Arranged Marriage: Dangerous Heiress

        There shouldn't be spider-monkeys and howling monkeys and other species in Madagascar but only Madagascar Lemurs which is also a family of monkeys. They are too curious about those things. How did it end here, and it seemed that this part of the forest is different from what they've already encountered?

        It was the Dragon's lair. Somehow, animals from the dragon's lair had entered to another forest magically. But what do people know? It's too rare to see those animals that can only be found in South Africa or Africa itself.

        The atmosphere in the Dragon's lair is too different from the places that they've been in Madagascar.

        A loud thunderous roar makes them shuddered. That doesn't sound like a Lion or a Tiger.

"What is it?" Yves asked. They looked at each other.

"It doesn't sound like a Lion or a Tiger." The other one said.

"Are we still going, sir?" The other one asked.

"Do you want me to shoot you in the head before going there?" He snarled at him. He stepped back and all he could do is to obey his boss.

***

        Andromeda halts the guardians of the Dragon's lair. Moira looked at her and she mouthed on why.

"They will get hurt more." She told. "Fin gather them in front. Tell them to hide from them."

"The dragon is alive," Fin told her. Andy can feel the dragon. It was odd and very mystical but what she felt right is so alive. Like she's burning inside but it was a good sensation.

"I feel a little of it," Moira said. "But probably not like what you felt right now, Andy."

        Andy exhaled.

"Should we let them open the gate?" Freya asked.

"Yes," Andromeda answered. "Let's stick to the plan. While they are busy admiring the treasure or whatever is inside, then I'll get the scroll."

"I should get some jewels for baby girl," Andel muttered.

"Dummy! Why won't you just buy from the auction?" Moira asked.

"It has a unique one. Besides, it probably costs more than the items from royal auctions." He shook his head and they turn the shortcut way to the cave. Moira positioned as a sniper and Fin followed Andromeda, while Andel is at Moira's back to secure it while he's using his drone to locate those people.

        Freya goes first and she stands by.

        The wild animals are snarling as they walk toward the cave that is covered by a big stone. Men are looking around at the mystical place that they never know existed, on the other hand, Andy felt closer and closer to the cave she's like unleashing a truth.

"Why aren't they attacking us?" One muttered.

"Just keep going and don't shoot them. They'll attack if they shoot them." Yves hissed at his men as they strode to the beautiful pathway toward the stone stairs.

        Yves eyed the entrance as it has a circle like a rock fountain. Then, circled on the rock fountain are gigantic standing stones. At least five stones surrounding the fountain.

        The walked up to the boulder that is covering the cave and written on it are ancient letters or more like signages and they looked at each other. It's a good thing that the researcher is with them and he's caressing the carvings.

"It's a Glagolitic alphabet." The researcher said. "This is the Dragon's Lair."

"What does it say?" Yves asked. The British researcher fixed his glasses as he cleared his throat.

A drop of Dragon Blood could only open the gates. 

A drop of Dragon Blood could only see what you seek. 

A drop of Dragon Blood is the key to the past and protect the future. 

        Dragon blood. Yves looked around and he smirked. He exhaled.

"Andromeda," Yves turned to his back.

"Who's Andromeda?" The researcher asked.

"She had the dragon blood. Or to make it easier, I should have her daughter and just cut her throat and put the blood around it so this damn thing would open." Yves said as he grinds his teeth.

"Well, I guess that won't be necessary." Andromeda stepped out from the tree and she smirked at Yves.

"You little bitch." Yves gritted his teeth as he clenched his fist.

"I am not a little bitch for Pete's sake!" She said annoyed. "I am bigger than a little bitch, you know that." She said pointing her gun."

"Open this."

"Why would I open the damn boulder?" She said with creased brows. "It's too heavy you dumb ass."

"Get in here," Yves demanded. Andy laughed out loud and they pointed the gun to her. The lions jumped in front of them to cover Andromeda.

