Page 71 of The Lost Princess

Too bad it would all be in vain. I’d die here, from exposure or dehydration long before I could starve. At least there was that.

I hissed as a rock hurtled through the bars of my cage, tearing my wing and striking me on my cheek. More rocks came, and they hurt.

“I will end it all. Just call out for your male. The moment he arrives, I will feed you both. You will be well-cared for as pets. It doesn’t have to be this way.”

I wished Alfred would shutup.

“I’ve found that treating them like pets doesn’t work well for those holding the reins.” The pirate’s rough voice chuckled. “They love to bite the hand that feeds it.”

Alfred huffed. “I’m not paying you for your opinion, I—”

“Actually, that’s exactly what you’re paying me for.” The pirate was suddenly deadly serious. “And if you truly mean to bait in a male draken using a female distress call, then I will take my leave before he gets here. Wouldn’t want to get blood on my boots.”

Alfred sputtered something incoherently, but I wasn’t listening. My wings were taking a beating, throbbing in anguish. Giving in, I lowered and tucked them behind my back. I’d rather be struck full on than have the most sensitive place on my body take the brunt.

I wasn’t sure how long I hung there, pelted with rotted fruits, meats, and stones. Blood dripped down my face and chest, and my arms and my legs. I was desperately thirsty, the sun a more potent enemy than anyone down below. At least in a few hours, it would hang directly overhead, and the roof of the cage would shield me from its rays.

I closed my eyes, curling into a ball in the far corner of the cage, opposite of the blood stains from my mother.

Think of Nasi. Think of his arms around you.

The pain dulled slightly.

At least I knew Nasi was safe. As long as he stayed away, I could find peace in my death. I would know I did my best.

My eyes drifted shut. I didn’t know if I fell asleep or passed out, but either way I was offered relief as I fell away into the darkness.

* * *

When I startled awake, it was dark. The crowds were gone, and the wind was cold as it rattled through the bars of my cage. My body was cold—too cold. My scales felt like ice, and there was nothing I could do to warm myself. My mouth was dry, and my throat parched. My venom must have worked while I was out because it was easy to spit the gag out of my mouth.

“Finally,” a voice whispered in the dark, full of frustration. My body jerked as I crawled toward the edge of my cage, spying the pirate man below. “Listen up, girlie. I know you’re not a stupid, wild animal. This king is a moron and has no idea what he has in his clutches. Let me get you out and take you away from here. I have another draken living with me. You could learn from each other. I even have a daughter around your age.”

The pirate held out a hand toward me, more of a spiritual gesture since I hung a good six feet above him. I felt awful and half-dead already, but that didn’t mean he was trustworthy. He was a pirate after all. There was something about him that reminded me of Alfred. Both of them lived in half-truths and deception, omitting the truth while not technically uttering any lies. I licked my cracked, dry lips the best I could.

“Fuck. Off.”

He laughed. “I have killed men who have said that to my face.”

I hissed at, baring my fangs. “Then why don’t you?” I demanded, hating the weak tone that sounded pleading.

He grinned, the gold hoop in his left ear bouncing up and down. “I like my women tough. They live longer that way. Your answer?”

I thought hard. Nasi had said we were the last drakens.

“Where did you get a draken?” I asked instead.

The creak of armor and footsteps echoed distantly. The pirate huffed in frustration, then easily scaled my cage, landing on top of it. “Remember my offer. If you want it, scream. I’ll get you out.”

My cage shook as he jumped off, likely to a higher point of the castle. I didn’t hear him again as the guards entered the balcony, muttering to each other as their metal armor creaked as they moved.

Perhaps I could use my voice magicks.

I gave a trill, but none of the guards reacted. I spied the white balls of wax sticking from their ears even this far away. Stupid pirate.

“Look. It’s awake.”

With a jolt I realized my cage was lowering. A spark of hope kindled in my chest, but died when I saw the jeering faces of the night guards. A canteen of water was thrown at me, skittering across the bottom of my cage. A pack of dried meat went with it.

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