Page 26 of Mountain of Dragons and Sacrifice

“I’m not angry. You’re free to wander the mountain as you wish.” The dragon shifted, his wings making that scaly scraping sound against stone that shivered down my spine. “I would suggest you take someone with you, if you wander again. As you experienced today, not all of the tunnels are safe.”

Was that a threat that I must have a guard with me at all times to prevent me from going places I shouldn’t, even as he pretended kindness?

“I…I won’t explore without a guard.” The words tasted bitter as ash on my tongue. How was I supposed to search for clues as to what happened to the other maidens if I was always watched?

Even if I sneaked away from my guard, what would happen if I was caught again? The dragon seemed inclined to show me mercy today—either that or he enjoyed toying with me—but I couldn’t depend on him doing so again.

He gusted a sigh, as if wearied by dealing with a wayward maiden. “Will you light the candle tonight?”

Not a chance. I had already risked my life enough for one day. I wasn’t even tempted to reach for that candle. “Nope.”

Another sigh, softer this time. “Then I’ll take my leave. Goodnight.” The door snicked closed behind him.

That had been far too close. I couldn’t even feel relief at being spared for another night. The constant fear was bad enough. But this show of kindness that toyed with that fear was even worse.

Chapter Seven

Funny how easily humans adapt. After three weeks, polishing stones mined by chanting gnomes, chatting with Daphne the laurel dryad, eating breakfast with Evander the dragon’s steward, and fighting off stone gremlins all settled into a strangely normal rhythm.

Even talking with the dragon each night was becoming almost mundane.

Sure, I was homesick. I missed my parents and the olive grove more than I could say. I still hadn’t found any clues as to the whereabouts of the maidens before me. I was still always on edge waiting for the dragon to declare I’d somehow failed and now he was going to eat me or otherwise dispose of me.

Still, even that fear was losing its raw edges to the numbing monotony of routine.

The perfect time to strike, of course. Right when I started to let down my guard.

Isat on my bed, waiting for the dragon to arrive. As always, a new candle waited on the table beside my bed, as if tempting me to light it. All I’d have to do was hold the wick to the faint embers of the fire in the hearth, and the candle would catch.

But I wouldn’t light it. I’d pass the dragon’s test yet again.

It was growing rather tiresome, really. I kept passing his test. You’d think he’d stop asking and finally declare I’d passed and move on to the next step of his purpose, whatever it was. But no, it was just the same thing, night after night.

As expected, the knock sounded on my door once it was fully dark. The dragon’s voice rumbled low and growling, “May I come in?”

Persisting in the façade of politeness. But I didn’t have to swallow this time before I called out, “Yes.”

Once again, the door opened, and the dragon’s black silhouette stood there, barely discernible from the darkness due to the faint light from the lamps at the very far end of the tunnel.

Perhaps it was his strange courtesy that gave me the spine I needed. Or perhaps it was the fact that I wasn’t dead yet and he’d done nothing to me, despite every opportunity otherwise. “Why do you keep testing me? I’ve been passing your test every night for three weeks.”

“Who said it is a test? Perhaps I genuinely want you to light the candle.”

I shook my head. No, that couldn’t be true. I’d grown up being taught that no one was allowed to look upon the dragon’s face. My village elders and my parents couldn’t all be wrong.

“See, like that. That was clever, but you can stop trying to trick me as part of a test.” I gestured from him to myself, though he likely wouldn’t see more than vague movement in the darkness. “I’ve passed every test you’ve thrown at me. What do I have to do to prove that I’m worthy for whatever purpose you have for me?”

“Perhaps you’re asking the wrong question.” The dragon’s voice rumbled low through the darkness. “Have you ever asked if I’m worthy?”

I blinked, his words making little sense. He was the dragon. Why should he have to prove anything to me? It wasn’t my place to question why the dragon did what he did. Or so the village elders had warned me. “What do you mean?”

“Your village sacrifices a maiden to me every year. Shouldn’t they make sure that I’m worthy of such a sacrifice?”

“It isn’t about being worthy! It’s about making sure you don’t sweep down from the mountain and burn our village and our olive trees to the ground.” I wasn’t sure why I had to explain this to him. He was the dragon. He was the one making these demands. He shouldn’t need me to tell him this. “It’s about appeasing you.”

“That’s a sad reason for such sacrifices.” The dragon crossed his arms, leaning against the doorjamb in a way that sent his wings scraping against the stones of the corridor outside. “Your village is in bondage, sacrificing maidens to appease an angry dragon. If you’re going to give such devotion and such sacrifice, shouldn’t it be to something or someone greater than yourself? More worthy? If you’re going to be devoted to someone, shouldn’t it be to one who will freely sacrifice for you instead of demanding such bloody sacrifices from you to earn his good will?”

I opened my mouth, gaped like a dying seabass for a moment, then forced my mouth closed.

---