The silence in the forest was deafening. I had not been used to this kind of peacfullness since I had last meditated in the woods, which had been years ago. My stomach twisted uneasily as I panned my vision over the sloping hills and jagged rocks, the burbling of the streak and the rush of rivers. I tried to force myself to savor it, to take it all in, but something felt slightly off kilter.

I knew the all-to-perfect setting wouldn't last long. I had to travel to the ice, a never ending expanse full of strong winds and horribly low temperatures. The eye of the hurricane was above me now. This was just the beginning.

I drummed my fingers against my knee and hummed an old tune that my mother had use to sing me to sleep. Midway through the song, I heard a rustle in the brush behind me.

My feet refused to carry me further and my legs turned to led. I was paralyzed. A deep, wise voice sounded behind her.

"I can take you to the ice," it said. Though I could not turn around, I could sense it drawing nearer, slithering up just behind me. "I can take you home."

"I don't need help," I snapped. A quiver offers ran through my muscles. "I have everything I need."

"Do you? What about your parents? Your dragon? Your sister?"

"How do you—"

"I know many things, Jovey. Try not to act so surprised."

I gritted my teeth. "It would help if I knew who you were."

My fear subsided slightly and I found myself able to move again. I spun around. Before me was a large dragon, its scales as black as ink, its eyes a deep, glowing violet. I stepped back.

"Who are you?"

"Someone you didn't know existed, but never stopped hearing about."

"This wasn't part of the plan."

"Is any of this? You didn't know that you'd be out here on your own, but here you are."

"I'm not alone," I said. "I have you here."

"I like your line of thinking, Jovey."

I felt a pinch of disgust. "I don't want your help. My mind is the only tool I need."

"Very well. Have it your way," he clapped his enormous wings and lifted himself into the sky. His sleek body was a contrast to the shine of the sun, and I had to squint to simply see his outline. Before I could ask him his name, he was gone.