Where the Dragons Sleep by Iris Rivera

Author:Iris Rivera [Rivera, Iris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2025-07-22T00:00:00+00:00

21

Trick

“Let’s be rational about this now. Move along and no one will get hurt.”

My eyes narrow as the hag’s grin widens, apparently not willing to help me out of this predicament. My abductor pushes me through the crowd. Even through the din of the market, I can sense at least two more sets of footsteps moving in tandem with us.

We’ve moved to the end of the hall and down one of the tunnels to the left, one of the many we saw the first night we were brought in. That night there was activity down every branch of the court, while today most of the tunnels seem quiet. I think of the empty servant’s corridor, and I wonder if most inhabitants of this court are asleep in the daytime. That would be most unfortunate for my current situation.

Hands relieve me of my knives and then I’m shoved into the chamber, which doesn’t have another obvious exit. There’s a small, raised platform, like a stage against the far wall, and not much else. It must be some sort of performance space. I stumble once before catching myself.

Three of them, I see, once I find my balance and face them. Two males flank the female who brandishes the dagger I felt at my back.

I almost feel sorry for them. Three on one is hardly fair.

“Are we sure we want to do this?” I ask, watching them spread out across the exit.

“Shut up.” The female hisses at me, true dislike clear on her features.

Okay, then.

“Look, I don’t have anything valuable on me, and I truly don’t want to fight my way through. And I would. Please reconsider, for your sakes.”

One of the males, the gancanagh I spotted earlier, barks a sharp laugh as he pulls out his own dagger.

“You hear that, Fiona? She doesn’t have anything valuable. We should leave her alone.”

Fiona, throws back her hood, revealing dark braids pulled back into a bun at her nape. Her ebony skin glows in the sourcelights around us. Her eyes burn with an odd, reddish fire, and I’m suddenly wary of exactly what kind of Fae she is.

Fiona shakes her head. “Typical Calderan scum. You only think the worth of this world is money.” She spits, her lips curl to reveal sharp fangs. “It’s magic, you trash. It’s always been magic. Underlings have always known that. It’s why you’re here, isn’t it?

“A dragon is spotted for the first time in two centuries, and next thing we know, an Elemental and the Crown Prince are marched through the Root Market? I don’t believe in coincidences.” Her voice is deep and powerful. It vibrates over my skin, the faint scent of sulfur permeating the small room we’re in as her emotions heighten.

“I don’t want any trouble, but if you pick this fight, you will lose.” I warn them one last time.

“I don’t see any more weapons on you, Calderan. And since I know you haven’t even thought to check, you should know you can’t use your magic in this chamber.

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