Page 207 of Upon Buried Embers
“I didn’t ask.”
I look at Beau once Calian leaves. We both sigh.
“How are we going to help them fix this?”
Beau shakes his head. “I don’t think we can.”
Sparks makes a noise, peeking up at me, yawning.
“Let’s go and see your new family?” I say, watching a dragon fly over my head.
Making my way up the hill, I take care in the sludge that used to be snow with winter ending.
Reaching Rohan’s cabin, I pause at the back, seeing the roses now sprung to life. I crouch, holding one delicately in my hand and bringing it to my nose.
Smiling, I show it to Sparks, and I jolt in surprise when he bites down on it, tearing the petals off, then proceeds to spit it out.
I chuckle. “Silly dragon, it isn’t food.” I pet his head, walking to the dragon’s den and welcoming the heat as soon as it hits me.
“Hello?” I call, walking through the cavernous space. As soon as I turn the corner to their beds, a blur of black comes at me, knocking me flat on my back.
“Gods!” I gasp, wiggling when a wet tongue slides up my face. “Escor, you’re heavy!” I laugh when he makes a purring sound, nuzzling my cheek. But then he’s springing back, tail high, teeth bared as the little dragon on my chest starts growling at him.
I bite the inside of my cheek to stop the burst of laughter that wants to come out.
Sparks hisses like a damn cat, spluttering fire out of his mouth toward Escor. He growls in return, tails swinging back and forth, spikes high.
“Stop it you two,” I say, patting Sparks. The look that Escor gives me is one of betrayal. “I like you both, very much. You two need to be friends.” Escor huffs and sits down, turning his head away. “Escor… he’s a baby.” An ear twitch. “He will be like your little brother.” A tail flick. “Please? He’s on his own.”
His head turns back to me, body relaxing, but before anything else can happen, a large mouth comes over me, and Sparks is grabbed by the back of the neck.
I lay there, mouth open as I watch Drogonah strut around the corner with him.
“Hey!” I shout, and race after him. “He’s not food! He’s just a baby, Drogonah!” Escor bounds ahead, growling. “I know you don’t want a little brother but—
Drogonah lays down on his bed, the stones neatly in a circle, and he lets go of Sparks before dropping his head next to him, keeping him within his front legs and closes his eyes.
I stop short with Escor, looking at them as the other dragons come over, greeting me and looking at the new arrival. I don’t take my eyes off of Sparks as he turns in circles, getting comfy before laying down.
He’ll need his own bed.
I watch them, leaning on Escor and I wonder how close Drogonah was to Frelia. Did he see the egg in The Glade before it hatched?
It would make sense, watching how he’s acting with him.
I sniffle and walk closer to them, my grief rising over Frelia.
I step over Drogonah’s tail and sit down against his shoulder, placing my hand on his side. He rumbles, but for once, he doesn’t grumble or snap at me.
Escor lays next to us, his head on Drogonah’s tail, breath tickling Sparks’s head. Not long after, the other dragons come. Agnar lies next to Escor, followed by Doren. Vex and Hedoric are next, followed by Solia, Blaise, and then Hakon.
Alter lays in front of me, the older dragon looking tired. To my surprise, the dragon we saved from the net cuddles up beside him, which makes me smile.
I wonder if they can feel the grief of what’s happened, if they can sense that Sparks is now all of theirs and is here to stay.
And most of all, can they sense The Games coming, knowing we may not have that long with each other?
The thought hurts my heart. How cruel to force them all into The Games, just so the king doesn’t attack and force the Dragorie under his rule.
