Page 150 of Wolf Caged
“I bought you these. I noticed you were reading what looked like a fairy tale when we met and I thought you might like them.”I offered her the books and her golden eyebrows rose high on her forehead as she looked between the books and me.
“Kaeleron has allowed you in his library.” She sounded surprised by that.
I shrugged. “He’s also been training me, and I can wander around the city as I please.”
“There is hope for the boy yet.” Neve tugged the books from my grip as I pondered just how old she was if she was calling a male of over five hundred years a boy. The dragon studied their spines, her eyes brightening with flecks of blazing gold as she inspected each book and murmured to herself, “How delightful you all are. You are lucky the little wolf found you. You shall have a good home here.”
I realised it was fortunate I had already read the books, because they were more than books to Neve. They were treasure. I glanced beyond her, to the corner of her room that had been hidden from view in my cell.
To the piles of books and trinkets stacked here.
Neve growled.
My gaze shot to her and I tensed as she stared me down, her eyes flaming gold, her teeth dangerously sharp.
“Mine,” she snarled.
I held my hands up in front of me. “Of course. I wouldn’t dream of touching anything. I was just admiring it. Such a beautiful collection. You must be very proud of it.”
My smile wobbled as she continued to bare fangs at me, but the fire in her eyes dimmed and then she beamed at me, her expression bright and carefree again.
“Is it not? I have been working on it for decades now. I am still collecting of course, looking for those finer pieces that will add to the beauty of it.” Her gaze landed on me as I stared at the haphazard pile, noticing the worn and dented pewter mug on top of one of the books, a few copper coins scattered here and there,and a ruby-red stick that looked as if it might have come from the Forest of Blood. Her hoard was eclectic to say the least.
I realised she was still staring at me.
Or more precisely my hand.
I covered the ring on my finger with my other hand, and her face darkened, her lips flattening and the corners turning downwards as I stole it from view.
“You can’t have it,” I said, the words flying from my lips and my hackles rising at the thought she might try to take the ring from me. It was mine, and I had grown terribly fond of it in the short time I had been wearing it. “Kaeleron made it for me and he wouldn’t be happy if I lost it.”
She huffed. “Unfair. I want a ring. He makes you pretty things. Makes himself pretty things he will not give me. I want something.”
“What pretty thing of his do you want?” I tilted my head and studied her as she muttered things in a language I didn’t know under her breath.
“His sword,” she said bluntly in a tongue I could understand.
I chuckled. “Well, I don’t think he will surrender that easily. He worked for a long time on it and according to him, it’s his crowning achievement.”
“Then he can make me a sword… or a ring… or a bracelet, yes, I should like a bracelet. I do not have a bracelet.” She glanced at her treasure trove, gaze quickly scanning it. “Yes, yes. I do not have a bracelet.”
“I will tell him you want one.” I leaned over and touched her hand, trying to get her to focus back on me rather than her treasure.
Her gaze shot down to my ring and lodged on it, and as I moved my hand, her gaze tracked it, eyes wide and glassy.
“Shiny,” she murmured. “White for Lucia.”
I was losing her again, so I folded my hands together, stealing the ring from view, and she frowned at them, a little pout to her lips.
“I’ll let you see it again if you answer a few questions.” I wasn’t above bargaining to get what I wanted.
She eagerly nodded. “Yes, yes. Very well. Ask your questions about Kaeleron and the path you walk together, but know I have been bidden to remain silent on the subject so there are things I cannot say… and things I can say.”
“Why did Kaeleron buy me?” I leaned towards her, resting my elbows on my thighs, desperate to know the answer to that question. Even if she couldn’t tell me anything else, perhaps she could confirm my suspicions about this.
“Vengeance tastes delicious, and Kaeleron is starving. Each day that passes without feeding, he only grows more hungry, more reckless.”
“You said I was necessary. That he can’t walk this path alone. You mean I’m vital to his vengeance.”
