Apex [Imperial: Book 2]

Chapter 2

"Amaroth," Rutilus snarled furiously, his golden eyes glued to to the imperials rapidly approaching us. They were the same ones that had originally told us to come with them; with Amaroth in lead, the green and black dragoness flanking him, and the two almost identical maroon and grey drakes.

Furious, I glared at them, silently letting them know that they weren't welcome here. But they did not seem to care; they did not so much as falter as the continued soaring straight towards, before slowly hovering in front of the mountain.

"Your four months are over," the green and black dragoness stated, her yellow eyes dark with disapproval glancing between Rutilus and I.

A cold silence settled over the air. None of the four imperials said so much as a word, instead eyeing us expectantly. Waiting for us to follow them.

Baring my teeth, I snarled, "no. I am not leaving."

Amaroth stiffened, his attention shifting towards Kronx. But the dark blue drake was stiff, his silver eyes clouded as he stared into the distance. Whatever he was thinking about, I had no idea. But I yearned for him to come to our defense.

The blue and white drake narrowed his turquoise eyes. "You have no choice."

Before I could protest, Kronx whipped his head towards Amaroth. "They will come back." Not a statement. An order.

Horrified, I stared at the dark blue drake. Surely he would not allow us to go? We couldn't go! We'd promised him that we'd stay here for him! And, those imperials - one of whom had killed Rutilus's mother. It wouldn't suprise me if they'd killed some of our other friends, as well.

My eyes narrowed. There was no way I'd go with them. Not if I could help it!

"Of course!" Amaroth exclaimed, in a manner that suggested that he was shocked that Kronx might think otherwise. "We'll bring them back in six months."

"I told you - we're not going,"  I growled quietly, my talons digging into the stone. But much to my fury, not one of the four imperials so much as glanced at me. Showed much as a sign as having heard me.

Frustrated, I glanced towards Rutilus. The red and gold drake was glaring at Amaroth, venom shining his golden eyes.

"Six months is too long," the dark blue drake declared, much to my relief. Was he finally turning down the offer? Realising that we'd be better of staying with him? Just like the last time we'd seen the four imperials - at the time, he'd  been just as furious at Amaroth for suggesting so much as taking us away to train us.

What had changed?

What had allowed him to even contemplate it - even if only for a few mere moments?

Amaroth stiffened. "Six months is barely a blink in our lifespans!"

Kronx tilted his head ever so slightly. His silver eyes shifted towards us for a split second - and I could have sworn that his gaze was apologetic. Turning his attention back towards Amaroth, he declared, "Three months."

The blue and white drake stared at the older dragon in surprise."But -"

A scathingly cold glare from Kronx cut him off. "Three months is the most time I will allow."

My breath caught in my throat. Why? Why would he allow us to go with those imperials? For all we knew, it could be a trap!

None of the four imperials argued with him. Reluctantly, Amaroth grunted. "Fine. You two - come with me."

Baring my fangs I glared at him. I did not need to glance at Rutilus to know that he was doing the same; I could hear the growl reverberating from his throat. My talons dug further into the stone, and my wing flared slightly - allowing me to be ready to start flying should I need to.

Beyond the four imperials, I could still see dragons circling the sky. At least now, many seemed to have noticed the imperial dragons' presence, and were slowly drifting closer. Most of them were curious, regarding the four imperials uneasily.

Others were not quite so relaxed. Two were racing straight towards us - a dark grey drake and a pale green dragoness. Both seemed to be furious by the imperials' presence. Slightly relieved, I watched them approach. They, at least, would not allow the imperials to take us.

"You don't understand," Amaroth declared, staring at me urgently. "You have to come!"

"Come where?" Thorak growled, slowing to a halt beside me. Behind him, Soriak glanced towards me, her blue eyes bright with worry. Seeming to realise that they had come to take us with them, just like they'd warned us months ago.

"None of your business, drake!" the green and black dragoness hissed, but Amaroth glared at her.

Releasing a long sigh, he stated, "Craigor's Point. The most northern point on this continent - where Argon originally declared himself the Dragon King."

His answer did not calm down Thorak, or Soriak. If anything, it made them more tense, more furious. Even Kronx flinched - and I realised that the place they were referring to meant something to the dark blue drake. From his reaction, it probably was not one of his favourite places, either.

But he did not protest, instead casting a glance towards Rutilus and I. "They will teach you what I can not," he rumbled, his silver eyes glowing softly - almost in an apologetic manner. Understanding that neither of us had any interest with going anywhere with the four imperials. "Please. Go with them."

I stared at him.

To think that only four months ago, he'd been just as horrified as us at the idea of us going with them. Yet again, I could not help but wonder why he wanted us to go. Especially since the imperial in charge, Amaroth, had killed Rutilus's mother.

And, surely, there was nothing he couldn't teach us?

At least, Soriak and Thorak stared at the dark blue drake with the same shock.

"Go," Kronx urged us, with a flick of his long, dark blue tail. "I'll explain when you come back - three months."

Reluctantly, I turned my attention towards the imperials. "Fine," I huffed, still glaring at them.

Three months. We'd be with them for only three months - only a blink of our life span. After that, they'd have no reason to pursue us - and we could return to Kronx, and our wing.

Three months. Not long at all - or so at least, I could hope.

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1087 words

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