Oath of Betrayal (The Broken Bonds: Slavic Fantasy #1)

T he scent of burnt flesh assaulted my senses as soon as we walked into the empty antechamber. It was bad. Orm had downplayed the situation so much that I couldn’t help giving him some very serious side-eye.

At least he’d come to get me straight away. But our relaxed banter on the way here felt completely inappropriate now. I was so close to scolding him that I took a deep, calming breath, regretting it instantly. Now wasn’t the time to indulge in anger. Not when the suffering of so many threatened to overwhelm my senses.

The place was cold, with unglazed windows meant to reduce the stifling smell of open wounds. Unfortunately, that also made the wounded soldiers’ moans sound eerily frightening. I knew one raróg could be challenging to deal with, but an entire nest? Those fire demons might be as beautiful as falcons, but being the size of a horse with flames issuing from their beaks, claws, and wings, they were more deadly than any bird of prey.

‘Vahin, how are the other dragons? Should I send some healers there? Please tell me they are all right … Vahin, answer me, you overgrown—If you don’t answer, I will come to your lair and beat the answer out of your scaly arse right now!’