Phaedra gave a soft, whimpering bleat. Agony. Misery. This? This was torture. She was beginning to understand just how well her father had protected her from the dangers of the world and just how vulnerable she truly was.

  Perhaps it was her reward for past failures, for being lazy. For allowing her father to pamper her. Perhaps it was what she deserved. If she were lucky, she would perish before the day was out. She--

  “Aren’t you being a bit melodramatic?” Yroth asked before nudging her with a foot.

  “It’s too hoooooooooot,” Phaedra whined.

  “We’re not even in the heart of my territory yet,” Yroth said. “Just wait. Pools of magma everywhere, the temperature so high that only my kin can survive it for long. Your ship might not even be able to make the journey. We may have to walk.”

  Phaedra gave a light whine and curled up into a small, pathetic ball. Even her wool didn’t extend. Instead it was so damp it was practically molded to her body. “Has it always been this hot?”

  “It probably won’t be so bad once we’re out of this region,” Yroth said. “But the heat is quite high in most places. There are only a few locations where those who weren’t kobolds could survive.” She nudged her again with her foot. “I hear the hot springs are quite nice for demons like yourself. And those who can endure it.”

  “I feel like I’m wet enough without going in them,” Phaedra said with another groan before rolling onto her back with a light squishing sound. “Maybe you should just ‘escape’ now and then I can go home. Away from this hell.”

  “Giving up so soon?” Yroth asked. “Do you not want to learn about why this happened? Do you truly believe that it would all be over so easily?”

  “Noooooo,” Phaedra said with a light whine. She groaned when Yroth rested a foot on her. “Whyyyyyy?”

  “Because you are amusing like this,” Yroth said with a light chuckle before gently kneading her claw into the wool. “Very good for my scales.”

  “No it’s not,” Phaedra said before groaning.

  “Don’t you have an amulet for this?” Yroth asked.

  “No, it--” Phaedra blinked a few times before staring up at her.

  “You do, don’t you?” Yroth asked.

  “… Can you please get it?” Phaedra said sheepishly before giving a soft, pathetic little baa.

  Yroth stared at her before nodding. “Very well,” she said before getting to her hooves, standing directly on Phaedra’s stomach so she emitted a startled bleat, and walking to the wardrobe. “Which one is it?”

  “T-the silver one with blue symbols,” Phaedra said with a groan. “The symbols look kind of like a few mountains.”

  “Found it,” Yroth said before tossing it to her.

  Phaedra put it on before groaning and collapsing back on the ground. At least the wood flooring was slightly cooler than the bed. Even with the amulet she still felt terrible and humid, but at least she didn’t feel quite as overheated. “Why would anyone want to live like this?”

  Yroth gave a light snort before walking back to sit on the bed. “I suppose sheep demons are just bad at coping with heat. You look as if you’re on death’s door.”

  “I feel like it,” Phaedra said with another low groan. “How much longer?”

  “Not much longer,” Yroth said in a soothing tone. Slowly the dragon’s tail moved over and began to coil around the overheated sheep. “Here, this may hurt a little bit. But perhaps it will help.”

  “Hurt?” Phaedra asked. “What are you --” Suddenly she was jerked up by the tail and yanked over in front of the dragon. She gave a low yelp, staring up at her. “What are you doing?”

  “Close your eyes and trust me,” Yroth said.

  “F-fine,” Phaedra said before, nervously, closing her eyes.

  A moment later a wave of icy chill washed over her entire body, from her head to her toes. So powerful she couldn’t even breathe for a moment and, admittedly, it even hurt. She could feel her wool freezing over and she started to shiver.

  “Better?” Yroth asked.

  “Y-y-yes,” Phaedra said before the tail unwrapped around her. She lifted her arms up and hugged herself lightly. She was aching in an entirely different way and some ice had frozen over her wool, but it was still considerably better than the heat had been. Far, far better.

  “Good,” Yroth said. “I tried to do it as softly as I could, but it can still be quite powerful.”

