The Skin Thief

Chapter 53

Kiora and Illyria walk through the gardens slowly. Above them, Illyria's little dragon flies in circles. It screeches at the birds, its roar so high-pitched and wicked, that Kiora almost has to cover her ears. Illyria walks calmly, ignoring her dragon as she admires all the vibrant flowers.

Every now and then, she giggles as her dragon dives for a bird only to be caught on the chain secured to her wrist. Kiora almost feels sorry for it.

"He's beautiful, isn't he?" Illyria asks, not looking at Kiora.

"Yes, he is," Kiora agrees, trying not to shiver as he lands in front of her, his bright golden eyes finding hers.

"Have you ever seen a dragon before?" she asks as she reaches into a little golden bag. From inside it, she pulls out a great slab of raw meat.

"Liros," she orders. His head snaps toward the meat and he roars. Illyria throws it into the air and he leaps off the ground in a blur. He screeches and from his mouth comes a stream of fire so hot, that Kiora feels blistering heat wash over her.

The fire consumes the meat and only a second later, Liros gulps it down in one bite. Kiora shudders and looks ahead at the gardens.

"I have only seen them from afar," Kiora replies, answering her question.

"They are magnificent creatures," Illyria sighs and smiles. "Don't you think?"

"Yes," Kiora replies quickly.

Illyria chuckles. "I can see how a creature of heat may bring you discomfort, Kiora. Do not be afraid, Liros will not hurt you."

"I know," Kiora replies and bites at the inside of her cheek with discomfort.

"Not unless I order him too," she chuckles, playing the comment off as a joke. Kiora forces out a laugh and her mind goes blank, not knowing how to respond to it.

"I would say that one day, you may get a dragon of your own, but I don't see that happening."

"Why?" Kiora asks.

"Well, as you pointed out, you are a creature of Winter. To hatch a dragon egg, you need to use your warmth. The emperor would not waste a precious egg on a wife who couldn't hatch it." Her voice is light-hearted, but the undone sends shivers down Kiora's spine.

"Do any other wives have dragons?" Kiora asks.

"No, just me," Illyria replies and smiles smugly as she looks up at Liros.

"The emperor has said to me that maybe one day I'll have my own," Kiora sighs. When she sees a very slight change in Illyria's expression, she stumbles over her words to try and put the wife at ease.

"But I think you're right, and I'm sure the emperor was only saying it to make me feel more welcome."

"I'm sure he was," she replies and comes to a stop. Kiora does too and she looks at the ground as Illyria stares at her.

Illyria's heels click on the stone ground as she steps closer to Kiora. She holds her breath and flinches as Illyria's hand finds her face.

"Hmmm," Illyria hums as she inspects Kiora's face closely.

"I can see why the emperor chose you," she begins, "you are almost perfect. Were it not for these..." she trails off and lightly flicks Kiora's pointed ears. Kiora flinches and if she had blood, she would flush with humiliation. Illyria ignores her reaction.

"Your beauty will only get you so far here. Just because you are a wife, does not mean you are safe. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I understand," Kiora says, her voice tiny.