Chapter 17 - The Mother's Monster
Isolde disappeared into the dark.
There was no scream after the fire swallowed her.
Mara dropped beside Rowan.
Blood soaked his shirt.
“Stay with me.”
“I’m trying.”
“That was not convincing.”
He gave a weak smile. “You married badly.”
“I noticed.”
Elara cried between them.
Her tears turned to steam.
Varrik pulled himself higher.
Stone walls collapsed around his shoulders.
Soren shouted, “He’s too strong!”
Selene looked at the broken crown.
“The seal is gone.”
Mara stared at Varrik.
“Then we make a new one.”
“With what?”
Mara looked at Elara.
Varrik felt her thought.
No.
The word shook the chamber.
Mara stood.
“You’re afraid.”
The dragon snarled.
I fear nothing.
“You fear her choice.”
Elara looked from Mara to Varrik.
Mara finally understood the prophecy.
The Mother’s Monster had never meant a monster born from a mother.
It meant the monster a mother would have to face.
The thing that wanted to own her child.
Mara stepped toward Varrik.
“She is not your heir.”
She will rule dragons.
“If she wants.”
She will burn kingdoms.
“If she chooses.”
She belongs to the blood.
Mara’s voice broke with rage.
“She belongs to herself.”
Elara suddenly vanished from Rowan’s arms in white flame.
A small dragon appeared on the floor.
She spread her wings.
Varrik lowered his head.
Come.
Elara took one step toward him.
Mara’s heart stopped.
Then another.
Soren whispered, “Mara…”
Mara did not move.
She could not claim to believe in Elara’s choice and then deny it when terrified.
The little dragon reached Varrik.
He opened his jaws.
Not to bite.
To breathe his ancient fire into her.
Elara looked back at Mara.
Mara whispered, “You choose.”
May you like
Elara turned around.
And breathed white fire directly into Varrik’s face.
