He spit on his hand. “Okies, akra.”
She bit her palm until she was bleeding. “A blood oath is stronger than spit.”
His stomach rumbled at the sight and smell.
She arched her brow at the sound. “Are you hungry?”
“Very.”
Apollymi held her hand out for him. “Then go ahead and feed, Uri. That will be our bond. Let no one know of it. And you will be like Achilles. Made stronger than the others of your kind. Even though I’m not an Apollite, my blood can feed you. And it will keep you safer, until the day comes when you will repay me for it.”
Urian was too hungry to think about what he did, but the moment he tasted her blood, he realized that he would never be the same …
March 20, 9522 BC
My baba’s dying …
Urian couldn’t breathe or think as he ran through the darkness. Blinded by tears and pain, he wasn’t even sure where he was headed as he sought an escape from the death that constantly stalked his people.
He didn’t even know what had happened to his father. All he knew was that they’d brought him home a few minutes ago, barely alive. Everyone had been angry and screaming as they sought to stop his father from bleeding before he died of it.
So much blood …
He’d never seen his father weak before. Never seen him so pale and trembling. Even now, the image of Trates carrying his father through the door was seared into his mind.
How could the fierce and mighty Strykerius be unable to stand on his own?
And though he knew his parents didn’t love each other, his mother had taken his father’s bruised and bloodied hand and wept. That alone had told him how dire his father’s condition was.
When Urian tried to see him, Archie had shoved him out of the room. “No one wants you here, Uri! Go away!”
The doctor had concurred. “You’re underfoot, boy! Move!”
And so he’d run out the door, into the street. With no destination in mind, he’d just kept going. Now …
His lungs ached from the crisp chthonic air that kept them safe. The muscles of his legs protested his long sprint, while his grief choked him with a vicious grip that threatened his own life. Unable to deal with it all, he collapsed on the damp ground and gave vent to all his misery that screamed out in silent agony.
He couldn’t lose his father. Not like this.
I love you, Baba!
Suddenly, something shifted near him in the darkness.
Urian sat up on the dark ground with a gasp and a hiccup. “Wh-wh-who’s there?” he demanded, his authority undercut by his ragged tears.
Something warm brushed against his cheek so fast that he couldn’t see it. He could only feel it swipe at his tears, like a warm, dry lick. And it left in its wake a glass figure in his lap. One placed there so gently that he barely felt the drop against his linen chiton.
Confused and baffled, Urian picked it up to see an image of a small soldier, perfectly formed. It was amazing. So real and detailed that he half expected the man to move. The hoplite even had a spear and shield.
Sniffing back his tears, he drew a ragged breath and wiped his eyes.
Do you feel better now?
Urian glanced around at the soft, sweet voice he heard in his head. “Who are you?”
I’m the guardian of the Atramentian Falls. You’re not supposed to be here, you know. The goddess would punish us both if she knew you’d trespassed into her special sanctuary. I’m supposed to eat anyone who dares cross the dark borderlands.
Urian scowled at the worlds. Eat?
That piqued his curiosity immediately. “Are you one of the Charonte?” They had their own lands here in Kalosis where they didn’t normally interact with his race, unless Apollymi was angry and set them loose as punishment. And while he couldn’t quite remember which direction he’d run, he was rather certain he wouldn’t have been so stupid as to head toward their section.
Only Paris and Theo were that dumb and suicidal. Urian always took care to give the demons a wide berth.
Nay, I’m not a Charonte.
He arched a brow at that. Not a Charonte?
What else was there?
Clutching his gift, Urian pushed himself to his feet so that he could peer into the shadows where he’d seen the movement earlier. “Are you a god?”
A soft, gentle laugh sounded in his head. You shouldn’t come any closer. Else you’ll be afraid.
Of what? “Why? Are you a monster?”
Indeed. Hence why I eat children who come into my domain.
More curious than ever, Urian glanced down at the soldier in his hand. Strange that a monster would give him a present while he’d been upset. It seemed incongruous and thoughtful for such a beast. “You must be a lonely monster, then.”
Pardon?
Wiping his nose on the back of his hand, he drew another ragged breath. “Just that you don’t seem scary, is all.” Rather, she was nice.
He felt the air around him stir again.
I assure you, if you saw me you’d be quite terrified.
Urian snorted at the challenge. “Bet I wouldn’t. Show yourself.”
At first, he didn’t think she’d meet his dare. Not until the brush in front of him began to shake.
And not just a little.
A lot.
An awful, awful lot. The ground beneath his feet shook so much that he was unbalanced by it. Just how big was this monster?
Urian wasn’t sure what he’d expected, given her warnings. But it definitely wasn’t the large, silvery-gold orange dragon in front of him.
“You’re beautiful.” Those words were out before he could stop them. After all, it might not be the smartest thing to call a dragon beautiful given that they liked to be thought of as fierce. Yet he couldn’t help it. She was.
For that insult alone, she might eat him.
He swallowed hard as he waited for her anger to manifest.
Instead of being offended, she pulled back in surprise. Beautiful? You think me pretty?
“Well … yes. Hasn’t anyone ever told you that?”
She shook her head. Are you not afraid of me?
“Not particularly. But that’s because my brother says that I don’t have enough sense to be afraid of anything.”
She laughed. What’s your name, pido?
“Urian. And yours?”
Sarraxyn.
It was as beautiful as she was, and it sent another hot wave over him. He moved closer and held his hand out toward her. “Nice to meet you, Sarraxyn.”
She reached out to brush against his skin.
Urian expected her scales to be cold and slimy. Yet they were surprisingly warm and soft. “You smell like lilies.”
You are a cheeky one, aren’t you?
“That’s what everyone tells me.”
Her black wings twitched as if she were silently laughing. You’d best be on your way, Urian.
Too bad he didn’t want to. He’d rather stay and talk to her. But he was smart enough to know better than to stay where he wasn’t wanted. “Very well, but thank you for my gift.”
You’re most welcome, Lord Urian, and have no fear. Your father won’t die tonight.
He gasped at her words. “What?”
She inclined her head to him. Part of what I guard is the goddess’s sacred tree of life. She already sent Xedrix here to fetch sap to save your father’s life. By the time you return, he should be much improved.
With a cry of relief, Urian launched himself at Sarraxyn and hugged her. “Thank you!” He gave her a tight, giant squeeze before he ran off to check on his father.
Only he didn’t go far. After a few steps, he came rushing back to her. “You’re not a monster, Sarraxyn. You’re beautiful!” With a quick kiss to her scaly cheek and a shout of happiness, he dodged away.
Sarraxyn watched in baffled awe as the Apollite ran off. Her jaw slack over his actions, she waited until he was out of sight to return to her human form. Still, the warmth of his hug and kiss clung to her skin.
No one had ever shown her such affection before. No one.