Samantha Edwhan

Alita's Youth

Chapter 11

Spring 2837

Two months later, it was spring once again and the beach had warmed up. Alita’s secret relationship with Korbin continued. They rarely talked in the presence of other dragons; it was too risky. But they would frequently meet in secluded areas like the cove or the forest, where they were unlikely to be seen.

That particular day, it was raining. It was only a light drizzle but it had lasted long enough for water to begin dripping down from the forest’s leaves to the ground below. Alita had long since stopped flinching at the droplets as they landed on her.

She was curled up with Korbin, enjoying his company after several days of not being able to see him. He had wrapped himself around her and stretched his wing over her back. Alita felt comfortable, snuggled up beside him. Their noses brushed together where they rested their heads side by side.

“This is nice,” Alita said after a long silence.

“It is,” Korbin agreed. “You know what would make it better?”

“What?” Alita asked.

Korbin licked her cheek and squeezed her closer. Alita figured out what he meant instantly. He'd asked often enough for her to know.

“Korbin, you know I'm not ready for that yet,” Alita told him. “Besides, it's too risky. If I end up with eggs-”

“We'll be fine,” Korbin said, cutting her off. “If you have eggs, we'll just leave the Tribe.”

“And go where?” Alita asked.

“Anywhere we like,” Korbin said. “We could become Wanderers like your parents were.”

Alita shook her head. “Wanderers don't have it any easier than we do. At least we have the support of the Tribe to keep us fed and safe.”

“Well, what about Hiza Calndom then?” Korbin suggested. “We wouldn't have to hide our relationship there.”

Alita shook her head again. “I'm sure things are just as tough over there, in different ways.”

She didn't want to admit it, but the thought of moving to Hiza Calndom scared her. There were so many more dragons and the way of life there was so… different.

“Well, if we can't be Wanderers and we can't live in the Calndom, what do you propose?” Korbin asked.

“We stay here and be careful,” Alita said. “It's not that hard.”

Korbin pouted. Alita chose to ignore it.

“We should probably get back,” she said after another moment.

“Already?” Korbin rolled over with a groan as Alita stood up.

“We’ve been here for two hours,” Alita told him. She stretched out her legs and wings. “We need to get back before anyone comes looking for us.”

Korbin stood up and brushed his side against hers. “We’re not fledglings anymore; no one’s going to come looking for us.”

He leaned in and touched his nose to hers. Alita smiled and leaned into the touch.

“Alita?”

Alita’s eyes shot open and she spun around to see Liam emerging from the brush. His eyes were wide and his mouth hung open.

“L-Liam?” Alita sputtered.

“You’re breaking Tribe Law!” Liam gasped.

“W-wait! I can explain,” Alita said, but Liam had already turned and ran.

Alita bolted after him. She ducked under low hanging branches and jumped over logs and bushes, struggling to keep up with him. She could only catch glimpses of his tail. When she suddenly cleared the trees, Liam was several metres ahead, still moving forward, but stumbling.

She raced over and flared her wings to stop him. “Liam, please, let me explain.”

“Explain what, Alita?” Liam glared at her. “You’re breaking Tribe Law!”

“I know.” Alita hung her head and sighed. “Look, you have every right to be mad at me. What I’m doing is wrong and goes against everything we learned about the Tribe growing up. But you have to understand how hard it is to love someone even when the law is against you.”

“I do understand, Alita. You think I don’t know what that’s like?” Liam’s voice had the hint of growl behind it. “The difference is that I stayed loyal to the Tribe and didn’t start sneaking around just because I liked someone!”

Alita ducked her head lower as his voice rose. She tried to think of what she could say. But what could she say? She and Korbin were breaking Tribe Law. She didn’t want to stop seeing him, but how else could she get out of this confrontation?

When she didn’t say anything, Liam said, “Look, I can’t force you to stop seeing him. But I suggest you take some time to think about whether or not this is what you want to be known for. Like it or not, this will get out eventually. When Chieftain Clyde learns of this, both of you will be in big trouble. Think about what will happen when he finds out. He could allow you to stay, but he might also exile you. Where will you go?”

Alita couldn’t respond to that question. The thought of going anywhere that wasn’t Tribe-Ali scared her. The thought of being caught by Clyde scared. But deep down, she knew he was right.

“I’ll think about it,” Alita said after a moment. “Please don’t tell anyone.”

Liam huffed. “I won’t. But I’m not going to protect you when you get caught.”

With that, he turned and walked away. As he left, Alita felt the ground beneath her loosen. She hadn’t even realised Liam had been tensing the ground and turning the soil to stone. He really was mad at her, and Alita knew she deserved it.