Page 83 of Consort's Dragon
“Only because those witches told me to do so!”
“And did they force you to make her your consort?”
“You want the slut, take her.The marriage was never consummated.”
Griffon paused.“Well, that’s a bit of good news.But she’s still married to you, and that won’t do at all.”
“I’ll divorce her.I’ll?—”
Titus never did finish that sentence because his head left his shoulders.
Chapter19
Avera screechedas the monster yanked her from the wall.The latch of its teeth on her ankle shot pain up her leg.Unbalanced by its tug, she fell, hitting the cooling rock heap and then continuing to tumble, spawning bruises all over her body, but at least the creature lost its grip.
The bad?
As she pushed herself up to her hands and knees, she found herself facing off against the same lizard monster she’d encountered in Daerva, only this time there wasn’t a totem for her to smash, nor did she have a blade.She possessed nothing but her courage and it faltered as the creature advanced on her, flicking its tongue.
As she eyed death in its beady red eyes, she prayed for a miracle…
…and got one in the shape of a dragon.
Like a streaking star, the pale dragon she’d saved from the collar suddenly swooped from above, wings tucked to its body, head down, mouth wide open.Somehow it managed to snatch the monster and tilt quickly enough to land on its hind legs.It sat there and crunched, humming,Mmm, tasty.
It took a stunned Avera a moment before she gushed, “Thank you for saving my life.”
You’re welcome.It would seem my arrival was fortuitous.This isn’t a safe place for humans.
“I’m aware, but I didn’t have much of a choice.”Her lips turned down.“I had to escape.”
Understandable.
“Not to sound ungrateful, but why did you return?Those who collared your kin are still here.I’d hate to see you caught as well.”
I came back for you.
“Why?”Avera blurted.
The so-called guardians have fled with my brethren, and I require your aid in freeing them.
The demand rounded her mouth.“Me?But how?Not to say I wouldn’t, only that their magic is mighty.”
So are you.And it’s not as if you’d be facing them alone.Your friends are eager to aid.
“What friends?”
Those who insisted we return to fetch you.
Her heart stilled.“Do you know their names?”
As if I paid attention.Easier if I take you to them.
Before Avera could ask anything else, the dragon reached for her.Fighting would be an act in futility, and so Avera found herself wrapped in gentle claws.None of them pierced her flesh.As the creature launched itself upward, a stream of the lizards came scuttling and hissing.A tidal wave that showed she’d been doomed to fail from the beginning.
The pale dragon propelled them upward and as they emerged from the chasm, Avera startled at a new voice in her head.
I see you found the Voxspira female.Dangerous place for her to be wandering.