  “T-thank you,” Phaedra said before she glanced up at the dragon. “Have I t-told you how h-happy I am you’re an A-Ascended Dragon?” she asked.

  “Mmmm, not recently,” Yroth said. “But you could stand to praise me more, little sheep.”

  Phaedra resisted the urge to make a snarky comeback. Instead, she laid her head against the dragon’s knees, making the other girl give a startled jump. “Thank you…”

  Yroth didn’t give a response, instead merely reaching a hand out to gently stroke her head.

  Phaedra couldn’t wait to be out of here. Or at least somewhere less miserable.

  ------

  “My lady? Lord Carth has sent a welcome gift,” Xenaris’ called from outside her room. “Shall we send it in?”

  “Yeah, just a minute,” Phaedra called back to him before whispering. “Come on, we need to keep up appearances for now.”

  Yroth gave a low growl, but slowly held her wrists out. “Very well. But I do not want to wear these bindings for long.”

  “My lady?” Xenaris called out again.

  “I said give me a minute!” Phaedra yelled. She rolled her eyes and grabbed one of the wrist binds, clamping it shut over Yroth’s wrist.

  There was a heavy pounding on the door. “Lady Phaedra!” Xenaris yelled.

  “I said -- oh,” Phaedra said before lifting up her hand and casting a quick incantation. The white glow from her earlier spell appeared again before shrinking and disappearing. “I’ll be ready in a minute, I’m occupied!”

  “As you wish, my lady,” Xenaris called back.

  “Really?” Yroth asked with a knowing smirk.

  “Oh, don’t even start, pet,” Phaedra said before sticking her tongue out at her. She was rewarded a moment later by one of Yroth’s claws snapping out and gripping the tip of her tongue. “Mggg!”

  “You know,” Yroth said in a slow, soothing voice. “Just because these bindings suppress much of my power doesn’t mean I’m not still quick.”

  “Leggo!” Phaedra said, giving a soft whine.

  Yroth smirked before, after a few moments, letting her go once more. “Did you learn your lesson?”

  “Yes,” Phaedra said. “You’re very rude to people who are helping you.”

  “And?” Yroth asked.

  “Don’t stick my tongue out at you when I’m within arm’s reach.”

  “Good lamb,” Yroth said before lightly patting her head. She scowled when a moment later the collar snapped around her neck. “I despise this thing…”

  “I don’t blame you,” Phaedra said. “I probably wouldn’t like it either. Maybe we can get ones that look the same, but don’t actually impede your abilities. Then… I… uhhhh…”

  “Hmm? What?” Yroth said.

  “I guess there wouldn’t be much point of that, would there?” Phaedra asked. “You’ll probably ‘escape’ soon and be safe. Somewhere else. Anywhere else. At that point, it won’t matter.”

  Yroth gave a soft sigh before, very gently, she reached out and stroked her cheek. “For now, this deceit aids both our causes. If these binds did not restrict my abilities and were merely a disguise, they would not be so distasteful. So there is wisdom in such a decision. Especially if we decide to extend this farce.”

  “Isn’t that just me being selfish, though?” Phaedra asked. “I just… don’t… want to lose you again. I can’t just ask you to stay my pretend prisoner.”

  “So long as you do not treat me as your prisoner,” Yroth said in a soft, soothing tone. “I will not object to this deceit. Once we discover the full truth of your condition? Perhaps I will feel differently.”

  “Promise not to destroy my room anymore?” Phaedra asked.

  “No,” Yroth said. “If I discover you have been lying to me with this elaborate story… then your suffering shall be severe.”

  “I’d be scared, except I’m not lying,” Phaedra said before leaning her head forward against Yroth’s stomach and just relaxing there for a moment. “It’s… still way too hot. But it is really, really nice to be able to be me around someone without being scared they’ll find out. It… huh. I don’t think I’ve ever actually had that before.”

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  “Why do you say that?” Yroth asked.

