A Pet for the Dragons

88.

ARIKA

It was the best sleep I'd ever had. I felt like an entirely brand-new person when I woke up. I'd never felt this well rested. I felt ready to take over the world when I opened my eyes.

A new kind of energy was surging through my body. I'd never felt this before. I didn't know what it was, but the energy was somewhat subdued when I opened my eyes.

However, I was puzzled to find myself in an unfamiliar room. I sat up instantly, rubbing my eyes and looking around until I found Ivret and Zorge standing by the huge window, staring outside. They seemed to be deeply interested in whatever was outside.

Just as I got off the bed, I went to them to see what had their attention when a huge tide of green covered the window outside, followed by the noise of a Kraken.

I froze.

I was lucky enough to have never had a close encounter with a Kraken at the sea before, but I'd heard its call. It could be heard miles away. I'd only heard the call of a Kraken once, but it terrified me.

However, I'd have never imagined that I'd ever hear the call of the Kraken again and that too in a place like this. It was odd. As the Kraken called again, I noticed it didn't sound as natural. There wasn't that deep boom to this call. Was it an imitation of sorts? I wondered and moved to the window to join Ivret and Zorge when I noticed that the green swirls outside were dragons. Huge dragons.

I'd see the three of them as dragons. I'd thought that Radrox's dragon was the biggest, but my jaw dropped as soon as I saw the green ones.

These green dragons were humongous. They were almost double the size of Radrox, and their eyes were pitch black. I watched them as they flew around the building. It was then I remembered that we were in Cerdosa, in a floating building, preparing to meet the Dragon Empress.

But what were these dragons doing here?

"We're fucked," Zorge said. I realised that the two hadn't noticed me yet.

"Those are some massive dragons," I yawned, feeling the urge to stretch. The two let out a yelp at my sudden comment. They mustn't have noticed me before.

"She's awake!" Ivret bellowed before wrapping his arms around me. "She's finally awake. We've made it!" Ivret kept saying as if he couldn't believe his own words.

"We need to be quick. They won't give us much time," Zorge said before he rushed out of the room. I was more puzzled than ever to see them behaving like this.

"W-what happening? Who are those dragons? Where did Zorge go? Where's Radrox?" I asked. I had so many questions bubbling in my head but I felt overwhelmed. The strange energy flowing through me seemed to get stronger with every second, and it was finally starting to overwhelm my senses.

I didn't know why, but I started noticing every detail. With Ivret this close, I could catch a slight woody tone to his scent. No, scratch that. It was the first time I'd noticed his scent, and it hit me like a tonne of bricks.

I buried my face in the crook of his neck and filled my lungs with as much of his scent as I could. His scent was sweet and slightly woody. I'd never been into woods and hated them, but for some reason, I found Ivret's scent very calming.

"You fell asleep after we marked you. You've been sleeping for the past couple of days. We were afraid you wouldn't wake up on time. Those green dragons are the Cardinal Guards, and they're here to take us to the Empress," Ivret gushed as he pulled back, making me frown. I wanted to spend more time in his arms, but he seemed to be in a rush.

Zorge rushed into the room immediately and started draping fabric over me. Ivret joined him quickly in the task, but he did not give me the time to process anything. Ivret started doing my attire while Zorge began braiding my hair.

Everything was a blur.

"Wait-what are you—" My voice drowned in the bellow of another Kraken roar. This time, it sounded directly above the building, making the glasses shiver.

"What's going on?" I managed to ask as the two continued to circle me, pulling my hair and tugging my limbs in a blur.

"The Guards are here. Radrox's out to see them. We need to be quick and greet them," Ivret uttered, and before I could ask another question, I was rushed out of the room.

However, in haste, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror of the room. I couldn't recognise myself at first. I couldn't believe that it was me.

My eyes were glowing just like the dragons. My skin was clear, and my hair looked thicker and fuller than ever. Zogre had braided my hair in a beautiful yet simple style that pulled my hair back and drew attention to my cheekbones.

The fabric draped on me was dark blue, reminding me of the sea. It matched the colour of my eyes, making them look more vibrant than they were. I couldn't help but notice how Ivret had draped the fabric on me. He had wrapped it around me and done plates on the back before bringing the remaining fabric at the front and tucking it like a loose sleeve. It perfectly brought all the focus to the collar wrapped around my neck.

I didn't get to see more than that as they two rushed me to the enormous balcony used as a landing. I noticed Radrox there right away, talking to one of the green dragons.

"Yes, we're ready to go to the Cardinal House, but it would be kind of you to lend us a few more moments to prepare—" Radrox spoke, but the green dragon growled.

"— You shall leave with us this instant. It's an order," I felt the green dragon's voice rebate through my whole body before it sent a shiver down my spine. "Of all dragons, you should know what happens when orders aren't followed,"

"I know, but a few more moments wouldn't—"

"— We're ready to leave now!" Zorge announced as we stepped onto the balcony. Radrox spun around to look at us until he laid his eyes on me and froze. Suddenly, my whole body tingled. It was as if it was delighted that all three dragons were finally with me.

"Alright then. We leave now," Radrox said, and in the next moment, the air was rushing past my hair while I clung to the claws of one of the dragons. 

~

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