Page 111 of Red Dragon
She was creeping away from the campfires with Vorik so close behind her that she imagined she could feel the heat of his body. She could certainly still feel the heat of herownbody, her need lingering, longing to be satisfied. But she tried to quell those thoughts—and her desire—especially since Wreylith would have snarky comments.
Of course. It is my patience that I’ve almost lost, not the ore. Igliana and your comrades wait at the cave mouth, and I’ve had to endure the inept flirtations of horny male dragons who don’t know that night is a time for sleeping.
I’m sorry.Thanks to the teal glow that emanated from the back of the cavern, Syla could make out Wreylith’s form near the base of the cliff under the entrance tunnel.
A horny male of your own kind follows close behind you.
Yes, that’s, uhm, part of my plan.Syla groped for a way to request that Wreylith carry Vorik out of the cavern with her. She hadn’t asked—funny how she’d gotten distracted back there—but assumed Agrevlari had gone back with the other dragon and rider to report on Vorik’s prisoner status.
Some prisoner. Every time she thought he’d been rendered helpless, he was simply lying in wait for an opportunity to spring.
When you spoke of retrieving the amphora,Wreylith said,I did not know you would also return with him.
He’s agreed to help me in the storm god’s laboratory. In case you dragons aren’t able to enter it, I’ll need a powerful ally.
It is likely to be well guarded by some of his eternal creations, yes. And your current allies were insufficient for warding off gargoyles, some of his more basic of minions.
Yes.Syla was glad Wreylith didn’t point out thatshehad been even more insufficient at warding them off.
For a puny human, that one is powerful and a capable warrior. Bringing him is a wise decision, but since he desires what you desire, you must be ready for him to betray you after the goals have been achieved.
I’m going to betray him first.Syla hadn’t figured out exactly how yet, especially since Vorik would be ready for any attempt at seduction—they’d discussedit openly, after all—but she would come up with something. She had to.
Excellent,Wreylith said.
Syla smiled sadly as she reached the dragon’s side, wishing betrayal needn’t be involved.
Vorik stopped close, touching her shoulder with his hand, as if he longed to continue what they’d started. She did, too, and caught herself stepping back into him, but that would have to wait. All it would take was one of the dragons noticing that a prisoner was leaving, and it could alert the whole camp.
As if to act as a further deterrent, Wreylith swung her big head down to look at them, her golden eyes glowing slightly.
“Will she carry me as well?” Vorik asked. “Or do I need to start climbing out of here?”
He sounded like he expected that, but he remained close. Or Syla did. Their bodies were both distracted by each other tonight.
Wreylith?Syla picked up her pack, which was waiting by the dragon’s foreleg, a bundle of ore now wrapped and tied to it.Will you carry both of us to the next destination?
If I allow him to ride until his dragon can reclaim him,Wreylith said,you willnotfornicate on my back.
Syla’s cheeks heated, but the tingling magic of the ore seeped through the fabric, and that distracted her from her embarrassment.Of course not. That would be… weird.
And insulting to the dragon beneath you. Stormer riders have done it, and their domesticated pet dragons have allowed it. I cannot imagine the indignity. I would not mate with a male while a rider was attached tome.
I’m glad to hear that. I think I’d have a hard time staying on if you did.
Undoubtedly. Dragons mate very vigorously.
“Are you discussing whether she’ll let me ride with you?” Vorik held out his arms, offering to hold the components for Syla.
“We’re discussing… something.” Syla didn’t accept his offer, instead tying the amphora to her pack. Carrying everything would be awkward, especially if they had to walk later, but she wouldn’t hand over the components unless it was an emergency. “I think you can climb up.”
With his pack and sword secured, Vorik sprang atop Wreylith’s back, as if leaping more than twice the height of a horse was an easy feat. Syla didn’t know if she could evenclimbup there. It wasn’t as if scales came with handholds. So far,dragons had grabbed her in their mouths and tossed her onto their backs, but that wasn’t pleasant.
Could she use her power to turn tendrils of magic into foot and handholds? She wasn’t certain she could pull her weight up even with that assistance.
Vorik, leg hooked over Wreylith’s broad back, lowered himself to extend a hand. She could just reach it. He pulled her up effortlessly, as if she were the most slender of princesses. He turned, angling her so that she came down behind him, and moved his pack to rest in front of him.
“I’m afraid if we rode the other way, I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off you,” he murmured.
