looming entrance, carefully avoiding any wayward rocks lest she trip and alert the grandiose being of her presence. With the grace of the faefolk, she entered the cavern. Keeping the light of her lantern low, she hugged the cave wall and kept her pace steady. She was sure she could hear the rumbling sound of snoring from her distance.

'Perfect! He's sleeping.' This would be the most leisurely treasure hunt she'd ever done. Her heartbeat quickened at the thought of all the gold and jewels she would soon have. Turning a corner of a relatively narrow corridor, she stepped suddenly into a vast cavern.

There, sprawling out before her in towering piles, was what she had been seeking: treasure. Gold pieces mixed with varying-sized shining artifacts, long chains of gold embellished with jewels draped lazily atop the mountainous collection. Adaline's heart leaped to her throat, momentarily distracted by the sheer brilliance of it all.

'I'm going to be rich! Father will never have to work again!' Her excitement was palpable. She launched herself forward, mesmerized by the thoughts of fortune and fame.

A clattering of coins rang out, plinking to the floor, the sound reverberating off the walls as they rolled about the cavern. She stopped as a single coin contacted her cloth boot. Her breath caught in her throat, and her azure eyes widened. The dragon! How could she have forgotten?!

"Ah, another seeker of treasure come to collect their dues." The voice was deep and full of mirth. Adaline's eyes snapped from the coin, darting for the source of the sound. She gasped as her eyes fell upon the tall figure before her.

It was not a dragon but a man with long, wild, flame-colored locks. His chin was strong and sharp, and his body was tall and lean. Adaline could feel her cheeks growing warm as she noted the muscular form that peeked through the sheer cloth he wore on his frame. She cursed herself silently. She was expecting a ferocious beast, not a hot one.

'Think of the treasure!' Her mind screamed.

The dragon chuckled, a melodic timbre that made Adaline's knees weak. His gold-speckled eyes seemed to glitter as he stepped toward her, "Tell me, girl, is it the gold you are after… or perhaps something more?"

Adaline could hear her heart pounding, and she was sure the dragon was hearing it, too. If there was one thing she knew for sure, dragons loved to have their egos stroked. This was going to be easier to do than she'd anticipated. "Pardon my surprise, but I was expecting a dragon. Not someone that makes riches look dull in comparison."

The dragon let out a booming laugh that caused the golden mountains around them to shiver and clink. Bemused, he gave her a sly smile, "Flattery, hm? You'd be quick to know that I have heard it all before. Words are nothing more to me than the dirt covering this cavern floor." He waved an arm about to emphasize his statement. Furrowing his brows, he shot his stern gaze back to the petite woman standing feet away. He allowed his eyes to trail over her form before locking them with hers, "I do wonder…" One long finger stroked his chin as he continued to study her face, "Perhaps you have something more special to offer?"

Adaline gripped the handle of her lantern tighter, trying not to get lost in the glow of his eyes. She brought the other hand to her chest.

"My heart," She said shakily, "I could give my heart." She smiled coyly as she regained her confidence, "But I suspect you have collected many things more valuable than that."

The dragon paused momentarily, his eyes lingering on her hand on her chest. Adaline could feel his gaze drilling into her as if he were looking into her soul. He looked at her face once more and took a step closer,

"Hearts are, indeed, a curious treasure." He brought one hand up and made a fist, "I could crush your heart in my claws like a rodent, but the power that a heart contains is beyond measurement. If it comes from the proper source." One of his sharp brows lifted in amusement, and he smirked, "What is it about your heart that makes it worthy of my attention?"

Adrenaline coursed through the woman as her confidence soared. Adaline had not anticipated such an encounter but was now in her element. She met his gaze confidently, "Because you cannot contain or steal it like any other simple treasure. My heart is a treasure freely given. That is if you have the strength and bravery to accept it."

The dragon let out another booming laugh, yet his eyes gleamed delightedly as he began to pace about, circling her, "Bold words coming from a little girl standing in the lair of a dragon. Do you not fear I will make you part of my collection?"

Adaline could not help but chuckle, "Perhaps that would not be so bad. It seems you take great care of your collection. Mayhaps I'd even enjoy it." She added daringly.

A soft laugh escaped the dragon's chiseled lips, and he stopped pacing to stand before her, studying her curiously, "Few have dared to speak with me this way. No, most would flee the moment they saw me, but you. You are bold. Perhaps there is more to you, seeker of treasures."

His gaze softened, and he drew closer to her. The air was thick with anticipation, an almost electrical charge lingering between the two. Adaline felt goosebumps prickling across her skin.

He continued, "You intrigue me. Tell me, what would you do with your freedom if I allowed you to leave?"

Adaline smirked softly, "Now that I've met you, I'd likely be tempted to return."

The dragon tilted his head, brows furrowing quizzically, "What if I were to give you a reason to stay?" A mischievous glint shone in his eyes, "The world outside is vast. This is true, but doesn't it lack the magic of a place like this?"

Adaline smiled softly, speaking sincerely, "Magic is only as good as the soul who wields it. It would be the company that would convince me to stay…" Her voice trailed as she gave him a curious look.

The dragon's voice dropped low as he leaned closer to her, "Then, perhaps, I should convince you."

He lifted one strong hand and tenderly caressed the small woman's cheek. An electrifying jolt shot through Adaline's frame, and she felt like she might fall over. Suddenly, thoughts of the world beyond the cave's entry disappeared.

Her voice came out a whisper as she spoke, "You're doing a grand job of it already. What other magicks do you hide, I wonder?"

A wide smile smoothed over the dragon's face, and his voice was husky and seductive, "Only the ones you're willing to discover."

Adaline shivered and could do nothing more than resist, feeling as though she'd been placed under a spell. She had not anticipated meeting such an enigmatic creature, and her curious nature implored her to stay longer and learn more about this man, "I want to know all of your secrets."

The dragon's smile broadened, and he took her small hand in his strong, large one, "Come. Let me show you the true treasure in this cave."

Adaline did not resist as she interlocked her fingers with his, allowing him to lead her deeper into the unknown.