Athyra’s POV

One month. I have wasted a whole month on this fruitless job. I came to Gleaca to earn my way into power and develop my own horde, but this whole adventure has felt like a fucking waste. Chills pricked my human skin as my scales itched beneath the surface of my skin. I want to run out of this little inn in this backwoods town and unleash my true form. Anyone who looked at me knew I was a dragon, but I couldn’t just unleash my huge form in such a small town. The locals would panic at the sight of my forty-foot tall, icy blue form that could flatten a building without any effort. Although, seeing these locals cry and beg for mercy might make me feel better.

Looking in the mirror, I could hardly believe how much effort Eriz was putting into helping me get ready for my ‘date’ with Katar if you could call it that. Eriz zipped up my black flowy dress with a sweetheart-shaped neckline. This elf was about to see true beauty in such a simple form. Most races can't hide their affection for dragons as fierce as we can be, so many boneheads still pine for a moment of our attention. This little elf boy would be no different.

"Eriz, why are you making such a big deal about this fake date?" I questioned as he handed me a pair of ankle-cut, black boots.

"Honestly?" He looked at me with a raised brow, so I nodded back at him. "This may be our last lead on these guild members, and it's not an exact match to my master’s depiction of them either. My master is obsessed with magical objects. I can only imagine they must have some very rare item for him to have pushed this quest so far." He collected the stray items across the room and neatly repacked them into my bag. "Don't get me wrong. I have no desire to return to his house of discomfort, but he writes letters non-stop, asking about our progress. If you get information, then we will have a trail to follow, and I can avoid my master for a longer time. I won't have to worry about him using me as a target for practice or forcing me to watch horrible things he does. So, yes, I am invested in your fake date going well."

Shit… I am sorry I asked. Guilt hit me like a damn punch in the gut. "No pressure though, right?" I tried to say casually, but I was feeling a tinge of anger for the guilt he just put on me. Bit of a jerk move, if you ask me.

"The pressure isn't on you. It's on the elf. He needs to be in a good mood, or I am screwed. " Eriz faked a smile.

Eriz is an idiot. I can through him like a polished crystal. Stupid guilt. Now, I feel like have to charm this elf. First a peddler, then a bounty hunter, now a glorified elf charmer… Am I losing my dignity as a dragon? Any other self-respecting dragon would have seen this whole venture beneath them. Eriz…nothing but a slav…A self-respecting dragon would see Eriz beneath them. A dragon wouldn't learn a poor servant's name let alone a slave boy. What the hell am I doing? I should go blast that damn scumbag of a dark elf to hell and resolve all the problems with a simple solution.

"Remember, his name is Katar. He is the son of the governess of this territory. He is well-liked by the people, so don’t scare him off. At least not too much…" Eriz mumbled a knock pounded on the inn room's door.

Damn. The idiot showed up.

Eriz opened the door, knowing full well that I refused to answer the door for anyone. There stood a very blonde elf man with gold shimmering eyes. His hair was braided behind his back, his shirt was a rich pine green that made his eyes pop, his black pants and boots were primped and polished, and he gave a pleasant tundra scent like fresh snow. Maybe…I should be nervous. He looked better than all the times we met while he was working in the town. Katar went from country bumpkin to stately gentleman although that is a typical elf trait…

"You clean up well, Ms. Athyra," Katar complimented me. His eyes already displayed a pleased expression.

It was that small proud expression of his that dumped over me like ice water. Sure, he was a pleasing elf to look at, but he was a jerk like every other elf I had met.

"Are you ready to go to dinner?" Katar asked. He ignored my now sour expression as if it didn't matter.

"Sure, let's go," I smirked at the thought of dumping my dinner all over his lap.

We left the little inn and walked down the main street toward a small restaurant. It wasn't upscale like the ones in White Rapids, but the restaurant had a comfortable vibe with candles lit on the tables for romance. All the decor was white and black with touches of pine green. The whole town seems sold on this pine green theme. We sat at a small, pine wood table. Katar forced a smile as he pushed my chair in like a gentleman should.

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

Things were quiet for a few minutes as we looked through the menu and got refreshments.

"So, are you ready to tell me why you are here, Ms. Athyra?" Katar leaned back in his chair as if what he said wasn't a loaded question.

I refused to react. This little elf boy was not going to bait a dragon. I merely sipped on my wine, which tasted like water down grape juice. Yuck. Minutes passed, but I refused to speak.

He tried again. "Come on, Ms. Athyra. Why are you keeping me in the dark when you went through all the trouble to bring us here?"

