I pull my arm away, adjusting my suit. “Take me to the damn dragons for all I care, they can’t burn me.”
“No, but they are hungry, Serene.” He locks eye contact with me. “This is why the men here have been on their best behavior. They listen to the rules, obey the Queen, and do the damn games with no questions. Or, they will be dragon food.”
My hand shakingly rubs over my face as I let out a frustrated sigh. “Why even keep the dragons? They should be free.”
“These dragons stay for the battle games, and if need be, they capture more. The Realms want them gone eventually since they are a curse.” He takes a step towards me, his eyes weary. “But the Queen keeps them for the games, and that’s it. The others, the guards go out to hunt for. One day, they will all be removed from our Realms, and we should be at peace again.”
“I’m confused.” My lip tugs upward, disgusted with what the Realms have done. “Have these dragons ever hurt anyone besides the ones in the games?”
I startle him. He glances away, his mind racing with the thoughts of it. “No. Not that I know of. But we can’t be certain, especially those who shift uncontrollably.”
“Then why kill something that has never hurt someone?”
“Queen Antivianna has written this into the ways of our Realms after we saw the first dragon, as well as the first shifter.”
“And who was that?”
“Florian was the first.” His jaw ticks. “But we do know there are more.”
“And I thought only the Royals were cursed.”
“That’s what the people of our Realm believe, but… we have seen more.” He nods. “The people believe death will always bethe key in order for our survival. For one day the Gods will free the Realms from the dragons, and we will all be at peace. But they feed off of these games and after centuries, it's become an obsession to some. The games will never end unless the curses vanish.”
My lips part to speak, but the guard’s metal armor clinking against itself echoes around us.
“Serene.” The guard clears his throat. “Serene.”
They don’t know my last name.
But I’ll make them remember.
I nod towards Kaine as he nods towards me.
My boots beat against the cobblestone flooring as the remaining men stare while I pass by them. All are lined next to the bunk beds by the center walkway. I make my way around the wooden table, no meat is left over. I wonder if Theon ate it all.
With a firm snatch, I rip the wristband I must use when trying to bond with one of the four from the guard's hand. My leather gloves tighten around it. He flinches. I supposed I startled him.
“I have gloves on,” I snarl amusingly. “Don’t worry. I can’t burn you with them.”
His eyes narrow. “I hope this is the last time I see you.”
The corner of my lips tug. “I’m sorry to break it to you, but you’ll see me again. I’m not going anywhere.”
I raise my chin higher, arching my shoulders back, and I never make eye contact with the other men. I can feel their eyes glued on me.
Let them stare. Let them watch.
Just wait till they see what I am.
And they all better drop to their knees and pray that Koen is not dead.
Chapter 37
“The monster that lurks in the night is considered the Dark One. The one who should have never been born. The Dark One is considered to be the one to bring destruction to the Realms, including the downfall to the Deskyiara bloodline.” - Book of Azure
“I CAN DO THIS.” MY lips quiver. “I am SereneDeskyiara.”
The last damn Deskyiara.
