Page 4 of Upon Buried Embers (Upon Buried Embers #1)

Elf

Rohan pushes me in front of him, my weak legs somehow carrying me forward as the two predators stay at my back. I try not to cry out with each step, try not to throw up when dizziness threatens to take me to the floor.

This can’t be happening. Where is he taking me? Why is he taking me?

Drogonah’s footsteps are the loudest, each of the dragon’s claws landing with a heavy thud that could easily squish me beneath them. Mine are lighter, almost silent. The Dragonbond’s equally quiet given his size.

“Be good, Drogonah, she’s not food,” Rohan says. “For now.” Fresh waves of fear pour off of me.

So, I’m going to be eaten? Just on his command?

“Take a left,” he demands, and we round a corner before coming to an opening.

Torches illuminate the awaiting crowd ahead of me, and I shake violently as multiple sets of widened eyes land on me. Some Dragorie, some dragons. They look as surprised to see me as I am them.

Elvanan, save me.

“Ahh.” I let out a strangled cry when I’m suddenly nudged forward, and I land hard on my knees, my hair falling around me. I’m unable to hold back the tears.

“Who is this?” A voice demands, and I lift my head to see a tall man bending before me, his skin a dark brown. “An elf?” A grunt of confirmation comes from behind me, and the man’s brows furrow.

“Yes,” he answers. “Are we packed up, Kaldar?”

“We are,” the man replies, his dark, braided hair hanging over his shoulders, hiding a tattoo on the side of his neck. My eyes lower as he reaches a hand out toward me. I try to move back, but rough hands grip my arms and lift me up like I’m nothing, rattling my bones.

“She’s with me.” The deep timber of Rohan’s voice makes me shiver, along with the gust of air from his dragon behind us.

“But how did she get here? No one is allowed over the boundary. The king can’t even get past it to the elves, so how is she here?”

“She was sold, apparently.”

“A spy then?” Kaldar nods, like he’s already made up his mind.

“A slave, but that could be a lie. Though there was no one else with her.” They speak like I’m not even here. “But you know there are whispers of an underground in Lothmere, of elves being sold secretly and stowed away in homes, never to be seen. So she could be telling the truth.”

“Hmm.” Kaldar looks between us, then smirks. “Will you share her, then? May as well have some fun while we figure it out.” His eyes roam over me and my blood turns cold in an instant.

I shouldn’t be surprised. I’ve heard stories of the Clans from Master.

They’re barbarians at their core, which is why most Dragorie people can live with dragons.

They’re said to be beasts themselves, just in a human body.

They pillage, rape, share, kill and steal with the Dragonbond having a temper that’s beyond control when they snap.

And apparently, no one can tame a furious Dragonbond.

“Maybe,” the Dragonbond says, and then I feel his hands on the back of my neck, just above the metal, the heat of it causing goosebumps to rise across my body.

A woman scoffs, the light catching the movement of her hair flowing in multiple braids as she moves it to the side, a sneer pulling at her lips. “We can’t seriously be harboring an elf? It’ll get us all killed. Let Drogonah eat her and save us all the hassle.”

“Why would you think she’s good enough for my dragon to eat, Darcia?” Rohan retorts, and there’s a heavy pause. The woman shifts from foot to foot.

She lowers her head a little. “Of course, Dragonbond.”

He grunts. “She’s with me, which means you will all keep this quiet while I find out the reason why an elf is in Dracozar, understand?”

“Yes, Dragonbond.”

“Now, let’s move.”

Everyone springs into action.

People gather sacks and fill carts, making sure the saddles are attached to their horses. I stand there, my heartbeat in my throat as I receive many glares and curious glances.

There are dragons at the back of the cavernous space sitting and waiting, and I swallow roughly at their eyes also on me.

“Come.” I’m tugged forward, then back, a rope appearing and wrapping around my waist. I grab at it, trying to get it off me, hurting my hands more in the process. “Stop that,” Rohan admonishes, turning and smacking my hands away.

I watch in disarray as he attaches the end of the rope to his waist. He sees me looking at it and he yanks me toward him.

My palms land on his chest as I stumble into him, and I quickly go to move back, but his grip on the rope doesn’t let me.

“You won’t leave my side, Elf, or you’ll be a dragon’s dinner.”

“J-just leave me here,” I plead, not above begging. Anything’s better than being with a Clan. “Please. You don’t want me, I’m useless. I…” I can’t think of anything else to say.

“No.” He turns abruptly, and the rope begins to pull tight.

I’m forced to move with him as he steps up beside Drogonah, who turns his head and snaps his teeth at me.

I squeak in fear, trying to hide behind the Dragonbond like he’d ever save me.

“Why,” I whisper, staring up at the dragon with wide eyes as Rohan pulls the saddle straps tighter.

“I may have use for you,” he states simply.

“W-what use?”

“We will speak on it later.” He turns and grabs me by the waist. “Drogonah, leg, we need to move.”

Drogonah extends his leg forward after a snarl, and then with ease like he’s done it a thousand times, Rohan climbs up with me in tow.

My breathing turns ragged, painful gasps spilling from my lips when his hands press down on my waist.

I’m jostled into the saddle on Drogonah’s back, and once in place, Rohan sits behind me, untying me from him and securing me to the front of the saddle instead.

I’m fumbling, trying to get off as Drogonah rumbles furiously beneath me, snarling and attempting to turn his head enough to reach me.

Oh Elvanan, I’m on a dragon, I’m on a dragon!

“Calm, Drogonah.” A plume of smoke comes from his nostrils, and the other dragons eye him warily.

There are three of them, all various sizes and colors.

Rohan moves to the side and beckons Drogonah with two fingers. His head turns and lowers, and Rohan runs a hand over the side of his mouth.

“You barely feel the weight of her, there’s nothing to her but bones.” Shame fills me at that comment for some reason. “We’ll rest soon, so be good.”

He huffs, his ears flattening against his head as he shakes his body. I grab onto the saddle, a scared sound escaping me.

Rohan turns my head and puts his fingers under my chin, forcing me to lift my eyes to meet his. “Stay seated.” I swallow, and nod before he effortlessly slides down the side of Drogonah, landing in a crouch before rising again.

He’s leaving me up here on my own?!

Others gasp, looking at Rohan and then to me with wide eyes, and I look down, my hair a curtain of safety as I let another tear fall.

“Move out,” Rohan commands.

The dragons growl, and then we’re moving to what I can only imagine will be the worst part of my life.

Worse than Master and his post in the barn.