Aspen (The Dragon Kings #2)(34)

I like her. She’s a good human to keep around, Jolantha said.

Yeah. She is.

Aspen wouldn’t tell me why I’m here.

Apollo got hurt. I need you to heal him. Sid paused for a fraction of a second and then forged on. And don’t tell my mother.

Jolantha snorted, and two purple puffs came out of her nose. I expect your mother will find out anyway. But it won’t be me who spills the beans. You should know I was in the middle of securing you a canyon dragon when your eagle found me.

Sid jerked his head up. What are you talking about?

I have a few good friends down there. Some who are pretty anti-council. I was close to getting a commitment too.

Sid opened and closed his fists. He’d had Theo and Pearl searching for him, but neither had trusted any of the canyon dragons to even ask.

As soon as we finish up with my father, I’ll head down there with you.

You should leave Aspen home for this one.

With any luck, we’ll be there and back before she gets home from school. But she’ll be pretty upset when she sees the new orange mark and she didn’t get to go along.

Go get your father. Let’s get this show on the road.

Apollo was already waiting in the kitchen when he returned. Skye, Rowan, and Aspen were all searching for backpacks and homework.

“Come on, Dad, let’s get you patched up.”

Apollo followed Sid out the back door as Aspen called goodbye. As soon as they got into the backyard, Apollo changed into a dragon. His golden wings were in tatters.

Sid’s throat tightened. He felt like this was his fault. “They got you good.”

Jolantha studied the wounds and then placed her snout on top of Apollo’s head, and Sid watched as the wings knitted themselves back together. Within seconds she was done.

Apollo let out a deep breath.

“Dad, go home. We’ll find another way. This isn’t worth it.”

No, this is personal now. I’m going to find this bastard.

“Look at what he did to you.”

No, he didn’t do this. He was too cowardly to face me himself.

“Be glad he didn’t. You are not a warrior. You’re a damn good tracker, but I don’t want to risk your life. Seriously, go home.”

No. I’ll find him, and I’ll be fine.

Sid ran a hand through his hair. His dad was being stubborn. “Then at least take Theo or Pearl with you. Please.”

Son, I’ll never find him if I have tag-a-longs. I’ll be safe.

“You know Mom will never forgive me if something happens to you.”

I know. But it won’t. I promise I won’t engage him in a fight. Once I know who he is, I’ll come straight back to you.

Sid sighed. He wouldn’t win this fight.

“Okay, but the second you even sense that something is wrong, you bail. Do you understand?”

Yes, Your Highness. Apollo flew off without even a backwards glance. Sid turned to Jolantha.

I should probably ride you. If the canyon dragons see a black dragon flying in their territory, they will be suspicious.

Jolantha dropped to ground, and he climbed on her back. The flight down to the Grand Canyon took about an hour. Jolantha landed near the edge of the park. Wait here. I’ll be back in a little bit.

Sid nodded and changed into his dragon form. It was too cold to stay as a human. He curled up and waited. About thirty minutes later, Jolantha came back with an old orange dragon that Sid had never met.

He didn’t even have a chance to introduce himself before the dragon spoke to him.

I’m not that old.

Sid hated talking with the canyon dragons. They could read all your thoughts, so they answered before you even got a question out. It was annoying.

If you don’t want my help, why did you come?

It’s not that I don’t want your help, but I don’t like my mind being read.

That’s who we are. My name is Helios. Jolantha and I are old friends. Let me see your marks.

Sid stood taller so that Helios could study his marks.

You only have four.

I’ll have a river dragon next week, and then I’m already planning a visit to the underground dragons.

And the arctic?

That was Sid’s biggest fear. He worried that he wouldn’t be able to secure their help. They were in charge before the dragon wars, and they wanted their power back.

It seems mighty risky for me to pledge myself to you when you cannot guarantee that you will win.

If I can guarantee I can win, can I count on your support?

But you can’t. You know no arctic dragons. Did you forget I can read your thoughts?

You misread them. I know them. I just don’t know who it will be yet that will help me.

I will need more than just a promise you can win. I also want to secure more territory for our race.

Excuse me?

We are not a peaceful race, and the canyonlands have become crowded. Food is scarce, and we’d like more territory.

Where?

I believe the woodlands have some southern territory they’d be willing to part with. Also we never see river dragons in their western territory.

So you are asking me to take lands away from other dragon races so that you can have more?

Yes.

Sid couldn’t do that. Not without pissing off the other races. Jolantha’s voice entered his head.