She did die,Axel says.Asteria had to shock her back to life before I could bond her.
“That’s really not helping,” I hiss.
We need to get ready.The ensnared are saying the executions are set for noon.
“Ixnay on the executions-eh,” I say.
“Who’s being executed?”Coral frowns.“Someone we know?”
I sigh.“When we’re done with this, I amsoteaching you Pig Latin.”
“You already taught it to me,” Coral says.“And besides.Executions starts with a vowel.Any idiot would understand executions if you just add ‘eh’ to the end of the word.”She rolls her eyes.
But I’ve distracted her from the point.
“We’ll be back later,” I say.“I can shower then.”
It’s not like Axel’s going to care how I smell—we’re buddies, like drinking buddies.I could vomit on his shoes.No big deal.It’s not like hecareshow I look or smell or anything else, as long as I’m alive and kicking.
“I’m going to take up overeating when we get back from this,” I mutter.“I’m going to get as big as a house.Chocolate.That’s what I need.”
“Are you alright?”Coral frowns.“You’re acting really strange.”
“I’m fine.”I sigh.“But listen, no matter how you may feel, promise me you won’t go bonding any dragons while I’m gone.”
Her smile’s sly.“Fine.I’ll wait until you’re back.How’s that?”
I’m scowling as I fly out the door and toward the hole in our building.Thankfully, Sammy and Jade are just wandering through the other direction.
“Hey,” Coral says.“When you get back, can we go shopping?”
I freeze midair and turn.“What?”
“It’s Christmas soon—we have lists.”
For some reason that hits me like a slug to the gut.“Christmas?”
Sometimes, like when they’re bonding dragons and taking care of each other, I forget how young they are.Christmas—in the middle of the end of the world?That makes me remember—Hyperion said they were talking about it.
“Sure,” I say.“When I get back, let’s make some Christmas plans, alright?”
“All I want for Christmas,” Coral says, “is?—”
“Don’t even think about saying ‘a flame blessed to bond,’” I snap.
She shrugs.“Alright, I won’t say it, but you can’t say I can’t do it—you already bonded one.”She huffs.“Again.”
How is it that the hardest child is the only one who listened to my rules?And how can I keep telling her no when her sister and brother already bonded dragons?Ugh, fill-in parenting is the worst.I don’t even have the luxury of saying, “Because I’m your mom.That’s why.”Hopefully Mom will be back soon, and then she can take over.
As I wing my way over to the flat ridge overlooking Selfoss that has become our constant meeting area, I’m fuming.I still can’t believe Jade and Sammy are bonded.
Axel’s wisely flying quietly beside me.
“Hey, why are you golden today?I figured it would be a red day.”
Because someone shot you yesterday?
“I mean...”I chuckle.“You do tend to go red when you’re mad or worried.”The wind gusts past me, buffeting me and sending a shiver through my entire body, wingtip to wingtip.
