The Dragon's Consort

Chapter 9

CADMUS

Two Months Ago

The city was rancid, oozing depravity and cruelty, with a hint of poverty. It was a capital city, as well as a slaver's city, housed both the richest and the poorest on this side of the Castras Sea. The only place where brokers sold women to anyone wealthy enough to afford them. Auctions were held twice a year, and tomorrow was the summer market.

Cadmus knew he couldn't afford a woman, not even close, but he was already in town to sell the last few weeks of animal pelts, he may as well see the prices whilst he was here. He assumed they'd went up, as they always did, but no one knows for sure.

He was disgusted by the human practices. Women were people, not just tools used by men. They should have a right to choose their fates. But Cadmus knew he had no chance of giving his brothers a woman unless he bought one. Afterwards, he would allow her to choose. Even if it wasn't him or his brothers, at least he would've brought freedom for at least one woman. After all, he had centuries to find true love.

Unlike his brothers, he never cared much for females. Had a human lover who he chose and who chose him. But she was taken away. As the capital city burned around him, he had to choose. His brother or his love. Armos or Diana. In the end he chose his baby brother.

He didn't regret his choice. Armos, Zurden, and Kano would've died without him. Hells, even Qaris and Illdrie would've as well. Even knowing this, he still resented that he'd have to choose. But now that his brothers were older, healthier and safer; if again given the ultimatum, he would choose love.

He had been eyed as he walked down the streets, every person in the city had already been buzzing about his presence. It was not surprising. He was a foot and a half taller than the humans, was covered in silver scales, and had two pairs of horns on his head. He was perhaps the first dragon any of them had seen.

One family had come up to him and offered up their only daughter in exchange for protection, which meant they followed the brotherhood . He wouldn't have accepted it, even if the girl wasn't a literal child. He had his brothers to think about, and they would never agree to such a deal.

He would not entertain any such disgusting practices either. No loving family would sell off a child bride. He had fought the urge to kill them where they stood. Dragons would never allow such things.

He also had to argue with the inn owner to let him pay for his room and board. The old man wanted to give it to him for free. It may have been a compliment to humans, but there was no higher insult amongst dragons. They would earn what they had, no hand outs. Save for pleasure, but one could say that was earned through beauty.

The auctions would start in the evening, and it was barely midday. He caught sight of a tavern sign, and made his way over. Anything could be solved with booze. Perhaps even his financial worries.

The once bustling room fell silent as he entered. He hissed, pulling a hood over his horns, and settling at the bar. The barkeep eyed him carefully.

"Anything for you, my lord?" he nervously asked.

"Whatever your strongest wine is," Cadmus sighed.

"Right away." A glass of red wine appeared before him only moments later. He took a big swig, hoping the buzz would kick in sooner or later.

He watched from the corner of his eye as a women entered the tavern, followed by two burly guards. She made a b-line straight to him, and he huffed to himself. She sat onto the stool beside him, a hand caressing down his arm, meeting sharp scales through his cloth shirt. He tried to wince at the touch, the scales too sensitive not to react. She must've known that, yet still did it anyways. Maybe he should scare her, just a little. Enough to know she was playing with fire.