Page 30 of Dragon Unbound (Dragon Kings 3)
“No one’s ever seen him. He doesn’t come out of his palace at the top of the city. No one but the priests and guards are allowed inside the palace.”
“Surely, he has guests. A wife? Children?”
“If he does, I’ve never heard of it. People whisper his name. Whatever he says is taken as fact. Those who live in Stonemore believe he has a connection to a deity.”
Cullen’s gaze narrowed slightly. “Tell me of this god.”
She almost gagged thinking about how the religion had been forced down her throat as a child. “There are three main gods and many lesser ones, but they’re ruled by one. Innus. The followers believe that he created this realm and brings each of us here as infants to fulfill a destiny.”
“A destiny about what?”
She shrugged. “I don’t think anyone knows, or they’re just not telling us.”
“Has the religion always been worshiped?”
“Yes, but about two hundred years ago, they went from an obscure religion to one that controlled the city.”
Cullen nodded slowly. “Do you know why?”
“They might have told me, but I never paid attention. Even before I felt my magic, something deep within me warned that the religion was wrong. Any sort of belief that teaches sacrifice and intolerance should be eradicated.”
“I agree, but we are no’ here to wipe out those philosophies. We’re here to save children.”
She gawked at him. “How long do you think that will work? They’ll keep finding children with magic and killing them long after you and I are gone.”
“I’m no’ disagreeing with you. What I’m saying is that right now, we focus on saving those we can. In the meantime, what you want needs to be done slowly. Things as they are didna happen overnight. They took time. It’ll take time to unravel them.”
Tamlyn knew he was right. Why then did her stomach clench in dread? She had the distinct feeling that time wasn’t on their side.
“Tell me about the soldiers,” Cullen said, breaking into her thoughts.
She shrugged. “Children are tested very young on certain skills. That’s how they’re put into different classifications regarding what they’ll learn to do in order to pull their weight in the city.”
“No one gets to choose their job?”
“No,” she said with a shake of her head. “Some children are chosen early and put into the army to become ruthless and merciless, upholding the laws of Stonemore without question.”
Cullen quirked a brow. “Is Stonemore often in clashes with other cities or villages?”
“They send out battalions sometimes, but I have no idea where they go or what they do. There used to be a few villages within a day’s walk of Stonemore. There’s nothing left of them now.”
“You think the army did this?”
She shrugged and shook her head. “I can tell you the city is overcrowded.”
“People probably remain because they feel safe.”
“They’re terrified of anyone with magic. Stonemore promises to eradicate anyone who has it.”
Cullen twisted his lips. “The priests have done their job well.”
Tamlyn sighed and looked upward at the tower. “I know the way things are is wrong. I feel as if I have an obligation to not only save innocent children but also change the minds of those who fear us.”
“I think your first step is learning why everyone is so terrified of magic. I have a suspicion it starts with the dragons.”
Her head lowered to look into his pale brown eyes. “Why did you come back today?”
“I told you.”
“You could have gone to Stonemore yourself. You don’t need me. You’re a Dragon King.”
Cullen shrugged one shoulder. “I’ve been alive for so many millennia, I’ve lost count. I’ve seen civilizations rise and fall, religions come out of obscurity and topple those that were in place for thousands of years. I’ve seen so many wars, it’s a wonder any humans are left to populate my realm. I’ve fought wars with other magical beings the mortals knew nothing about, all to keep Earth safe. Each Dragon King is powerful in his own right, but when we fight together, we’re unstoppable. Aye, I can do this on my own. But I’m choosing to partner with you because of your dedication and knowledge.”
“Oh,” she murmured.
“I promised I wouldna start a war. That’s important to both sides. The information you give me will help me prevent just that.”
She nodded, slightly disappointed that she hadn’t been the reason he returned. It was silly. He had only seen her for a short time that morning. What could she possibly have that a Dragon King would be interested in?
“I couldna stop thinking about you.”
Her gaze jerked to him. “What?”
“I saw something on your face this morning as you and the lad ran from the soldiers. You were scared, aye, but there was such determination there. You were no’ going to give up.”
“I can’t,” she whispered.
One side of his lips lifted in a quick grin. “I know. You have a gift. What you and your friends have created is extraordinary. I want to help you succeed while also completing my mission.”
Tamlyn didn’t know what to say. No one had complimented her in a while. Not that Jenefer and Sian didn’t appreciate her. She knew they did. But they had been together for so long that none of them said it anymore. Maybe that was the problem. Just because they appreciated each other didn’t mean they shouldn’t continue saying it.
She swallowed, now self-conscious. “I think your best bet is to look in Stonemore for your enemy. Anyone who would dare to kill dragons will most likely be there with other magic-haters.”
“I’m no’ so sure. Magic killed the dragons and wounded others.”
“That means you’re looking for those with magic.”
