Aspen (The Dragon Kings #2)(50)

“You must embrace our race. It is possible you will never speak to another human again. Are you willing to give that up?”

Aspen thought for a second. No more contact with her parents, Rowan, or Ella. Obsidian would be her sole companion. Well, him and all the rest of the dragons. Could she give up her human life for him? Did she even have a choice?

“Of course.”

“You will act as our mother. You must love us as you would your own children, your own family. We all know you love and care for Obsidian, but can you love the rest of us? We who are despised by humankind, considered monsters.”

“I’ve loved the dragons for a long time. Long before I met Obsidian. That will not be a problem.”

The yellow dragon looked at Pearl and nothing was said for several moments. Then he turned back to face her. “Pearl has confirmed what you have said is true, how intriguing. But being the queen can also be tedious and at times dangerous. Can you do that? Are you willing to be put to the test?”

Aspen didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

Obsidian whimpered. Aspen placed her hand on his side, and he shivered. Aspen wished he could speak to her.

“Fine then, we shall put you to the test. If you pass, you become queen. If you don’t, you die along with Obsidian as well as all the dragons who pledged their loyalty to him. Pearl, please take Obsidian to the observation area. Anasazi, please fetch Everett. We shall begin as soon as he joins us.”





Helios is dead. I am personally going to rip his wings off. Why did he bring Aspen with him? Sid asked.

Now you calm down, Pearl replied. I’m sure he had his reasons.

Runa bobbed up and down next to him. “She wasn’t about to be left behind. I can understand that. I wouldn’t either.”

They landed on the edge of a cliff high above the pit. They had a good view of the entire cavern. Aspen sat in the middle of the circle of council dragons. No human her age had ever been placed in front of the council before, and most women had three to four years of training prior to the test. This was foolish, and she was about to die. He could not save her. By interfering with the test, he condemned himself to death.

What is going to happen? Sid asked. He was not alive when the prior queen had been chosen. He had never witnessed the test. As king, it was his duty to watch his future queen prove herself. He did not wish to watch her die.

Your guess is as good as mine, little brother. Before Aunty Ashe died, she tutored me in how to administer my portion of the test. She had witnessed two queens pass. She also watched eight women fail. Most of the council is new to the test. Of course Winerva has seen them all, and Kairi was on the council when the last queen was chosen.

Could Aspen die during your part?

No, but she might be go insane. It is beginning. I must go take my place on the council. Everett will stay here with you and explain what is going on. Whatever happens, do not interrupt. It is our duty to ensure that she is a proper queen. Runa, you stay put as well.

The old golden dragon flopped down next to Sid. When the original truce between the humans and dragons had been formed, Everett had been there as a young dragon. He was graced with longevity from the leader of the arctic clan. He had been around ever since to oversee the test and perform the king’s bond and only came out during the ceremonies. No one knew his true age or the details concerning the prophecy of his future death.

I understand that she came forward and demanded to be the dragon queen, Everett said.

Something like that. She is very headstrong. I’ve never met anyone, dragon or human, who is as tenacious as she is. Sid watched as the eight dragons circled her. She stood in the middle, unmoving. Sid didn’t even think she was shaking.

You are feeling a great deal of fear, why?

She is very young and has not been trained in any way. I fear for her life.

Women die during the test all the time. The weak do not survive. No king has ever feared for the life of a woman before.

Aspen and I know each other quite well. I am very fond of her.

Ah, you are in love before the test. This has never happened. I shall have to take great care in explaining to you what is going on. He scooted forward and hung his withered snout over the edge of the pit to better observe the proceedings. You might as well relax. We will be here for a while.

Sid settled down and stuck his head out over the edge. As much as he didn’t want to see, he had to in case he needed to intervene. The old dragon beside him continued to prattle on.

Each member of the council will test her in the extremes of their own gifts. Often they are not present at the actual test. For example, once your sister allows Aspen to use the gift of feeling, she will leave and join us up here. Pearl will not be able to bear being in the same room as the test. The pain will be too great. Aspen herself will not know what her test is. She may not even understand that she is able to feel what others are feeling until it is too late.

Sid grew frustrated with the lack of motion in the pit. Is there any way we can listen to the conversation? He interrupted.

No, not unless you are canyon. You know that.

Sequoia, the squat woodland dragon, stepped forward. Aspen turned and closed her eyes. A door on the far wall opened, and in walked Damien. Sid cringed. He hadn’t been expecting Damien to show up. The council would know Aspen had seen him before too. Damn canyon dragon. If not for him, Aspen and Damien could both act like they’d never met before. Sid watched him slowly make his way across the floor. The scars across his belly still oozed with pus and blood.