Aspen (The Dragon Kings #2)(58)

“No, I will not do the ceremony, at least not until someone tells me what is going on.”

Everett looked at her, his large gray eyes glistening.

Aspen, he said speaking to both of them. Has Sid ever told you the story about the three dragon kings?

“You mean the one where the three dragon kings defeat the white witch from the north?” she asked.

Yes, that one. It was a prophecy made during my youth. Three dragon kings will rise and defeat the dragon who sought to usurp power and enslave humanity. Never before has there been more than one dragon king. Today, an eagle came and declared that one more king has been found. A third will surely be discovered soon. There were many prophecies made during the time of my youth, many of them forgotten. He looked off into the distance.

The council closed in on them. Xanthous spoke.

“We did not think you would be unwilling to serve.”

She stood up. “No, I’m willing. I just wanted to understand. We can do it now.”

Sid grabbed her hand and pulled her close, his mind spinning. Another dragon king. That meant that his reign would be tainted by war and fear. At least he wouldn’t have to go through it alone.

Xanthous approached Everett and touched his snout to the old dragon’s head.

“Thank you, Xanthous,” Everett said.

Everett placed himself before Aspen and Sid. “Obsidian, you have observed the testing of the queen, do you approve?”

“Yes,” he replied.

“Very good, Obsidian, please wait next to me for the rest of the ceremony.”

Sid looked at him, puzzled, but he moved next to Everett anyway. Since the timing of the ceremony was not expected, no one explained to Sid how this would go. He just had to sit and wait.





Dragon queen. Aspen was going to be the dragon queen. Her whole life she had chased after those gorgeous creatures, and now she would become a part of their society.


Everett continued talking. “You will receive gifts from each dragon. These abilities reflect their own gifts. By receiving these gifts, you will become very powerful, but it will take some time to get used to them. Following the gifting, I will complete the bonding.”

Aspen was not sure what to do. She looked up at the dragons, and Sequoia came forward.

The woodland dragons have been given the gift of compassion and healing. Damien, the dragon you saw during your test, is one of our greatest failures. He will not allow our healers near him. I gift you with the ability to heal those around you, both physically and emotionally.

She touched the top of Aspen’s head. She thanked her, and Sequoia moved back.

Nedra, the underground dragon, flew up and landed on Aspen’s shoulder. I have two gifts for you, but they are only useful in dire circumstances. You will have the ability to lift that which is beyond your strength as well as hide yourself from unfriendly eyes. He placed he snout on her temple. She felt nothing, but was certain those gifts would be useful someday.

Eros then stepped up.

We fire dragons have been given the gift of passion and the power of fire. Without us, the flame of our fellow tribes would go out. To give the gift of fire to a human would be foolish; however, what I can give you is the gift to bear dragon children. Without it you would be barren. Dragon and human seed does not mix well.

He placed his great snout on her head, and Aspen could feel the heat.

Next Pearl stepped forward, smiling. I suppose you already know what my gift is. Sid has surely interpreted your feelings on numerous occasions. I give you the gift to feel what others around you feel. Realize that this gift can be overwhelming.

As Pearl pulled away, Aspen could immediately feel many different things, happiness, sorrow, and anger.

Xanthous approached her. Aspen smiled at him. He was one of her favorite dragons so far. That could be because he hadn’t tried to torture her though. “Aspen, as you know, we river dragons have been gifted with the ability to speak. You already have that capability. So I give you the ability to communicate in all tongues, no matter what form they may take. This also gives you the ability to speak with others through your mind, including humans.”

Aspen thanked him and tried not to think too hard about the ramifications of his gift.

When he stepped back, Kairi, the sea dragon, came forward. Aspen flinched.

I won’t hurt you again. I hope you realize that what I did was necessary.

Aspen did not believe it, but she kept those thoughts to herself. Can I ask you a question?

Certainly.

How many queens have you tested?

Including you? Two.

Did you tell them the same secret?

Of course, I knew they would be good queens. I did not, however, tell the five potential queens who tested before them that particular secret.

What did you tell them?

Something trivial, I forget. Two of them couldn’t keep the secret, and the other three died during Anasazi’s father’s test.

Thank you for trusting me. I would not have passed Anasazi’s test without that secret.

You are welcome. Now it is time for me to give you a gift. The sea dragons have the ability to shield their minds from all dragons, including the canyon dragons. I give you the ability to keep your thoughts to yourself unless you’re willing to give them.

This gift Aspen was very grateful for. She did not like her thoughts being open to everyone.

There were only two dragons left. Aspen was getting tired. Anasazi came to her. I suppose my gift is obvious. I will not waste time with words. He placed his great orange snout on the top of her head and then took his place back with the other dragons.