Page 45 of The Dragon Sacrifice

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Seela watched in amazement as Jerrard transformed into a dragon. She knew no matter how many times she witnessed it, she knew she would never get used to it. One minute, Jerrard was there looking like he was about to die. The next, he was aglow in magical light, stretching and morphing so fast her eyes could not pin down exactly what was happening until it had already happened.

Then he stood before her in all his magnificent dragon glory. His body was reptilian—a long tail, strong curved legs, and a lengthy neck that angled up to his broad head. Jerrard’s scales were a dull green, but shimmered like polished stones when the light hit them. His head was ridged with formidable spikes that could have easily impaled her, but one look from his glowing green eye and she knew Jerrard was inside that body. He wouldn’t hurt her. On the contrary, he was about to save her life.

As she was thinking that, Jerrard opened his mouth, filling the cave with an animal roar that made goose bumps race up and down her arms. The horde stopped whatever it was they were doing, eyes fixed on Jerrard. In one voice, they answered. “Not possssible. The curssse.”

“Is broken, you idiots,” Seela said, knowing it was true. She’d watched Jerrard’s body glow and contort, feeling the magic rolling off him in waves. Why it had happened to break now and if their lovemaking had anything to do with it, she didn’t know. What she did know was Jerrard was free.

Wasting no time, Jerrard swung his neck toward the clumps of beasts that were beating a hasty retreat into the caves. Jets of sizzling flame shot out of his throat, burning through the creatures that screamed and sizzled. Seela turned away, unable to stomach the smell as these horrible creatures were set ablaze. It was one thing to stab them and another to hear them squeal in agony. She stayed put, waiting for it to be over.

When a hand seized her wrist, she shrieked and readied for a fight, but her eyes found Langdon. She was so happy to see him she fell into his arms.

He held her, stroking her hair. “It’s all right. It’s going to be all right.”

She nodded into his chest. His shirt was ripped to shreds, the skin beneath cut, but Langdon felt solid, healthy. The beasts hadn’t killed him.

Glancing behind her, she asked, “Where is Stenton?”

“Here,” he called, slashing away at the retreating creatures with Langdon’s sword. He was half naked, having tied Langdon’s jacket around his waist to protect his most vulnerable area. Even in her fear and confusion, she could not deny Stenton’s body was amazing. His muscles glistened in the light as he swung the blade, dispatching several monsters at a time.

“We should get you out of here,” Langdon said.

“But what if Jerrard and Stenton need us?” she asked, turning to check to make sure both were doing fine. Jerrard’s jets of flame were still lighting up the cavern. And Stenton’s smile beamed from his face as he went after the rest with his sword.

“It’s under control,” Langdon said, gently leading her away.

Seela let herself be guided away from the battle, though she kept her eyes on Stenton and Jerrard as long as possible to make sure nothing would happen to them. By now, most of the horde was dead or had retreated into their holes. And Jerrard’s dragon form was holding true. She felt hope for the first time in a while.

Langdon lead her through the tunnels swiftly and without incident. Soon, they were back in the little kitchen, though now, it was in shambles. The table was flipped over, chairs broken and strewn about. Bits of broken pottery and cutlery were tossed about like a tornado had blown through. Langdon didn’t seem to be a bit concerned by that, leading her to the couch and cleaning it off so that she could sit down. Then he set about gathering items to clean her wounds and tend to her.

On the couch waiting for him to return, a wave of emotions fell over her. She’d nearly died. They’d all nearly died. In that dark cave, she’d found a connection with Jerrard and made such sweet love to him, but the rest had turned into the biggest nightmare of her life. It had all been too much. She stared at the painting of the three princes, her thoughts swirling. It was like a dream that she had never woken up from.

Langdon returned, kneeling before her. With a lukewarm bowl of water and some soap, he began to sponge dirt and blood from her face and arms.

“Do you have any pain?” he asked, thoughtful eyes roving over her body.

She shook her head. There were little pains everywhere, but no big ones. More than that, though, she was feeling dizzy and lightheaded. The room kept wavering in and out of focus, and she was having trouble pinning her thoughts down.

“Where are Jerrard and Stenton?” she managed. “Are they back yet?”

“Not yet. Still fighting. But they’ll be finished soon. I am sure they’re both very worried about you.”

“Me?” she asked, surprised. “I’m fine.”

Langdon frowned. “You don’t look fine. Are you sure nothing hurts? Your arms?” He gently moved one, then another, watching her expression. “Your legs?”

Seela shook her head, still feeling like it was a balloon loosely tethered to her shoulders.

“Seela,” he said as he quietly pulled her sleeve back, cleaning the cuts on her right arm and then her left. “I have to ask. What happened in that cave? How did Jerrard break his curse?”

At this, heat burned up her neck. “Oh, well, we um…”

Langdon grinned. He slapped his hand on his thigh in giddy excitement. “I knew it. I knew you could break the curse.”

“But I didn’t,” she said, holding her head. “I mean, how could I? The Bishop of Danbury picked me out of spite. He made an advance at me before the ceremony, but I turned him down. He drew my name to punish me.”

Langdon watched her face, confusion playing out on his. “Are you sure?” he asked after a pause.

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