"Oh, oh, oh…" Yves smirked. "So, these animals are taking your sides."

"Of course, you are trespassing our Lair." She patted the biggest white tiger who stand beside her.

        It felt like a dream. It was like they were surrounded by mythical creatures.

"Besides, I don't take any commands." She said.

        Yves signed his men and Andromeda's eyes widen as one of them pointed the gun to the baby Lion who is roaring at them.

"Think of this little cub as your daughter."

"If you dare say anything bad to my daughter again, I swear, I'll cut your throat myself." She threatened.

        Yves sign the man and he gripped on the trigger but before the bullet hit the cub, a bullet hit their bullet. Fin glared at them and the mother Lion take the babies away. Andromeda's heart is pumping hard and her heartfelt like burning in anger.

"Oh, you got back up," Yves said mockingly.

"Fine," Andy said. "Tell your men to put away their guns."

        Yves nodded.

"Stepped away from the entrance." She demanded. Yves signed them to do as she said.

        She started walking as a bulky white tiger is accompanying her.

        They get out of their way and Andromeda remembered it well. She went to the fountain that has no water on it and the very middle is a cup carved in stone. She reached her knife and cut a little on her palm and she clenched her fist and lifted it to the middle. After a few drops, it sparked and her blood turns into fire.

        Fin watched Andromeda as he followed her from behind. He never sees that coming. Andromeda looked so serious and like she knows what she's doing. She walked to the door and she placed her bloody palm on the middle and the world seemed to shake as Andy stepped back and the boulder slides open to the right.

        Andy entered without any warning and like she wasn't herself anymore. She just entered the cold cave and the torches lighten magically.

"Andromeda," Fin call, and his chest felt burning as well.

        Yves followed Andromeda and the tiger snarled at them. They stepped back and Yves felt chills.

***

        Andy felt like she's drowned in the past. Like she already lived back then. She felt a spirit of a dragon enters her body and she nearly collapsed by the tiger caught her. She reached her head and saw sculptures on the way holding different things. One is standing on a cloak holding a sword. Then the other man is holding a book. There are at least five men and she didn't notice the names. One seemed to look like Fin and beside him is a tiger.

        Andy turned to Fin who is also mesmerized with it. The other one looked like Dmitri and the other one is Freya. They have the amulet of Phoenix with them. It's not just a Dragon's Lair but also a Phoenix's lair.

        Then on the very end and in the middle is a unique sculpture. Andy's eyes met the eyes of the woman holding the scroll protected by her hand.

        She gasped as memories flashed in her mind.

***

        She's like living in another time and place. She's cheerful as she runs around playing with the little wolf.

"Cassandra." A boy called and he walked up to her. "I—I just want to say…" He looked like Zachary.

"What do you want to say?" She asked.

"Cassandra!" Her father shouted and she gasped as she looked around. The dragons had been slain by big arrows. "Quick!" The boy grabbed her hand and protected her.

"Henry!" Cassandra called as Henry got caught by an arrow to his leg. "Henry!" She screamed and as she ran back but her father took her away and a panther came to help Henry.

"I love you, Cassandra!" He said. "I'll protect you." He rode on the panther as he grabbed her arrow and bows.

        Then, like a movie, it fasts forward to another scenario. Henry apologizes to her for not protecting her. She's already lying on a stone bed and she's cold. She looked at the dying dragon beside her and like her, the dragon will die with her.

"I'm sorry Cassandra," Henry said. He reached Cassandra's cheek with his hand and kissed her forehead with his dry lips. "I promise to protect you." He panted. Cassandra smiled at him.

"I'll meet you in the other life." She said in a hoarse voice.

"I'll meet you in the other life and I promise to protect you and love you…"

        Henry lay beside and he closed his eyes. Both are severely injured by arrows. Cassandra's tears run down to the stone and Henry held her hand.

****

"Andromeda!" Fin shouted.