  “When I was a human, I had to hide what I was half the time or I could get in trouble, fired, who knew what else,” Phaedra said softly. “I kept having to pretend to be Medon when I was her. Even as Phaedra, I haven’t really been able to be me around anybody until… you… came…” She gently reached up and hugged her around the waist. “Thank you for being here…”

  Yroth, very gently, stroked her face again. “You poor thing,” she whispered. “It’s okay. I don’t intend to just abandon you. So long as you are who you claim to be.”

  “Thank you,” Phaedra said again before giving her another gentle hug. “We should probably go put on the act again.”

  “Likely,” Yroth said.

  “Just a few more seconds?” Phaedra asked.

  “Very well, O needy sheep,” Yroth said in a playful tone.

  The moment was ruined by more knocking on the door. “My lady?”

  Phaedra gave a sigh before slowly pulling back. “I should get out there and see what Carth wants to give as a gift.”

  Yroth gave a light growl. “When the time comes, I would love an opportunity to get my claws on him.”

  “Depends on how he reacts to my challenge,” Phaedra said before getting to her hooves. “How do I look?”

  “You don’t want me to answer that,” Yroth said. “The heat truly does not agree with you.”

  Phaedra sighed and looked down. Her wool was a matted mess, her clothes were sticking to her and she’d probably cry if she looked in a mirror. At least the amulet was making her not quite as miserable. Hopefully she could get a bath or something before she had to meet Carth. Then again, maybe she’d get lucky and wouldn’t even have to fight him. If he just surrendered the territory without a fight when she challenged him, it would make everything so much easier.

  She walked to the door and pulled it open. Xenaris stood outside the door, his arms crossed and he looked almost annoyed. Behind him were a few more of the crew, more gecko demons. However, there was one more person she didn’t recognize. A kobold with blue scales. Either young, very small or both. He had chains around his neck and wrists. His head was low and he was holding something in his hands, though she couldn’t see it through the captain.

  “My lady,” Xenaris said. “Lord Carth has sent… this… as a gift.” He motioned towards the kobold.

  Phaedra blinked a few times and cocked her head to the side. “A… prisoner?” she asked.

  “Apparently a meal,” Xenaris said before giving a very soft hiss.

  Phaedra stared when Xenaris moved aside. Now she could see what the kobold was holding. A large, metal platter. On which… something had been prepared. It would have been generous to call it a meal. She stepped forward and picked up something off it. Some kind of meat, though how it managed to be burnt on the outside and yet seemingly raw on the inside was quite impressive. On top of that, she was pretty sure it had been dropped on the ground. She dropped it on the platter before picking up what she thought might possibly be a mushroom. Or large worm. She sighed before looking up at the trembling kobold. “Is there a message with this… gift?”

  The kobold nodded, though he was shaking so badly she thought he might drop the platter.

  “Well?” Phaedra asked.

  “When Lady Phaedra asks you a question, you answer!” Xenaris yelled, making the kobold jump and nearly drop the platter.

  “Y-y-y-your l-ladyship,” the kobold said weakly. “L-L-Lord Carth bids w-w-w-welcome you to his t-territory. H-h-he has had t-this s-servant prepare a… a meal t-t-t-to the best of h-h-h-his abilities and if… if it is… u-u-unsatisfactory…” The kobold trailed off then, the color draining from his face.

  “I’d hardly call this satisfactory,” Phaedra said before picking up the mushroom. “Let me guess, he’d like me to come for a proper meal then?”

  “I… I…” the kobold said.

  “Answer her!” Xenaris yelled before raising a hand.

  “Do not strike him,” Phaedra said before she could stop herself. The surprise on the gecko’s face was clear, but she scrambled for an answer. “He is but a pawn in whatever game Carth is playing. Now then, kobold, what is it?”

  “If… the meal is u-unsatisfactory… he offer’s t-t-this servant’s… h-heart…” the kobold said softly. Fearfully.

