The Dragon's Consort

Chapter 18

ZARA

It had been a few days since that incident at the lake with Armos, and he had been acting odd ever since; so much so that the others were taking notice. Even as they trucked through the deep woods, they were constantly whispering between each other.

But they hardly did any walking these days, not with Kev and Sephira slowing them down. Zara didn't necessarily mind the break from endless marching, but she did worry she would grow weak and out of shape.

They had stopped for the second time that day, and yet the sun was barely centered in the sky. Zurden, Armos and Cadmus were all sitting near her, arranged in a half circle, regarding each other carefully.

Armos gave her an odd look, before quickly averting his gaze; and then did it again. He looked almost ill in his worry. She could see the thoughts tearing through his mind.

"Armos?" Cadmus started, "are you feeling well? You're looking paler than usual."

"You're sweating an awful lot too," Zurden added, watching as the shifty male wiped his dripping forehead.

"It is a little hot, that's all," he awkwardly chuckled.

"We're dragons," Zuri cocked a brow.

"I'm a silver dragon, I fare better in the cold," he lied.

"So is Cam, and he's doing just fine," Zurden snapped back.

"Perhaps I am just tired then," Armos said, "I'll take my leave."

He stood, quickly walking away, and disappearing into the woods. Zurden and Cadmus exchanged glances, before staring at Zara.

"What?" she asked.

"He keeps looking at you. You must've said something to him," Zuri leaned forward, eager for an explanation.

"Nothing he can't handle," she answered, sitting back a bit, to add some space between them once again.

"Oh? And what would that be?" he pressed.

"It was about Sephira, that's all."

Zurden hissed in annoyance, he knew when to accept defeat. Cadmus on the other hand didn't.

"I heard that Sephira apologized with you, and you two are on speaking terms now?" he wondered.

"We are," Zara curtly said.

"Good."

The conversation ended abruptly there. No more words were being said. Zara fake laughed, "well, I am going to speak with Armos; make sure he's fine."

She stalked after him, following his path. She saw him ahead and continued her pursuit. He turned to look, and then quickly sped up his pace. Grumbling, she summoned a burst of wind, throwing him helplessly against a tree. She pinned him against it, face to face.

"What is wrong with you!" she growled, "you are going to give me away! They're getting suspicious."

"Let them be suspicious, they're always suspicious of me," he mumbled.

"Well, that is now being directed my way," she hissed.

"I am sorry, Zara. I really am, but how am I supposed to take this news? This is life changing, I can't process this kind of information in less than a week."

"Keep it together," she sighed.

Zara heard footsteps behind her, she backed off of Armos and turned to look. She saw Sephira, giving the two a very puzzled look.