Aspen (The Dragon Kings #2)(46)

Runa stood up, her head reaching the chest of the yellow dragon. “No, mama, I’m not coming home. I want to stay here with Obsidian and Aspen.”

She took flight and landed on Aspen’s shoulder. She buried her face in Aspen’s hair. Aspen grabbed an apple from the bowl on the counter and sat down at the breakfast table.

“So, you’re a river dragon. What’s your name?”

“I’m Stella, and I want my daughter back.”

“I’m not keeping her here.”

Runa stuck her head out. “Yes, you are. Tell her I’m not going back with her. I can’t anyway. I’m sealed to Sid.”

Stella’s face turned red, and yellow puffs of smoke came out of her nostrils. “You’re just a baby! How can you be sealed to anyone? Who’s Sid?”

“Mama, it’s not that kind of sealing.” Runa stuck out her chest. “He’s the king, and I swore allegiance to him.”

Stella’s face went as pale as the moon. Aspen didn’t know that was even possible. She chewed and swallowed a bite of her apple.

“I’m going to go get Sid. He can explain all of this.”

He was pulling a hoodie on over his t-shirt. “You’re just going to have to take that off again.”

Sid gave her a crooked grin. “Merry Christmas to you too.”

Aspen laughed. “As much as I’d love to stay in here with you, we can’t. There is a furious yellow dragon in the kitchen wondering why on earth her daughter swore allegiance to you.”

Aspen watched the color drain from his face. At least the two dragons would match.

Stella studied Sid as he approached.

“I would like to see the marks.”

He took off his shirt, and Aspen once again completely enjoyed the view.

“You are missing a river dragon.”

“Yes, I have not yet secured their loyalty.”

“Then I will give you mine.”

Sid opened his mouth. Closed it again and then finally asked, “Why?”

“Because my daughter is already entangled in this. By swearing my loyalty to you, I’ve gotten you one step closer to surviving, which means she’ll survive. I think I can also get you another of your missing marks.”

“I appreciate it, but I already have a canyon dragon. He just didn’t want to pledge his loyalty until I secured all the others.”

“With all due respect, Your Majesty, I have an arctic dragon. Not a canyon dragon.”

Sid’s eyes bugged, and Aspen’s head spun. If that was true, then they had everything they needed. He would survive and be king in spite of the obstacles placed before him.

“I hope you don’t mind the rush, but I’d rather like to get this over with.”





Sid and Stella entered the cave. Sid had no idea where he was. Somewhere in Canada. It was beautiful, but completely isolated.


“Olwen, it’s me, Stella.”

There is someone else with you. I can sense him.

“Yes, I’ve brought someone who wants to help you.”

They flew around a bend, and Sid saw one of the largest dragons he’d ever seen. He was the size of a castle in Europe. His ice blue eyes followed Sid and Stella as they landed.

How is this dragon going to help me? He’s king. He won’t go against his council.

“He’s pissed off the council and is trying to create his own.”

The dragon brought his house-sized head down and blinked at them. Stella must’ve looked like a fly to him.

You’ve invoked the loyalty seals?

I have.

How many do you have left?

Two. Arctic and canyon. I have a canyon dragon who has sworn to pledge his loyalty once I secure the rest.

The dragon lifted his head and moved back several feet.

I have not seen many dragons in the last several years. My race despises me. I will not be welcomed among them.

You will have a home with the royal dragons. I can promise you that. You’re welcome to come with us tonight if you wish. Even if you choose not pledge your loyalty to me. No one deserves to be isolated like this. Why are you here anyway?

That I cannot divulge. I discovered things I shouldn’t have, and Winerva spread rumors about me. I could not stay home. They would’ve killed me. Stella is the only dragon who has visited me in the last two hundred years. I would rather wait until you succeed before I come out of hiding. Until then, it will not be safe for me.

Will you pledge to me?

After a very long pause, he brought his head down, and Sid worried that he’d be crushed like a bug, but the dragon rested his snout on Sid’s head, and Sid felt his chest burn once again.

Thank you.

Good luck. It will be nice to have company again. Send Stella when it is safe for me to come.

I’ll send a few royal dragons with her to escort you to Yellowstone so that you will be safe. I look forward to meeting with you again.





Aspen paced by the door. They’d had too many close calls between Apollo and the eagles, and she worried constantly for Sid’s safety.


“Would you sit down?” Athena said.

“Like you’re not worried about him out there.”

“Of course I am, but you don’t see me pacing. You’re making me nervous. Sit down.”