Page 19 of Serving my Dragon (The Dragocracy Chronicles #2)

Chapter Fifteen

My little dragon—who’d grown much since I first found her—strutted around proudly flexing her small wings.

“Can you fly with them?” I couldn’t completely mask my skepticism given their paper-thin appearance.

“Not yet. I’ll have to strengthen them first. To that end, I am going hunting.”

“In the jungle?” Kayleigh exclaimed, clasping her hands.

“Where else?” The sarcasm went well with Polly’s rolled eyes. Had we hit the dragon version of teenage years? “There is nothing in the citadel that offers a challenge.”

“Not alone,” Kayleigh protested. She’d taken to mothering Polly, teaching her everything from reading to explaining how the world worked. That included having manners, which was the most difficult as the dragon seemed to think those didn’t apply to her. “At least take Matty with you.”

Polly glanced at me. “He is too loud and will scare away the prey.”

Couldn’t argue with that. I lacked a stealthy gene and always seemed to find a branch to step on.

“But—” Kayleigh tried to protest, however, Polly wouldn’t have it.

“Your concern is noted but unnecessary. I am a dragon.” Polly flexed and puffed her chest. “Hunting is what we do and a skill I must hone. I shall return shortly.”

And that was that.

Polly exited the cave and Kayleigh paced.

“I don’t like this. She’s so little.”

“So is a jaguar’s cub, but that doesn’t make them any less of a predator. Don’t forget, she has the advantage of having the memories of her ancestors. I’m sure she’ll be fine,” I stated rather than convey my own worry. I knew what roamed these parts, including creatures much larger than Pollita.

Without discussion, Kayleigh and I chose to spend the day outside on the pretext of foraging, but, in reality, we listened for a cry of distress.

To our relief, Pollita returned without mishap, her belly rounded and looking fiercely proud of herself. “I can see why others of my kind chose this location. There is an abundance of creatures,” our little dragon declared.

“You’re okay? No injuries?” Kayleigh asked, scooping up Polly and checking her over.

“I am perfectly fine. I avoided the larger types that might cause me trouble but noted their presence for when I am grown enough to hunt them.”

“Did you exercise your wings?” I asked.

“Yes. For now, I can only glide short distances, but soon, I shall soar,” Polly boasted.

I kind of looked forward to seeing that. It must be exhilarating to be able to coast above the world, dipping and soaring.

That night, Juan returned just after twilight, laden with a heavy pack.

“At last, my wily protector returns,” Polly announced, having noticed his presence first.

“Hello, Pollita. Nice wings,” Juan remarked, which, of course, had the little dragon preening.

“Thank you. They are quite nice, aren’t they? What did you bring me?” Polly quickly turned into a normal kid.

While Kayleigh and Polly oohed over the treats packed in the bag, Juan motioned to me. “I’ve got more stuff in the truck, but I’ll need a hand.”

We set off through the jungle and I asked, “How are things back home?”

“Good, although your mama is missing you.”

While I missed her, too, admitting it would lead to mocking. “Did you get anything useful out of those gringos looking for Kayleigh?”

Juan’s expression darkened. “Never had a chance. Despite being arrested on drug charges, by the time I’d returned from dropping you off, they’d already been released.”

“What?” I exclaimed.

“It must have been a large bribe because they were in custody less than an hour. Someone with deep pockets didn’t want them talking. And no, I don’t know who paid. Probably the same person who flew them out that same day on a private jet.”

“So, they’re gone.”

“Aye.”

“Why bring us supplies then? Shouldn’t we return home?”

“No.”

I stopped walking and it took a moment before Juan paused too. “Why not? If those men who attacked us have left, then there should be no threat.”

“Because while they left, the family is being watched.”

I frowned. “I thought you said everything was fine.”

“Nothing’s happened, but we’ve spotted drones in the skies over all of our homes. Yours included.”

“Someone is still trying to locate Kayleigh,” I murmured, which led to me exclaiming, “Were you followed?”

Juan snorted. “As if I would allow that. Fear not. I shot down the one watching me before heading out.”

I rubbed my bristly jaw. “How long before they give up?”

A roll of the shoulders accompanied Juan’s, “I don’t know.”

“I can’t stay here forever. Without work, I have no money to pay the bills. The rent on my office will be due.” Not to mention the payments for the loans for my equipment, utilities, and more.

“Don’t worry. I’ll find a way to cover them.”

