Page 111 of Consort's Dragon
Before she could change her mind and lose this chance, she hugged the foul-smelling Zhos, and with a grunt of exertion, heaved them both over the parapet, sending them plunging to the poisoned lake below.
Chapter26
As Avera fell,she had a moment to wish for a few things.
First and foremost, that this would work.
Second, that she’d had more time to spend with Griff.
And third, that she’d told him she loved him.
Too late now.
Frozen by her blood, Zhos couldn’t move, but like the dragons, it could scream in her head.
Foolish queen.A fall will not kill me, nor can I drown.
To which she replied, with the plummeting wind stealing each word, “Nothing of this world can kill you, but what of a lake of acid created by dust from yours?”
Zhos’ eyes widened, and Avera had a brief second of satisfaction before they hit the surface.
The impact jolted the breath from her lungs, expelling it in a rush of bubbles.She also lost her grip on Zhos.To her surprise, she could see under the acidic water’s surface.See how Zhos shuddered and shook, its body spasming and shedding.Skin sloughed from its frame, chunks of it that kept disintegrating as they sank.With the skin gone, its musculature and organs evaporated next.The skeleton itself took longer and Avera lost them from sight as they descended into the deep lake.
It surprised her she didn’t die as quickly.Surely the acid would destroy her, and yet she realized she felt no pain.No burning sensation.Which led to panic since she still sank.She tried kicking her way to the surface, a difficult feat with her clothes bogging her down.
How ironic.To be immune to the acid in the lake that destroyed Zhos only to die from drowning.
Her eyes closed as her lungs tightened painfully.At least she’d saved the world.
As blackness began to consume her consciousness, something grabbed hold of Avera, and she found herself being propelled to the surface.
She might have been more worried but for Starlight’s voice.I’ve got you, little but mighty tiara.
They emerged from the Lake of Tears and Avera blinked at the bright sunshine she thought she’d never see again.
“How am I not dead?”she whispered.
Why would you die?”
“Because the lake is acid.It destroys flesh.”
Normal flesh.You are blooded and acid is akin to fire in that it burns.
“But the acid was from Zhos’ world.How are we immune?”
Does it matter?
Not really.Zhos was dead and she’d somehow survived.
Avera began to shake.She’d done it.She’d killed the monster.
Starlight brought her to the shore where Argent was just landing.A frantic Griff scrambled from his back.
“Avera!”
He grabbed her in a tight hug, and she pressed herself against him, enjoying the solidity of him, the fact she’d lived and could feel the comfort of his arms once more.
“Are you okay?”he asked when he released her.
