Page 1 of Champion of Cards

ONE

FANG

Storm clouds covered the sky, thicker than usual, like it might rain. It was so dark it almost looked like nighttime, even though it was the middle of the day. While Kingsnake was off with Viper, Larisa and I sat together on the cliffside, watching the powerful waves break against the shore.

The breeze moved through her hair and pulled it behind her shoulder, revealing her creamy, porcelain skin that was unblemished and unaged.

I continued to watch her, see the way her eyes dropped down to the edge of the cliff instead of the water, like her mind was somewhere other than on the beautiful day. Larisssa?

She lifted her chin and looked at me. “Yes?”

Sssomething troublesss you.

“Oh, it’s nothing…” She turned back to the cliff and the waves beyond.

I won’t tell him.

“I don’t want you to keep secrets from him.”

I keep sssecretsss from you.

“Really?” she asked. “What secrets?”

I wasssn’t born yesssterday.

She smirked and looked away. “Life is peaceful. I’m happy. But I guess there will always be doubts if I made the right decision…”

What doubtsss?

She hesitated before she answered. “You promise you’ll keep this between us?”

Of courssse.

“Kingsnake is the only man for me. But it’s hard knowing…I’ll never have children. Some people know they want them, and some people know they don’t. I’ve always been the former…ever since I was a little girl.”

I’d had hatchlings several times, but once they were born, they slithered off on their own. We treated our young differently than humans. Because of that reason, I struggled to understand the ache in her heart, but I tried as hard as I could because her sadness made me sad. You have me.

The corner of her mouth quirked up in a smile. “I know.”

And you’ll alwaysss have me.

“I know. But you’re already grown, powerful and autonomous. It’s different…”

Even when I wasss a hatchling, I was fierce. A human tried to take me, and I broke his wrissst.

She looked at me.

And then I bit his nossse off.

“Not exactly what I pictured in raising a family,” she said with a chuckle. “But I guess I need to learn to accept my reality. I don’t want to mention it to Kingsnake because it’ll make him feel bad…or make him wonder if I question our relationship.”

But you do quessstion your relationssship.

“It’s not him that I question…”

I wanted to make her feel better, but I didn’t know how. All she wanted was a hatchling of her own, but I couldn’t give that to her. It’sss been my dream to play in the Champion of Cardssss tournament. But only humansss are allowed to play…and no sssnakes. I understand your disappointment.

Larisa looked at me, her eyes sad.

---