Dragons didn’t have the same moral compass as humans but even among her kind she was considered selfish and difficult. Tate had shown her another way. As much as Ilith yearned for home, it wasn’t time yet. The life they’d carved on the other side was everything she’d never known she’d wanted.
As much as this place pulled at Ilith, she’d find none of the delicious, cooked meat Tate called steak here. There’d be no reclaiming the hoard she’d started without her Savior’s permission.
The emperor’s crown would be so lonely without her. Not to mention her new acolyte waiting to worship Ilith’s majesty.
Are you sure?Tate asked, hearing Ilith’s thoughts.
Ilith flicked her tail impatiently. When had she ever been unsure of anything?
I’ll take you at your word and ignore the part about the hoard.
Tate could ignore her all she wanted but she’d claim both the crown and the huge, shiny gem again. See if anyone stopped her.
Maybe if you do a good job saving the emperor’s life, he’ll award you with a different gem.
Ilith perked up. Yes, a bigger horde was always better.
The other dragon watched Ilith with fascination.Little one, you are a unique being,he said speaking to Tate. I see why you were able to bond with the queen.
Ilith slammed a foot on the ground and displayed her teeth. Tate wasn’t anyone’s Savior but her own. He could get his own bonded if he was so fascinated.
The other dragons, all younger than the one before her, giggled. Their voices chimed a goodbye as a discordant note grew in volume.
A sucking sensation pulled at Ilith as the translucent dragons took flight. The last thing she saw was the iridescent dragon’s wise eyes and a voice in her mind saying,Until we meet again.
Despite her earlier resolve, Ilith couldn’t help but cling to the last vestiges of her world as it faded, trying to burn the image into her brain. Soaking in the feel of the invisible tides of magic.
Fog and ocean replaced the plains; snowcapped peaks of mountains much gentler than her home jutting into the sky.
Black birds darted in the sky as a trio of humans struggled to battle them. A dragon swooped overhead, setting fire to everything within reach.
A roar built in Ilith’s chest, erupting as Ilith gave voice to her grief. It felt like she’d lost her world again all over again.
Ilith. Ilith. I will find a way to send you home. I promise.
Ilith’s roar faded, and she shook herself from snout to tail, shedding those annoying feelings that hadn’t been part of her essence before she’d bonded with Tate. Somehow, the human’s emotions had begun to affect her.
Strange that Ilith didn’t hate it.
No need. I won’t go back there again.Ilith flared her wings as she trained her eyes on the birds.
Her bond with Tate was a worthy trade for that lost world.
Ilith looked around, taking stock of her surroundings. Her mate never said it, but she could sense his desire to protect the man who insisted on calling her crown his.
She gave a small hop, startled at the sight of the group cowering on the ground close to her.
Her head cocked.
Foolish two leggers. Didn’t they know it was hard to flee when hugging the floor?
I think they’re terrified of you.The roar probably had something to do with that.
Ilith snorted disdainfully. Even a moderately intelligent creature would know that roar had nothing to do with aggression and everything to do with expelling her emotions.
Odd how these humans didn’t even recognize a behavior she’d learned from them.
The shiny one Tate referred to as the emperor raised his hands, sparks gathered in the air around them as Ilith cocked her head with interest.
