Page 44 of The Death King

I don’t eat cubs either.

“Because they’re cute?”

Because they’re too small.

“Then I guess it’s a good thing you call me little one.”

I don’t eat humans either.

That wasn’t what I’d heard when he and King Talon had stormed my castle. Khazmuda had eaten the king of kingdoms after he’d cooperated. “You don’t?”

Too bony.

I didn’t share my memory, keeping those cards close to my chest. “I could start over here. Build a little cabin and bring these flowers to market.”

I knew you would appreciate them.

“I don’t have any clothes or money, but I’ll figure it out.”

You were angry, so I brought you here to decompress your mind. I didn’t bring you here to flee from Talon. I’m sorry if you misinterpreted my intentions.

I should have assumed…because it was too good to be true. “It’s fun to pretend.”

Why are you angry with him?

“I’m always angry with him.”

But you’re exceptionally angry.

“I’m surprised he didn’t tell you.”

There hasn’t been an opportunity to ask. Khazmuda didn’t press me further, sunbathing in the grass, his eyes halfway closed.

“Can you still speak to him? Even at this distance?”

Yes.

“That’s impressive.”

We’ve been bonded a long time. The longer you’re together, the stronger you become.

If they were that close, that meant Talon would tell him, and Khazmuda would get his narrative rather than mine. I supposed it didn’t matter, but right now, the mighty dragon was the only friend I had in the world. “I fell asleep on the couch, and he came in and touched me. I was half asleep and thought it was a dream, so I didn’t know what I was doing. By the time I realized it was all real…it was too late.”

Why was it too late?

“Because…” How did I put this? “Because I was finished.”

Khazmuda was quiet, as if trying to understand what I meant by that. Then that means you liked it.

I rolled my eyes. “That’s not the point.”

Then what is the point?

“He touched me when I wasn’t aware…”

So, when you weren’t aware, you liked it?

“That’s not how I would put it.”

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