Curse of the Undead Dragon King (Skeleton Key) Read Free Page B

song.
    Everyone breaks out laughing as we both fall into the grass and just lie there, giving ourselves a moment.
    He reaches across the ground and takes my hand. Our eyes meet and I can’t look away, mesmerized by how happy he is. The way his pink cheeks match the grass, the shimmer in his eyes, the smile on his lips.
    “And now we feast!” Calassida claps again. Aurelio and I stand and follow the king and queen farther into the forest, where blankets have been laid out everywhere for people to sit. Glow bugs float around, providing light.
     

     
    “AS A SIGN of understanding and equal strength among them, the dragons made an alliance with Miraunus that we would always meet on the same level, meaning that we, the dragons, would always be in our dragon forms upon visiting the kingdom of land creatures. It was a way of protecting their kingdom by demanding that we not come in our lesser form.” Aurelio explains.
    “And how is that protecting themselves?” I ask, fascinated by how the traditions and rules change by kingdom. In Fabulum, we were required to arrive by carriage and remain in our human bodies, but now as we fly to the land ruled by unicorns, we must stay as dragons.
    “Because it means we are equal. To put it plainly, we cannot claim that they took advantage of our weaker forms. As dragons, we are faster, stronger, and better equipped to fight whatever dares attack us. As humans, it would be easy to claim that one of the creatures attacked us, attempted to kill or maim us, and such a crime would mean the attacker must be banished to Humestia.” Aurelio finishes his story, and the rest of the flight is silent as I think this over.
    Finally, Aurelio dives down and lands gracefully in a large open space between the trees of purple, leaves ranging from lighter tones, such as lavender, to darker, like that of the dahlia flower.
    At the sound of hooves on the rocky ground, I look up and find the most beautiful creature before me. The unicorn’s mane is gray with purple ends, and her hooves are golden. Her white coat shimmers in the sunlight, so bright I’d think she was the source of light if I didn’t know better. Beside her is a unicorn just the opposite. His coat is black as the night sky, and his mane is purple. He stands a head taller than his mate. 
    “Welcome, Prince Aurelio.” Queen Frostlynn kisses him on the forehead between his prominent horns. “And Zanta.” She turns to me and does the same.
    Though I’ve met a unicorn before, never have they felt so powerful. Perhaps that is why they are the rulers over the land. Just her lips touching my head causes a glowing feeling of peace and comfort to come over me. Whatever I expected, all the fears I had melt away.
    “Please, come in.” King Kryden looks at me.
    I bow my head in respect.
    “Thank you, Your Majesty,” Aurelio says, bowing his head as well.
    “You are always welcome guests in Miraunus.” Frostlynn smiles. “Now, come. Let us celebrate.” She leads the way through the massive tunnels.
    It is not what I expected in the least. The walls were encrusted with crystals which make the whole place glow and sparkle. Sconces are placed strategically to ensure the colors pop and the walls shine like nothing else could. I hope at one point tonight that I’m able to transform back into my human self simply so I can run my fingers over the stones without harming them.
    Light shines brightly from the opposite end of the tunnel, and I can’t help but feel excited, hoping we’re going toward it, wanting to see what’s on the other side. Frostlynn’s hooves click in a soothing rhythm against the stone floor and I follow the sound, unable to take my eyes away from the beauty surrounding us.
    Large stalactite crystals hang down from the ceiling, some forming patterns, appearing to be flowers.
    The light ahead is upon us now, so bright it’s almost blinding. I lower my eyelids, careful where I step as I force myself to continue following