A Kingdom of Ruin (Deliciously Dark Fairytales Book 3)(16)

“Vemar, we’ve gone over this.” Tamara’s frustration was evident. “It’s not mysterious to most of the people in this room. Right? Three-quarters of the people in this room are from Wyvern.” My heart beat faster. “It is only mysterious to those of you who have magically forgotten its existence, and you’re the only one who won’t admit that the place is real.”

“Just last blackout you told me about a huge worm creature that eats children. Everyone played along, and you all had tales…and come to find out you were making it all up. I know I am slipping into madness, Tamara. You don’t need to hurry me along.”

“We were joking that other time. This is real,” she said.

“How should I know the difference?” he replied.

“Will you stop with this?” A woman’s disembodied voice floated along the cells. I couldn’t tell where she resided. “You aren’t mad. You’re just too gullible. You’re fun to mess with.”

“No, no.” His hand dropped down to the ground outside his cell. “I’m pretty sure I went mad somewhere along the way. I haven’t broken yet, though. You know how I know that? Because they don’t dare send me off to the fine parties without a cage. They keep me caged and chained until they want to use me, and then they goose me with magic before they get me naked. It’s fun when it’s happening, may the goddess slap my heinie. I feel dirty when I’m done, though, and filthy for having enjoyed it, but damn it all if it isn’t fun in the moment. You all know what I mean, don’t say you don’t. But one day their magic won’t work so well, and that is the day when they will all die. That is how I know I’m not broken.”

“It’s called shame fucking,” I murmured. “There was an awful lot of shame fucking where I came from. The demons ruled the nights. Not many fine folks left by now. Mostly mediocre, if you hear them tell it…”

“Maybe you have gone mad, too,” he replied in the singsong voice before I could ask about those from my kingdom.

“If you’re from Wyvern, why did I never see you in the court?” Tamara asked. “I knew all the dragons of the court, especially the females. I would’ve noticed you.”

“I wasn’t in the court. I’m common. Time didn’t stop for me. I was seven when the curse struck. I only recently learned I was a dragon. I’ve never shifted.”

A shocked silence descended. Forearms pushed a little closer to the bars, and his pointed nose peeked through them.

“Then how do you know you’re a dragon?” someone asked down the way. A woman, but I couldn’t tell which one.

I opened my mouth to respond but froze when I heard footsteps scrape against the steps.

All other sound ceased as everyone’s focus snapped to who was coming.

Shiny black boots over tight black pants came into view, their steps slow and sure. Another set came right after, descending.

“Ah, fuck,” Vemar said, rolling his head. “Here come the dignity thieves.”

Govam and Denski came into view. They had different clothing and seemed a little fresher, like they’d bathed and slept, but they had the same resolute or blank expressions. The same coiled form of movement.

More boots came behind them, a host of female and male demons tramping down the stairs. One woman I recognized: Sonassa, the succubus who’d taken an interest in me. Her hips swung a little more freely than the others, and a little smile curled her lush lips.

They hit the bottom of the stairs, staring straight at me. They bypassed the others, clearly one destination in mind.

“No rest for the wicked, eh, Strange Lady?” Vemar said as he watched them.

“There is a time to fight and a time to wait.” I knew that voice. It belonged to the shifter who’d volunteered to take a beating in my place last night. His baritone voice washed through the dungeon like a tranquil summer’s day, warm and comforting. “Pull within yourself and wait for it to end. Whatever happens, there is no judgment here. Dragons stick together. Remember that. We are with you every step of the way. We will be here when you get back. Just make sure you do come back.”

Murmurs of assent drifted down the way as the stream of guards in black continued their approach.

Govam reached my cell, coming to a stop in front of me. He glanced down at the sword, then over at Jedrek, huddled in the corner.

“You two are coming with me,” he said. “Stand.”

“I’m cooperating.” Jedrek put his hands out. “See?”

“Put your back to the bars, dragon,” Govam barked.

In a new twist of an old tale, she will show them her back, folks. Hold your breath and hope it doesn’t go wrong.

Please kill that audience, my dragon intoned.

“You too,” Govam said, and Jedrek stepped over toward the door and turned, giving me a nervous look. “Hands through. Two hands through the same set of bars, up to the wrists.”

My belly coiled in unease, but I took a deep breath and did as ordered. Jedrek did the same, still looking at me anxiously.

Cold metal encircled my right wrist and tightened. My left wrist got the same action, the weight of the metal dragging them down. Cuffs.

“Step forward, dragon.” Govam’s voice was terse, official. He was in his rightful position again, I guessed. Captain. “You too…”