Page 27

“Welcome back, Mighty Ones.” Klothi bowed, as did the other viziers. “Please accept this offering to appease your hunger.” She waved to the sheep.

We would rather have news. It feels as if we were kept in stasis far longer than usual.

“There were complications with your return, oh Mighty Ones.” Klothi remained bowed. “I will gladly explain once you’ve filled your bellies.”

The guardians must be able to hear them. Odd how Titus didn’t mention they were also blooded. He’d given the impression it was a royal trait.

The dragon with shimmering green scales stepped forward and flicked a forked tongue at Titus. The last Gugerknaut I knew was a blacksmith, not an emperor.

“Things have changed since your time.”

We do not like change. And why have you birthed us all in one place? The blue-hued dragon turned its head left and right, eyeing its brethren with annoyance.

“The other continents weren’t favorable for your rebirth, Mighty Ones. We thought it—” Klothi started to say but the dragon whose white scales shimmered with color interrupted.

Who is that female? Her scent is familiar.

Wait, was it talking about her? Avera stuttered as she said, “I’m Avera Voxspira.”

Are you the daughter of Alfred Voxspira?

“My mother was Calixte. Alfred is my ancestor and the founder of Daerva.”

You’ve named a city after my past self. How flattering. The opal-hued dragon ruffled its wings.

“Actually, it’s the name of the whole continent.”

Ha, I merited a whole island. The opal dragon stamped its clawed feet as if taunting its brethren.

Not to be outdone, Titus jumped in. “You are currently in Merisu.”

Of course I would get the driest place in the world, grumbled the sand-colored lizard.

“The other continents are known as Verlora, Okkilam, and Pequilh,” Klothi stated, leading the last pair to trill.

Okkilam is a fitting name for a country, Blue declared. But it better have good snacks.

Avera couldn’t believe the dragons spoke. “How is it you can communicate when you are not even an hour old?”

What a stupid question, scoffed one of them. Of course we can speak. Do you think us dumb?

“Apologies, Mighty One. She’s only recently learned of your existence, and we hadn’t the time to properly educate her on your incredible abilities,” Klothi explained.

Meaning she is stupid, seeing as how it’s common knowledge.

“Not anymore,” Avera muttered. “Until recently, you were simply a creature found in story books and songs.”

The comment drew more than one narrowed serpentine gaze. Exactly how long were we in the shell?

Another added, Did it work? Was that foul creature eliminated?

The viziers eyed each other and began approaching the dragons. Klothi used a soothing tone. “Alas, there were some issues. Zhos remains in this world and is stirring, but there is good news. We have found a way to rid ourselves of it once and for all.”

If that is true, why is it still here?

“Because ridding ourselves of Zhos requires a particular planetary alignment which will open a portal to its dimension.”

The green dragon tossed its head. That plan isn’t feasible seeing how that particular positioning won’t occur for a thousand years. Hence why we aided in the neutralizing of Zhos while you found another way.

“There is no other way. Zhos can’t be killed by anything on our world. It can only be removed to another,” Klothi murmured, getting ever closer. She reached out a hand to the green dragon, her voluminous sleeve dangling as she dared to pet it.

To Avera’s surprise, the dragon allowed it, craning its head much like a cat to indicate where it wanted to be touched.

A pity you did not find another solution, for humanity won’t survive that long and I for one am not willing to die again. It feels as if I’ve been asleep for ages. The blue dragon ruffled its wings.

“I’m afraid you were left to languish longer than planned,” Klothi admitted, her hand tucking in her sleeve. The other two viziers approached the dragons, as did Titus, however, the opalescent one shied away from the emperor and moved closer to Avera.

Avera frowned as the viziers danced around the truth. They feared telling these wild creatures. Wild in the sense they didn’t follow human rules. But they were intelligent, and Avera didn’t see them taking the news of how long they’d been dormant well.

How long? The tanned one fixed Klothi with a slitted gaze.

“The rift will open within the next few?—”

Klothi wasn’t allowed to finish.

You kept us shelled for a thousand years! The boom in her head had Avera wincing.

“There was no other choice.” Klothi didn’t sound repentant in the least. “But the good news is, once you aid us in neutralizing Zhos that we might punt it from our world, your rebirth won’t have a delay.”

Aid those who lied to us? Never.

When the head tilted that the dragon might roar its displeasure, Klothi moved fast. Her hand emerged from her sleeve and a chain with a dangling pendant went over the beast’s head.

As it hissed and mind-yelled— You dare!— the other viziers flung their own metal links.

Avera noticed Titus readying to toss a fourth around the opal-colored dragon.

