Kael strolled beside Valkar through the village marketplace—the very same village he had once left behind.
The memory of his first visit still burned in his mind. That time, Valkar had carried him off by force, tossing him over a broad shoulder like some prized trophy. He hadn't even been able to glance at the stalls, much less take in the lives of the villagers. The faces had been a blur, the smells, the colors—everything lost in the haze of humiliation and fear.
But this time… this time was different.
After countless arguments, sharp words, and stubborn refusals, Kael had finally convinced Valkar—the stupid dragon, arrogant to the bone—that carrying him through a crowded market was unacceptable. It wasn't easy to negotiate with a creature who thought brute strength solved every problem, but somehow, Kael had succeeded.
No more being paraded like a jeweled ornament.
At least, that was what he told himself.
