Roxane Shailyn cursed as she felt her body hit the ground with a thud. She got up, brushing the dirt off her dress while her eyes surveyed the area. The only light in the realm was the magical, shimmering light coming from the crystals.

Her eyes widened in awe as they beheld the creature encased in a star crystal, floating gently in the air.

"And what do we have here?" asked Travis Murphy as he got up from the ground. His light brown eyes shone with childlike wonder as he looked around.

"This is not the time for admiration. We need to get back home before my father hands over the crown to my twin brother. I told you not to touch anything in that room, now look at what you've done," snapped Roxane.

"I didn't expect a book to be a portal, Roxane," retorted Travis. He met her gaze, his height almost double hers as he towered over her five feet.

She stared up at his face, her mouth set in a thin line as her wings spread wide from her growing irritation. "And that is why we do not touch the unknown, Travis." As much as she loved the six feet, dark-skinned human, he constantly got on her nerves.

Roxane turned away from her lover and flew with grace up to the floating crystal. Hoping that whatever creature was trapped inside would tell her what realm they were in.

"I don't see how you can be mad when we get to witness such a beautiful place!" Travis shouted.

"I can when it's a realm I don't know of and have no idea how to return home. Don't forget I only have one more day to prepare for the competition for the throne," said Roxane over her shoulder.

Her eyebrows furrowed as she circled the crystal-like structure. She reached out a hand to touch the surface. A gasp of shock escaped her lips when the creature's eyes suddenly snapped open.

"What brings a fairy princess and a human to the realm of darkness?" asked the creature. Its voice reverberated in her mind like a low rumble.

Roxane's eyes widened in surprise. "You're a dragon."

"Yes, but you didn't answer me, princess."

"The idiot over there touched something that he shouldn't have, and a portal transported us here. Do you know how to leave this place?" A hint of optimism was apparent in her voice.

"I do, but you would have to get me out of this thing in return," the dragon replied.

Roxane bit her lip as she considered his proposition. She could sense the dragon's desperation, the emotion emanating from him like a tangible force. "Why were you locked away here?"

"An evil sorceress trapped me here because I mistakenly burned down her home. I was trying to protect my mate from hunters when it happened. Truly it—"

"Roxane, love, I don't mean to rush you or anything. But there is something that reeks of death coming from the shadows," shouted Travis.

Roxane glanced over her shoulder to where her lover was pointing. "You have a sword strapped to your back. Use it to ward off the unknown creature. If it wasn't for you, we wouldn't be here in the first place."

"Love, that is so not fair. I—"

"You need to hurry and get me out of here. The creatures that roam this realm are not like the animals in your realm. I really can help you leave this place," said the dragon.

Roxane arched a brow and placed a hand on her hip. "How do I know you're not one of those evil dragons that was banished?"

"Roxane!" shouted Travis. The fear was palpable in his voice.

"You can tell if I'm lying. I only want to return home. I mean no harm to you or your human lover," replied the dragon.

Roxane sighed. She could sense that the dragon spoke the truth. "What do I need to do?"

"Just a drop of your blood should do the trick."

Roxane nodded and flew down to her lover to borrow his sword. Her eyes landed on a beast watching them from the shadows. It roared when she locked eyes with it.

"I don't think this beast wants to be friends with us. I'll just borrow your sword real quick," she said. She snatched the sword from Travis and flew back to the dragon.

"Okay, here we go. Trust a trapped dragon or chance losing the kingdom," she whispered as she sliced the tip of her finger.

As soon as her blood touched the crystal, a brilliant light shone so brightly it nearly blinded her. She instinctively raised her hand to cover her eyes as the sharp sound of the crystal cracking echoed around her.

Roxane's eyes snapped open at the sound of wings beating against the air. Her jaw dropped in amazement at the sight of the beautiful golden dragon.

"Thank you. Now let me return the favor," said the dragon as it swooped down to grab Travis just as the beast lunged.

Roxane watched in awe as the dragon's mouth opened and flames cascaded out, burning the beast to a crisp.

"You can ride on my back, princess," said the dragon.

Roxane flew over to the dragon's back, a twinkling laugh leaving her lips.

"Um... Can I get on your back? It's not comfy being held in your claws," said Travis.

"No," said Roxane with a smile. She knew how much he hated heights. Her smile vanished as the dragon created a blazing circle of fire. "Please tell me that's not our way out."

The dragon's chuckle filled her mind. "It is. Now hold on tight."