King Beast - Vicious Flames

Chapter 45

She liked her lower lip - her tongue was forked!

"For starters, he was in the harem. With four other dragonesses."

"Ah," something crossed her unblinking eyes, and I thought she chuckled, but she cleared her throat, "then do the same. Get your own harem, little bird."

I scoffed. "Zerberus will never let that happen."

"No, he wouldn't," she agreed quickly, as if all this was a joke to her, "just find another male. One with bigger muscles, a red dragon if you can."

"Find another male? Are you suggesting I... cheat?"

She shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm just suggesting you play the game by his rules. After all, dragons aren't known for their monogamy."

I couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation. My mother-in-law was helping me make his son pay, by cheating back.

"Right. So, essentially, I need to find another dragon that would accept to help me cheat their Lord." It sounded ridicously imposible.

"Precisely," she replied, yawing, "and don't forget the red scales. He always did have a special loathe for those bloodyhues."

"But how would Zerberus know I'm kissing someone else?"

She smirked. "Kissing?" she asked as if she had never done it before.

I swallowed and looked away. I couldn't just mate someone else. I just couldn't.

"Zerberus will know, trust me...you are mates. Go lick someone else's mouth and see what happens."

"What do you mean he will? How?" How could he possibly know?

"Enough questions. You wore me out." With a pat on my head, despite her shorter stature, she added, "Join me for supper in 34 days. I reside atop the shattered peak."

"34? Sure. Should I bring anything?"

"Yourself. Make sure you tell me the details of your tongues exchange with another dragon," she grinned, showing again her overcrowded mouth, "I'd extend the invitation sooner, but my nephews are a perpetual nuisance."

"Oh," I perked up, "what a joy!"

"Joy? Um," she frowned, black smoke issuing from her nostrils, "monsters with no manners. My offspring leave much to be desired in the parenting department."

"And how many children do you have?"

She shrugged. "Oh, who knows! Do you think I keep the count?" She flicked her hand, "Farewell, little bird. Don't fly too high. Air currents are a hussy."

As I watched her ascend into the heavens, veils trailing behind her, she swerved sharply to the right until she vanished beyond the crags.

Speaking of intriguing mothers-in-law...

****

LATER

I recognized him before I even spotted her.

There he was, my sister's mate. My mate's warrior.

In the heart of the dead woods, his red scales shimmering under the perennial ashes that lingered between us the sun, if there was any sun left, somewhere up there.

He wielded his claws expertly, skinning a deer with the ease of someone born to the hunt. Meanwhile, my dear sister lounged on a green blanket atop the harsh, greenless rocky ground, oblivious to my presence.

My frustration mixed with betrayal and mostly hurt from her attitude towards me, overpowered the loved we once shared.

I wasn't even sorry about what I was about to do.