Claimed by the Dragon King Read Online Free PDF

same way.
     
    “Ash…” I whisper. The mark glows brightly again and then the light fades away completely leaving me sitting in the darkness. Alone with thoughts that are screaming. For Fee, for Ash, for revenge.
     

Chapter Five
     
    A noise like grinding stones halts my sobs. A stream of dust falls from the mortar about halfway up the stone wall. My curiosity draws me off of my bed. The pile is growing larger and larger at my feet. Soon flecks of the stone itself start to fall into the dust. I scratch at the stone that appears to be falling apart and it crumbles to the floor. I guess this castle really is old! Maybe one of these other stones will come apart too. I run around the room desperately knocking on stones until I hear a slight cough from behind me. The pile of dust and rubble is gone and a strange little man is standing there looking awfully embarrassed.
    “Billius?” I shout, running over to the gnome and throwing my arms around his neck. It’s like hugging a marble statue but I don’t care. I’m not alone! He might be the last person I would ever chose to help me, but at least I have someone.
    “Miss, oh- um, you..” His pale skin blushes violently and I can tell that he’s trying hard to only look me in the eye. What? Does he not like hugs? Oh yea, I forgot that I’m not wearing any pants. I grab the sheet off of the bed and quickly wrap it around my waist.
    “How did you get here?” I ask.
    “I can get into the castle, yes. Billius has been working here, he does,” the funny little man says, rocking up onto his toes as he talks.
    “You work here?” I ask, astonished. “I thought you worked for the council?”
    “I do! I work for the council, I do. But I also work here, also for the council. I listen and remember, yes! I tell the council what I hears.” He swells up his chest proudly.
    “Like a spy?”
    “A spy… hmm, yes! A spy I am! Gnomesses are not smart, no they are not. Little brains they have, but not Billius, no. Big brains I have.” He chuckles but then stops and gasps.
    “But you is in danger miss, yes!” he says suddenly. “The dragon king sends me here to find you, has all the gnomes in the Underground looking, all the Catfolk too. Find you, that’s what Billius is sent to do. Smart to remember, I am.”
    Asher! He must know I’m here. A wave of relief washes over me. It’s going to be okay, he will rescue me. Won’t he?
    “We must hurry, we must! The dragon is very angry, no more patience for the council, almost burned that traitorous Hazel. Did burn the rest of the plants, so many plants,” the gnome laments, shaking his head. “He is breaking the ceiling again he is, unless we hurry, we must!”
    “But wait,” I say, a thought dawning on me. “Why isn’t the dragon breaking the ceiling?”
    “Billius hasn’t told him yet, is told the castle is not safe, it is not! A trap is here, the Fae King is ready for him. He mustn’t come, no he cannot. Not the Dragon King, too important he is.”
    “A trap! We have to get out of here Billius, as fast as possible!” If another gnome gets word to Asher, he’ll just bust in here. Trap or no trap. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out something green and faintly glowing.
    “No way!” I say, grabbing the gem from my bracelet from his stubby little hand. “Arralt crushed it! How did you get this?”
    “A boy gave it to us, he did. Very quiet this boy but he is kind to gnomes. He is not liking the king, no he does not.”
    “Michael? Did Michael give you this?”
    “Oh yes miss. He is curious, he is. Older than the gnomes and we is over 300, yes we are. But he is nice, he is helping your little friend! She is not very well, no she is hurting.”
    “Oh Billius I could kiss you!” I say, and I do. I plant a big sloppy kiss on his forehead and laughs, gently trying to push me away.  Fee is getting help, we are going to get out of here! Take that Arralt! I take a closer look at the gem in my hand and my joy