Page 69 of Consort's Dragon
The Voxspira female?Yes.She was present when the other blooded betrayed us and placed the collars on my brethren.She is the reason I evaded being captured.She at least knows her place.
Relief filled him knowing she lived.“So she’s at the volcano?”
Yes.Or she was last time I saw her.I spied from the ash cloud to see if my kin could free themselves.Instead, they were like statues, frozen in place, witnesses as the guardians, who should have been our servants, drugged the Voxspira woman and married her to the one who calls himself emperor.As if such a worm as he deserves that lofty title.
“She’s married?”Griff felt his heart sink.
The worm said something to the effect of breeding her for blooded offspring.
The news hit him hard.They might have only shared one kiss, and yet Griff had come to care for Avera, her passion, her courage, the way she retained a naivety about people and the world.While wedding her hadn’t crossed his mind, the fact she’d been claimed by another filled him with sadness.Not that he planned to let her stay married.She’d probably thank him for making her a widow.
“We have to save her.”
We?Argent chuckled.We don’t have to do anything.
“You heard your friend.She was coerced.”
And?
“And she needs our help.”
You may do so.I, however, am not about to tangle with those who have found a way to enslave my kind.The nerve.They wouldn’t have dared if we could bite them in two,a disgruntled Argent replied.
“You can’t harm them, but I can,” Griff offered.
The pair of beasts eyed each other as if in silent communication.
You would aid us?the small dragon asked.
“Yes.Get me close enough and I will remove the emperor’s head from his shoulders and then do the same to his witches.”
You only promise this so you can save the Voxspira female,hissed Argent.
“Yes, but my ulterior motive helps you.”
Not me.I am not the one in need of rescuing.Argent tossed his massive head.
“Yet.”
As if I would let myself be collared,he scoffed.
“It would be done by force.Most likely by the three dragons they do have captive.Are you saying you could prevail against that many if they attacked?”
I am the mightiest.The biggest.The strongest.As if those hatchlings could think to overcome me.
“But you said it yourself, they’ll get bigger, and fast.Then what?”
The human has a point,stated the smaller dragon.If we ignore the problem now, it could be detrimental later.Not to mention, the temerity of those blooded, treating us as their slaves.Planning to use us for their own gain.
Argent said nothing for a moment.When he did, it emerged slowly.You raise interesting points.However, I fail to see how one puny male can prevail.
Does your blooded not have allies he can conscript?
Those who obey him would be decimated before they got close.They are not blooded and would have no protection against our flame.Argent sounded pensive.However, this one doesn’t need to fear our breath.His heritage protects him, meaning he would only have to vanquish those of his kind.How many would he face?
Currently, those responsible for this travesty are ensconced in the shrine by the volcano, but there is an army waiting beyond Crunchy Treat Canyon which, by the way, is full of gundalaba.More than I’ve ever scented.They flourished during our absence.With such readily available bounty, our brethren won’t have to go far to fill their bellies and grow.
Mmm.Snacks.Argent practically smacked his dragon lips.
