Aspen (The Dragon Kings #2)(29)

Aspen nodded. “Is that what you did for Marc?”

Sid shook his head. “It’s similar, but we never finished it with him. He didn’t deserve the respect.”

They placed the eagles out in the middle of the field.

“I’ll take Bavol. You take the other one.”

Both Sid and Skye transformed. Sid let Skye go first. Her silvery blue flames covered the tiny eagle, and seconds later Sid’s black flames engulfed Bavol. Then they both let out their flames at the same time, and the ash was gone. Skye transformed back and walked to the middle of the field to pick up two gemstones.

“What’s that?” Aspen asked.

“We make gems out of their ashes.” She held one out so Aspen could see the gigantic diamond-like gem streaked with brown.

“The stones typically take the color of the dragon. I’ve never seen one for eagles.”

Come on, Aspen, let’s go. We need to get this over with so my dad can go out searching for this bastard.

Aspen jogged away from Skye and scrambled onto Sid’s back. They took off into the biting wind.





Aspen wasn’t going to lie. She was scared of Sid’s mom thanks to Skye. She hung tightly to Sid’s neck as he flew into the mountains and straight into a cave. Aspen had no idea where they were. The cave was wide, and they flew deep into the mountain. It smelled of still water and sulfur. Fires lit the way. Eventually Sid landed and changed into his human form.

“It would be better if we were all human during this discussion.”

“You mean so your mom doesn’t bite off my head.”

Sid squeezed her hand and gave her a tight smile. “Yeah, something like that.”

At the end of a long hall they found two enormous dragons, one gold and one silver, both asleep. Their scales glittered with the light of the fire in the surprisingly warm room. Aspen unbuttoned her coat, and Sid followed suit.

“It’s their body heat. Once they change to human, it will cool down quickly.”

He placed his hand on his father’s flank and pushed against him. It didn’t even move the dragon.

Sid laughed. “Heavy sleeper. I’ve never tried to do this as a human.”

He moved around and tickled his dad’s nose. The dragon snuffed and two puffs of gold smoke floated out.

His eyelid cracked open, and Sid moved around and waved at his dad.

“Good morning.”

Apollo rose up on his haunches and then nudged the silver dragon.

She sat up, and Aspen could’ve sworn she saw a grin form. Within seconds they both changed into human. Sid’s mother looked just like Pearl. She gave Sid a big hug, and Apollo embraced Aspen. He smelled woodsy like Sid. “It’s so good to see you.”

“Thanks.”

Aspen turned and faced Sid’s mom. She stalked toward Aspen with a glare. The smile she had given Sid had disappeared. Before Aspen knew what happened, the woman slapped her across the cheek. Hard. Aspen’s eyes watered as she brought her hand up to her face.

“Mom!” Sid said and rushed to Aspen’s side.

“This girl has ruined everything.” Her voice shook, and her face flushed red.

Apollo approached her. “Athena, dear, calm down.”

Athena spun and faced him. “No, I will not. If it weren’t for her, everything would be okay, but now both of you are going to die. It. Is. All. Her. Fault.”

The name Athena niggled something in Aspen’s brain, but she couldn’t figure out what. She decided to try to apologize. Winning this woman over would be in her best interest.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I’m just trying to make the best of things right now.”

Athena crossed her arms. “We should kill you right now.”

“You know that won’t change anything. I’ll still be executed,” Sid interjected.

“Do you have any idea what you’ve done? Even if you manage to secure the loyalty circle, you’ll open us up to war, and you’ll be weak because you can’t be bonded to anyone but the queen. It’s suicide either way. I can’t believe you’re going to sacrifice yourself over a stupid girl.”

“I can love Aspen and still be an effective king. I know I won’t have the strength of the other kings who could take on their queen’s power as well, but I will reign. Completing the circle guarantees that.”

“If it weren’t for her, you wouldn’t need the circle. You’re going to get killed, and you’ve dragged your father into this too.”

Apollo put his hand on Athena’s arm. “I did that of my own choice. Sid didn’t even have to ask. Now, son, why don’t you show your mother who else you have?”

Sid pulled off his shirt, then tugged on Aspen’s hand so she was standing right next to him. Sid pointed at each mark on his chest.

“Skye, Dad, and Damien. They all did this for us. Not me. Us.”

Athena crossed her arms and eyed Damien’s mark. Aspen gasped.

“I know where I’ve heard your name before. You and Damien were a thing before you met Apollo.”

Sid shook his head, and Athena rounded on Aspen, eyes blazing and red hair flying in every direction. “Listen here, you little brat, you have no idea what my life has been like. I don’t want to hear a word about what you know or don’t know. You’ll learn a lot more if you keep your mouth shut. I can’t believe my son fell in love with an insolent child like you.”