Page 3 of Taming
The heat stings my cheeks as I peer into the heart of the embers.
A breath is long forgotten in my lungs.
Without blinking, I stare hard with impatience.
Sharp nails pierce through the shell, thrusting through it until its whole leg is revealed and ripping off the imprisonment of its small home.
A quiet but powerful hum of a roar reverberates through the egg. Strong wings burst from its remaining surroundings and the tiny creature looks up at me with crystal-like eyes. Curiosity is in its gaze as it studies me for several seconds.
I shuffle quickly, reaching up on the table until I find the only food I have. I rip the meat into a thin shred, and with careful movements, I extend the offering to the little beast.
“Eat,” I say in a quiet, gentle voice. It’s a tone I’d never use with humans. As deadly as a dragon might be, humans are far worse creatures.
Yes, animals are much easier to speak with.
Bobble, the white tumid fish on my bedside table watches the beast with wide fearful eyes. His gaze is more bulging than normal if that’s possible. The fat little fish looks like its puffy body is filled entirely with anxiety in this moment.
The dragon crawls out of the flames, shaking off the ash once it’s on the floor next to me. A ticking sound announces its small steps as its talons hit the boards. Its head is the size of my palm, and its sharp teeth rake against my fingertips as it nibbles cautiously at the strip of dry meat in my hand.
Warm, golden firelight flashes across its eyes and I lean in even closer to the creature. One eye is a pale blue and one is a warm honey color. It’s unique and beautiful. I’ve seen the iris mutation in dogs, but it isn’t common. It keeps its gaze locked on me as it tears off more meat with razor like teeth.
“My name’s Arlow.” I whisper the introduction with affection tinging my tone. It doesn’t acknowledge me at all as it continues to devour its dinner. “Time for your friends.”
With care, I cradle the red egg in my palms. The heat of the flames nips at my skin as I push it into the hot embers.
The second one is born just like the first.
It climbs out with more strength than the other dragon. Crimson scales capture the light of the fire in gleaming magnificence. It’s just as deadly and beautiful as the other one, but it’s not nearly as trusting. I can’t even get close enough to offer it a strip of meat without the beast snapping its traitorous snout at me. I toss the food to the floor, and its taloned wing pulls the meat closer. Low growls emit from its throat with every move I make.
“Aren’t you a little darling.” I roll my eyes at its shitty attitude and begin bringing the last one over to the fireplace.
The white one is a little smaller than the others. It’s so pure looking I can’t bring myself to toss it into the flames. On my knees, I lean into the fire. I don’t release the egg even as the heat stings my knuckles.
The embers crackle as I settle the egg in against the ash and dust.
What if it doesn’t do as well? It’s so small, what if it isn’t ready yet?
I peek down at the two dragons ripping viciously at the last few scraps of meat.
Hell, what if these things kill me before the end of the week?
Life is filled with what-ifs.
You can only leap into the flames and hope you have the strength to walk away from the ash.
Heat washes over me as I lean into the warm fire. The golden hue of the flames glisten against my dark hair reflecting in the shimmering white surface.
Just when my hope starts to sink low in my stomach, a small crack shatters down the curved shell. The cracking sound sparks excitement all through me.
And just like that, another beautiful monster is born.
Chapter Two
Sell-Those-Fucking-Dragons-So-Arlow-Can-Afford-To-Live Day
In three weeks, the creatures have grown to the size of wolves.
With the table manners to match.
