Page 81 of Consort's Dragon
At the idea, he stood still, torn with indecision.Return to the shrine and deal with the witch, or continue towards Avera and his army?Before he could decide, he saw something bulky launch itself from the building.It swooped low, aiming for him.
Titus reeled as a dragon many times the size of the ones he’d hatched alit on the plains.
Well, well.What do we have here?A deep voice said in his head.
The blooded couldn’t be harmed by dragons, he reminded himself before straightening his spine.“I am Titus Gugerknaut, Emperor of Merisu.”
You’re the emperor?The dragon cocked its head.I expected someone larger and definitely more impressive.
The only thing big about him is his ego.The second voice turned out to be another dragon, the small pale one that had escaped him the day of the hatching.It alit beside the giant beast.
He won’t be cocky for long,huffed the big dragon with amusement.
“You can’t harm me,” Titus exclaimed.“I’m one of the blooded.”A restriction he’d never understood but would use to his advantage.
And a disgrace to your lineage.The big dragon shook its head.
Where are the guardians?the pale beast asked.They and my brethren weren’t at the shrine.
“Gone.Those lying whores stole my dragons and fled.”He couldn’t help but sound bitter.
And the Voxspira female?
His lip curled.“Also ran away.So if you’re done wasting my time, I have a consort to fetch.”
The pale dragon glanced at the big one before leaping into the air.
“Where is it going?”
None of your concern.
“I demand you tell me.”The laughter at his statement only made his rage simmer hotter.“Do not mock me.”
To think, you are the man so many fear.You seem more like a petulant child having a tantrum.
The insult only added to his feeling of impotence.Titus didn’t like it one bit.“Be gone.I want nothing to do with you.”
You don’t interest me, but I know someone who wishes to speak with you.
“Then tell them to ask for an audience,” Titus snarled, turning his back on the dragon only to gasp as he found himself wrapped in a scaled tail.“Release me at once.”
No.
“You can’t hurt me.I’m blooded.”
I’m aware of that annoying fact, which is why I brought friends.
More confused than ever—and feeling a fright that tightened his chest—Titus yelped as the dragon leaped into the air.With a few beats of its wings, they were aloft, Titus bobbing along, wrapped in the dragon’s tail as it headed for the shrine’s rooftop.
It dropped him a few feet from the surface, where he landed in a tangle of limbs.By the time he righted himself, Titus realized he had an audience of four people, strangers with Verlorian coloring.
“Who are you?”Titus snapped.
“Who are you?”riposted the female with boyishly short hair.
He puffed out his chest.“I am the Emperor, and you are trespassing.”A reply that met with snickers from the youngest male of the group.
“Ah, listen to His Highness, thinking pirates give a damn,” mocked the young fellow.
