Chapter 9
Dragons
DELILAH
When I finished eating, I needed some fresh air to escape the awkwardness of breakfast. I wandered out through the main gates and found three dragons on the landing platform. I watched them for a few moments while the keepers readied them for travel.
I knew I should have been terrified of the scaly beasts, but for a reason I could not explain, I was not.
I decided to approach one of the smaller brown dragons. It noticed me immediately.
No one was paying attention. The dragon keepers were preoccupied with the other two dragons, who were bickering over the carcass of something unrecognizable.
I made eye contact with the smaller brown dragon, and it swished its tail and tilted its head.
Slowly, I approached it with my hand stretched out to pet its neck.
The moment my palm came close, that strange tingling sensation flared again, warm, and electric, crawling up my arm and into my mind.
The brown dragon made a low, rumbling sound of approval as I touched its scales.
“Hello big guy, I’m Delilah. What’s your name?” I asked warmly.
The brown dragon stretched out its wings proudly, as if showing off for me. It chittered and grumbled, almost as if it were trying to speak. Just then, I heard someone shout.
“Human!”
It was Titus. His gruff voice startled all three dragons on the landing platform. Aurelius stood beside him, one arm raised across the High Lord’s chest, as if trying to stop him from intervening.
“Just wait. I’m curious,” Aurelius seemed to say to Titus. Then Aurelius nodded at me, urging me to continue interacting with the dragon.
The small brown dragon did not like being startled. It rose to its full height, wings outstretched, every tooth on display. It snarled and roared at Titus and Aurelius.
I took a step back, and although the dragon was terrifying, I was not afraid. They reminded me so much of the horses I used to work with. Gentle at heart, but deadly when provoked. Even though this smaller brown dragon, still as big as a sedan, was furious, I knew its anger was not directed at me.
The brown dragon stepped toward the males observing us and shielded me with one wing, letting out a powerful, territorial roar. Then it turned back to me and dipped its head, almost reverently.
Though they tried to hide it, I saw the utter shock and disbelief written across Aurelius’s and Titus’s faces. They watched me closely, their amber eyes gleaming.
I tilted my head with a grin. “What are you doing?” I playfully asked the brown beast, chuckling the words.
He held his bow, lowering his head to my level, inches from my face. He huffed a plume of hot steam from his nostrils and released a soft, rumbling sound deep in his throat. My palm began to tingle, and I felt the strangest urge to touch the dragon’s face.
Slowly, I raised my arm and placed my palm against the dragon’s cheek.
The entire world seemed to hold its breath. Then the tingling sensation crept into my mind.
I flinched. I could have sworn I heard the faint whisper of a voice that was not my own.
It was muddled and distant, so faint I could not make out the words.
Was the dragon speaking to me telepathically? No, that’s impossible... right?
The largest of the three dragons seemed to call for the smaller brown dragon. He bobbed his head and slowly blinked, as if saying goodbye. Then he turned, and the ground shook beneath the weight of his retreating steps.
I walked back toward the castle doors, where Aurelius and Titus stood watching me closely. Though they tried to conceal their emotions, I could tell Aurelius was stunned and confused, while the High Lord just looked annoyed.
“What was that? What did you do?” Titus asked sharply.
I furrowed my brow. “I didn’t do anything,” I replied defensively, matching his harsh tone.
Flames flickered above his shoulders as his gaze intensified. Hot rage boiled in his amber eyes, and something else too. Something that looked a little like apprehension.
Then, just as suddenly, the flames vanished. His expression shifted to one of boredom.
“Get to the library, mortal,” he ordered.
I narrowed my eyes at him. I wanted to flip him off, but instead I held my head high and walked past the males. Once I was near the castle, I slowed my pace, sensing they would talk about me as soon as I left. I slipped behind an obsidian pillar near the door and listened to what they had to say.
I had no idea what that moment with the brown dragon meant, or why Zephyros seemed to regard me the same way. Like I was important. Like I was powerful. I doubted they were going to tell me anything, which meant I had to find out for myself.
“Explain to me why one of my dragons, in my army, just challenged me and protected her,” Titus demanded, his teeth clenched.
Aurelius stroked his chin. “It is hard to say. I have never seen a dragon behave that way.”
“While I am gone, I am leaving you in charge of her. Keep an eye on her. She is…” The High Lord hesitated. “I do not know what she is,” he finished in frustration.
“She is remarkable,” Aurelius replied, not even trying to hide the
awe in his tone.
Titus’s jaw tightened. “And send that brown dragon to the royal dragon healer. Something must be wrong with it.”