Àskérian made his way through the other side of the portal, the familiar tug of the realm change in his gut --The same feeling he got from free falling in flight-- greeted him, while the world shimmered around him in golden light. Once through, the feeling eased and he didn't realize how close a certain angel was to the portal. Lost in the sight of the lush verdant scenery of the earth below, she didn't move and he almost crashed into her.

"YO!" He shouted catching himself before the collision could happen, then he noticed her fixed gaze.

He sighed heavily before giving her arm a gentle squeeze. "Don't think about it. We aren't even going in that direction today." His words pulled her into focus and she gave him a slight smile.

"Sorry, Lorn. I didn't see you. Yes, what you say is true. The land of Arcadia lies to the East, Melania is to the North, while Alexahnd lies to the West." Her façade faltered when she spoke the name of her former home, her voice trailing off.

"Ok, new rule for this trip!" He declared, earning a puzzled look from Ardent. "You are not allowed to think about Alexahnd." He folded his arms in front of him, the leather material of his gloves and cloak made a scrunch noise as it rubbed against his black tunic.

"How dare you!" She exclaimed. "I am your queen, what makes you think you can boss me around?" She protested; her face flushed with embarrassment.

"Because I just did." He said firmly. "If you let your mind wander, you won't focus on our mission and the mission is?" He prodded, quirking a dark eyebrow.

She pursed her lips and refused to meet his gaze. "Scout the land of Melania."

"Right." Àskérian said as he grabbed her by the arm and pushed through the sky with his wings, dragging her along.

"Hey! No need to fly so fast!" She protested trying to keep up with his pace. Even in his half dragon stage, he was still very fast. He chuckled. "What can I say? I love the speed." He admitted.

"You can let go of me!" Ardent shouted over the rush of wind that passed them as he pulled her forward, but that only made him tighten his grip. "HEY!" She yelled. "I said let go, not hold tighter!"

Nope. He thought to himself.

Suddenly, the skin on his palm started to feel as if it was burning. He looked back to find the section Ardent's arm where he held on was glowing with a bright golden heat. Angry, she glared at him.

"Are you really going to use angel fire on me to make me let go?" He gasped, remembering the stories about angels being able to spread angel fire to their skin as a defense mechanism. It only burned its intentional targets, and the target was his hand.

"If it will make you let go of me." She gritted through her teeth, glowering at him, her hair flowed behind her in a crimson wave and her feathers ruffled against the harshness of the wind, along with the fur from her feline ears.

"Pffft." Àskériàn bit back a bout of laughter. Seeing her angry in this state was very amusing, "Since you are a glutton for punishment." He remarked.

"--What?" She barked, breathless. As realization set in, her eyes widened. She glanced from his face to his hand, gripped on her arm. A big grin stretched across his pale features.

"You! You wouldn't...." She hissed, sweat beads beginning to roll off her brow. "Wait, wait, wait. I'm sorry I yelled. Don't do anything rash. I can't handle anymore speed."

"Too late." He chuckled and then morphed into full dragon stage, his talon held onto her arm in a gentle manor that seemed bizarre for a dragon to even achieve.

"No no no no!" She cried. It was too late. With one sweep of his massive wings, he lunged forward, leaving Ardent screaming as he pulled her along. "Whaaaa I'm sorry. I won't use my magic to make you let go again." She said through tears.

He didn't really care if she got angry with him. He wasn't going to leave her any time soon.