Aspen (The Dragon Kings #2)(35)

We’d be willing to share. Not give it to them completely, but allow them to hunt on our land. I imagine the river dragons would as well.

That would be fair, Helios said.

I would need to talk to the river dragons first.

The dragon cocked his head. That is fine. But that doesn’t fix the first problem.

What problem is that?

You can’t guarantee that you’ll win. Don’t bother to come see me again until you have seven seals on your chest. Then I’ll provide the eighth.

He took off before Sid could say anything else.

That didn’t go as planned, Sid said.

No, but you’re closer. If you can secure the rest of them, you know he’ll help you. I can work on him too. We’re a little more than just friends.

Sid snorted. Don’t you get sick of him being able to read your thoughts all the time?

Sometimes. But I got used to it. Go home. I’ll let you know if I make any progress. In the meantime, get the rest of those seals. You need them.





The next few weeks passed without much action. For which, they were all grateful. Friday afternoon Aspen ran to the car. “Christmas break,” she said to Sid as he slid into the driver’s seat. She gave him a kiss, and he grinned at her. “Two full weeks with no school.”

Rowan and Skye climbed into the back. “We should do a movie marathon tonight,” Rowan said.

“Sounds awesome. What do we want to watch?”

“Star Wars.” Rowan took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

“No,” said Aspen and Skye at the same time.

Aspen liked Star Wars, but she didn’t want Rowan and Skye fighting again. All they did lately was bicker. Skye had tried to watch the first movie with Rowan a few weeks ago and fell asleep. Rowan didn’t speak to her for two days. He couldn’t fathom someone not loving Star Wars.

“How about Lord of the Rings?” Aspen suggested.

No one argued, so they stopped by the store to pick up junk food and then hit Little Caesars and bought six pizzas.

By the time they got home, it was after dark, and they found Pearl in the kitchen with a scowl on her face. “A park ranger was eaten today. We need to go to DC. The government is freaking out.”

Aspen’s stomach clenched. “Do you know who it was?”

“Not your parents. I checked. But I can’t remember the name. The point is, we have to go.”

Sid put his hand on Aspen’s back. “Okay, Pearl, can you book three tickets to DC?”

“Three?”

“Aspen’s coming.”

She rolled her eyes. “Why?”

“Because she’ll be beneficial in the meeting. Plus, I want to introduce her to a few of the underground dragons.”

“Underground?” Aspen asked, confused.

“Yeah, they live in the caverns and spaces under the ground. They’re tricky to find and don’t come out very often, but I know where a few are near DC.”

Aspen had never heard of the underground dragons. She couldn’t wait to see them. Though the circumstances in which they were heading to DC were less than ideal.

Athena stormed into the room a minute later.

“Mom, what are you doing here?”

“I need to talk to your dad.”

Aspen retreated, hoping Athena wouldn’t see her.

“I haven’t heard from him in a few days, but I’m sure he’s fine. If he’s hot on the trail, he won’t take time out to let us know where he is,” Sid said.

She creased her eyebrows. “I’m just worried. I also wasn’t speaking to him when he left, and I want to make up with him.”

“Do you want me to send an eagle if I hear from him?”

“That would be good, thanks, son.”

“We gotta go to DC for a couple of days. Do you want to stay here?”

“No, I don’t like being human. Send me an eagle when you get back, and let me know how things go.”





The following Monday Aspen, Sid, and Pearl boarded a plane to DC. Aspen had no idea who they were meeting or what the outcome would be, but she was thrilled to see another dragon race.

They sat in first class so the flight didn’t seem that long.

After the plane touched down, two people met them at the gate. Each gave a little bow. “Your Majesty.”

Sid smiled at them. “No need to be formal. Just call me Sid. Everyone else does, and it will be awkward around those who don’t know.”

“I’m Aspen.” She held out her hand, and the man grinned at her, displacing all his wrinkles.

“So I’ve heard. I’m pleased to meet the girl who has turned the dragon world on end.”

Sid leaned forward. “Did Theo tell you?”

“Of course. I’m the one who told him to involve Pearl.”

Sid turned to Aspen. “Jonathan is Theo’s father. Who else knows?”

“I haven’t told anyone, so it depends on who you’ve told.”

“Now Raja knows,” Sid said inclining his head to the man who had his arm around Pearl’s shoulder. Aspen thought she recognized him.

“Raja already knew,” Pearl said.

“This was supposed to be a secret.”