The Fiery Crown Cycle: A Dragon's Rebirth

Chapter 70

“Just stay there and don't come any closer.”

“Aow…” Bianca whimpered, her voice full of grievance. She immediately flopped to the ground where she stood, her eyes still locked on the roasting meat. It smells so good. I want to eat it. A stream of transparent drool dripped from her maw.

Plink.

A water sound? Where did that come from?

Aiden's heart instantly tightened. He threw his head back and looked at the sky. A red haze filled the heavens; the sun was setting. He scanned the sky intently. No raindrops. He was safe. His tense muscles relaxed. If it rained now, it would be a disaster. He didn't know the rules of this sub-plane's desert, but typically, while rain was rare, when it came, it was a long and violent storm. The rain would wash away the scent of the bait, and their prey would no longer be drawn in.

Plink.

There it was again, another faint sound of dripping water. This time, he heard it clearly. Aiden turned his head to the left. Bianca was lying right there, her head raised high, her eyes glued to the roast. She was so focused she hadn't even noticed him looking at her. Crystalline drool was dripping copiously from her snout. As always, she was a leaky faucet.

This foolish dragon.

Aiden turned his head back to the meat in his claws. He tore open the belly. The inside was already a crisp, golden-brown. It should be about done. The ring of power before him shattered into motes of light and vanished. He curled the other three talons into a fist, leaving only his longest claw extended. With a diagonal slash at the neck, he sliced through the roast. The Aridfell's head and one of its legs were severed. He grabbed the piece and, without looking, tossed it to his left.

Seeing the roast flying toward her, Bianca's eyes instantly lit up. Her maw opened wide.

“CHOMP!”

She caught it in one bite.

Hoo. Ssss. Hot, hot! She frantically juggled the searing meat in her claws, refusing to let such a delicious morsel fall to the ground.

Aiden made another diagonal slice, leaving himself with the two plump hind legs and the rump. He held the front half of the carcass in his right claw. He nudged the blue dragon beside him with his body. Azure turned her gaze to him. Aiden held out the meat.

“Here. It's cooked.”

Azure didn't take it immediately. Her blue pupils glanced at the portion he was holding for himself. The hind legs. A strange light flickered in her eyes. Her blue claw reached out and took the offered roast.

Such a strange red dragon.

With that thought, Azure opened her maw and took a bite. CHOMP! Her blue pupils instantly lit up. So this is what cooked meat tastes like? It's not bad. The moment I have vassals of my own, I will definitely make them learn how to cook. As she ate, her gaze returned to the sands below.

Did you know this story is from NovelBin? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Seeing that the other two were now eating, Aiden looked down at the two hind legs in his own claws. He opened his mouth. CHOMP.

Chew, chew. The flavor was bland, not as good as fresh, bloody meat. It seemed that meat cooked without seasoning was still lacking. But it was acceptable. The two hind legs weren't much; a few bites and he had devoured them, bones and all. He subconsciously stuck out his great scarlet tongue and licked his maw.

The next second… Ptooey! Ptooey!That damned slime. He cursed internally.

His stomach wasn't quite full. Should I cook another one? The thought had just formed when—

“Aiden. Movement.”

Hearing Azure's voice, Aiden craned his neck out of the lair and looked down. The sand below was indeed stirring. Several areas were rising and falling. The prey had returned. His red pupils narrowed. Come out, come out…

The sand continued to churn. After a few more ripples, it suddenly stopped, becoming perfectly still. He stared, wide-eyed, for over a minute. The sand remained calm. Aiden turned his head, his gaze sweeping the surroundings, unwilling to give up. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Damn it!

His claw slammed down. CRACK! Black rock fragments flew everywhere. Those damned worms! There's so much delicious food waiting for them, why won't they come up and eat!?

Red flames erupted above his head.

PING!

A piece of shrapnel ricocheted off Bianca's head, leaving a white mark. Her closed eyes snapped open. She lifted her head and looked toward the source of the noise. Who dares disturb the great white dragon Bianca's rest! They must be punished! She looked over and saw the red flames burning on the red dragon's head. Alright, if it's Aiden, I'll let it slide for now. I'll get my revenge later.

Bianca's head slumped back to the ground. She closed her eyes. One day, I'll pin Aiden down, ride on his back, and beat him! Every single day! It won't matter even if he cries and begs for mercy! Bianca's maw curled back, revealing her closed rows of white teeth in a silent snarl.

Aiden stared at the red flames that had begun to flow between the scales on his claws. Damn it, I almost lost control again. His gaze shifted to the fiery sigil in his right eye, which was only two-thirds full. The sight instantly calmed his roiling emotions. The half-formed crown above his head flickered out, and the flames on his claws vanished.

His long, sinuous tail lifted and stabbed out. SQUELCH! It pierced the corpse of the Aridfell leader. He dragged the massive carcass before him. Same procedure, same claws, same operation. Soon, the Aridfell leader was ready. Same Fire Arrow, same size, same method. He cooked it for over an hour.

Looking at the roast in his claws, the inside was now a perfect golden-brown. Okay, time to eat. This one was cooked even better; the flavor should be superior. He was confident.

He canceled the Fire Arrow. Darkness enveloped them.

Hm? Aiden lifted his head. The sky was a vast expanse of starlight, but there was no moon. Night had completely fallen.

Rustle, rustle…

The faint sound of movement came from his left. He turned his head. Bianca had immediately stopped moving. She was still lying on the ground, the very picture of obedience. But she had snuck right up next to him. Crystalline flecks glittered on her back—ice. Perhaps because the slime had frozen into slush, the stench was gone. With the darkness, the temperature had dropped.

Since she doesn't stink anymore, I'll let her be.

Aiden sliced off a piece of the foreleg. “Take it.”

“Thank you, Aiden!” Bianca chirped happily, taking the roast in her claws and beginning to gnaw on it.

Aiden then nudged the blue figure beside him. Azure turned her head. “Want more?”

Azure nodded emphatically. A grin split Aiden's maw. As expected, no dragon can refuse my barbecue. He passed her the middle section of the carcass, then began to eat his own share.

After they had finished, Aiden lay down at the entrance to the lair, silently watching the sands below. Before long, a cool body pressed against his left side. He glanced over. It was Bianca. The slime was gone from her body, perhaps shaken off. Her white head was also raised. Their eyes met. Those crystalline eyes just stared, her expression the picture of innocence.

Just then, another body pressed against his right. He didn't need to look to know it was Azure.

Fine. Let them do as they please. It wasn't the first time.

Aiden turned his head back, his gaze fixed on the sands below.