  Phaedra stared at him. “Could you please repeat that? Wait, no, don’t. For all that is…” She lifted a hand to her forehead and started massaging her scalp. No wonder the food was so awful. She wondered if Carth had even given the kobold anything to cook with or just told him to prepare a meal or he would be the meal.

  Had it been someone other than her, he likely would have become the meal. As it was, she had no interest in dining on some poor kobold’s heart. Especially since he was one of Yroth’s servants. She didn’t even feel like eating, as hot as it was. “I’m not hungry,” Phaedra said before looking the kobold up and down. Slowly a smile formed on her lips. Well, this was all showboating, wasn’t it? She supposed she’d play along for now. “What’s your name?”

  “I haven’t e-earned a name y-yet,” the kobold said.

  “Not a taken name,” Phaedra said. “Your given name.”

  “K-Kun,” the kobold said, his eyes still lowered.

  “Right,” Phaedra said. “How old are you?”

  “I was fifty-three as of last summer,” the kobold said.

  Phaedra gave another soft sigh. A child. Of course. “Did you serve the Ascended Dragon who once resided here?”

  “Y-yes, Lady Phaedra,” Kun said, keeping his head down. “She was my mother.”

  Phaedra barely managed to keep the smile on her lips. “I see. Have many other children of the dragon been offered in such a way?”

  Kun nervously shook his head.

  “Then do you know why you were chosen?” Phaedra asked.

  Kun shook his head again.

  “My lady,” Xenaris said. “This creature isn’t worthy of your time. Please, allow me to dispose of it and send the body back to Lord Carth.”

  “That’s what he would expect, isn’t it?” Phaedra asked. “But no. For now, take him below deck. Have him fed and what have you.”

  “Fed?” Xenaris asked, staring at her in bewilderment.

  “Fed,” Phaedra said. “Lord Carth obviously expects me to kill and possibly devour the heart of this ‘Kun’. I’m not going to give him the satisfaction.”

  “But… my lady,” Xenaris said, looking between her and the kobold. “It’s…” He trailed off, staring at the kobold.

  “Captain,” Phaedra said. “Is this, or is this not my ship?”

  “It… is, my lady,” Xenaris said slowly.

  “And are you the captain of it?” Phaedra asked.

  “I am,” Xenaris said, though she could hear the nervousness in his voice now.

  “I see,” Phaedra said. “I suppose the question I must ask, then, is how loyal are you to me? I had believed that, as my captain, if I gave you an order I could trust you to find out how to get it done. Now, I generally do try to put quite a bit of trust and faith in my servants to inform me when they see a fault in my commands. So, please. Tell me. Why do you hesitate? Do you see this child as a threat? Or is there something else?”

  “He is unworthy, my lady,” Xenaris said. “He is an enemy, he --”

  “He is unworthy,” Phaedra said, cutting him off. “And he was an enemy. Now? He is but a prisoner. Possibly a servant. Is there any reason you have other than his origins?”

  Xenaris’ narrowed his eyes on the kobold, before slowly shaking his head. “No, my lady.”

  “Then I will trust you, as my loyal captain, to do as I commanded and ensure no harm comes to him,” Phaedra said before sighing. “Once you have finished with that, see what you can do about procuring a bath of some kind for me. Then send a message to Lord Carth. I’d enjoy meeting with him before sunset.” She turned to head back into her room, before pausing. “Oh, one more thing?”

  “Yes?” Xenaris asked.

  “Have that collar removed. Nobody off this ship is to know Kun is still alive, if anyone asks? His heart was… a passable tribute,” Phaedra said.

  “I see, my lady,” Xenaris said before giving an amused chuckle.

  Phaedra doubted he really understood, but she’d be happy to let him imagine any schemes or machinations he liked, so long as he followed her orders. She stepped back into her cabin before closing the door behind herself again. She then leaned back against it and slowly sank to the ground before lifting her hand and casting her incantation to silence any noises from leaving the room.

  “You look even worse now,” Yroth said. “What happened?”

