A Destiny of Dragons (Tales From Verania #2)(122)

“Being unfocused with that level of power will get someone killed,” I said.

“It’s a good thing you have me, then.”

“Oh my gods. Of course you would make this about your ego. You dickbag.”

He rolled his eyes. “You’re the most powerful wizard in an age. I’m your cornerstone. Therefore I’m the most powerful cornerstone in an age. It’s my destiny, after all.”

I wiggled my fingers at him. “I will curse your tongue so it falls out of your mouth.”

“Ungh,” he said, eyes glazing over.

“Heart boner definitely gone,” Gary muttered behind us. “Their sex games are so weird.”

“I don’t like sex games,” Tiggy said. “I like puzzles.”

“Gaah, I love your face. Tell me I’m beautiful.”

“You’re beautiful.”

“I know.”

There was a flap of wings, and a large shadow passed overhead. Dust and sand kicked up around us as Kevin lowered himself back onto the island, holding Ruv in his claws. He let Ruv drop down before he landed, folding his wings against his sides.

Ruv was wide-eyed as he stared at me. “They said you were powerful.” He shook his head. “They have no idea, do they?”

“I don’t think anyone does,” I said honestly. “It’s still a work in progress.”

“A work in—Sam. I have never seen that kind of magic before.”

“Oh. Well. You’re… welcome?”

“How can you do that?”

“The power of positivity?”

“He doesn’t know,” Gary said. “Isn’t that fun? You meet him, you think, oh, there’s a cute little twink with a perky butt, and the next, wham! He’s exploded your liver and turned your blood into burning oil.”

“I’m not a twink!”

“Notice how he didn’t deny the other stuff,” Gary whispered to Ruv. “Think about that the next time you let Vadoma call you his cornerstone and you don’t try to correct her.”

“Eep,” Ruv squeaked.

“Yesss,” Gary hissed. “Your fear gives me strength.”

“Well,” Ryan said, clapping his hands. “As fun as threats against Ruv are, we should probably move forward before something else happens.”

I stared at him in horror. “Why would you say that? Now something else is going to happen because you jinxed us!”

“Sam,” he said with a sigh. “Something always happens when you’re involved.”

“That’s not even—okay. Yes. That’s pretty much true. I have nothing.”

“Sam, before we go, if I may.”

“Yes, Kevin.”

“I know your mother and I have ended our relationship.”

“I changed my mind. Stop.”

“And I know I’ve been a distant stepfather at best.”

“Oh my gods.”

“But son? That whole lightning thing? That was hot. I would just destroy you if you’d let me.”

“Oh my gods.”

“Remember when I used to hate your magic because wizards suck?”

“I wish that was still the case.”

“Well now I like it, and I hope wizards suck.”

“Why aren’t you defending my honor?” I asked Ryan, poking him in the chest.

He shrugged. “I don’t disagree with what he’s saying.”

“Useless. All of you. Since Ryan jinxed us, we should get moving before we get eaten or—”

From farther into the island came the deafening roar of an unmistakably large creature. It echoed through the cavern around the island until it finally faded.

“—or the dragon wakes up and knows we’re here,” I finished weakly. “Because holy fuck, it’s awake and knows we’re here.”

We all turned toward the dome, expecting to see it slithering toward us, teeth bared, ready to eat our legs and patellas, but there was nothing there.

But I could feel it. It wasn’t whispering to me in my head anymore, at least not in words. There was just that hook in my brain, jerking me forward, and all I could think was now, now, now.

“Well shit,” Gary said. “Sam’s got glowing eyes again. That will never not be freaky.”

“Kevin?” I asked without looking away from the dome. “Can you feel it?”

“Yes,” Kevin said, sounding dreamy. “He’s in there.”

“He?”

“Yes.”

“Can you talk to him?”

“No. It’s not…. I can just feel him. He’s awake. He’s waiting for us. He’s waiting for you.”

“Eh, maybe we should think about this,” Ryan said. “Since anytime we’ve rushed headfirst into anything without thinking it through, it’s never really worked out in our favor.”

“You rescued the Prince and landed the wizard without thinking it through,” Gary pointed out. “In fact, I don’t know that you ever think things through.”

He glared at Gary. “I think things through all the time. It’s not my fault I’m surrounded by all of you people.”