Nikulas followed the lady with his eyes. She had captured him. He should plot his revenge against her. Yet his instinct was to get closer to her. That was enough to give him pause.

She sat in one corner, studying him. “You’re smaller than I expected. Though maybe the stories make dragons seem bigger than they were.”

That wasn’t what Nikulas had expected her to say.

She sighed. “The question is, what do we do with you now? I must admit, I never expected us to be successful. I’d assumed it was a superstition among the farmers, but it turned out to be true.”

That was sort of a relief, though realising that didn’t help Nikulas now.

He lowered his snout onto his front feet, curling his tail under his nose. There wasn’t much else to do, so he might as well be comfortable.

She smiled at him. “You look almost like a cat.”

He huffed. A cat, indeed.

She stretched out one hand towards him. “I wonder what you feel like.”

He stared at her delicate fingers. He might not have flame, but he still had teeth.

“Probably not worth it.” She drew back. “I wonder how much you understand me.”

He inclined his head to one side, considering her question. Did he want her to know he could, or not? Part of him did, the part that wanted to wrap her up next to him. But the more logical side worried it wouldn’t end well. Acknowledging he understood them meant he might be open to being questioned. If more musicians got involved, then that could take a sinister turn. Who knew what other offensive magic they had developed since his mother flew over these lands?

The lady sighed. “I can pretend you understand. Just to give me someone to talk to.” She sniffed. “Look at me. Sitting here talking to a giant lizard instead of consulting my council. But I can talk to you easier than them.”

Silence enveloped them. Nikulas had no way to respond and wasn’t certain what he should do, anyway. So he studied the way her hair fell across her forehead, imagining the touch of her hand across his scales. Fantasising about a future where she freed him.

He snorted. That would never happen.

She jumped at the noise. Poised between flight and attack, she balanced half-up on her toes. Both knees bent, with one foot forward, her skirt pooled round her. If only she’d incline her head, she’d look like she was curtseying to him. But she didn’t. The moment stretched, broken only by the return of the guards.

Their clomping up the stairs brought a bucket of cold water and a dead rabbit. The guards pushed the bucket towards him until it was at the edge of the area Nikulas could reach. Then they threw the rabbit at his feet.

He sniffed the carcass. His stomach grumbled, reminding him he hadn’t eaten since his capture. It would suffice. Two bites and it was gone. He looked up, hoping for more. None was forthcoming.

He turned his attention to the bucket. Rotting leaves covered the bottom, green algae floated on the top, and it stunk of piss. No way would he drink that. Instead, he stood over, his nose level with the top of the bucket. With a large huff, he blew the stinky water all over the guards. A few drops got to the lady, but the men were soaked.

The front guard snarled, lifting his sword.

“No.” The lady spoke decisively. “How dare you strike the creature? It has taken a huge amount of effort to get it here. You are not to punish it.”

Nikulas curled his lip, happy to hear he was almost untouchable now.

“And when I asked for water, I meant for the creature to drink. I expected it to be clean. Now, take that bucket back where you got it from and return with something better. And tidy yourself up while you’re down there.” Anger rolled off her.

That guard stared at her before nodding. “Alright, lads. Grab the bucket and we’ll get better water for the precious dragon.”

The guards edged towards Nikulas. One reached out slowly, stretching as far as he could for the edge of the bucket.

Nikulas shuffled back, not wanting to get in their way. He’d need fresh water, and if that’s what they were getting, he’d help them. Or at least, not hinder them.

The guard who’d almost drawn his sword was the last to leave, hesitating on the threshold.

“Go on with you.” She flapped her hands at the guards. “If you’re worried, the sooner you go, the sooner you’re back.”

“Yes, Fox Leader.” Finally, the guards left.

Nikulas studied the woman again. What was it about her?

She shook her head. “I don’t know what they were thinking. I don’t blame you for refusing to drink that. They should find a better source for you this time. Though if you have a problem, I’d rather you not soak my guards. You could have tipped it over without drenching them.”

He raised one eyebrow. With a small huff, he sent the last trails of smoke swirling through the air. If he could soak them, of course he would. Though his gut twisted to go against her request.

She walked around him. “All the stories talk of dragons as tyrants and cruel. But I can’t see that in you.”

What stories did the humans tell about dragons? He’d never heard that they were cruel. From what his mother had said, they’d tried to keep out of the humans’ issues, letting them look after themselves. Only intervening when things got too heated. But obviously that wasn’t enough for the modern story tellers. They needed a villain for the story and had turned the dragons into that. It pained him to think she believed that of him.

“But then, what were you doing?” She studied him. “Have you hidden here the whole time? I’m sure there are enough places deep in the mountains, but why come out now? It makes little sense. According to the stories, dragons were ferocious and arrogant. I can’t see one of them staying hidden for hundreds of summers. And then, if you have, what’s changed to bring you out? I can’t believe it’s for the food. But what else could it be? If you were trying to take over again, then you didn’t go about it very well.”

Her gaze warmed Nikulas. He rolled his shoulders, relaxing into his position. Though part of what she said disturbed him. What if she worked out what had happened? What if she realised he wasn’t the only dragon here? Not that he could do anything about that. Just try to act as though he didn’t understand her. However much he yearned to learn more of her and to connect deeper with her. That would be too dangerous for the rest of his family.

Bumping up the stairs caused her to retreat to her position by the door. The guards pushed the bucket into the room, and retook their positions round the room.

Nikulas approached the bucket slowly, assessing it. This time, it was full of fresh water. No rubbish floating in it, and no scent of detritus either. He lapped the water up, his tongue tingling at the icy liquid. He hadn’t drunk since they’d captured him, but too much now would make him sick. After about ten mouthfuls, he paused.

“Well, good.” She faced the guards. “Ensure he has three rabbits, or similar, a day, and a fresh bucket of water. Keep four guards here at all times. I’ll ensure the Guard Leader includes that in his scheduling from now on.”

Three rabbits a day would keep him alive, but wouldn’t be enough for him to keep his strength up. At least he wouldn’t starve. But that would be cold comfort. And it would be cold. Drafts whistled through the hole in the wall despite the canvas lashed across. And it would only feel colder the longer he stayed. With minimal nutrition, his internal fire would soon die, leaving him vulnerable to the temperature. No, he was getting ahead of himself. For now, he should be grateful the woman had compassionate, insisting her receive food and water at all.