Chapter 22
The next day, Paige felt up to doing more translations. There was a slight rose color to her cheeks, and a light in her eyes that gave Zane hope that the cure for Fire Ivy would be the answer.
Redblood himself came in for a while, just as Paige was reading about Apophis, the dark underworld leader who all dragons of the realm feared. Drake's entries rambled in places when it came to Apophis, but the amount of devotion Drake showed to both Balaan and Apophis was frightening. It was clear he worshiped Apophis through Balaan. The level of devotion was frightening when Zane considered how many others in the realm shared this radical view. Especially when he knew they would have to be as devout as Drake, making them just as difficult to find.
"The Great Apophis has left his legacy in Lord Balaan," Paige read. "Darkness will come to all those who oppose him. Only those who serve Apophis through Balaan will be protected from the coming storm. Through Balaan, we will return to our true forms and receive the full protection of Apophis once again."
In a relatively short time, Paige read through twice as many pages as Dean. When they broke for lunch, Zane wanted to find Lavender. He'd invited her to come and listen, but she'd adamantly refused, stating that if he liked, she would send one of her guards. However, she felt it was no place for a royal to be. Her attitude was starting to grate on his nerves. Even when he'd told her that Redblood himself had come in to listen, she'd discounted it, saying he was probably only double checking his people's reports. Not to mention that Lilly was there, but that was irrelevant to her as well.
In the late afternoon hours after the lunch break, Paige was reading about a battle that had been fought nine months prior. Zane was only half paying attention since he recalled his first-hand knowledge of the battle, but when Paige stopped suddenly, he looked up, wondering what had stopped the steady flow of her even voice.
She was staring at the paper in her hand with a deep crease between her eyes, her teeth digging into her lower lip.
Everyone else in the room looked up, confused.
"Paige?" Zane asked.
"Leave." Paige stood abruptly and leaned on the table. "Now, everyone."
The ones there on behalf of the other royals and the members of her guard, who were there for the sole purpose of taking notes, all stood, exiting the room without question. Even Lilly complied quickly with her request. All that remained were her personal guard, Ryder, and Zane.
"That means all of you. I wish to be alone." She turned away, walking to the window.
Her guard left to hover just outside the door, giving Paige the illusion of being alone.
"Paige, what's wrong?" Ryder asked, but Paige just shook her head. Zane was glad to see it appeared the two were trying to not purposely upset each other.
"Please, Paige, tell us what you found." Ryder tried again, but this time Paige turned on him, her face more angry and ferocious than Zane had ever seen her.
"By all that burns, if you don't leave right now, I will banish you from my kingdom."
Ryder left without another word, and Zane followed quietly, but reluctantly, moving slowly. Just before he got to the door, he heard a crash, followed by Paige yelling in English. He turned back to check on her, but Ash stopped him from returning to the room.
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Dragon Blood (Completed)
Fantasy"He's dead, and we're all going to die." The words haunted Zane, their truth could not be denied. His days and those of every other dragon in Ethiolan were numbered. Seven months was the best he could hope for after that he knew there would be no h...
