Page 196 of The Spider Queen
“A ride?” I looked back at the angry scorpion. Spider silk had wrapped up the stinger to make it ineffectual.
“We vanquished it, didn’t we?”
“We did,” I agreed.
“Do you really want to continue trekking through the desert on foot?”
“No. But I don’t really want to get close to that thing either.”
The scorpion was huffing, breathing heavily, its black eyes full of rage. I reached out with my mind, asking its permission to approach, asking if it would take us across the hot sand.
Reluctance poured through the connection I had with it. Reluctance but something else too….
“It’s curious about us,” I said.
“Scorpions are arachnids,” he pointed out.
“So you’re related to that thing? Is that your cousin?”
I felt a wave of great offense coming from both Thane and the scorpion. “Okay, this is officially weird.”
Thane took my hand and led me toward the purplish-black body lying in the sand. Thane tapped one of the legs. “Use this as a step.”
“This thing doesn’t breathe fire does it?” I asked when I felt a wave of anger and revulsion roiling through my mind.
“No, Poppy. It’s not a dragon.”
I peered over my shoulder at him. “A…dragon?”
Thane smiled. “Yep. Dragons are real.”
“Of course they are.” I turned my focus to the task. I lifted my leg and placed a hand on the scorpion’s body. I bit my lip, holding in a laugh.
With Thane’s help, I was able to mount astride, like one might ride a horse. Thane easily swung up behind me. The silky tendrils wrapping around the body of the scorpion released and whipped up in the air. Thane caught them, holding one on each side like reins.
I couldn’t help it; I started to giggle when Thane gently kicked the scorpion in the sides, and we set off at what could only be described as a scorpion-trot.
“What’s so funny?” he asked, his tone dry with amusement.
I leaned back against him. “I’m trying to come up with the scorpion equivalent of a cowboy.”
Thane’s laugh was light. “If you think of anything clever, let me know.”
“What will you give me for it?”
“Me. In ass-less chaps.”
Our collective laughter startled our ride, so I leaned down to pet the scorpion’s shell.
I was riding a gigantic purple-black scorpion, through the Desert of the Forgotten, with the Guardian of the Bridge behind me.
Sighing, I shook my head.
“What?”
“I was just thinking…I know this is real. But a part of me still thinks this is just one long acid trip.”
Chapter 30
