Page 57 of Creatures of War

‘Philit!’ I called out. ‘Philit? Landers? Zilon?’

But it felt like my inner voice was hitting a brick wall as it traveled down our bonds. We had been blocked from each other once again.

I was dragged down. Down. Down. Further and further away from light. Very quickly, the windows all disappeared and only torches were there to light our way. Wood and beautiful marble turned to rough stone. The fresh air became muggy and heavy.

“Please,” I begged. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

The guards said nothing as they tossed me harshly into a cell and locked me up. I scrambled to my feet and dove toward the massive wooden door, trying to peer through the small, barred window.

“Please!”

Nothing but the sound of their heavy footsteps met my ears as they walked away, leaving me in darkness with only one torch light outside my door.

I really was in a dungeon without my guys. Coldness swept through me, and I shivered as the reality settled inside of me. Never did I ever think I’d be seen as a criminal and locked up in a dungeon. Not like this.

Tears burned my eyes as I curled into the corner, trying to keep myself warm. Slowly, numbness became my friend as emptiness swept through me.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Being in a dungeon really messed with the mind. Plus, I was completely separated by the guys. So, all I had to think about was what King Laskis had said. How I had controlled the other dragons and affected them, even if it wasn’t my intention.

I stared down at my hands, unable to see them in the little bit of lighting, but still, I couldn’t get rid of the feeling I felt when they had surrounded us and helped us attack the Fae that last time. How I felt more. Was that what it was? Did I make them come to me? Force them to fight at my side?

It didn’t feel right, but it also did feel possible, and that only left me more confused. Was this the extra power that Aylia had talked about? I really wished we had been able to find more information about that rider with multiple mates. If we had, I would probably have had more answers, a better understanding of what was happening.

I sighed and dropped my hands over my knees. I wasn’t sure how long I was there, maybe a day or two? I had only been fed once so far, but by the way my stomach was growling and how my body ached from being curled up so long, I guessed far more time had passed.

Were they going to starve me? Make me weak? Maybe I’d become so weak I’d grow delirious, and then they’d write me off as crazy.

Zilon?

Landers?

Philit?

I tried to reach them again, but it was like my voice was slamming into a brick wall and getting nowhere. It was worse than when the guys had been just blocked from me, like there was nothing there at all, no bond to pull on. I never felt so empty before, as if everything inside of me had been scooped out and tossed away, leaving this sad, pathetic and weak husk of a human body.

The door creaked open, and I thought food was being placed down. Instead, there was a louder thud. I looked up and blinked at the harsh light from the small torch.

Slowly, my sluggish mind picked up on the details.

The king stood before me with a wide smirk. Next to him and behind him was an entire group of guards, ready to destroy me if I dared to do anything to their precious dragon.

“This, little rider, is what happens when you defy me. I told you to make the right decision. You didn’t.”

One of the guards lowered his torch, and I slowly followed the motion until I was left staring at something on the ground. The torch light flickered against what was before me enough to see the dark green of the leather.

I blinked. Blinked again. Then, a whimper came out of me as I crawled forward. A scream built in my throat. I choked on that scream until I grabbed what had been tossed too carelessly on the ground like garbage.

A piece of a wing. A green wing. Nearly as big as my arm.

‘Zilon!’

The scream escaped me, and I let out a wail so primal—so broken—that I thought I was going to shatter from the sound.

Pain erupted across my cheek, shutting me up as I spun and landed on the ground.

“Enough of that,” King Laskis said, still smiling at me. “You were given a choice, and now you have to live with the repercussions. The offer still stands. Join me. I’ll give you a couple of days to think about it. Otherwise, you will continue to rot down here, and I will continue to carve into your so-called mates. Nothing pleases me more than breaking Alpha dragons, who think they are better than me.”