Page 31 of Dragons & Dumplings
“You do?” Pyra asked. “How?”
I explained what I was thinking, both of them listening intently.
“That jussst might work,” Nalini mused. “But he isss going to need sssome backup.”
“Agreed. Which is why…” I took a deep breath. “I’m going to need your help—and everyone else’s.”
Pyra grinned. “You’ve come to the right pyromaniac for help. Let’s take care of our last few tables and close up early. We have a lot of work to do.”
Chapter fourteen
Heat & Heart
Yuri
Iknewtheywerecoming.
I could feel it in my bones.
And this time, running away wasn't an option.
Because now, I had something—someone—to protect.
So when the approaching cloud bank blotted out the setting sun in a magical maelstrom of snowflakes and beating wings, I stood firm in the heart of Willowmere. But unlike the last few times, I was prepared.
And for once, I was far from alone.
Behind me stretched a banquet table all along the main street, which had been closed off to cars and carriages for the night of the Harvest Feast. Normally, the Feast would be held indoors, at Nocturne Castle. But after listening to my story, the townsfolk had agreed to make a special exception this year.
A chilly November breeze ruffled the orange and red decorations, and sent a flurry of fallen leaves dancing into the air. Ribbons and wreaths festooned every door and lamppost, and pumpkins and gourds were clustered at every doorstep and corner.
The table itself was laden with every kind of dish imaginable. Mei and her staff had been hard at work all day, cooking up a storm. Steaming masterpieces awaited every sort of diner in a way that catered perfectly to all of their dietary restrictions. There were vegetarian and vegan dishes for the elves, juicy steaks for the carnivorous werefolk, and plenty of spicy dishes fit for a fire drake.
Each and every chair was occupied. Witches and warlocks sat across from shadowmancers, vampires, and forest nymphs. Demons made pleasant conversation with angels, and fae made nice with the mermaids and kitsunes.
The murmur of voices fell silent as the approaching fleet of ice dragons descended. They hovered just out of spell and flamebreath range, looking down on everyone assembled.
Looking down onme.
“Yuri Glacien,” boomed my father’s voice from the front of the fleet. Naturally, he was the biggest and strongest dragon of them all, and the others parted to make way for their leader. “I will give you one chance, and one chance only, to explain yourself.”
“Explain what, exactly?” I winced when my voice cracked, but at least my knees weren’t audibly knocking together.
“Explain your apparent fraternization with theenemyof our kind,” he growled, flashing fang and talon menacingly. “Your brother claims you planned to ingratiate yourself with the firewyrms in order to bring them to their knees. Is this true?”
I could sense the tension rise at my back as the gathered townsfolk recognized the slur for what it was.
I resisted the urge to lower my eyes, to play the submissive son that had been the sole key to my survival thus far. But just before I took an involuntary step back, Mei stepped forward and slipped her hand into mine.
“Keep your armor on,” she breathed just loud enough for only me to hear.
I gave a tiny nod, taking strength from her presence, from the steel in her spine and the fire in her heart. Gripping her hand tightly, I took a step forward instead of back, bringing her with me.
“It is not.” I heard the rumbling of disapproval pass through the hovering dragons like thunder.
“Once a weakling, always a weakling,” complained the dragon at my father’s side. Mikhail.
The white scales on his neck and chest still bore scorch marks from Mei’s breath. Unlike me, the ice fleet was not on friendly terms with any witches who could speed along the healing process for them.
