Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 116396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 582(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 582(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
He turned his gaze away, looking over the plains.
“I know you’re scared, Pyre. But you’re a fire-breathing dragon. Everyone is terrified of you—as they should be. I just want to give you a boost in your confidence, so when the time comes, you’re ready to snap spines in two with those razor-sharp teeth.”
I wasn’t always like this. Young and naïve, I used to think I was invincible. Look where that got me.
“Pyre.” I stepped closer to him. “Once we defeat Necrosis and return to your homeland to defeat King Dunbar, what will you do then?”
He dropped his chin and looked at me again.
“You’re going to punish him for what he did to you. Right?”
He still didn’t say anything.
“You’re going to char him alive or break his bones. You’re going to rip him limb from limb and toss his body parts to the wolves. You’re going to make him shit his pants, alright? You’re going to make him pay for what he did to you. For what he did to your mother. That’s what you want?”
Yes.
“Then let’s prepare you for that. Think of it that way.”
Alright.
“I want to hear you say it.”
Say what?
“That you’re going to make that fucker shit his pants. Come on!”
Yes…I’m going to make him shit his pants.
“Again.”
This time, he squatted down and opened his wings, releasing a loud roar right in my face. Roooooooooaaaaaaaaar.
My hair flew back from my face, and I toppled over.
I’m going to make him shit his pants.
I was on the ground with a sore ass, but I never felt better. “Attaboy.”
I spent the entire day training with Pyre.
Storm did his own thing, spending his time in solitude. He’d always been the more aggressive of the two, so he didn’t need any of my pep talks or instruction. He sat in the distance, watching us as he ate one of the farmers’ livestock.
“Don’t forget to use your tail. It’s completely coated in armor with spikes. If you’re ever stuck on the ground, you can use that to kill twenty men at once.”
If I use my tail, you’ll be dead.
“Just want to make sure you don’t forget.”
Ivory?
“Yes?”
With this armor on my wings, does that mean they can’t be cut? He lifted one wing and turned his head to examine it.
“Your armor is pretty sturdy, so I assume so. They’d have to take it off first.”
Is there a way to lock it in place?
“I don’t know. But remember, Pyre. Even if that did happen, which it won’t, I can always fix you.”
He turned forward once again. Yes…but what if you perish?
“I’m not going anywhere, Pyre. I’m a tough bitch, and even if that weren’t true, my husband is a psychopath.”
Are things well with you?
I wiped the sweat from my forehead before I took a seat in front of him. “Not really.”
That makes you sad.
“Of course it makes me sad. Every time I think of my father, I think of what Huntley did. And every time I think of Huntley, I think of what he did to my father. I’m a grown woman who doesn’t need anybody, but it’s still hard to realize you’re orphaned.”
You have your brother, just as I have mine.
“I know…”
And if Huntley is your husband, he’s your family as well.
“I know that too.”
I’ve seen the way he looks at you. The way he loves you. It’s hard for me to understand why he would do that without reason.
“He did have a reason. A good reason. But he also promised he wouldn’t do that, so…”
What were his reasons?
“My father murdered his…then raped his mother.” As I said it out loud, the shame washed over me.
Pyre stared at me for a while. Those are horrendous crimes. It’s hard for me to hold him accountable under those circumstances.
“I know. But my father tried to flee the bottom of the cliffs, and when he got up here, Huntley’s father denied his entry and forced him back down—even though he knew how harsh the conditions are.”
Oh, I see. This is complicated.
“Very.”
Both men wanted the same thing—and were willing to do anything to get it.
“Yes.”
Your father returned and got his revenge.
“Yes.”
And then Huntley did the same.
“Yes. But when my father was in the dungeon, I spoke to him. He said he would help us defeat Rutherford. Said he would apologize for what he’d done. I know an apology is pretty hollow for what he did, but my father isn’t the kind of man that apologizes or ever admits wrongdoing, so it means something.”
Pyre stared.
“I agreed to help Huntley if he promised to spare my father’s life…and he didn’t.”
Pyre bowed his head slightly.
“What do you think?” Pyre had become my closest friend since we met. Ryker and Effie weren’t always around, and I couldn’t speak to Huntley about these things. Athena had become kind toward me, but I still didn’t consider her a confidante. “Do you think I’m wrong for being upset?”