The Dragon's Consort

Chapter 16

ARMOS

By the next day the storm had cleared. They had still kept their supplies in the cave, planned on leaving the following day once they had all calmed down. Especially the two hot heads that were only moments away from brawling.

He didn't know what the fuck happened, but it was beyond odd. Cadmus had always been short tempered and wildly aggressive, but Sarros? The soft-hearted youngling who blushes everytime one of them mentioned sex? What the hell happened?

This wasn't a coincidence. The draconic royal feels threatened and a tornado breaks out that exact moment? He didn't know how powerful royals were, but that seemed beyond reason, especially for an unshifted male.

Armos sat in the grass, next to Zuri and Cam. Cam was tearing into the hunk of elk meat with an overabundance of ferocity. His eyes were trained on the other side of the clearing, where Kev was talking to Sarros. The royal soon stood and stalked off, saying some goodbye to Kev for the time being. Where could he be going?

"What the hell was the kid thinking?" Cadmus mumbled between bites.

"I don't think he was. Sarros has been trained like a soldier since birth by his father, who was famous for his militaristic harshness," Armos continued, "not to mention the unimaginable royal power that channels through him. He was probably acting on instinct alone. Everyone with half a brain knows not to threaten a dragon let alone a royal. Legends say even thinking of intimidating one is a death sentence. Considering that, the reaction seems pretty tamed. Showed restraint."

Cam huffed, "restraint my ass."

"Look, Sarros agreed to respect Cadmus' orders," Zurden reasoned.

Cam scoffed, "that will never happen. Royals only obey royals. At this rate we'll keep butting heads until a fight breaks out."

"You don't think you'll win, brother?" Armos mocked.

"He's a dragon. Dragons don't act that ballsy unless they can back it up," Cadmus tore off another hunk of meat, his fangs glinted in the afternoon sun.

Zurden nodded. "What could Sephira have said to upset Sarros so much? He's a good kid, makes chubby dragon toys for fun."

Cam cocked a brow at that, and Zurden held a small wooden dragon charm in his grip, a stupid smile on his face. "That tracks."

Cam sat up straighter, wiping his mouth. "Sephira!" he called.

She emerged from her tent, so sheepish he could see her shaking from here. She stood in front of Cadmus.

"What did you say to Sarros?" he asked.

"Nothing," she said too quickly.

"If it was nothing, then Sarros wouldn't have felt threatened enough to put a knife to your throat," Cadmus smirked.

"It was a simple disagreement that got overheated," her eyes were pointed to the dirt. Armos could sense Cadmus bristle beside him.

"We both know that's not true. Now, whatever you said, remember that Sarros is a royal. Holy blood that flows through his veins, along with a desire for control. They don't react well to threats," Cadmus responded.

"You're lucky he didn't kill you," Armos added. A shocked look appeared on her face.

"Cadmus promised I would be safe here," she muttered.

"Cadmus promised that none of his brothers would harm you. But Sarros is not one of his brothers, and once again, that deal doesn't withstand you trying to play chicken with a dragon. It's like you asked to be killed," Armos chuckled.