Aspen (The Dragon Kings #2)(38)

“It is indeed. How are you, Darneil?”

I’m doing well. It’s been close to a hundred years since you’ve shown your ugly mug. What brings you here?

“You’ve heard the news that I’m the new king?”

Of course I heard. Best choice in my opinion. Don’t do that thing where you make small talk before getting to the business at hand. Tell me why you’re here.

Sid waved Aspen forward. “This is Aspen. She’s the love of my life, and the council has a problem with that.”

Darneil’s body shook with laughter. You do manage to find yourself in trouble, don’t you? I don’t understand what this has to do with me.

Sid whipped off his shirt. “I’m asking for your support.”

Darneil stuck his snout close to Sid’s chest and studied each of the four seals.

You’re asking me to pledge my loyalty to you?

“Yes.”

I’m afraid I can’t do that. But I’ll keep your secret.

“Why not?”

I have my reasons. You won’t find a single dragon in this cave who will give up their life for yours. But we should make the best of your visit. Now tell me more about this lovely lady.

Sid crossed his arms, and Aspen could tell he was trying to figure out what to do. “She photographs dragons. She has pictures of all of the dragon races except the underground. Would you like her to take your picture?”

Darneil started quivering. I’d love it. But first, can she take pictures of my daughter?

Darneil pointed with his wing to the larger dragon on the pillow next to him.

“Of course.” Sid studied her for a second. “She’s not a pure underground dragon though, right?”

“I beg your pardon?” The small dragon whipped her head around and glared at Sid. Aspen was startled to hear an actual voice.

“I didn’t mean any offense, but based on your wings and your ability to speak, I’d guess your mother was a river dragon.”

“She was, but I don’t see how that is any business of yours.”

Runa! Obsidian is the king. You will not speak to him that way. Apologize. Now.

“No,” she said and stuck her tongue out at her father. Aspen immediately liked her.

I’m sorry for my daughter. She’s young and insolent.

“Only because you keep me cooped up here. I want to go outside, stretch my wings.”

“But what of your eyes. You’ll go blind,” Sid said.

“Nope. I tested it several years ago. I’m immune.”

It’s still dangerous.

“Whatever.” She stood up and crawled across the pillow and stuck her snout right into Aspen’s face. It took every ounce of courage Aspen had to not back away from her. But she didn’t want the dragon thinking she was scared. Not that she was really scared, but she was startled by her closeness. “Do you really take pictures?”

“I do. Can I take yours?”

Runa nodded. Aspen reached into her bag and pulled out her camera. She turned off the flash and hoped she would still be able to get good pictures. The little dragon sat down and stretched her neck high. She spread out her wings, revealing a multicolored belly.

Aspen took a few shots. “Can you change the color of your wings too?”

“No.” She scowled. “The yellow is the curse my mother left me. But she also gave me the ability to speak and to see outside, so it’s not that bad.”

“Can you turn around?”

Runa did as she was asked, and Aspen took several more shots.

“Can I see?” Runa asked.

“Sure.” Aspen flipped through the pictures and showed them to her.

“They are good, but I want to see what I look like in the daylight.”

Absolutely not. You aren’t going anywhere. It is my turn now.

Darneil primed and posed for his pictures. After Aspen promised them that she would have pictures printed and delivered, they let her go, only to be assaulted by several other dragons who wanted their pictures as well. They were all gorgeous, and Aspen couldn’t wait to see what the pictures revealed in the light of day. A couple of hours later, Sid touched her elbow.

“We need to go. We’ve got a flight to catch.”

She picked up her backpack from the floor. It felt heavy for some reason, but that was probably because she hadn’t been wearing it. She almost looked inside, but Sid was sprinting down the hall. What was his hurry?

Aspen ran after him.

“Come on, we can get a ride this way.”

“I want to say goodbye to Darneil and Runa.”

“We’ll see them again soon. We have to. I need their support, but first I need to figure out why they wouldn’t give it to me. Come on.”

A couple of tiny brown dragons waited at the bottom of stairs. “Sorry, she was tied up with the pictures,” said Sid.

One of the dragons rolled his eyes. They both opened their wings and hovered over Sid and Aspen.

“Grab his foot and hang on tight.”

“He’s a fraction of my size.”

“Doesn’t matter. He can still lift you. Just don’t let go.”

Aspen gripped the feet of the dragon as tight as she could, and within seconds she was flying. She didn’t like this flight much. She’d much rather be on the back of a dragon.