Page 67 of Lady Dragon
No.Kirek chuffed, sending the princess’s hair whipping—amazing, given how much sand and filth was weighing it down.You sound like a dragon. But you’re not responsible—I am.
“Kirek…”
The dragon rode over her.You had the better impulse. While you were angry, I was… afraid. Afraid to lose her, afraid… to be queen. And therefore I don’t deserve to be. With my wavering,Ilikely caused the shift that made me human and let my aunt tear out my mother’s throat and assume her title. Powerful emotions seem to be the key to our transforming… or moments of weakness.
Or it was entirelyRaka, but Samansa didn’t want to say that.
“Weakness isn’t a sign of being human,” she snapped instead, stepping back a few paces to fold her arms and glare up at the dragon.
And I could say that anger—or acting like a dragon—isn’t a sign of beastliness.
Samansa hadn’t been comparing herself to a dragon when she’d called herself a beast—well, only a very specific one, but one she didn’t care to name, as if to avoid summoning her. And the last thing she wanted was a fight, so she said more softly, “Andit’s permissible to be afraid of such a heavy thing. I would be afraid of being queen right now, though that’s not looking likely for me, either.” She choked on her next words. “My mother may already be dead, for all I know. I want to go to Andrath and rip out mybrother’sthroat.” Her jaw clenched as if to sink her teeth into him this very moment.
Kirek’s silver eyes narrowed.I thought you said you didn’t want him dead.Not exactly—your words.
“I’m feeling moreexacting,” the princess growled, staring at a rock on the ground as if she could incinerate it with a look.
I think you’re feeling unlike yourself.Kirek ducked her head closer, intercepting her gaze.Do you want to tell me what you felt, there at High Nest, when you turned into a dragon?
“When I told you that you were nothing to me?” Samansa murmured, tears welling in her eyes again. “You’re right, Kirek, I’m losing myself. Because I would never say that.” She looked up at her. “You’re everything to me.”
But I’m not toRaka.The name was like an awakening slap.
“Raka,” Samansa snarled, turning to pace. “I want her out of my head.” But then she stopped, and looked back at Kirek. “How in the blazes did you find me?”
I can feel you, through the bond, though you were too far to sense well. I figured that you might have flown north. The feeling grew stronger as I went.
North. Of course.Samansa had been possessed by some wild urge to fly far away from High Nest, to this supposed cave she’d seen in a vision—a vision she probably couldn’t trust—while Kirek had been painstakingly tracking her, no doubt burdened by grief.
“I’m so sorry about your mother,” the princess whispered.
The dragon glanced away.I don’t care to discuss it.
“I still wish…” The princess’s voice broke again. “I wish I could hug you. I mean, I know I just did, but it’s not entirely feasible like this, and you probably wouldn’t want me to anyway… and now I’m babbling.”
All she wanted to do was to feel Kirek pressed against heronce more—herKirek, the dragon girl, with skin and lips and hands that could hold her in return. So she could comfort Kirek, yes, but also for Kirek to comfort her. To remind her how good it felt to be in a soft human body. Convince her that she was actually something worth holding. Or that Kirek, a dragon, was even possibletohold. But it was all impossible, because of the broken Heartstone. Besides, Kirek would probably be revolted at the thought, and Samansa herself was feeling less soft and deserving by the moment.
She swallowed, hugging herself—a pathetic replacement for Kirek. “I’m not sure how I can live like this.”
Without being able to feel your skin on mine, she wanted to say. Never mind about the ancient dragon spirit trying to take over her.
I have an idea, Kirek said.First, have some water and an apple.She tossed her wide head at the saddle that Samansa only now realized was lying in the sand. Kirek must have dropped it before tackling the other dragon. And before that? She must have walked with it as a human. All night.
Before the princess could ask, the dragon added,And eat the meat.
Samansa crinkled her nose, even as she was diving for the waterskin in the saddlebag. The ratty horse blanket was also stuffed inside, which she tossed quickly over her head to shelter her skin. If she made it out of this desert alive, the first thing she was going to do was take an incredibly long bath and then put on the nicest dress she had.
“You should save the meat for yourself,” she said, unstoppering the waterskin with hands shaking in anticipation, and then she was gulping water without another word.
It’s nothing more than a morsel for a dragon.
“It will feed you as a human,” Samansa said, taking a breath from swallowing. There was barely any water left, and yet she wanted infinitely more.
Kirek was silent—probably wondering how soon her transformation might come. And dreading it, like Samansa was.
“Meanwhile, human thoughIam, I could do with a banquet,” the princess said lightly. “So I can only imagine how you must feel.” She bit into an apple with a groan, savoring the sweet juice on her tongue, and gave a choked little laugh. “Have I ever told you I don’t eat much meat? Only fish.”
Ironic, if she was becoming a dragon.
