Dragon Tame - Ophelia Silk Page 0,2

turn to face the beasts, I spot a sliver of light above me. Between this tunnel and the ceiling, there’s a gap just big enough for me to fit through. The gods must be listening today.

I bring Sharpie down on the neck of the first beast and swing onto its haunches. Blood the color of snow spills from the gash as I thrust my axe free, throwing myself toward that breach in the wall. The beast’s icy teeth sink through my leathers. Pain blooms from my shoulder. Its breath feels like frost and white fire. I wish for my torch now, wish I could burn this beast to cinders.

Rarely do the gods choose to grant a sliver of their wild magic upon brave mortals whose will and luck meet at a crossroads, but I feel it now, a deep fire within my soul. Its heat leaps in visible waves from my body. The beast gives a sharp yelp and tosses me away.

As I fly toward the far wall, I catch the lip of the gap. I pull myself up, rolling to fit through the tight space, and drop down on the other side. My skin burns as though a flame kindles beneath it, but an icy chill keeps it at bay, until both feelings fade into my shock.

This cavern looks like it was carved purposefully. Each layer of its domed ceiling makes a smooth transition up to circles of glowing rainbow rock. The same luminance weaves through the floor—weaves right up to the form of a giant winter dragon.

My shoulder still pounds with pain, blood soaking into the fabric around it, but I force up my axe and fall into a stance. “I’m ready for you,” I growl. “Show me your worst.”

The dragon responds by doing absolutely nothing.

I move closer, cocking my head. The beast doesn’t even seem to breathe. A thin layer of ice covers their entire body, as if the dew came down and froze around them, forming to each strand of fur on their shaggy hide.

Their silver coat looks softer and fuller than the illustrations show, and unusual dark markings circle their shoulders and chest, ending only at the claws of their front feet. Like most dragons, they have no back legs, only a long tail that wraps around their body. Their massive wings are tucked against their sides and their eyes are closed.

Asleep.

It’s a fascinating sight, such a vicious, cunning beast made so vulnerable by the same call of nature the field mice bow to. I lift my axe. Blood oozes slowly from my shoulder. Pausing, I switch Sharpie to a one-handed grip and touch the thin ice on the dragon’s cheek, testing how much extra force I must swing with.

As my fingers meet frost, the god’s wild, magical heat explodes out of me once more. The ice cracks and a thin sliver splits apart across the dragon’s face. Their eyes flare open, so silver their pupils could be made from the polished metal.

From down both the room’s side tunnels, the sounds of angry mega-wolves echo.

“Release me, human.”

The dragon’s mouth remains still, but their—his—voice rings in my head, deep and haunting. I leap, nearly dropping Sharpie on him blade first. His pupils dilate to slits, his eyes flashing toward my axe, but he doesn’t move. Can’t move, I realize. The howling of the beasts shifts though, coming closer by the moment.

“Release me,” the dragon repeats. “Or they’ll eat you.”

This time I’m ready for the vibration, present enough to feel the way it slips through my mind like honey through splintered wood. Slowly, I lower my axe. “How do I know you won’t just eat me too?”

His cold eyes take me in. “I might.”

“Well, I might eat you.” The words sound silly as soon as I speak them. What in Thor’s name am I doing?

Over the dragon’s shoulder, I can just make out something in the conjoined cavern. I move around him, cautiously taking in the sight. Dread and hope fill me in equal proportions. Runes coat the floor and walls in deep red lines, some far fresher than others. A table sits in the center, with bindings for limbs and wells for liquid… for blood. Beyond the ghastly setup there’s a third tunnel with a gray fur covering.

I step toward it, moving around the dragon. The mega-wolves—even this frozen monster—were never what I came for. If the false god is in there… if I can kill him…

“Stop, human!”

“Don’t human me,” I snap at the dragon. “I