Page 72 of Serving my Dragon
Pip’s lips curved. “He’ll be happy to hear that. When would you like to chat with him?”
“Speak how?”
“Via a secure video conference session.”
Apparently, it wouldn’t happen that day because everyone lacked a signal to connect to the internet. However, Lorenzo had already spoken to me about installing a Starlink system. Soon, very soon, I would be able to talk to this Abaddon—and ensure he kept to his side of the continent until such a time as we chose to possibly create a clutch.
Over dinner, I peppered Pip and Maddox with questions, wanting to learn more about the male that had been hatched through a forced volcanic explosion just like me. It turned out he also had to evade hunters intent on capture and emerged victorious. When I found out he’d inherited flame, I of course had to show off my much more impressive lighting.
All in all, a very interesting evening which I chose to finish in my heated pool. Matias and Kayleigh joined me.
As we lounged in the hot waters, rediscussing the details we’d learned of the other dragon, Kayleigh suddenly said, “What an interesting ceiling. It must have been crazy difficult to carve.”
At her comment, I floated on my back and glanced upward at the design carved into the rock. A fleet of dragons in flight. A fanciful imagining since we were solitary creatures and the only place in the entire citadel where we were depicted. The thirteen dragons soared the perimeter of a large circle that held a dark-colored stone in the center.
“I’m not sure why they bothered. It serves no purpose, unlike the other writings that supposedly detail the feats of my predecessors.”
“I think it’s cool looking,” Kayleigh stated.
“When are you moving in?” I changed the subject.
“You know I need to work,” Matias reminded. “Although, I wouldn’t be averse to reducing my hours.” He glanced at Kayleigh and they shared a sickeningly sweet smile. “I take it you still haven’t found the hoard.”
“No,” I grumbled.
“You know, if this were an Indian Jones movie, then that weird stone up there would be like some kind of a key or mechanism that opens a secret passage. Maybe a secret word like alakazam!” Kayleigh splashed the water and giggled.
She jested but I didn’t join in her mirth because an idea suddenly ignited, along with an urge to slap myself for being stupid if it turned out a mere human had figured out the one thing I couldn’t. I paddled to the edge of the pool and climbed out, giving my body a good shake that sprayed droplets.
“Going to bed?” Matias inquired as he slid close to Kayleigh and dragged her against him.
“No, so keep your clothes on,” I muttered before launching myself into the air. I rose to the carving of the circle with the dragons soaring on its edges. Once I hovered in reach, I spat a bolt of lightning at the inset stone.
As soon as the electricity struck the dark stone, it absorbed the power and began to glow a bright blue, a color that spread until the entire circle shone and began to spin. With a grinding noise that sent dust filtering down, the rock spun and shifted upward and aside, leaving a gaping hole. Excitement filled me as I entered.
“Polly, where are you going?” Kayleigh cried out from below.
To a place only a dragon could reach.
When I emerged several minutes later, I did so with my claws full. As I coasted down, I let what I gripped drop. The round bits of metal plinked as they hit the water.
Matias grabbed ahold of one before it sank and held it up before whistling. “Looks like you found some gold coins. Spanish doubloons, if I’m not mistaken.”
I’d found more than that. A veritable vault full of treasure. The wealth I needed. A hoard that would set me on my path to greatness.
And world domination.
Epilogue
The Starlink receiver had been installed and appeared to be functional. It meant we could now stream, search, video call… And guess who was first on my list?
I could barely sit still as Sophia put the finishing touches on my appearance. I might already be beautiful, but I quite liked the way the applied gems and sparkles enhanced my features. As for my lashes, whatever she did left them long and thick.
As to why I primped? I wanted to look my best for my first meeting with Abaddon, something my female servants teased me about.
“Polly’s getting a boyfriend,” Kayleigh had sung.
“Be sure to be nonchalant and mysterious,” Sophia advised.
