Page 59 of Consort's Dragon
He shook his head.“No.I thought the ritual strange and only did it to appease my father with the first one.But now that I better understand the importance of the shrine, I would like us to be wed here.”
“Assuming I accept.”
“You will.”He said it with a smile and yet she couldn’t help but feel slightly nauseous and couldn’t explain why.Was it the fact he was technically an old man?The fact he’d been married numerous times before?
“Where are these bedrooms?”she asked.“I could use a rest before our evening meal.”
“Follow me.Stay close to the wall in case you get dizzy.You don’t want to fall.”
No, she didn’t.As they climbed, the height rendered her even queasier.Something about this place felt wrong.
The satchel with the egg bumped against her hip, reminding her of what they would do.Even if she didn’t agree, it wouldn’t matter.Anyone could toss the egg into the volcano.Just like Titus could have sent better soldiers to retrieve them, so why involve her?A piece of the puzzle was missing and it nagged.
The stairs ended in a gathering space lit by more of those strange, clear gems.Several plush chairs dotted the room, as well as a dining table with two benches.Bookshelves filled with jars of preserves, boxes of food, and other items filled the spots between six doors.For some reason, she’d expected five, like the number of eggs.
“You can have the first room.”He swept a hand.“I’ll take the one across.”
“Thank you.”She left him and entered a tiny chamber that almost made her panic.No windows.How would she breathe?A narrow bed lay against the wall, the frame of it matching the curve.No dresser, just some hooks.Such spartan quarters for a supposedly holy place.
Avera flopped onto the bed and couldn’t help thinking she should have fled with the eggs when she had a chance.She couldn’t have said what exactly unnerved her.Yes, the whole idea of dragons being hatched worried, but at the same time, she sensed that setting them free was the right thing to do.The unease stemmed from something else.Something?—
“You seem peaked.I’ve brought you something to help.”Klothi entered, veil concealing her features, holding a flask.
“I’m fine.Some water and rest are all I need.”
“Drink this,” Klothi insisted.“You’ll need your strength for what is to come.”
“More stairs?”Avera couldn’t help but quip.
“More like you can’t show weakness when the dragons hatch.They respect strength.If they think you weak, you will struggle to control them.”
“What if I don’t want to command them?”
“They must be leashed for everyone’s safety and to ensure their compliance.”
“I thought you claimed they were sentient beings.What you’re suggesting sounds like slavery.”
“Would you prefer for humanity to perish?”she replied harshly.
“No, but surely there’s a better way.Our ancestors once worked with them.Why can’t we?”
“We don’t have time to forge that kind of connection.”
Avera almost asked, ‘And whose fault is that?’This entire bonding process could have been started decades ago.
Rather than argue, she sought to rid herself of Klothi.Unlike Titus, the viziers didn’t impress Avera.She found them bossy and arrogant.“I’m tired.”
“I’ll leave once you drink.”
Despite not wanting to, Avera guzzled from the flask.The liquid tasted better than expected.
The veiled guardian uttered a sound of satisfaction.“See how easy that was?Now you lie down and have yourself a lovely rest.We have a big day tomorrow.”
A reminder Avera could have done without.The anxiety over it slipped away, though, as she fell into a deep sleep where she dreamed.
Dreamed she flew above the world, sword in hand, tiara precariously balanced atop her head, chasing a man riding a dragon.
A man who turned to look over his shoulder and showed a face she knew.
