Page 108 of Consort's Dragon
Sacrifice… not a word anyone wanted to hear.
“Are you going to tell me what I’m supposed to do, or am I supposed to guess?”she asked sarcastically.
“You’ll know when the moment is right.”
“Not helpful,” she muttered.
The air began to sizzle, and the sky darkened despite there being no clouds.
“It’s almost time,” Opal stated.“Quickly, we must get her to the top of the tower.”
Avera held her breath rather than protest as Gunther once more grabbed her and vaulted from the ledge, the dragon winging his way upward.The other two mighty beasts flanked him, each of them holding a guardian on its back.
Would they help her with Zhos?What did they mean by sacrifice?Would it be her blood this time that would be used to paralyze it?Would she be expected to wound herself?It was one thing to make a small cut, quite another for her to slice with deadly intent.
The dragons winged higher and higher, the lake below receding, its poisonous waters sparkling.To think she’d always wondered what caused them to turn acidic and it turned out it was because of the rift.What kind of toxic world did Zhos live in that dust could do such a thing?
The dragons flew above the parapet and toward the tallest tower, a space not quite large enough for the three, especially since it appeared occupied.She recognized Benoit.The man stood there slack jawed and gaunt, no longer the dashing consort with a smarmy smile.But she saw no guards.Then again, was there a need, seeing as how Zhos also awaited?
The sight of the squat figure brought a chill to Avera.
Gunther deposited Avera before perching on the stone rampart.The other dragons roosted on either side.The guardians slid from their backs and drew back their veils as they moved to stand a few paces from Zhos.
Opal clasped her hands in front of her.“We’ve brought the queen as requested.Now for you to uphold your end of the bargain.”
Avera’s mouth went dry.What bargain?
Zhos cocked its head, but its gravelly voice emerged from Benoit’s mouth.“I told you I wanted her dead.”
“As if you’d have believed us if we claimed we’d done it,” scoffed Opal.
“You could have brought her head,” was the dry reply.
“Much better for you to see it happen in person, I’d think.”Opal’s reply was chilling.
Avera wanted to protest but instead listened.What had the guardians done?Promised her death in exchange for what?
“Kill her.Now,” Zhos/Benoit barked.
“With what?We don’t have weapons.”Opal and the others held out their hands.“You have claws.Do it yourself, seeing as how your minion puppets have failed.”
Zhos growled.“You are trying to trick me.”
“Trick you how?We brought you the queen.Surely you can deal the killing blow?”
Avera pursed her lips.What was Opal trying to accomplish by goading it?
“You’d like that wouldn’t you?”the Benoit puppet growled.“You know what her blood would do to me.”
“Then have the false king do it.We’ve done our part.Now you uphold your end.The rift is about to open.Kill her and begone as promised.”
Avera frowned.They’d offered her life in exchange for Zhos departing?And it agreed?
“I will gladly leave this cursed place.Eons trapped.I have no interest in doing that again,” Zhos complained while making Benoit shuffle forward.The puppet king pulled a dagger, a ceremonial one inset with jewels, more pretty than practical.Despite that, it retained a sharp edge.
Avera saw nowhere to run.Not that she would.If it took her death to rid them of Zhos, then so be it.
She bit her lower lip as Benoit shuffled to a stop in front of her.