“I am worried because while it is rather nice out here, it is isolated.” And I’d never admit it out loud, but I missed my mother. As we continued walking, I added, “I’m a little concerned by the fact my phone doesn’t work out here.” I’d turned it off to preserve the battery.

“You have to drive a fair distance before you can pick up a weak signal. Who do you need to call?”

I almost said Mama, but changed it to, “We still haven’t managed to get in touch with Kayleigh’s friend, Sally.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. The woman is most likely being monitored. For all I know, our calls and messages are being spied on as well.”

“Hacking our phones? Do you know how insane that sounds?” I exploded. “I don’t understand why anyone would go through so much trouble given Kayleigh remembers nothing.”

“Whatever she witnessed must be bad because I agree, simply knowing dragons exist doesn’t seem like a good enough reason.”

We reached the truck and my brows lifted at what I saw in the back. “Is that a solar panel?”

Juan grinned. “It will be needed for the mini-fridge and laptop I brought. Thought you might be bored so I downloaded some movies for you to watch.”

“Thanks.”

My gratitude faded as carrying the goods meant strapping the fridge to my back for the trudge back and then maneuvering it down those slippery stairs.

We’d cleared most of the foliage from them but they remained treacherous.

Another trip had me wearing coiled power cords as the solar panels would have to be mounted where they could get sun, meaning not anywhere close to the cave entrance.

Still, the effort proved worth it given the excitement by Polly and Kayleigh.

That night, the four of us feasted on Mama’s homemade empanadas and watched a movie. Juan left in the morning with a promise to return soon with more stuff.

A week went by, then two. Juan came by three more times, each visit bringing us more things to make the citadel more comfortable. Rugs for the floors. Another solar panel. An air fryer. Toiletries. Baking supplies. Clothes. The place felt more and more like home.

While a part of me wanted to return to my house, I had to admit we weren’t living badly.

I missed Mama and my extended family, however, living with Kayleigh, making love to her every night, seeing how she lit up whenever she saw me—and I saw her—made me happy in a way I’d not expected, or even known I needed.

During that time, Polly grew at a crazy rate, no longer the size of a kitten but now that of a medium-sized dog.

Her wings did indeed thicken and her ability to coast from tree to tree soon turned into actual flight.

I’ll admit to feeling a sense of awe the first time I saw her swooping and twirling in the air above the lake.

No more did I think of Pollita as a lizard. I beheld an actual dragon, albeit, minus the fire, a touchy subject as it turned out.

I broached it one night during dinner. “So how come the stories claim dragons breathe flames?”

“Because some do,” Polly stated. “There are five main abilities a dragon can have. Fire, acid, water, ice, and electricity.”

“Which one do you have?” Because I’d not seen her display any of those.

“None,” my dragon grumbled. “Whatever my gift is, it remains well hidden for the moment.”

“I’m sure it will come,” Kayleigh soothed.

“Or not,” was Polly’s more ominous complaint. “While rare, it happens that some never discover their gift. Without one, it will be harder for me to expand and protect my territory.”

“You do realize, humanity isn’t likely to just allow you to take over a country, right?” I felt a need to speak up.

“Allow?” Polly scoffed. “As if I will ask for permission. I am a dragon. I decide what I shall claim.”

“And if people balk?”

“Why would they? It is an honor to have me as their ruler.”

The conversation reminded me that for all intents and purposes, I spoke to a child. “Because people don’t like to be told what to do, and since you’re the one who keeps speaking of your enemies hunting you, you are obviously aware that humans do sometimes fight back.”

“What would you suggest instead?” Polly huffed. “A dragon’s whole purpose is to accumulate wealth and land.”

“You don’t have to be vocal or visible to do it, though,” I countered. “The world’s richest people are rarely seen. They simply buy everything they want. Bribe when needed.”

“Are you suggesting I dominate through stealthy means?” Polly sounded shocked.

“Yes.”

It took her a moment to reply. “You know, there might be merit in that. It would make it harder for my enemies to notice my gradual takeover. You have given me much to ponder and plot. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I am finally strong enough to fly across the chasm and immerse myself in the heated pool. ”

With that announcement, Polly entered the citadel by soaring through the waterfall.

“That was very well done,” Kayleigh stated. “I’ve been wondering how to broach the world domination fixation Polly has.”

“I don’t think she grasps how poorly that would end. She’d either wind up shot or taken captive for study.” Neither of which I wanted to see happen.

“She’s a smart girl. Give her time. It’s gotta be hard to have all these implanted expectations that are at odds with the world she hatched into.”