Emperor's Heir - Chapter 34

Chapter 34

I gulped. “Um, hello?” I squeaked.

“Didn’t think I’d have the pleasure of seeing you so soon.” The dragon bent his head and peaked at me with one eye.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized, “But have we met?”

The dragon chuckled deeply causing his belly to shake the ground and make me bounce. “You were but a wee babe. However, I knew one day our paths would cross again.”

“Really?” I asked, at loss for any other words.

“Of course, with a destiny such as yours, I knew one day we would meet again.”

“My … destiny?” I repeated breathlessly, puzzled.

“Well, as far as I can see, your future remains blurred. It appears that eventually you will come to a crossroads,” the dragon squinted at the walls, as if seeing something past them, “Nevertheless, no matter which path you take, your actions will impact generations to come, marking your name in history.”

I breathed a small sigh of relief. Though the giant lizard’s words puzzled me, I realized that the beast did not appear to have any intention to eat me. I started to stand, propping myself against the wall as my shaking legs could not support my entire weight as of yet.

“So, you can see the future?” I asked curiously.

“Only glimpses of what might be.” The dragon answered.

“Do you know if I will get my memories back?” I hung my head. “If I will remember my mother?”

The dragon raised his head, pulling away from me. “Your obsession with regaining knowledge of your past could bring about your own downfall.”

I frowned. “How can that be? All I want is to remember the woman who raised me. A child longs to be with their parents, even if they are dead. How can that desire be evil?”

“Ah, but the memory of your lost mother is tied with yet more painful memories.” The dragon grinned sneakily. “These, once unlocked have the potential to unlock a darkness that lies deep within the core of your very heart.”

I rubbed my hand across my forehead, suddenly feeling a strong headache. “What do you mean?” I asked in a whisper, doubts filling my mind.

“It amuses me,” The dragon bent his head, gazing down at me, “How little a person can know about oneself. You humans are the creatures least in tune with your own potential. Surely, you’ve felt it.” The dragon’s voice dipped into a low, hushed tone. “That power coursing through your veins has been growing stronger since the day of your return to Quanxi. And you may want to deny it, but there’s a danger that you revel in. You’ve often sought it in your miserable life.”

“You know about my friends?” I asked, surprised, “About how my time with them in the Capitol?”

“Establishing justice,” the giant lizard spat, as if the word disgusted him, “Yes, I know … Protector.”

I frowned. “You don’t approve?” I asked.

The dragon yawned. “Predictability bores me. So far you have struggled to be a hero, a savior to your people. But that may change. And I am looking forward to watching your journey.”

My eyes widened in horror. “Are you saying that I could become a villain?” The dragon smirked and nodded. I gulped, “I will eventually be blinded by my own greed and pride?” The very idea made my stomach twist and turn till I began to feel sick.

“Not greed. Nor pride.” The dragon lowered his head till he was staring deep into my eyes. “Revenge.” He hissed.

“Revenge? For what?” I asked, desperate to know the answer and how to stop it.

The dragon shook his giant head slowly. “That remains to be seen. The future is as unclear as your past. But I do know that one day our paths will cross again. And you will be searching for my help.”

I crossed my arms stubbornly. “Why would I come to you? You don’t have any answers now, and are only giving me more questions. Besides, you don’t seem to be for the cause of good.” I paused and frowned. “And I’m not sure if you are even evil. Which side would you choose?”

The dragon lifted his head and grinned. “Quite observant you are, little one. I’m for neither side. I like to be amused and will aide whichever side I feel compelled to. Or never.” He lay back down, curling in like a snake. “As you can see, I’m quite busy.”

I scoffed, “Quite.” I glanced around. “You wouldn’t, by any chance, know if there is anything here that will help the kelpies?”

The dragon raised a hairless brow and squinted at me. “Ah! You’re helping them so that they will help you. How noble.” He grinned a sarcastic, toothy smile. “Yes, I know of a way.”

I did not like the look that crossed the lizard’s eyes. “Oh?” I replied cautiously.

The dragon smirked. “But you’d have to trust me.”

I shook my head. “That will be hard,” I admitted.

“I know.” My hesitancy didn’t seem to disturb the dragon at all. In fact, it appeared to increase his amusement.

I straightened. “What must I do … besides trust you?”

“Step into my mouth.”

“What?!” I gasped.

“You need the past prince’s memories?” I nodded. “He gave them to me. However, the merman sealed my mouth to secrecy. Only someone brave enough to step into my mouth will have access to the memories stored within.” The dragon squinted at me. “But you don’t even know this prince’s name, do you?”

I shook my head shamefully. “I do not. I forgot to ask Agar. He isn’t exactly someone easy to get along with,” I admitted. Then I raised my brows in surprise, realizing something else. “Hey, I don’t even know your name!”

The dragon’s toothy smile widened evermore. “It’s one I do not give out easily. I may tell you. But only if you prove yourself to me.”

I quirked a brow. “I was only trying to be polite,” I stated, “I don’t need to know if you are not willing.”

The giant lizard smiled toothily. “Oh, little one… you’ve much to learn. A dragon’s name is never a trivial thing. Whoever possesses knowledge of it, possesses the power to summon it’s owner.” The beast paused and tilted his head in thought. “I can recall, in the span of my entire lifetime, only giving my name to two people. And they are both dead now.”

“How did they die?” I asked in a whisper.

The dragon quirked a scaly brow. “Not sure. I may have eaten one. Irritating little fool he was. Cheated me out of my name with all his chatter.” My brows flew in surprise. “But doesn’t matter. Are you going to just stand here in this cave forever, or make a decision child?”

The giant lizard’s hot breath hit me in the face, as much as his question made my knees tremble. The dragon’s mouth looked like a fiery furnace, burning bright with each word he spoke. I wasn’t sure if I would survive.

So, I asked. “Won’t I … uh … burn if I get into your mouth?”

The beast shrugged. “Not sure. No one has chanced it before.”

I scowled and muttered, “Not very helpful,” beneath my breath. I closed my eyes and recalled all that I had ever been told that described my mother.

I remembered how my heart had quickened when my Father had told me I reminded him of her; of how Nalda’s fingers ran through my hair saying it was just like hers; how her own loving words written in that letter had caressed my mind like a soft, tender kiss. I focused on the empty hole in my heart, the heaviness that lay in the pit of my stomach like a heavy stone.

Opening my eyes, I stared down the dragon. “I’ll do it,” I said, standing resolutely.

With a surprised, but smug grin, the beast lay down his giant head and opened his mouth wide. I took in a deep breath before reaching out one hand to grab a grimy tooth to steady myself.

Then I stepped inside and the giant lizard’s jaws snapped shut.