Chapter Four
They led the horsesright up to the bottom of the mountain before dismounting. The dragon used surprising gentleness as he assisted me off of our mount. I bit back a groan at the thought of climbing up this mountain on foot, barely standing straight as it was.
The dragon kept a tight, but not painful grip on my upper arm and pulled me to the rocky wall, revealing a door. My brows folded in surprise and confusion.
“We live inside.”
I took a last glance at the sun and sky over my shoulder before he led me through the door, the others parting and waiting for us to pass before closing us inside.
It wasn’t as dark as I expected, torches lined the cavernous tunnel, casting a golden glow against the rocks. My breath caught at the jewels glittering along the walls, my fingers itching to touch and stroke the gleaming gems.
The tunnel led to stone steps and my lungs squeezed at the amount. I couldn’t even see the end as they spiraled out of sight. My mind whirled with questions as the dragons herded me up the stairs. Why did they live inside a mountain? How many lived here? Or was this their prison? Was my fate to be trapped here, never to see the sun or trees or sky again?
I was just a simple bard, trading songs for food or coin, using my voice and ukulele to bring attention to the problems in our country. I just wanted the lives and deaths of my parents to mean something, to matter. I never expected it would bring me into a political coup.
The only hope I had was Princess Indigo planning to meet with the dragons soon. If she met them here, she could get me out of here. If I remained alive that long. If the meeting was successful. But without her to vouch for me, if I tried to explain one of my kindreds was the prince, they’d definitely execute me as a spy.
I needed to keep to my story of being a simple bard who was captured by evil Faligreans and barely escaped by running into the dragon lands. Or even my true story, minus the assassins and prince. There was a chance it would help Indigo when she met to get their assistance in overthrowing her father. Even if Indigo didn’t find me, I still wanted to do whatever I could to help her. I wanted the king off the throne and I would sacrifice anything, everything to make sure it happened.
A hundred steps later, I heard more than the echo of our boots. Chatter and laughter trickled to my ears. I stumbled as I tried to hear more, but one of the dragons steadied me. My legs shook with weariness and a heavy ache as I pushed myself to keep moving, not wanting to be hauled up the rest by one of the dragons.
We finally reached the landing and my jaw dropped at the sight as I lurched to a halt. I couldn’t believe what I saw. It was a city. A city gleaming with precious stones in the walls. Sunlight dripped through the top of the mountain, joining with lanterns and torches to light everything up. Homes with balconies and stores were built right into the sides of the mountain and the stairs led to walkways with vendors with carts selling their wares. Children skipped and played along the ledge, swerving around the people shopping. It was amazing.
My captor dragon nudged me towards the next set of steps and I fought a groan, not sure how much more I could take.
“One more flight, and we’ll stop.”
I barely kept from whimpering in relief. Some of the agony from being ripped away from my kindreds faded, leaving a scratchy, itchy sensation behind. Oh no. Had they found me? Somehow picking up my trail and throwing themselves into danger to save me? They could jeopardize everything Indigo was working towards.
The stubborn fools.
I turned my head, peeking from the corners of my eyes, searching for some sign of them. The pain was still present enough I didn’t think all three were there, maybe just one or two. Probably Whistler. If they were there, and I wasn’t losing my mind, they were staying hidden.
At least there was that.
As soon as my foot hit the bottom step, a roar echoed around us, so loud it made my ears ring and teeth buzz. A dragon burst from the crowd, his eyes wild as he raced over and yanked me from the others and into his chest. I struggled against him, fear and panic banging in my chest, overcoming the scratchy feeling.
Everyone stopped what they were doing, staring at us in confusion and horror.
He growled and gripped me tighter. “Mine.”