  “Carth tried to feed me your son,” Phaedra said before leaning her head back. “I hate demons sometimes.”

  “My… son?” Yroth asked.

  “Kun,” Phaedra said. “Well, kind of. He said you were his mother. I don’t suppose that’s… not true? Kobold? Blue scales? Kind of scrawny?”

  Yroth paused for a moment and seemed to be considering it. Finally, she nodded. “Oh! Yes, I remember him. A talented scribe-in-training.”

  “Truly you are mother of the year,” Phaedra said with a light groan.

  “I have many children,” Yroth said, her voice a little huffy. “Most within my territory would call me their mother. But he is born of my fire, surrendering himself in my flames to be reborn as one of my own. While not hatched from one of my eggs, he is no less mine. Admittedly, it is rare for one to take the rite when they are so young, but I rarely deny such a request.”

  “Just how many children do you have?” Phaedra asked.

  “… Do you really desire an answer? I do not believe anyone has asked me that before,” Yroth said, looking thoughtful. “Those I still believe to be alive or all I have had?”

  “Forget I asked,” Phaedra said quickly. “I think Carth expected me to eat his heart. I’d really rather not. That’s not some insult to dragons, is it? Or kobolds? Whichever he is? Something else?”

  Yroth just stared at her with a look that screamed she was insane.

  “I was just asking,” Phaedra said.

  “Your world truly must have been strange,” Yroth said softly. “The answer is no, it is not an insult. However, please do not eat the hearts of my children. Any of them. I have many and while I cannot always remember them immediately, it does not mean I do not care for them. I will add this transgression to the list of Carth’s many others. Is Kun… well? You didn’t…? Did you? I don’t smell any blood on you.”

  Phaedra let out a soft sigh of relief. Despite the dragon’s confusion and seeming lack of concern, she did seem to be somewhat worried that he had met a grisly fate. “He’s safe,” she said. “He’s being kept on the ship and everyone else will think he’s dead. I wanted to talk with you before I did anything. Good to know you’re not the worst mother ever.”

  “I am a fine mother,” Yroth said indignantly, her wings spreading out. “Those of my--”

  “It was a joke,” Phaedra said quickly. “Honest. I was teasing.”

  “You should not mock that which you do not understand,” Yroth said, her eyes narrowed on her.

  Phaedra tried to come up with a comeback to that, but she couldn’t. After a few moments she sighed. “You’re right. You’re entirely right. Please forgive my rudeness.”

  Yroth glared at her for a few more moments before finally she relented and gave a small nod. “Very well. You are forgiven this time. For now, what is the plan?”

  “Waiting on a bath, and then for Carth’s response,” Phaedra said with a low groan. “Then, well. I guess it’ll be time to meet with him and see if I can avoid causing… too much of an incident. If we’re lucky, he’ll back down. If not…”

  “If not?” Yroth asked.

  Phaedra groaned and rubbed her amulet. “If not… if not, I’ll need to fight him.”

  “Do you think you can defeat him?” Yroth asked.

  “Maybe?” Phaedra said. “I… hope so. I’ve never really met him before, though. He might be strong. Or he might be pathetic. Most of it is just trying to look like I can defeat him, though I doubt I would now. Have you fought him?”

  Yroth shook her head. “No. He was a cunning, slippery demon. If you do fight him, do not expect it to be anything… straightforward. I came close a few times, but he always slipped through my claws before I could grab him. Were we to fight, however, I doubt he would have been more than a brief distraction.”

  Phaedra gave a light groan and rested her head against her knees. She didn’t want a complex, tricky fight if it came to that. It was toooooo hoooooooot to try and outthink someone. Even coming up with her plan to keep from having to eat Kun had been exhausting and all she’d done was shove it aside until later.

  A light knock on her door made her look up. “Lady Phaedra?” one of the crewmen called in. “Your bath will be arriving shortly.”

  That, at least, was some good news. Maybe she could just soak for a few hours and come up with a plan.

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