Page 205 of Scorching the Alien Empire
My fangs bare in a snarl. Rage ignites, a flame behind my eyes. My claws ache in their sheath, yearning for release—for his throat.
Vorthax rises, one hand drifting toStormcleaver’sworn hilt.
“Do it, clone.” He growls, eyes locked with mine. “Show me Gorexius’s strength.Show me!”
His voice breaks slightly. Hands tremble—just a flicker. But I see it. The ancient weariness beneath his aggression. This longing. Hewantsto die by my hand. The hand of his old friend—my father. A regret, a longing to join him with the ancestors.
He’s small now. Frail. A shadow clinging to a world that’s already moved on.
I look away. “No,” I growl.
“Coward,” he spits, turning sharply. His armor clinks and scrapes as he strides away. “I’ve wasted enough time here... chasing ghosts.”
“Uh-uh.Not so fast,” Princesa purrs, sitting serenely on the twisted stool, stroking Todd’s rubbery back with delicate fingers. “I don’t know how you bone-through-the-noses get anything done—always threatening to bash each other over the head every two seconds.”
She lets out an exaggerated sigh, gaze drifting skyward. “But this little Nib, Big-Chief’s meeting? Soundsperfect. I mean, we come in peace, and all that. Then, when everyone’s nice and relaxed...” she claps her hands together with theatrical flourish, “I squish Krogoth like a strawberry pancake. Maybe thisImpersonatorguy too.”
She scrunches her nose, glancing my way. “We’ll... discussthatpart later.”
“No, Princesa,” I growl, rising, reaching a hand toward her. “This is—”
“Ugh, will you shut up already?” she snaps, waving me off like a pesky znat. Her gaze slides back to Vorthax, dismissing me without a second thought.
And then—light.
A shimmering cage slams into place around me. Tight. Hot. Suffocating. Crimson sunlight shimmers along the edges like molten threads. My claws screech uselessly against it, leaving no mark. No cracks. No weakness.
Panic slithers into my gut, cold and furious.
“He can be a realboresometimes,” Princesa groans, nuzzling the cyloillar’s segmented body like brain-parasite victim. “PoorChug Bug can barely nap with all the yelling. Isn’t that right, my little plumper?”
Todd’s mandibles creak open and closed lazily, sleep already beckoning.
“Anyway, as I was saying before being sorudelyinterrupted,” she flashes me a murderous glare. “Let’s say, I remove Krogoth for you. One divine pancake flip.Willyou support me?” Her fingers spread wide, covering her ample chest. “I guess...us. As glorious leader?”
“To think...” Vorthax murmurs, dry laughter scratching out of his chest, “that it’s thetiny femalewho holds the strength to act.” He shakes his head once at me, then returns his attention to her. “Remove Krogoth. Restore the old ways. And I will lead the Astranix under your banner. I swear it.”
“Brilliant!” Princesa claps with delight. “Tomorrow—follow my lead, and you’ll get your revenge.” She waves him off like a high-merchant queen dismissing a servant, her silver-crimson eyes narrowing in my direction. “Now give us somespace. Dracoth and I need to have alittle talk.”
“May you die a glorious death,” Vorthax intones, performing the Klendathian salute. Wasted on the distracted Princesa. His gaze lingers on me—a split second of contempt and pity before he turns. My fists tighten, but I say nothing. The floor trembles faintly as he leaves, the scorched ash staining the vibrant feathers in his long hair.
Fury howls in my veins. My Rush ignites, crimson plumes spilling from my eyes into this prison of shame.
I strike. A blow that would shatter the Peaks of Scarn rattling against the barrier—useless. My bones tremble. My claws shriek. My blood burns.
“Will you fucking stop that?!” Princesa snarls, eyes flaring. “I just secured us leadership—and not only did you try to ruinit constantly, now you’re banging like a drummer on crack? Seriously? Whatisyour problem?”
But I hardly hear her.
Every nanosecond of this humiliation cracks my composure. Shame, frustration—raw helplessness—twists inside me like a blade. I hammer again. And again. Each strike harder. Faster. Hotter.
Steam chokes the air. My molten blood roars.
“Every time I try totalkto you; it’s always‘HULK SMASH!’” she snaps, voice deepening mockingly. “You’re making myhandshurt through the bond. Myhands,Dracoth. Through. The. Bond!”
I won’t stop. Even if my fists split apart, even if my bones grind to ash—I willbreakthis barrier. I will find a way to bring her back to me.
Arawnoth lend me your strength, gift me your divine fire so I may save her from herself.