Did I go through the trouble? I think not! He just showed up where I went looking for information on my targets. I thought maybe he could be a resource if he tried to pursue me. Why is he putting all this on me? Eriz, I am not sure this will go well after all. "Look, I am confused by your accusations. All I did was agree to dinner. How this became what it is, is solely on you." I answered the golden gaze with my own confidence. "However, I can leave as soon as I finish eating if this is too much of a bother for you. But, then why did you ask me to dinner, Katar? Were you bored with all your free time? Did you just need someone to dine with? Perhaps, you plan to use me as an alibi for a crime."

"Ms. Athyra, what an imagination you have," he grinned at me.

Dick move. "Dragons aren't quite that frivolous, Katar. When my skin changes at least people know I grow scales. What about you? What do people see when your skin changes?"

Katar just grinned. "You don't hold back much, do you, Ms. Athrya?"

"Nope," I replied.

"Well-"

"Ready to order?" A young waitress asked interrupting Katar.

I sighed. It was just getting interesting. "Sure. I want the grilled salmon basted in lemon sauce." Katar ordered a hog chop. The whole time the guy was grinning like a wicked cat from the children's story. The stupid cat smiled all the damn time until it finally bites everyone. I wanted to kill that cat.

"Ms. Athrya, let me be straight with you. I know you have been looking for information on a simian shifter. I gather that the town mentioned my family hosting one not long ago, so go ahead and ask me what you want to ask."

He didn't flinch as he stared at me while stripping me bare with his words. My intention had been revealed. How to play this was the question. Honesty or semi-honesty is best in this case. "Yes, Katar. I planned to ask about that because I am looking for someone, and she was last seen with a simian beast woman. I just want to find her because my employer wants to buy a magic item she had. I am not as malicious as you seem to believe."

"So, you say little dragon," Katar said, nonchalantly.

Now, I know this guy was being an imbecilic ass. Rule one of dealing with dragons is don't belittle them. This is the second time some idiot was trying to talk down to me. First, there's the perverted dark elf commanding me, and now a forest elf is talking down to me. Rage coursed through me as a chilling whirlwind erupted from my body. Hard scales erupted from my skin and took root while the whirlwind hurled the dinner table, Katar, and all the furniture in the room against the walls of the building. Glass shattered behind me with the next burst of wind as my icy blue wings tore through my scaly back. The floor froze beneath me. I am tired of hiding, withholding my emotions, and dealing with jerks. This stupid forest elf was just the final drop in the bucket. My humanoid form became lost in an icy fog my dragon form unfolded. As frustration and rage coursed through my blood, my body evolved into the fierce giant it was supposed to be. The whole building collapsed, and the townspeople ran away screaming in fear. A toothy grin enveloped my face looking down on the scrambling little elf.

“All right, elfie boy,” I growled through my teeth. A puff of my chilled breath made the arrogant elf shutter. "No more playing games, right?"

Katar cringed under my gaze. His fancy words and confidence were nowhere to be seen. This man was nothing more than a melting ice pop. "Tell me, Katar. Where did the simian beast go? I need a little distraction from my growing hunger." My smile stretched open at the quivering elf backing up against the rumble. He stayed silent. "What’s wrong Katar? Never had a lady get serious before?"

"I would hardly call you a lady, Ms. Athrya," Katar grumbled.

"Is that so? What might I be then? A monster? A shrew? A descendant of the legendary demon?" I huffed at him.

Katar shook his head. "None of those describe your sheer pompous, self-absorbed attitude! Clearly, you are nothing more than an entitled dragon flexing her massively, hefty body around to get her way, which I believe makes you a sl-"

My rage overwhelmed me like a roaring fire. Before I could stop myself, the taste of soured iron flooded my mouth. A warm, red liquid dripped from my mouth. Muscle and bone hung from my teeth. I saw a hand at the end of the flesh in my mouth. Shit. This meat tastes like shit. Elf tastes like shit.

"Fucking dragon!" Katar exclaimed as he tried to stop his bleeding. I managed to rip his arm clean off his body. "It's so damn cold it burns!"

Ugh. I didn't want to kill Katar. I have already made a huge mess as is. My claw tapped the floor sending out a chilling blast. Katar’s bloody shoulder froze over from my magic. This way the jerk wouldn't die. "Answer me," I commanded. "Where did the simian beast go?"

"Why would I tell you?" Katar glared at me in spite.

My claws pressed down onto his tiny body. "I can squish you like a bug, Katar."

"Fair point, you big ass lizard." He shouted. "They went south or west possibly. I don't remember which."

My claws began to puncture his skin. "Remember better."

"Ahhh. Okay. Ok. West. I think they went west, you damned, scaly fowl." He muttered.

My bloody grin reached ear to ear. I picked up the broken elf. Perhaps, I should squish him… No. Too gross. I walked forward and hung him from an ice shard protruding from the ground. Hopefully, this elf wasn't lying, but at least I got him to talk. My wings stretched out behind me. All my frustration was released as I took off from the ground. A trail of snow fell behind me as I glided through the air. Now, to find Eriz.