Page 23 of Vathia
I whirl on him. “What? No. Why? Where did she go and why in the fates didn’t you say anything?” Shit. My fingers run through my hair as I turn away from Jesper.
“Maybe she went into town and she’ll be back later,” Nero supplies.
A deep sigh leaves my lips. “You’re right. But I need to ask what she knows about the stone. Because if it gets into the wrong hands, it won’t be good for anyone. Especially because they know a royal dragon has chosen someone again.”
A throat clears from behind me. “Something came up and she won’t be back for a few weeks. As for not telling you…” He places a finger under my chin and lifts my head towards his. “Maybe I just wanted to take a walk with you before having to share you with the others.” His eyes trace my face before he boops me on the nose. “Come on! Dragons tend not to have much patience and I’m sure Tisur has already informed the rest of our beasts that we’re delaying spending time with them.
My eyebrows draw together. Tisur? Oh, that must be his dragon.
It’s then that Vasari finally graces me with her presence. “Yes, and one of my mates. Now hurry, we have much to talk about and I’m afraid I have some pink, meaty creature stuck in my teeth that I could use some help getting out.”
JESPER THANKFULLY LEAVES me to my thoughts on the way over to the Dragon’s Keep. I’m trying to push the thoughts of what’s hidden under Phixmery to the back of my mind, as itwon’t do anything to worry about what I can’t change at this moment. I’ll just need to hope that it stays that way until we can go retrieve it. The problem is, it can’t be me that does it; if I react to it like last time, then I won’t be of any help to anyone.
When we almost arrive, Jesper breaks the silence. “Do you remember that time where we snuck into the kitchen and replaced all the salt vials with sugar?”
The memory comes flashing to the forefront of my mind and I let out a laugh. “Yeah, we spent the next week hiding from the kitchen staff because all the meat they seasoned turned sweet.”
“Your Szellemi father thought it was hilarious, the others not so much… I’ve missed you more than anything, Ravina. The others and I haven’t been the same since we thought you died.”
My arms wrap around my midsection and Nero nuzzles my cheek. “Maeven did die, Jesp. I’m not the female you remember. Not anymore. Let’s just train, okay?”
I don’t wait for his response and head towards the towering dark log and stone building, with doors so wide it can easily fit two large dragons. It makes me feel like an ant. Jesper’s footsteps sound from behind me, and to be honest I don’t know why I keep pushing him away. I do know that until I sort out my mind with all these new memories, I can’t let things go further. Once I figure out what I’m doing then maybe him and I can take that step. The only thing I know right now is that my new goal is to get revenge for my parents, for my childhood that was ripped away from me. For the males that were torn from my life.
Maybe I’m being childish with my reactions, maybe I’m not. But I’m feeling volatile and needing an outlet. Maybe Ember will spar with me? There’s nothing like challenging a Vopn Fö to get your blood boiling. They’re always itching for a fight. But first, I need to learn how to care for Vasari, something I supposeI would have learned if Phixmery was a safe place for us to be—but we will have to make do with what we got.
“Rav!” Roz yells as he prances over to me, scooping me off the ground and spinning before placing me on the ground. “It’s good to see you come out of hiding. This place is amazing and Thornwing really seems to enjoy it. Although, he could do without being a fifth wheel.”
I glance up at him quizzically, “Fifth wheel?”
Ember, Mel, and Lennox make it over to us as he says, “Wait, your dragon hasn’t told you she’s mated to the mini Lords’ dragons?”
Spinning slowly towards the alcove where Vasari is resting, I raise my brow at her. “No, I think she has conveniently left that part out. Is that why you’ve been ignoring me? You decided to take them as your males?”
Her long neck stretches up as she peers down at me. “I did not choose anything, Lost One. The fates gifted these males to me as is my right as Queen. Just as it’s your right to claim the males the fates gifted to you. Things are starting to return to balance, as they should.”
I sense nothing but the truth and surety of her words. “Nero, did you know?”
He shrugs. “I had my suspicions, but the overgrown lizard is really good with keeping her mind separate from me.”
My shoulders droop in defeat. “Well, congratulations on your mating. I just wish it didn’t have to be them. Also, I don’t have any fate-gifted males. I think I would know.”
Jesper snickers from behind me, but I ignore him.
Vasari raises her scaled brow, and snorts a puff of smoke. “I think you are very wrong, Lost One. Deep down you know who they are, but then again, you are lost, and until you find yourself I don’t think you’re going to be very accepting of them. Poor males. Now, if you don’t mind, this tendon is stuck reallywell and I don’t have a tooth-rock here to be able to free it myself.” She opens her maw wide and I nearly collapse from the rotting smell. “Don’t be dramatic, my breath smells much more pleasant than others’,” she teases.
Roz comes over and hands me a long, thin silver spike. “Thornwing let me do it and it was fine, just try not to breathe.” He winces, moving out of the blast zone.
Meanwhile Ember and Mel are trying to stifle their gagging.
“Well, here goes nothing,” I murmur while practically climbing into Vasari’s mouth, avoiding her long, needle-like teeth.
“Be careful not to jab her gum or tongue—I don’t think she’ll be very forgiving if you do,” Jesper adds from behind me. Then I hear him add gleefully, “Alright Stoll, Amos, and Adair, go tend to your beasties, and when you’re done, we’re hitting the training yard.”
Everyone else scampers away and I’m left in Vasari’s mouth, gently trying to pry this white, rotting chunk of gristle out.
Nero flutters his feathers on his perch well outside the stink zone. “Damorleia to Ravina: unhinged, red-headed male is staring at your ass,” he states, making me slip and fall onto her tongue. He caws and chuffs in amusement.
I’m so going to need a bath after this.
