Aspen (The Dragon Kings #2)(39)

The dragons deposited them on the top step and flew back downstairs carrying packages that had been left for them.

“Food,” Obsidian explained.

“Who takes care of them?”

“A few of the royal ambassadors who live around DC. Taking a human form is beneficial in this situation.”

“Why do they take care of them?”

“Because we take care of each other. All of us feel a sense of obligation to them. We don’t want them to go extinct like the green and purple dragons did.”

“But the green and purple dragons still exist.”

“Not separately.”

The ride back to the airport was long, and Aspen was exhausted by the time she got back onto the plane. She slept most of the way home. It was early in the morning by the time they got back to the house. Aspen threw her backpack on the bed.

“Ouch,” the bag said.

“What the?” Aspen asked, approaching the bag carefully.

She unzipped and a bright purple head poked out. “That’s better. Where are we?”

“Runa, What are you doing here?” Aspen asked.

“Daddy wouldn’t let me out of the cave otherwise. What was I supposed to do?”





Sid walked into the room and froze when he saw Runa.

“Your father is going to be furious. I’m sending you home.”

The dragon climbed all the way out of the bag. “No, please, keep me here. I’ve always wanted to see the outside. Don’t make me go back there. Daddy will understand. Please. Just for a little while.”

Sid grimaced. “I don’t know. Let me send someone to talk to your father. You’re too young to make these decisions on your own. Why didn’t you just wait until you’re of age?”

“That’s twenty years. Twenty years rotting down in that cave. I saw my opportunity, and I took it.”

Sid frowned and left the room. Runa lay down flush on Sid’s bed, turning the deep blue of his bedspread. It was beautiful with the yellow wings.

“Do I look pretty?” she asked.

“Gorgeous,” Aspen admitted. “How’d you get through the airport? Tell me I didn’t send you through the x-ray machine.”

“The ceiling was yellow. I flew over you and climbed back into your bag later. It wasn’t that hard. The colors are magnificent.” She hopped off the bed and turned the white of the rug on Sid’s floor.

“Show me more.”

Aspen nodded and the dragon flew to her shoulder and landed, gripping it tight. Aspen giggled and walked out of the room, watching the tiny dragon bob her head and change color every time they walked past another painting on the wall.

They entered the kitchen, and Rowan turned to look at them.

“Is that a dragon?” he asked.

“No, I’m a bat.” Runa stuck her tongue out at Rowan, and he frowned.

“Runa, this is my brother, Rowan. He doesn’t know much about dragons.”

“No excuse.” She flew off Aspen’s shoulder and landed right in front of Rowan. She stuck her face in his, and he backed away. She moved closer, then she looked at Aspen. “You have the same eyes.”

“A lot of people tell us that.”

She got extremely close to Rowan’s face again, and he blinked rapidly but didn’t move away. Runa squeezed her eyes shut, and seconds later she peeked her eyes open. “Did I get it?”

“You did,” Aspen responded to the brilliant green color.

“Picture, picture.” Runa jumped up and down. As soon as Aspen snapped a few, Runa spoke again. “Lemme see.”

Aspen showed her the screen. “Ooh, pretty. I think I like that color best. I’m keeping it for a while.” She looked around the kitchen.

“Where’s Obsidian?”

Aspen’s eyes flashed to Rowan, who looked confused. “He’s probably trying to smooth things over with your father. You’re in a lot of trouble, missy.”

“I’m not going back down there. You can’t make me.” Her head perked up when a bird flew by the window. “Is that the outside? Let’s go.”

She bounced up and down again like an excited toddler.

Aspen nodded and Rowan got up to follow her.

Runa jumped up on Aspen’s shoulder again, and Aspen opened the door. It was cold, but the little dragon didn’t even notice. She stretched her face to the rising sun and hopped onto the bare concrete of the patio. She spread her wings and flapped away.

“Don’t go far,” Aspen called.

Rowan stood next to Aspen. “Skye didn’t seem surprised to see a dragon hopping around on the kitchen table.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Can you explain?”

“You won’t believe me.”

“Try me.”

Aspen sighed, knowing this wouldn’t go over well. “You can’t tell anyone.”

“I won’t. You know that.”

“Sid is Obsidian’s human form.”

Rowan didn’t say anything for a full thirty seconds, and then he busted out laughing. “You mean your boyfriend is a dragon?”

“Yeah, and not just any dragon either. The king.”

Rowan ran a hand through his hair. “That’s messed up.”