Avera darted and smacked his arm, ruining his aim.

The dragon, sensing the danger, squawked and lifted from the roof, flapping its wings as Klothi yelled, "Don't let it get away.”

“I’m trying,” Titus grumbled, retrieving and flinging the chain only to have it fall after bouncing off the fleeing dragon’s chest.

Avera couldn’t help but be glad it escaped. Fly fast and far, she thought.

Even when Titus towered in front of her, glaring and spitting mad, growling, “How dare you interfere,” she remained convinced she’d done the right thing.

Her chin lifted as she stated, “I will not stand by and watch as you enslave them.”

Betrayed. The three collared dragons swayed angrily. You will pay for your actions this day.

Klothi clasped her hands. “Be still and quiet.”

The pendants around the dragon necks glowed and they went still as statues and not by choice.

Avera took a step, knowing she had to free them, only to have Titus grab her by the arm and snap, “You’ve caused enough trouble.” He then glanced at Klothi. “I thought you said she’d be biddable.”

“I must not have given her enough of the potion,” Klothi muttered. “Fear not, the next dose will be stronger.”

“You admit then that you drugged me?”

“As if we couldn’t tell you were wavering. We didn’t want you ruining the occasion, and yet you still managed,” Titus grumbled.

“Knowing how I felt, why bother even bringing me along?” she snapped.

“Because I can’t exactly get married without my bride.”

“As if I’d marry you. I’m beginning to see who you truly are.” It would appear the rumors held some veracity and what he’d shown her up to this point? His charm, his agreeableness, his promises? Just an act.

“Who says you have a choice?” he retorted. He glanced at Klothi. “Might as well do the ceremony now. I doubt she’ll agree willingly anymore.”

“I was never going to marry you,” Avera spat.

“And again, you never had a choice. I need a blooded female to create an heir. A good thing you didn’t die as it turns out the other families are down to males only.”

“Why not breed your viziers? I’m sure they’d be less likely to kill you in the attempt,” Avera suggested and threatened in one breath.

“Alas, they are unsuitable. While blooded, they have regenerated too often and lost the ability to conceive, but I should manage to get a welp or two on you before I need to rejuvenate again. Ideally, we’ll conceive a blooded child for each continent.”

As she realized his intent, to literally rule the world, Avera stared at him in horror. “No.” She shook her head. “I won’t do it.”

Titus ignored her and spoke to Klothi instead. “Let’s get this done.”

Avera glanced around, seeking an escape. The only exit led to the tower, and even if she made it down the steps to the door on the main floor, a river of lava boiled around the shrine. She was trapped.

Still, Avera tried to run, making it only a few steps before Titus tackled her. She hit the rooftop hard, smacking her chin, biting her lip, and tasting blood.

“Where’s the potion?” he snarled as he pinned her bucking body.

“Flip her to her back,” Klothi ordered.

Titus wrestled Avera until she faced the sky. Her lips clamped shut as Klothi tilted her flask.

“Open her mouth,” the vizier commanded.

While Titus held her writhing body, Karoki and Kachezi grabbed hold of her head and pried open her jaw. As the liquid dribbled into her mouth, Avera tried to spit and gag, did what she could to avoid swallowing.

Failed.

A languorous feeling spread through her limbs. Her eyelids grew heavy. Perhaps if she slept, she’d wake to find out this was but a horrible dream.

“Don’t let her sleep,” snapped Titus. “Keep her awake long enough to say the words.”

Avera felt as if she floated. Her spirit detached from the body which obeyed the women in white as they ordered her to her knees. Titus hit the rooftop beside her.

The viziers pulled back their veils for the ceremony, exposing their faces.

Their hands linked as Klothi began chanting ritualistic words about binding and joining their bloodlines.

Avera found herself staring at Klothi, the youngest of the three.

A woman who’d regenerated her youth and recently by the looks of it.

The recognition hit her suddenly, and despite the drug binding her will, Avera managed to whisper, “Opal.”

The woman’s gaze met hers. She didn’t confirm, only continued the monotone chanting but now that Avera had seen the truth, she couldn’t help but be angry.

Opal/Klothi had manipulated and lied to her. Opal never intended for Avera to return the Dracova stones to Fraegus Spire. This had been the plan all along. Have Avera fetch them so they might hatch and enslave the dragons.

Avera wanted to weep and scream and fight. Instead, she obediently repeated the ritual words.

“I bind myself to Titus Gugerknaut as his consort. To obey, to honor, for as long as I live.”

With tears rolling down her cheeks, she was married to the emperor.