Page 9 of The Death King

But…maybe it wasn’t a coward’s way out.

Maybe it was the only way out.

My father couldn’t run from the Death King. Couldn’t defeat him. Since that night, the Death King had taken over the entire continent, forcing the kingdoms to submit to his singular rule. The world had changed these last ten years under his tyranny. He demanded recruits for his army. Demanded slaves to dig for black diamonds. He seemed to prepare for war, but there was no one left to fight.

My father had been right when he’d said the world would change under his rule.

I let my body sink to the bottom of the tub, let it bounce off the bottom until it floated in the center. My arms crossed over my chest just the way they did when I slept, chained by the metal. I closed my eyes and forced myself to calm, to accept what was about to happen, to know that my death would be swift and painless.

Just as I started to feel the strain on my lungs, I heard voices.

There were two voices. General Titan wasn’t alone in the bedchambers.

I lifted my head out of the water and inhaled a deep breath as their words became audible.

“Did he say why?” General Titan’s voice was authoritative, like he was speaking to an insubordinate.

“No,” the guard answered. “Said he’ll be here in three days.”

“Then we need to be ready for the Death King’s arrival. Prepare the royal bedchambers. We need to make sure we have food for his dragon as well.”

“Yes, General.” His footsteps sounded before the door shut.

I sat in the tub and let the water drip from my hair. My lungs continued to work hard in recovery but also excitement.

The Death King is coming.

And he had a dragon.

I worked beside Amelia, a shadow cast across us from the morning sun. It was the most productive part of the day for everyone because it was cool and comfortable. Our shovels dug into the slightly damp sand, and we gave the grains a quick shake to see if there were any diamonds inside. Then it was tossed onto the lift to be hoisted up later.

I spoke in a whisper so no one would overhear my words. “The Death King will be here in two days.”

Amelia had just stuck her shovel into the sand when she heard what I said. She stilled, her foot resting on the back of the spade. “How do you know this?”

“General Titan.”

“Why is he coming?”

“I don’t know. They don’t know either.”

“I don’t think he’s ever come to the Arid Sands.”

“I wonder if he’s angry that we haven’t found any diamonds for the past year.” Perhaps he wanted to threaten us all to work harder, to work faster. I had no idea why he wanted the black diamonds or what their use was—but it must be important. “But that gave me an idea.”

“What?” She picked up her shovel again and sifted through it for a diamond.

“He has a dragon.” We both walked to the lift, and because there were people around, we turned quiet until we returned to our digging spot.

“So?”

“A dragon that can fly.”

“Yes…” Her eyebrow was cocked as she looked at me.

“We can get on that dragon and get the fuck out of here.”

Now, both of her eyebrows rose, and she looked at me like I was mad. “You want to steal the king’s dragon?”

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