Page 63

I nod. “Yes. I understand.”

“Good,” he says, and licks his lips. “Now drop to your knees, my perfect little pet.”

The sudden command is so bold and incongruent to our tense talk of seconds earlier – and yet my body responds instinctively.

Stryker watches me sink to my knees, and pulls down his loincloth. His massive cock rears out – huge and proud.

My mouth waters.

If we’re going to be slain in hopeless combat against a tyrant dragon, I at least want my last days with these men to be filled with endless pleasure.

I open my mouth, and prove that I can be both their submissive slut, and their equal in bravery and cunning.

OceanofPDF.com

22

OceanofPDF.com

Brigg

Ihave never felt fear like this before. Cold, insistent, gripping my heart.

It’s not the flames of the dragon’s breath washing over me that terrifies me – I have faced those flames before, and even felt their bite.

I run my hand against the old scars from that night where I thought I lost Aubrey, all those years ago.

No, my fear is of something else – something I also first felt the bite of that night so long ago. I remember the feeling of absolute grief when Aubrey first left through the portal, leaving me in a darkness that felt like an endless abyss.

I will never lose her again.

I hate the idea of her being near that creature, but Stryker is right. Aubrey will be even less safe in our cavern, especially now that we’ve challenged Ripper’s authority.

He is growing old and unstable, and will be feeling even more vulnerable in his position as Chieftain. Like the barb of a Scorp, he has been stung by our words, and poisoned by our doubt. He knows his leadership has led to the tribe dwindling. The rumors will have spread thatweare going to face the dragon, and that makes him look weaker still.

But a wounded, frightened animal is at its most dangerous – and what is an Aurelian if not just a stronger, smarter animal?

Ripper may now try something desperate or insane, like coming for Aubrey and killing her; in a foolish gamble to appease the tyrant dragon. If his theory that she is a Cursed Mate responsible for the dragon’s rampage was correct, he would regain the trust of the tribe.

He is, in some ways, as dangerous as that black-winged, fire-breathing beast.

I consider this, Aubrey packs a sack with dried meat – enough for a week’s journey. I grab her wrist gently, and she turns, meeting my eyes.

“If you die, I’ll never forgive you,” I say, wanting her to feel my love fully. She gives me a sad smile and I kiss her. As our lips meet, I wonder how many more times I’ll kiss her in my lifetime.

Is this one of the last?

You never truly know. At any moment, it can all end, snuffed out by some random cruelty. I ache to protect Aubrey from the cold violence of the universe, to build with her a beautiful life. The southern lands will suit her. Though the Aurelian tribes there are not as ruthless and warlike, important qualities for my sons, perhaps a softer life is best for her.

But we cannot think of those things right now. Not until we have finished what we started thirty years ago.

The four of us step outside, into the warm jungle, and we exchange nods of solidarity and comradeship. Then we set out together, closing the boulder behind us and leaving our home for what might be the last time.

I’d almost given up on seeing Aubrey again. How cruel fate would be to bring her back to us… and take her away again.

OceanofPDF.com

23