Page 37 of The Dragon King’s Pet

“I will rain fire on you and your home,” she snarled, going with the words though they did not make much in the way of sense. “I will rend your wings and I will tear at your scales and you will kneel before me because you are not worthy even to… aarrrggggghhhh!”

Suddenly she was much, much bigger than she had been, so large that her body took up much of the landing. When she extended her arms, they were two great sails to the wind, and when she tried to speak, she could but roar.

CHAPTER 13

“Casimer, you must come, now!”

Casimer looked up from his rulings. “Lazarus?”

It had been hundreds of years since Lazarus had used his first name. It had been about the same length of time since Casimer had seen Lazarus look so concerned.

“Please, sire, now,” Lazarus said. “Before she takes flight.”

“Before she does what!?” Casimer stood from his desk and followed after Lazarus. The man had set off at a run, another rare sign of urgency.

“What is going on, Lazarus… what…”

The question died on his lips as he and Lazarus emerged out into the sunshine of a landing pad, where a small dragon was sitting looking simultaneously heartbroken and confused. She was a bright turquoise hue with a golden gaze, and Casimer recognized her instantly. Mika.

Her flight form was small, but it was elegant and beautiful, just as she was. For a moment, all Casimer could do was stand and stare. These human hybrids made beautiful dragons. Her father was a brilliant red. Casimer was not sure how Mika had become turquoise. It seemed to be a color all of her own, the precise color reverse of her father’s red form lightened into a stunning shade.

“How did this happen?”

“She was shouting at me, sire. She became enraged, and then… this.”

Casimer’s head shot back and he looked at Lazarus in surprise. “She was yelling at you? Why?”

“I had cause to thrash one of the maids. Your pet took exception to that. She came to me and launched into a tirade as to how it was not my right to lay hands on the maids.” Lazarus smirked. “She threatened me—and then the change overcame her. It was quite something to see.”

More shocked by the events than either of the men, Mika was showing signs of clear distress now, her cries mournful and confused. She cast her head about, flapped her wings uselessly, and looked toward him with great golden eyes that held so much emotion. In spite of what had clearly been gross misbehavior, Casimer felt sorry for her. The first shift could be frightening, especially if it happened without warning. It sounded as though she had lost control of herself and spontaneously taken her flight form. Having no idea how she had gotten there, she had no idea how to turn back. It was a matter of becoming calm, but of course, her fear prevented her mind from stilling enough to take her walking form again. She would not understand words, he wagered, so he was left only with action.

Casimer shifted, his regal flight form flowing into an opulent white dragon. He comforted the frightened female, covering her with his wing and snorting softly against the side of her neck. Mika pressed close to him, folding her wings tight against her body and nuzzling under his jaw with an expression of pure relief. He was twice her size, which allowed her to hide entirely beneath his wing, something she seemed to be glad of.

It took more than an hour for her trembling to cease. Casimer stayed with her, his eyes closed, his head tucked under his wing, dozing as his pet snuggled with him.

Finally he felt her slip away, the warmth where her body had been dissipating quickly. He looked down and saw that Mika was utterly naked, curled up on the ground, fast asleep.

Casimer took his walking form too, scooped her up in his arms, and carried her exhausted form to his bedchamber. She would sleep for a long time, he wagered. Full-blooded dragons undergoing their first change slept for a day or more following it, and she was mostly human. Who knew how her physical form would react to the violent changes it had been subjected to. To his immense relief, her breathing was steady and slow, and her pulse was likewise strong. She did not seem ill. She just seemed utterly exhausted.

* * *

“Everything is sore,” Mika moaned. She’d woken up in Casimer’s bed, relieved to find herself human again, but feeling as if her entire body had been run over several times. On closer inspection, there was not a mark on her skin. Everything was perfect and taut and toned just as it had been, but she felt like she should have been a pancake.

“Your body has performed an evolution unlike any it was ever made to undergo,” Casimer murmured. “Pain is normal. Drink this and it will soothe the aches.”

Mika sat up slowly and sipped the brew. It tasted like berries and regret, but the last part might just have been her own mood taking effect.

“Is it always that hard?”

“No,” he said. “It is like losing your virginity. The first time is painful. After that, it begins to feel good. Once you are practiced, it will come with ease and bring you great pleasure.”

“Well, I wouldn’t know what that’s like,” Mika murmured, taking more of the brew. She felt awful.

Casimer slid in next to her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, pulling her into the sheltering curve of his body. He was largely silent, but she could feel the stern mood emanating from him, and she knew precisely why he was annoyed. Lazarus must have told on her.

“You’re mad at me, aren’t you,” she said, looking up at him from under her lashes.

“I’m proud of you for finding your dragon side,” Casimer said. “And I am utterly disappointed in you for the behavior you displayed to Lord Lazarus.”