Aspen (The Dragon Kings #2)(15)

“I don’t think this will work. I’m not going to ask other dragons to die for me.”

“They only die if you don’t succeed.”

“The probability of my success is low. Why should I risk that?”

“For Aspen? She’ll die along with you. You know this. If you won’t do this for yourself, do this for her. Besides, I think you are underestimating yourself.”

“You’d really be willing to give up your life for me?”

Skye leaned forward and whispered in his ear. “I don’t expect you to fail.” She kissed him on the cheek and held out her hand for him. “Come on, let’s get this started.”

Sid wasn’t even sure he knew how to invoke the ancient magic. Once he began, he couldn’t quit. This was one sealing that couldn’t fade or be removed. He had to have all the races too or it wouldn’t work. After he secured his first seal, he only had until someone spotted the marks on one of the other dragons. Skye was safe. So were Damien and Theo. But the rest. He’d also have to ask them to go into hiding. That wasn’t fair to ask of them, but he supposed if they were willing to die for him, they’d be willing to hide for him.

If the council found out, they’d be livid, and they’d kill him straightaway. If he succeeded in securing all eight races, he’d have a full circle, and the council would be forced to step down.

They went out into the backyard and both transformed into their dragon forms.

I’m not sure how this works, Sid said.

Lucky for you, I do. Remember, I spent the last few months hanging out with Everett. He taught me a lot. You don’t have to do anything. When we are finished, I’ll explain how it works, though, so you can help the others. Are you ready?

Skye, are you sure? If this doesn’t work, you will die. You know that.

I know. Lower your head please. I can’t reach it.

He did as she asked.

Obsidian, on behalf of the sea dragons, I pledge our loyalty to you and only you.

She touched her snout to his forehead, and he felt a thread of warmth flow from his head to a spot on his chest that burned.

She backed up. He swung his head around and tried to look down at his chest but couldn’t see anything. He looked back at Skye.

This means the world to me.

Obsidian, the world would be a sad place if you weren’t in it. I believe in you. Others will too. On her own chest a circle had appeared with his name in the center. She’d just given up one sealing and gained another one. Though this one was far more dangerous.

They turned back into their human forms, and Sid held her hand as they walked back inside. He did love her, not romantically, but she was one of his best friends, and now she’d pledged her life to him. The depth of her devotion was beyond comprehension. It would be worth it if he could complete the new council. Otherwise, they’d all die.

Skye was right though, and if he could get one dragon from each dragon race to pledge loyalty to him, then he’d be able to take over. Only one dragon in history had ever succeeded, and it was the king who ended the dragon wars. Maybe Sid would be able to stop these wars before they even begin.

Back in the house, he took off his shirt and stared at the blue circle that appeared on his chest. In the middle of the circle was Skye’s name, and he tried to make sense of the writing around it, but it was their ancient tongue and hard to read in the mirror. Skye would have to help him translate it in the morning.





Aspen was still angry when she woke up the next morning. What right did Sid have to think he could just die? There had to be another way. Her phone buzzed a few minutes later.

Want to go for a ride?

I’m still mad.

I know. But I want to show you something. Meet me in the grove we used to meet in.

Stay mad at Sid or go for a dragon ride? That was tough. Aspen ignored the phone and hopped in the shower instead. She’d go for a ride with him, but she was going to let him sweat it out first.

When she got out of the shower, there were thirty texts from him all basically saying the same thing.

I’m sorry.

She sighed and texted him back.

I know. Meet me in thirty.

She was lacing up her boots when Rowan met her in the doorway.

“Where are you going?” He brushed his hair out of his eyes. Aspen saw his muscles in his arms flex. Hanging with Sid and Theo had been good for him.

Aspen almost said, “to see Sid.” But then she remembered that Rowan wasn’t privy to all their secrets yet. He didn’t know Sid was a dragon.

“I haven’t seen my dragon in a while. I’m going for a ride.” She stood up and grabbed the door handle.

“Can I come? You said I could meet him.” Damn. She’d forgotten about that.

“Maybe another time. It’s been ages since I’ve been able to hang with him.”

“Please, I won’t stay long. I just want to meet him.” He took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes. He looked younger without them.

“Why? You’re doing so much better. Why risk it? It is a dragon after all.”

“That’s the point, though, isn’t it? If I can meet a dragon without freaking out, maybe I’ll get over this.”

Aspen wasn’t sold on the idea. She hoped Sid would say no. If Sid didn’t allow Rowan to come meet him as a dragon, then Aspen didn’t have to be afraid of what the meeting might do to him. Rowan was scared of a lot of things, but the thing he feared most were dragons. He couldn’t even stand looking at Aspen’s pictures. Meeting Obsidian could put him in a comatose state.