She laid there, her back pressed against the cold platform that was to be her final resting place. The hard surface brought little comfort as her wings folded against it.

She watched the red roses from above in the top of the tower, which she had constructed, wither and wilt from their perch on verdant vines that crawled like spider webs up the dark-gray walls and into the shadowed abyss.

Soft scarlet petals drifted downward, carrying their sweet sent with them, calming her, steeling her resolve. Her vision began to grow dark, making the chamber drift further into darkness like the ceiling had done so already.

Soon she would fade away just as the rose petals did. No one would find her here. The world around her had ran out of color, and soon she would cease to exist.

Any moment now.

At the last moment, she shifted her gaze toward the tower’s entrance one last time as everything sunk into a blur.

The squeaking of iron bars sounded in the distance carrying with it the faint touch of a soft breeze. She thought she saw someone standing there, a dark silhouette, just as everything went black.

When she opened her eyes again, she didn’t find pearly harp-shaped gates, clouds or angel fire. She didn’t see small doves flying around her or angels giving praise to the King of Heaven. Her vision was blurry, but she knew she was still inside the tower. Her plan had failed and she was still alive.

But how?

Nothing could counter her magic, but the spell she had cast upon herself had been interrupted somehow and then she remembered the silhouette…

”So I was able to break that spell.” A deep, velvety voice sounded in the shadows behind to the alter on which she lay.

Startled, she jumped up from the cold slab and backed away as confusion set in. While her vision began to return and adjust to the darkness, pale light drifted into the chamber through the one and only entrance, allowing her to see him.

His eyes glinted red in the gloom, his long dark hair fell in waves about his shoulders, his tall lithe frame was garbed in a black cloak which shadowed the rest of him in mystery which only intensified the smell of embers and darkness that came of him.

Fear arose in her as she continued to back away. What is he? She thought in panic as her mind raced back to her spell. How was he able to break it?

Even though he held an air of danger about him, she could feel that he wasn’t evil, a perk from being what she was.

He stepped around the alter with ease clearing the dais and continued to stalk towards her with long legs.

His strides forced her farther and farther across the darkened chamber until she felt the cool press of the stone wall against her feathers. Her amber gaze darted to her left, to what was supposed to be the only entrance to the tower.

The gate.

As the sound of his footfalls drew closer, she ran for the gate, but he pursued her still.

Outside under the sunlight, she grew courage and spun around to face him, her hair fluttered like wild flames dancing in the sunlight, the golden glow of her armor refracting the bright sunbeams. “STOP!” She commanded.

He halted in his tracks at the sight before him as his eyes locked with hers. Once gleaming red, now the shade of deep umber.

”So that’s what you are.” He spoke with a monotone, “No wonder I was drawn here.” A wicked grin stretched across the pale features of his regal face. Before him was a rare creature, he knew instantly what she was.

Three sets of pearlescent wings were a dead giveaway. Though the set atop her head that jutted out from her fiery locks and crested the red fur of feline ears and the wings that adorned the ankles of her boots were tucked neatly and securely against her body, there was no doubt of what she was.

”Who are you?” She asked glaring at him with those amber eyes that seemed to have sparked flames within them. “How did you break the spell? Why didn’t you just leave me alone!?” Her voice rose an octave as she lifted her chin, clearly defiant.

"I was drawn here.” He replied nonchalantly. “You make it seem like you were the one who cast the spell.” His eyes were full of rage then, “I saved you.” There was no disguising the accusation in his voice.

She flinched. “You don’t understand!” She yelled, her tone defensive. “I’m all alone. There isn’t another being like me in this world. I just want to go home! I … I don’t want to be here anymore.” Her voice broke off as her eyes brimmed with tears, shame took over her soft face.

She fell to her knees with a thud as her body met the ground. The tips of her wings disappeared into the browning grass behind her. "It's all my fault.” She began to sob in defeat as she held her middle as if to keep herself from falling into pieces.

”So you wanted to die?” He stared at her with a bewildered expression. Before him was a holy being, but yet she felt like her life didn’t matter. He knew better and his mind became a mixture of rage and pity as he took her in.

”No.” He said with finality. “Do you not understand how important you are to this world?! Angels are rare, especially one of your ranking. If you really feel like locking yourself away in this tower, then I’ll tear down it’s walls so you won’t be able to hide anymore.” His words were half threat, half promise.

She lifted her head as her eyes widened at his words. “But why….?” She asked, an emotion flashing across her face that he recognized. Instantly, the anger began to fade as understanding took its place.

”I know those feelings all too well.” He said in a softer tone, his face reflected hers with the same unspeakable emotion.

It was then that she understood why she didn’t fear him. They carried the same guilt.

”If you want to build up walls to shut others out, I’ll be your pickaxe and I’ll tear them down.”

Her breathe hitched as she watched his body instantly become shrouded in thick black shadowy smoke. The smoke shimmered like a dark galaxy coming to life and in his place stood a large black dragon.

Again she wasn’t afraid, even as she watched his transformation into this magnificent form. He was a dragon, but not a natural one and she could feel that this wasn’t the threat she was sent to world of the living to eradicate.

Why does he feel guilty also? She wondered as she stood and backed up as he drew closer. His scales glinted in the sunlight, deep mahogany, as he turned his back to her, making sure not to hit her with his strong tail that was lined with black teeth-like spikes.

With one breath he shook the foundation as his chest began to rumble. Letting out a loud roar that started off as a growl, flames engulfed the large structure of the tower.

The earth shook as stones crumbled, some turning into dust as the walls tumbled inward. The tower collapsed in on itself, sending a gust of dust and earth to puff up into the sky as the clearing fogged with it.

As the dust settled, silence befell them, angel and dragon. A soft warm breeze drifted in, it carried the sound of rustling leaves as it helped to clear the air of the ruined stone.

They stood in front of the remains of the sanctuary that was supposed to be her crypt, the alter lay hidden beneath the rubble. Then she remembered something: Only the power of a dragon could counter an angel’s holy magic.

He turned to her after awhile and broke the stillness.

”What is your name?” She asked him finally, unsure if he could speak in such a form.

He regarded her before answering, how much did he want to reveal? “Àskérian.” He spoke, giving answer to her unspoken question. “You?”

”Ardent.” She answered with a warm smile, “Ardent, as in flames.”