Aspen (The Dragon Kings #2)(40)

“You’re telling me. It’s freezing out here. I hope she’s almost done. Runa’s not supposed to be here. She stowed away in my bag.”

Rowan frowned. “So how does Sid know the others?”

“You mean Pearl, Skye, and Theo?”

“Yeah.”

“Pearl is his sister, Theo is his best friend and mentor, and Skye was his girlfriend before he came here to be human.”

Rowan paled. “You mean Skye is a dragon?”

“Yeah. She’s got the prettiest silver wings I’ve ever seen.”

“But, she seems so human.” Rowan dug his hands into his pockets, and his shoulders slumped.

“They all do. Except Pearl. She’s pretty intense and uptight. I’m surprised she didn’t freak out when Runa hopped around on the table, but it’s possible she doesn’t know the implications. Runa’s father hasn’t let her out of their cave since she was born eighty years ago. From what I gathered, she snuck out once, but that didn’t last long.”

They watched her do loop de loops in the air. Her body became the bright white color of the snow, but she kept her head and neck green like Aspen’s eyes. Then she sunk into a drift.

“What is this stuff?” Runa called from across the yard.

“Snow.”

“How deep is it?”

“A couple feet.”

She took off again and then dive bombed into a small mound. She laughed as she shook the snow off her wings.

“This is awesome. Now I’ve seen snow. Can I see the ocean?”

“It’s not anywhere near here, but someday.”

Sid came out of the house. He looked at Runa “What is she doing?”

“Playing in the snow. She’s never seen it before. Did you get in touch with her father?”

“No. I have ambassadors on their way. They are going to call me when they have news. Darneil isn’t going to be happy. Can you take a few pictures of her playing outside? Maybe I can send them, and if he sees her safe and having fun, he might let her stay for a little while.”

“Can I use your phone? That way you can just send them from there?”

“Sure.”

Aspen snapped a few of Runa jumping around in the snow and another one of her in flight chasing a blue jay. She’d turned the same blue and white that he was and looked incredible.

Sid sent the pictures and looked sidelong at Rowan. “What’s his problem?”

Rowan wouldn’t look at Sid. His arms were crossed, and he was shaking.

“I’m just cold,” he said.

“I had to tell him about you. He knows you all are dragons now.”

“Ah. I’m still Sid.” Sid touched Rowan on his elbow.

Rowan kept his eyes trained on the ground. “No, you are the Dragon King. That’s kind of a big deal.” His face was screwed up. Aspen wished she knew what he was thinking.

“I’m still me,” Sid said with a frown.

Rowan turned and stormed inside.

“He’ll come around. He just needs to get used to the idea. It’s freezing out here. Runa, come back inside. We’re cold.”

She landed in front of Aspen, spraying snow everywhere.

“Can I play outside later?”

Sid answered. “Sure, I might even go flying with you. But we aren’t doing anything until we find out how angry your father is.”

“We already know that. He’s going to be even more angry than when I snuck out the first time.”

“I don’t know about that. At least now he knows you can’t hurt your eyes. That was pretty stupid.”

Runa glared at Sid and flew up to Aspen’s shoulder. When they entered the kitchen, Skye was cooking bacon and eggs. She could make a decent breakfast, but dinner was still questionable.

Sid’s phone buzzed, and he gave Aspen a tight smile. “The ambassadors in DC. Let’s hope Darneil was reasonable. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He disappeared out the door. Aspen figured he didn’t want to talk in front of Runa.

“What do you eat?” Skye asked Runa.

“Chicken mostly. Sometimes pork or beef. Whatever the ambassadors bring us.”

Skye held a piece of bacon for Runa.

“What’s this?” Runa sniffed it.

“Bacon. Try it.”

Runa snatched it out of Skye’s hand, and as soon as she swallowed, started jumping up and down. “More.”

“I have to cook, but maybe Rowan can feed you.”

Rowan looked a little lost. Aspen pushed the plate of bacon in front of him. He tentatively picked up a piece and held it out for Runa. She gobbled it right down and opened her mouth again. Theo started talking to Rowan about their workout routine, and Runa pushed her head against Rowan’s cheek. He laughed and fed her another piece of bacon. Aspen let out a breath of relief. He wasn’t too distraught over the “everyone’s a dragon” thing.

Aspen helped Skye bring the food over. She’d gone all out. Bacon, eggs, sausage, fried potatoes, and pancakes.

Aspen sat next to Rowan, and Runa settled herself between them both, helping herself to whatever she wanted from either one of their plates.

When she took a chunk out of Rowan’s pancake, he scolded her. “If you want something, ask. That was mine.”