The Dragon Who Remembered Her Hand

She was the only one permitted to touch the old dragon’s face. Not because she was fearless, but because, years ago, she had found him asleep beneath the ruined bell tower and covered one eye with her scarf. He had been dreaming of fire. Now, whenever the city bells began to ring, he lowered his head and waited for her palm. Beneath her fingers, the scales warmed slowly, like stones remembering the sun.