Page 8 of Upon Buried Embers
“Why would you think she’s good enough for my dragon to eat, Darcia?” Rohan retorts, and there’s a heavy pause. The woman shifts from foot to foot.
She lowers her head a little. “Of course, Dragonbond.”
He grunts. “She’s with me, which means you will all keep this quiet while I find out the reason why an elf is in Dracozar, understand?”
“Yes, Dragonbond.”
“Now, let’s move.”
Everyone springs into action.
People gather sacks and fill carts, making sure the saddles are attached to their horses. I stand there, my heartbeat in my throat as I receive many glares and curious glances.
There are dragons at the back of the cavernous space sitting and waiting, and I swallow roughly at their eyes also on me.
“Come.” I’m tugged forward, then back, a rope appearing and wrapping around my waist. I grab at it, trying to get it off me, hurting my hands more in the process. “Stop that,” Rohan admonishes, turning and smacking my hands away.
I watch in disarray as he attaches the end of the rope to his waist. He sees me looking at it and he yanks me toward him.
My palms land on his chest as I stumble into him, and I quickly go to move back, but his grip on the rope doesn’t let me.
“You won’t leave my side, Elf, or you’ll be a dragon’s dinner.”
“J-just leave me here,” I plead, not above begging. Anything’s better than being with a Clan. “Please. You don’t want me, I’m useless. I…” I can’t think of anything else to say.
“No.” He turns abruptly, and the rope begins to pull tight.
I’m forced to move with him as he steps up beside Drogonah, who turns his head and snaps his teeth at me.
I squeak in fear, trying to hide behind the Dragonbond like he’d ever save me.
“Why,” I whisper, staring up at the dragon with wide eyes as Rohan pulls the saddle straps tighter.
“I may have use for you,” he states simply.
“W-what use?”
“We will speak on it later.” He turns and grabs me by the waist. “Drogonah, leg, we need to move.”
Drogonah extends his leg forward after a snarl, and then with ease like he’s done it a thousand times, Rohan climbs up with me in tow.
My breathing turns ragged, painful gasps spilling from my lips when his hands press down on my waist.
I’m jostled into the saddle on Drogonah’s back, and once in place, Rohan sits behind me, untying me from him and securing me to the front of the saddle instead.
I’m fumbling, trying to get off as Drogonah rumbles furiously beneath me, snarling and attempting to turn his head enough to reach me.
Oh Elvanan, I’m on a dragon, I’m on a dragon!
“Calm, Drogonah.” A plume of smoke comes from his nostrils, and the other dragons eye him warily.
There are three of them, all various sizes and colors.
Rohan moves to the side and beckons Drogonah with two fingers. His head turns and lowers, and Rohan runs a hand over the side of his mouth.
“You barely feel the weight of her, there’s nothing to her but bones.” Shame fills me at that comment for some reason. “We’ll rest soon, so be good.”
He huffs, his ears flattening against his head as he shakes his body. I grab onto the saddle, a scared sound escaping me.
