Lord of Destiny (The Dragon Demigods #6) - Charlene Hartnady Page 0,51
considered an affliction. Like I’m tainted…and I guess I am, in a way. I’m seen as damaged goods. Dragon shifter men from this weyr stay far away from me. I dated one or two when we were teenagers, but dating and mating are two very different things. No one would have wanted me before I left. What’s changed?
“You will find out in good time. You will be happy. You don’t need children to have a happy union.”
No children. That makes even less sense. Our weyr is small. Children are encouraged. Not only that, dragon men are instinctually drawn to procreate. No man from this weyr will want a woman he can’t have kids with. Who would be so desperate?
“We can’t have you passing on your affliction to an innocent babe. That’s why,” he goes on. “It will be of the utmost importance that you follow this rule, or there will be dire consequences.”
Why is he still talking? “I don’t want to mate anyone from this weyr. No! That’s my answer. You can untie me now, and let me go.”
“It doesn’t work like that, Raven. You will mate, and you will be happy.”
“Just like that? You can’t tell me how I will feel about something.”
“Yes, just like that.” He nods. “I know what’s best.” There’s madness beneath his calm exterior.
“What about what I want?” I’m sure it’s a question countless others have asked. I ask it anyway.
“What any single person wants is not important. It’s all about the greater good of the weyr.” He really is clueless.
“Happy people who make their own decisions would be a good start.” My voice is shrill. I’m not getting through to him. Did I really expect to get that right?
“I can see that I am not getting through to you while you’re in this mood. I will leave you to think things through. Don’t let your weyr down again. Your mother and father were greatly disappointed when they found out about your disappearance. I won’t have you causing trouble, Raven. I need to be clear about that.”
“Where are my parents? Do they know I’m here?” I was sorry to leave my mom. I love her, but she’s brainwashed…just like almost everyone else. My dad is another story. I can’t see him changing any time soon.
“Rest well,” he says. Then I watch him leave. The door shuts, and I hear a key turn in the lock. I’m stuck between these four walls. I’m sure he will have posted a guard or two at the door. No windows. No help coming. I’m well and truly screwed.
I left a note in the kitchen earlier to say that we had gone flying. I’m sure Maddox will know what’s happened. It might take him a while to realize it, though. I hope they don’t try to launch a rescue. It would be futile. They’d be captured. Our weyr might not be big, but it’s large enough to pose a threat against four dragon demigods. I’m not worried about myself, though. I’m freaking out over Stephan. Out of my mind with worry.
Stephan.
I’m sure he is dead. The weyr will have had no reason to let him live. They will consider him to be an abomination, like Maddox and the others. Like me! My only hope is that they didn’t bother with taking the time to finish him off. That he is alive out there somewhere. Then again, the fall was potentially bad enough to have caused his death. I should have listened to Maddox. We wouldn’t be in this situation if I had. This is all my fault. I slide down the wall and curl into a fetal position. That’s when the tears come. I can’t stop them. I’ll let myself have this meltdown, and then I’ll suck it up and try to come up with a plan. I have to.
Raven
I must have fallen asleep during my pity party because I wake up with a start. The room is still pitch black. It takes me a few seconds for my eyes to adjust before I can see in the dark. I see feet and long legs in front of me.
I smile and suck in a breath.
Star shakes her head and puts a finger over her lips. I mustn’t make a sound. Just as I suspected, there must be someone posted outside the door. They will hear if I say even one word. Star smiles at me. She grips my wrist tightly with her hand.