Aspen (The Dragon Kings #2)(47)

Aspen crossed her arms and stared at Athena. “I should’ve gone with him.”

Athena snorted. “You think you are always going to go with him? If you were his queen, you’d be able to, but you won’t be his queen. You’re going to have to stay home most of the time. Get used to waiting. I can’t believe he went and sealed himself to you.”

Aspen rolled her eyes. Athena said something similar every time they were together and Sid wasn’t around.

“Skye, do you want help?” Aspen asked. She was making a cake or something. Aspen never bothered to even ask what it was anymore since Skye always had something in the mixer.

She shook her head. “I’ve got it, thanks.”

The front door slammed, and both Aspen and Athena ran to the foyer. Sid grinned from ear to ear.

“Got it,” he said and whipped his shirt off. Underneath Runa’s mark was a bright white one. Aspen flung herself at him. He lifted her up in his embrace and whispered in her ear. “We won. I can’t believe we won.”

“I can. Your Majesty.” She pulled away, and he gave her a serious look. “What?” she asked.

“It sounds weird coming from you. Almost makes it real.”

“No more seriousness tonight. Let’s celebrate.”

“Sure. But first I need to send an eagle to get Helios.”

Sid went outside, and everyone else gathered in the kitchen. They laughed and talked until late in the night.

When they climbed into bed, Sid grabbed Aspen’s ankle and traced her tattoo.

“It’s weird to think this all started with this little mark.”

Aspen grinned. “I know. What do the words mean? You never told me.”

He traced at the words and muttered, “Nin Meleth, Nin Aran.” He looked up at her. “It means my love, my king.”

Aspen slipped her foot out of his grip and grabbed his. “What does yours mean? It’s different. Nin Meleth, Nin Bereth.”

“It means my love, my queen.”

“But I could never be your queen. I’m not a dragon.”

He pulled her close to him. “That’s not exactly true.”

She laughed. “I’d know it if I were a dragon. Wouldn’t I?”

He grinned. “You’re not a dragon. But the dragon queen is always human.”

“What?” She pulled away from him.

“Yeah, it’s how we maintain our human forms. The last queen was Olivia. She died a few years before the king did.”

“You mean we could’ve fixed this all by just asking the council to make me your queen?”

He shook his head. “You’ll never be my queen. I won’t let you do that.”

“Why not?” Aspen pulse raced, and her face flushed. The solution was right in front of them, and no one said a word to her.

“Because most potential queens don’t survive the testing. I’m not going to risk your life.”

“You were willing to die, but you weren’t willing to let me try? How is that fair?” She scrambled out of bed. “I can’t believe you lied to me.”

“I didn’t lie to you. I just didn’t tell you everything. It doesn’t matter now. I’ll be king, and you will be with me.”

“But I won’t really. I’ll just be some girl who’s hanging around. This isn’t right.”

He shook his head. “Even Olivia was a little mentally unstable because of her testing, and she survived. I won’t put you through that. Can you come back to bed? We need to rest. Tomorrow will be a happy day, but long.”

Aspen climbed back under the covers, but was still furious. This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.

She lay awake for a long time, fuming. Sid snored lightly next to her. How the hell could he sleep at a time like this? It felt like she’d just drifted off when she felt Sid thrashing. Her eyes flashed open as two men dragged him out of bed.

“Hey,” she yelled and ran for them. One took a cloth out of his pocket and put it over Sid’s mouth and nose. Sid went limp in their arms. Aspen flung herself at the other man, hitting and kicking. He took a swing backwards and nailed her right in the head. She fell, and everything went black.

Aspen wasn’t sure how long she was out, but her head was killing her. She could barely stand. Sid was gone. She squeezed her eyes shut and opened them again, trying to remember what happened. Then an image flashed in her head of Sid being dragged away. Panic bloomed in her chest as she stumbled down the stairs into the kitchen.

“Someone took Sid,” Aspen said to Pearl and Skye, and collapsed into a chair, holding her head.

Both women jerked their heads to her. “What?”

“They knocked me out. I don’t know who it was. Two men. Super strong.”

An eagle pecked at the window, and Pearl spun around. She opened the window and the eagle flew in. Pearl stared at the eagle for a few seconds. Then she sank into her chair.

“I’ve been summoned to a council meeting. They’re holding a trial for treason.”

Aspen creased her eyebrows. “Treason?”

“Obsidian,” Pearl said.

Aspen stood up. “I’m coming with you.”

Pearl laughed. “Oh no you won’t. If I show up with you, Sid will kill me right after the council kills you.” She put her hand on Aspen’s. “Listen, I’ll do whatever I can for him, but this doesn’t look good at all. He sealed himself to a human girl and tried to form his own council. They won’t let him live. Prepare yourself for that reality.”