Daughter of Alvar (Redemption Saga, Book 2)

Chapter 5

I decide it is best not to wait for the creature to get closer to the palace and the precious lives therein. I lunge off the spindle of the tower and fly at the thing, my jaws open, displaying my vicious pointed teeth.

This dragon—for I'm sure that's what it is—had better turn on its tail. I'm indestructible and know how to make short work of it. My father taught me well how to take down a dragon.

Go for the wings first, Kyla.

I give one more warning roar, hoping it will see common sense, but the feral dragon answers me aggressively.

So strange for a feral dragon to attack the palace like this. Mountain goats, boar, gazelles are their main diet, not humans.

Heat builds in my throat. The wings of a dragon are thin and burn easily. Unlike Cursed and my mother, a Fireblood (a human infused with Cursed blood before birth), they are not fireproof.

Flames spew from my jaws, hot speckles resembling lava hit the creature's wings burning holes into the thin membranes.

It's an outrageously unfair fight. I feel sorry for the beast as it hisses and screeches in pain, its wings disintegrating.

As it falls, I follow it to the ground. My jaws grip its throat, and I'm surprised when my teeth click against the harshness of metal.

Huh?

We hit the jungle floor with an ugly thud. I know its back most likely has broken on impact.

I put the beast out of its misery swiftly on the ground before studying the curious metal band around its neck. Strange, domesticated dragons are not a thing; however, this dragon is wearing a collar studded with red gems.

I've seen drawings of such a collar. It's a magical device, created to control the will of another.

This dragon is under the control of someone else.

As soon as the creature draws its last breath, the collar melts into a blood-like ooze.

An uneasy feeling shivers through my body.

Why had someone sent a Fe collar-wearing dragon to the palace in the first place?

I scan the jungle around me. All nature is silent, scattered from the body of the fallen dragon and my monstrous beast.

My nostrils flare as I try to detect any uncommon scent, but the smell of trees, earth, and freshly killed dragon is all I pick up. Unfortunately for me, in my beast form, a dead dragon smells delicious.

My eyes close.

Get it together, Kyla.

My wings spread, and I make a running start to fly back to the palace and report my alarming findings.

*

After the guests are notified the threat is over, Fletch, Sola, Lord Calbir, my mother, and Kalvar all meet with me in the private gathering room to discuss the Fe collar.

"Are you sure it was a Fe collar?" Kalvar asks after my tale of the doomed dragon is finished.

"Seriously, Kal?" I cross my arms over my chest. "A dragon in its right mind would have shirked upon hearing me. This one flew headlong in my direction! Besides, I know of no other magical or mundane devices that dissolve like that upon a being's death."

"I feared this day would come," Mother murmurs, and all eyes fall on her. Her expression is far away, as if she recalls years past. "But why would it happen now?"

"What do you mean, Mother?" Kalvar asks. "Are you talking of the Sorceress?"

"What person could create a Fe collar, let alone get close enough to place it on a wild dragon?" Mother murmurs, standing from her seat.