Page 91 of Upon Buried Embers
He’s smaller than all the other dragons here. I would still only come up to his chest when I’m at full height, but he’s no doubt still a predator.
Yet right now, with his big body in front of me, it’s like he’s hiding me.
“Do you want to hide too?” I wonder aloud, and I reach a hand out slowly to his snout. His eyes flick to my hand, but he doesn’t do anything else.
Warm air spreads over my hand, the rumble hasn’t stopped and I’m inches from him now, so close that—
“Elf!” I pull my hand back, curling up into a ball as Escor growls, spinning quicker than expected at the sharp sound of Rohan’s voice. His tail curls around me at his back, and I look down in surprise.
A roar comes from someone, Drogonah, and I watch as Escor stands taller, growling, the spikes on his back sticking straight up.
“Escor, move, now,” Rohan barks.
He doesn’t, he growls deeper, and it must be enough of a threat because Drogonah rises from his bed and stalks over, his own growl rattling the cave.
Oh no, he’s going to hurt him.
“Last chance Escor, move!” Rohan demands, and I scramble to my feet when I spot Drogonah bracing on his black legs to lunge.
“Stop,” I say, coming around Escor and standing in front of him, arms stretched out wide, tears spilling over. “Don’t hurt him.”
To my surprise, Drogonah stops, though his growl doesn’t lessen.
Rohan looks me over, brows furrowing as he takes me in, and no doubt noticing my red-rimmed eyes, the tears.
“Why have you been crying?” he demands furiously, taking a step toward me then stopping when I take one back, bumping into Escor’s chest. “Who made you cry, what happened? Tell me, now.” Escor snaps his teeth at him.
He eyes us, the position of me and the dragon, then concern bleeds into his eyes.
“Elf… Why are you crying?”
Escor releases a furious growl when Rohan takes a step toward me, and pushes at my back a little, like he will meet him head on. He could crush me if he continues, but I don’t want Rohan to hurt him.
So I stay, and Rohan notices Escor nudging me the closer he gets, so he stops.
“Escor is young, Elf,” he warns. “He does not yet know his manners and is unpredictable, I told you that. Come to me.” He holds out his hand, but I make no move to take it.
A means to an end.
I knew it, that’s why he took me. Told me as much because he needs me to speak to dragons to help him.
That is the only reason I’m here.
Yet why does ithurtso much?
Rohan scowls. “Now, Elf.” Every bone in my body wants to obey like it’s been trained to, like I’ve been doing since he took me, but… I can’t.
“Rather the dragon than the man,” I whisper, my voice shaky. Rohan drops his hand, something akin to shock crossing his features at my words. “I will not be sold again. I will not go back to the city that hurt me. I… I don’t want another Master. I would rather the teeth of a dragon come for me or the blade of your axe.”
Realization hits, and his jaw tics. “You were at the cabin.” He nods like it makes sense. “One of my men was concerned as our supplies are not at their best this winter, however, I will tell you the same thing I told him.”
“I heard what you told him.” My voice wobbles. “You will always put the safety of the clan above all. I’m an elf, a means to an end who will likely go back to where she came from. I will end up back with Master!”
He takes a step toward me, uncaring of how Escor snarls.
“You will never go back to him.”
“If I can speak with your dragons,” I remind him.
