Page 11 of The Dragon Sacrifice

Seela felt tingles trip down her arm despite her fear. There was something about the men she was meeting that made her feel warm and alive. Maybe it was her near-death experiences, or the fact they were so tall and handsome.

“My name is Seela.” She pulled her hand back, still wary.

“And she’s our guest,” Jerrard said, stepping into the room as he laced his ancient-looking trousers. His clothes were like the room, old and clearly expensive for their time. His white shirt clung tightly to his broad frame, as did his pants. Seela gulped, dropping her eyes. At least he was dressed.

“Where did you find the lovely Seela?” Stenton asked, raking his gaze over her. She was sure she looked dirty, worn, and travel-weary.

“As far as I can gather, she is this year’s Dragon Sacrifice,” Jerrard said.

“Alive?” Stenton asked, his voice rising in surprise. He turned shocked eyes between Jerrard and Seela.

“Yes,” Jerrard said carefully. “I managed to be at the right place at the right time. One of the horde was there. If I hadn’t been at the entrance—”

“The horde was there?” Stenton asked, standing up with alarm. “How did you manage to get her away from him?”

Jerrard shrugged sheepishly. “I scared him off.”

“You transformed,” Stenton said, shock and then concern running through his expression. “Jerrard, you used your transformation up? She is lovely, but your one transformation? Even if she is the Sacrifice, who knows if it will—”

Jerrard dropped his eyes. “It would’ve taken her.”

“What if they try to breach our magic again? You’ll be left completely vulnerable,” Stenton fumed, waving his arms up and down.

Seela glanced between the two. “What are you two talking about?”

Jerrard slouched against the settee, weariness slumping his shoulders. “There’s a lot to explain.”

Seela arched an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest in a way she hoped made her seem formidable. “Well, then you’d better start talking.”

* * *

They sather down at the kitchen table and gave her hot tea, which she gulped down. Then they plied her with fruits and nuts. Seela knew she should exercise proper table manners and not eat like a ravenous pig, but she was starving and could barely stop herself from shoveling every handful into her gob. The two princes watched, exchanging loaded glances that Seela could not interpret.

“Thank you for the food. Now, if you would kindly explain what is going on,” she said after she’d swallowed the last bite.

Stenton cleared his throat. Jerrard ran a hand down the back of his neck anxiously. Neither seemed eager to tackle the mountain of unanswered questions Seela had been gathering since entering this cavern.

“You go,” Stenton said to Jerrard. “You’re the one who brought her here.”

“But you’re better at explaining things,” Jerrard countered.

“Someone just start,” Seela said, growing impatient.

“Fine,” Jerrard said, placing both hands on the battered tabletop. The spread of his fingers was so large Seela couldn’t help but stare. Both men were bigger than average humans, broad and muscular. How could they stay in such good shape while trapped underground? Just add it to the pile of unanswered question.

“Seela,” Jerrard started, glancing at her, “much of what I’m going to tell you may seem unbelievable.”

Seela laughed. “I’ve seen more unbelievable things today than in the rest of my life. Nothing you can say will shock me.”

“You’d be surprised,” Stenton mumbled.

Jerrard gave him a look before continuing. “As you know, I am a dragon.”

“We are dragons,” Stenton corrected.

“I thought you were going to let me tell it,” Jerrard piped in.

They might squabble the whole way through, Seela realized. Clearly, these two had been spending too much time together. “Just stick to the basics. Please.”

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