Page 5 of Taming
Yes, he’s definitely the favorite. But it’s not a tough competition to win really. He’s number one in a competition of dickbags.
Chaos steps closer. He’s not the favorite of the three, but he’s not the worst either. On my scale of magical creatures, he lingers around affectionate pet and annoying asshole most days. My hands rise to slip the chain around him, and just when I think he’s going to make my life easy, he shows me what a true pain in my ass he really is.
The dragon leaps from the bed. His talons pull back, sinking into his skin quickly, and only smooth scales meet my shoulders. I hit the floor hard. The boards groan beneath our weight. Dark, beautiful wings surround me, blocking out the morning light and secluding me with the devious little reptile.
“You fucktile.” I groan, my fingers slipping through my hair to feel the back of my head. There’s no blood, but pure pain is pounding through my skull.
He hums a rumbling sound. It’s cut off immediately as Rime leaps from his perch. He shoves Chaos off of me in an instant, and the two tumble to the floor. Dust billows around them as they snap at one another, lashing out with sharp nails and fierce teeth. Every day they roll around together. Wings and scales in black and white lash out at one another as they playfully try to rip each other’s throats out. It’s adorable if I’m being honest.
“That’s enough. I can’t sell a bunch of bloody and scruffy creatures. No one will want you if you’re dirty.” I sit up as I lecture them, my tone sounding like a complaining mother.
A few more grumbles pass between them before Rime’s large wings unveil. With a few strong beats of his wings, he’s back at the window. He circles in the old chair a few times before finding a comfortable spot.
I turn to the dark dragon. Chaos’ eyes flash with a sort of humor. It’s an odd look. A pleased look.
An entirely-too-human look.
A nervous shift has me pausing before raising his leash once again. On slow steps, he comes to me without defiance. His head lowers, and with a steady but hesitant hand, I lower the loose chain around his neck.
His shining scales meet my palm, and I pat the side of his face gently.
“Good boy,” I whisper.
Endless, content rumbling shakes through his chest. He’s playful. I know that’s all it is.
But he’s still an asshole about it.
The thin chain rakes across the old boards as I turn away from him. I stand, and with my shoulders squared, I face the real beast. Kain’s gleaming eyes narrow on me. A taunting look is in his gaze, and I’m not nearly as confident as I might appear right now.
He sits like a waiting cat. The long sweep of his tail shifts back and forth against my rickety dinner table. With cautious movements, I raise the chain.
With even more cautious movements, he tilts his head back from my advances. A quick move and I’ve almost got the chain over his sharp, white horns. At the last second, his arm comes up, swiping away the chain in an instant.
My teeth grind together and I all but stomp my foot at his dominant behavior.
“It’ll only be for a little while.” The tone of my voice is soft and caressing.
Even if I do want to shout and scream at him.
I won’t. It won’t do me any good.
His wide mouth opens large, revealing every single jagged tooth in his head as he gives me a lazy yawn. He doesn’t seem to care at all about my pleas.
I bite the inside of my lip as I try to think of a new tactic.
If we leave right now, we’ll be in the heart of the Kingdom at its busiest hour. I could make the most money I’ve ever made in my life today. I could disappear from my past and my problems once and for all.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
A casual sway in my hips has my skirt waving across the floorboards. At the few cabinets near the door, I pause and look back at him. His assessing eyes watch my every move with curious attention. Slowly, I open the top cabinet. The rough fabric of my escape bag meets my fingertips, and I pull it down, never breaking eye contact once.
This is my ‘on the run’ survival kit. If I ever need to leave town, say … due to a less-than-legal sale of an outlawed creature or illegal use of magic, or if my worst fear comes true and Kreedence finds me, this bag has everything I need to survive until I make it to my next dwelling.
I’m a tamer. I’m a mage. I’m a chick who’s got shit taste in men.
But I’m not an idiot.
At the top of the bag is just what I need right now. I pull out the dark brick. It glitters with the sparks of my magic. I save my magic in case he finds me like he promised he would. But I used just enough to make this. I hold the infused item to my chest, just out of sight of the three dragons. My breath wafts over the brick sweetly. That single breath transforms the solid object into a hot and juicy chicken leg. It’s golden brown on the outside. Cooked to perfection.
