Elizabeth jumped back out of harm’s way and hesitated for a moment before running back to the dragon. She cursed. She was no warrior.
The demon looked up at the dragon and paled.
The demon took a few brave steps towards, approaching the dragon and brandishing his claws like knives. The dragon roared—and the demon vanished in a whirlwind of fire so hot that it warmed her face. The smell of burning flesh filled the air.
“Thanks,” she said, looking up warily.
An amused rumble sounded from the dragon’s throat.
Your keys, little mortal.
“Oh! Thank you!” Elizabeth ran and used her skirt to pluck them off the charred demon. “Ah, it’s hot.”
She turned to Caspian’s cell and fumbled with the key in the lock. It clicked open. She hurriedly unlocked Selena’s cell too, before rushing to his side.
Chainbreaker,the dragon said in a dangerous tone,we have little time. More come.
Caspian was in rough shape, bruises patched across his body, covered in blood and grime. His head lolled, and he blinked blearily, struggling to keep his eyes open.
What did they do to my unbreakable soldier?
In her periphery, she saw the hunched demon in the other cell stretching his fingers between the bars to touch the dragon’s tail. The dragon whirled, and a fiery blast consumed him until he was no more.
Elizabeth made quick work of Caspian’s shackles, grateful the chains had been much smaller than the ones that held the dragon, needing only “Tdth” to spring the shackles open. Each freed wrist drained her energy until she felt as weak as a lamb.
While she worked, she was vaguely aware that the old woman stood before the dragon, mind speech rapidly flowing between them.
As she freed Caspian, his weight sagged against her.
He washeavy.
“Move, you giant ass!” She shoved him up against the dragon. Her wound barked in protest, the arrow still stuck in her thigh, hurting like the Seven Hells. She dared not take it out for fear it would worsen the bleeding. She had never been in more pain in her life, but they would be dead soon if they didn’t move.Two more minutes. I can hold on.
Caspian, for all his size, was as weak as a baby bird.
“Move, you bastard!” She gritted her teeth and heaved. “If you get me killed, so help me gods, I will haunt you for eternity. MOVE.”
With a groan, he swung his leg onto the dragon's back—apparently mistaking the dragon for a horse but still rider enough to mount up, disoriented and half-starved.
She made short work of the woman’s shackles, then scrambled up behind Caspian, accidentally jostling him. He grunted, swaying, coming in and out of consciousness.
“Got him!” she shouted.
Are you able to carry the woman as well?
The dragon sniffed.Of course, I can.
Elizabeth hesitated.Will you carry three?
I have already agreed to ferry her away from here. The woman says she can do magic and will shield us from harm on our way out. And I, for one, tire of getting pricked.
Elizabeth’s eyes widened.She’s a witch?
The dragon didn’t deign to reply.
Selena climbed up behind her, and the dragon leapt into the sky, her wings beating labouriously to take off.
Selena hesitantly clutched at her waist, and Elizabeth held a hand briefly over hers to communicate that it was okay to hold on so she didn’t fall. Elizabeth’s other hand was looped around Caspian, clutching one of the spires on the dragon’s neck. Elizabeth took her other arm and wrapped it around Caspian’s middle. Her fingers brushed cuts that had been crusted over with dried blood.
