Page 108 of Court of Secrets and Flames

“Show me why, Ryu. What caused this?”

The blue dragon releases a noise akin to a human sigh and a gust of warm air that smells faintly of smoke and secrets. He believes I possess the answers already, that the sight of the dead alicorn herd should have been enough. But what am I missing?

The bond we share starts to fray, vibrating with their impatience. They’ve shown me, they insist. There’s nothing more for them to do.

I approach Dame, her scales shimmering with the hues of a dying sun. The reddish-brown dragon towers over me, her pale-yellow underwings folded neatly at her sides.

“Dame, why did you flee earlier?” My mind brushes hers, and I imagine her fleeing. I project my curiosity, my longing to understand, along with an image I hope is clear enough for her to comprehend.

Her golden eyes, ancient and fathomless, hold mine. She blinks. Her rumbling growl ripples through the air, prompting the crowd to scurry farther away.

All I get from her is a general sense of unease.

“I wish you could tell me what terrified the dragons.”

Another flicker of unease ripples down the honeysuckle yellow frill that frames her head.

I turn again to Ryu, the blue dragon who brought the dead juvenile back. Focusing on our connection, I share my concern with him. My curiosity. My desire to know more about what happened.

Ryu mirrors Dame’s sentiment with a hiss that slices through the tension. His gaze shifts away, covering the paddock before settling on the carcasses they now claim as their feast.

Chirean, silent and stoic, offers no further insight, his gigantic form a bulwark against invisible threats. Yet he stands close to Dame, watching over everything while his mate eats her fill. While he’s not afraid, he’s also not content.

“I’m sensing some strong emotions, but they’re not projecting any images. I have no idea what could have terrified the dragons or killed the fledgling.”

Sterling curls his palm over my shoulder, offering me silent reassurance. “Maybe it’s a warning.”

“We’re missing something. There’s got to be a clue to lead us to who or what could have killed the dragon, the alicorns, the fawns…”

I watch them, these mighty creatures who navigate the world with an enigmatic blend of savagery and intelligence. Goats bleat in the distance, unaware of their status as meals awaiting consumption.

Majestic wings beat the air, stirring dust and leaves in a tumultuous whirlwind. The dragons ascend, their massive forms shrinking as they soar into the azure expanse above. I shield my eyes against the glare of the midday sun, tracking their flight until they become mere specks against the endless sky.

Sterling tracks the dragons too. “Seems like this was merely a pit stop. A grim delivery, a hasty meal, then back to business.”

A shadow of frustration passes over me as I stand amid the carnage, the dragons receding into the realm of their own concerns. Their indifference is a stinging reminder that I am bound by human limitations, while they operate on a scale I can scarcely comprehend.

“What now?”

Sterling’s grip on my shoulder tightens. “We seek an audience with my brother.”

Chapter Thirty-Seven

The heavy doors to the king’s throne room swing open with an ominous creak.

Positioned at regular intervals along the walls, the royal guards stand at rigid attention. I would hate to have a job like theirs. Waiting without moving for hours at a time.

Though this isn’t my first time in this space, I’d almost forgotten how stunning it is.

Carved ivory pillars support lofty ceilings, which seem even higher due to the tall, stained glass windows creating kaleidoscopes on the floor.

Chin held high, I step away from the guards as if they don’t exist. “Your Majesty, we bring distressing news from the dragon paddock.”

Jasper’s steely gaze travels back and forth between his brother and me. “Oh? Please elaborate.”

The king lifts a hand, silencing the murmurs of the courtiers lurking in the shadows. Maybe he senses the gravity of what I’m about to disclose.

Gulping, I grapple for composure while images of the panicked beasts cloud my vision. “The dragons were stricken with terror and took flight in a frenzy. And when theyreturned…” Tears brim, unbidden, threatening to spill over. “They brought back the corpse of a juvenile dragon.”

---