Page 73 of Consort's Dragon
“If you seek apology, you’ll be disappointed.We act?—”
“In the interest of the world.”Avera sighed with resignation.Arguing with the stubborn guardian failed yet again.
“Eventually you’ll understand why everything was necessary.”With that Opal left, only to return to toss a clean, white gown at her.“Wash yourself and change.”
Avera pursed her lips and took the clothing.She sponged herself of the blood.Packed her undergarments with strips ripped from the ruined gown, then dressed in the clean one.She paced the room, unsure what to do.She could hear Titus in the main room, boisterous at his triumph.When she eventually emerged, he’d disappeared, and she could hear noise behind one of the closed doors.The kind of noise that indicated he was having a wedding night, just not with Avera.
Kachezi sat in a chair reading.Of Opal and Karoki she saw no sign.One of them must be bedding Titus.Better them than her.
“How are the dragons?”Avera asked when Kachezi put down her book to look at her.
“Agitated.Karoki is attempting to coax them into eating.You can go help if you’d like.”
Lead lambs to the literal slaughter?Avera almost said no, but curiosity won out.There were dragons.Here.Capable of speech.Just as captive as her.
As she began to ascend the stairs, Kachezi uttered a warning.“Just so you know, their collars can’t be removed by anyone but us.Any attempt will trigger a spell that you would find extremely unpleasant.”
Good to know.And disturbing that Kachezi guessed—or predicted—she might try.
Avera ascended to the rooftop to find it dark, the thick ash clouds blocking the sun.In better news, the rain of boulders appeared to have ceased and the air remained breathable if slightly smoky.
Karoki sat cross-legged in front of the dragons, hands on her knees, back ramrod straight.“You have to eat,” she insisted.
Why?So you can fatten us for your planned slaughter?The tan dragon tossed its head.
“It’s not as if you ever truly die,” Karoki countered.
Really?Tell that to Spelix.Or did you think we wouldn’t know what happened to its egg?The moment we scented you, we understood the depth of your crime.
The accusation stiffened Karoki.“We had no choice.Knowing how long we had to wait before we could act meant we had to use extreme measures.”
Wait, there used to be six dragons?Avera couldn’t help but ask, “What did you do to the egg?”
The query saw Karoki turning her head to eye Avera.“Used it.”
“For what?”Avera neared the vizier while keeping a wary eye on the dragons perched only a few paces away.
To keep themselves from growing old,the green dragon hissed.
The admission rounded Avera’s mouth.“You killed a dragon to stay young?”
“It wasn’t something we did lightly,” Karoki huffed.“But you know what happens to history.It gets lost.Changed.Over time people would have convinced themselves Zhos didn’t exist or wasn’t as bad as their ancestors claimed.They would have been ill-prepared to deal with it.”
Most humans pass on their knowledge to their progeny, but that wasn’t enough for those who called themselves guardians.They are murderers,Tan declared.
There is no excuse for what you did.By destroying the egg, Spelix can never return.Green also didn’t forgive.
“If it’s any consolation, we used the last of it recently.”Karoki rolled her shoulders.“Once the debacle with Zhos is complete, we can finally allow ourselves to rest.”
You claim that, but who’s to say you won’t steal one of our eggs next?Accused the green.
“I have no interest in extending my life any longer.I’ve been tired for a while.”
Greedy humans.Can’t be trusted.I won’t be fooled again.Tan stamped its feet.
“It’s not as if you noticed the passing of time while in the egg.And I will remind you, you agreed with our plan.You offered to help us quell Zhos.”Karoki rose to her feet.
We upheld our part of the bargain, only to be betrayed.As if that weren’t affront enough, humanity had a thousand years to find a solution, but failed, and now you expect us to once more be sacrificed.
