Aspen (The Dragon Kings #2)(45)

An eagle flew near him.

He’s been spotted, Your Majesty.

Sid jerked around. Where?

Near Lamar Valley.

Sid didn’t bother answering. He just turned and flew north.

He saw Pearl and Skye first. He landed next to his father’s lifeless body. His wings had been ripped to shreds, and there were bite marks everywhere on his scales. It looked like he put up a good fight.

Skye nudged him. We can’t let him just lie there. Let’s take care of him and get back to your mother.

I can’t believe he’s dead. Sid felt a hole open in his chest. When his mother told him his dad was dead, he didn’t want to believe it. But seeing his dead body made it real. His dad always had his back, and now he was gone.

You take his head, and Pearl and I will each take a flank.

Sid watched as Pearl’s and Skye’s blue and silver flames devoured the body. His father slowly disappeared. Soon it was Sid’s turn. He let out a jet of black flames, and his father was gone. Their flames lingered for about thirty seconds, and when done, there was shiny gold gemstone about the size of an ostrich’s egg in place of the ashes. Sid picked it up with one of his claws and took off back toward his house.

He would make sure this monster died a slow and painful death.





The movie was almost finished when Aspen heard voices floating down the hall. Athena jumped up and ran for the door. Sid, Skye, and Pearl stood in the entryway. Pearl was crying, and the rest were subdued.

Athena ran up to Sid. “Did you find him?”

Sid held out a large golden crystal. “We did.”

Athena gripped it tight, fell to the floor, and buried her face in the stone.





They were all sitting in the kitchen when Theo entered the room.


“Where the hell have you been?” Sid asked.

“What do you mean?”

“I go to DC for a couple of days and come back, and you’ve gone missing.”

Theo puffed out his chest. “I told you I was going to California to visit some of my old friends. If you were going to be gone, there was no reason to hang out here.”

“Well, you picked a crappy time to leave.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“My dad died.”

“What?” Theo clenched his fists.

“That’s why my mom is here.”

Athena got up and gave Theo a massive hug. “I’ve missed you.”

He returned the hug. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”

“Next time answer your phone.”

“Sorry, we spent most of the time out on the water. I left my phone here.”

“You should call Ella. She’s pretty worried,” Aspen said.

“Oh yeah, I forgot to tell her I was going.”

Aspen snorted. She knew this behavior. She’d seen her sister do this a thousand times. Theo was trying to break up with Ella, but blowing it big time.

“You know, you can just tell her. She’ll understand.”

Theo creased his eyebrows.

“You want to break up with Ella. I can tell. There are easier ways to do it than to just up and run away to California for a few days.”

“No, that’s not it.” Theo squeezed his eyes shut for a second.

Aspen started to argue with him, but Sid interrupted, sitting down next to Theo. “Can you replace my dad’s mark for me?” He pointed to his missing circle.

Theo didn’t say anything, and Sid worried that maybe he would say no.

“He most certainly will not.” Athena stood. “You are my son. You will have my mark.”

Pearl blanched. “I’d really rather Theo do it. I’ve already lost my father. If Sid fails, then I’ll lose both my mother and my brother as well. That’s not fair.”

Athena turned to her. “We’re all in this together. We keep it in the family. Blood is stronger than friendship. By giving Sid my loyalty, he’ll be stronger than if it was Theo. I’m sorry, Pearl, but I won’t let any other royal dragon do this.”

Sid and Athena left everyone else to go outside and take care of replacing the royal seal. Afterwards, Athena studied all the marks.

“Any plans for the other three?”

“Pearl has contacts out looking for a river dragon. So far nothing. I have a canyon dragon who will do it as soon as everyone else does. I have no idea about the arctic dragon.”

Athena paused. “Let me think about that. Most of them are loyal only to Winerva, but I bet we can find someone that wants to see her off the council.”





Christmas morning Aspen woke early and made her way to the kitchen. As she neared the room, she heard shouts. She hurried out to see what was going on. Runa was cowering on the floor, and a bright yellow dragon the size of a golden retriever hovered over her.

“What in the stars are you doing here?” the yellow dragon roared.

“Just playing, mama, I like it here.”

“I get home from visiting your aunt, and I find that my daughter has run away. Explain yourself.”

“Daddy keeps me cooped up all the time. I just wanted to see the sun. Don’t be mad.”

The yellow dragon sighed. “I’m not mad. Not really, but I do wish you’d found a way to secure permission. I’ve never seen your father so angry. You have to come back with me.”