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A distant sound caught his attention, and he raised his gaze to the sky in time to see the moon disappear as a shadow covered it.

The moon soon reappeared but he frowned as a dark chunk of the sky seemed to move.

It headed for the shrine, and he wondered if one of those damnable witches had returned.

At the idea, he stood still, torn with indecision. Return to the shrine and deal with the witch, or continue towards Avera and his army? Before he could decide, he saw something bulky launch itself from the building. It swooped low, aiming for him.

Titus reeled as a dragon many times the size of the ones he’d hatched alit on the plains.

Well, well. What do we have here? A deep voice said in his head.

The blooded couldn’t be harmed by dragons, he reminded himself before straightening his spine. “I am Titus Gugerknaut, Emperor of Merisu.”

You’re the emperor? The dragon cocked its head. I expected someone larger and definitely more impressive.

The only thing big about him is his ego. The second voice turned out to be another dragon, the small pale one that had escaped him the day of the hatching. It alit beside the giant beast.

He won’t be cocky for long, huffed the big dragon with amusement.

“You can’t harm me,” Titus exclaimed. “I’m one of the blooded.” A restriction he’d never understood but would use to his advantage.

And a disgrace to your lineage. The big dragon shook its head.

Where are the guardians? the pale beast asked. They and my brethren weren’t at the shrine.

“Gone. Those lying whores stole my dragons and fled.” He couldn’t help but sound bitter.

And the Voxspira female?

His lip curled. “Also ran away. So if you’re done wasting my time, I have a consort to fetch.”

The pale dragon glanced at the big one before leaping into the air.

“Where is it going?”

None of your concern.

“I demand you tell me.” The laughter at his statement only made his rage simmer hotter. “Do not mock me.”

To think, you are the man so many fear. You seem more like a petulant child having a tantrum.

The insult only added to his feeling of impotence. Titus didn’t like it one bit. “Be gone. I want nothing to do with you.”

You don’t interest me, but I know someone who wishes to speak with you.

“Then tell them to ask for an audience,” Titus snarled, turning his back on the dragon only to gasp as he found himself wrapped in a scaled tail. “Release me at once.”

No.

“You can’t hurt me. I’m blooded.”

I’m aware of that annoying fact, which is why I brought friends.

More confused than ever—and feeling a fright that tightened his chest—Titus yelped as the dragon leaped into the air. With a few beats of its wings, they were aloft, Titus bobbing along, wrapped in the dragon’s tail as it headed for the shrine’s rooftop.

It dropped him a few feet from the surface, where he landed in a tangle of limbs. By the time he righted himself, Titus realized he had an audience of four people, strangers with Verlorian coloring.

“Who are you?” Titus snapped.

“Who are you?” riposted the female with boyishly short hair.

He puffed out his chest. “I am the Emperor, and you are trespassing.” A reply that met with snickers from the youngest male of the group.

“Ah, listen to His Highness, thinking pirates give a damn,” mocked the young fellow.

“Where is Avera?” barked a thick man.

“Gone. Hopefully eaten by the monsters in the chasm,” Titus snarled. “And good riddance. She’s been nothing but trouble.”

“Sounds like Avera,” muttered the female.

“You better hope she’s not come to harm,” the big man growled.

“Or else what? I’m not afraid of you. My army?—”

“Can’t help you. No one can. But I’m not one to fight unfairly, so get out your sword and we’ll duel it out.” The fellow pulled his blade and Titus tried to not show fear. Actual combat wasn’t something he’d ever excelled at.

“I don’t duel. Especially not with commoners,” Titus stated with a sneer.

At that, the man grinned. “Who says I’m common? Name is Griffon Leif. Had Verlora not been demolished, I would have been its chancellor after my father.”

“Bah, you’re more than a chancellor,” added the young man. “Surely His Eminence has heard of the Pirate King?”

“You’re the pirate leader?” Titus exclaimed in surprise.

“Yes, and I’ve got a bone to pick with the man who looted my country and kidnapped Daerva’s queen while she was in my custody.”

“I was saving her,” Titus lied.

“No, you were using her,” the pirate growled. “And I’m here to put an end to it. So draw your blade and let us finish this quarrel as men.”

Since you have this situation in hand, I shall go assist Daerva in finding the Voxspira female.

The big dragon left, and Titus couldn’t help but yell, “Come back here you, fucking lizard. Protect me.”

No.

“Surely you won’t allow this pirate to kill one of the blooded?” Titus argued in desperation.

Actually, that was the plan all along. Since I can’t do it myself, Griffon kindly volunteered.

The large dragon departed with a flap of wings that caused the air to whip, and Titus took that time to flee for the stairs. He clomped down them rapidly, but as he made it to the main level of the shrine, the pirate king leapt from the staircase and landed in front of him.

“Good choice taking this inside. The air up there is a bit smoky for my taste.”

“I won’t fight you,” Titus huffed.

“I see I can add coward to your list of attributes.” Griffon advanced on him, sword at the ready.

“You can’t kill me. I’m the Emperor!”

“Who bleeds like any other man.”

Titus fumbled for his sword as the pirate gave a loose jab. He barely managed to clang his blade against it.

“There we go. Try and make this somewhat sporting. I’ve been looking forward to this moment.”

“I have no quarrel with you,” Titus tried to argue.

“And yet I have many with you.” Griffon slashed and drew a red stripe across Titus’ forearm. “That was for looting Verlora.” The next swing Titus couldn’t evade slit open his thigh. “That’s for everyone you’ve ever fucked over.”

Titus whimpered from the pain of his cuts. “This isn’t fair.”

“What isn’t fair,” Griffon stated, rapidly whipping his blade, each one opening up a new wound, “is you thinking you can act with impunity. Kidnapping a queen. Coercing her into fetching the eggs.”

“Only because those witches told me to do so!”

“And did they force you to make her your consort?”

“You want the slut, take her. The marriage was never consummated.”

Griffon paused. “Well, that’s a bit of good news. But she’s still married to you, and that won’t do at all.”

“I’ll divorce her. I’ll?—”

Titus never did finish that sentence because his head left his shoulders.