Free Curse of the Undead Dragon King (Skeleton Key) by Skeleton Key, Konstanz Silverbow Page B

am not him. I do not plan on hurting you or causing you grief. You asked to help me, and I said yes. Please don’t abandon me now!” I hate the despair that washes over me. This will be my second night on the hard ground, away from home, away from Zanta. Already it’s been too long.
    The bush in front of me moves and Khende appears, grumbling under his breath. “I’m here, Prince. Now what do you want?” He puts his hands on his hips and stares at me.
    “I am the king,” I clarify, but I don’t get a chance to continue speaking.
    “See, another issue. Why do I need to know? I don’t care. Is it so important that you be addressed as king, even out here where nothing like that matters, that you would call me back here just to throw that in my face? You’re king? Right now we’re sleeping on the same ground, buddy.” He plops down on the dirt, folding his arms over his chest.
    “I clarified not to mock or hurt you, not to prove that I’m better than you, but because you wanted to know who I am. The woman I love is a commoner, a woman who had nothing, comes from nothing. I would gladly give someone in need my bed so they did not have to go through more affliction. I am King Aurelio of Dracameveo, and I care for my people. My father, the man you spoke ill of, died less than a week ago. I am suffering, as anyone would being trapped within only half themselves. I can’t shift back into a human, which is the only reason I’m here. I was told there was a wizard who could fix my problem. If you do not wish to help me, fine. So be it. But do not think that I find myself higher and mightier than you because I am a king. If I were so prideful, so selfish, would I have asked for your assistance?” I wish I didn’t need his help. But I do, and I’m stuck with it.
    The satyr scrutinizes me, as if contemplating everything I just told him. “Your father promised me freedom. He said that if I helped him find the wizard, he would speak with King Kryden—the one who banished me—and see about having my sentence reduced. And yet a hundred years have passed and still, here I am, unable to leave this terrible land.”
    “Did you ever consider the possibility that my father kept his promise? He may have spoken to the king of Miraunus, but if Kryden said no, there wasn’t anything more he could do.” I can hope that’s what happened. I can’t imagine Father not keeping his promise.
    “How would I know? I’m still here. Perhaps he just forgot or couldn’t be bothered to ask.” Khende looks away, still showing temper.
    “Help me, Khende. Help me find the wizard, and I will speak with King Kryden. And if the answer is no, I will come back and tell you so you don’t have to wonder.”
    “I can show you what I showed your father, and nothing more. The rumors of a wizard here are just that—rumors. There is nothing to prove such a thing. I’ve never seen him, and the only time he’s sought out to my knowledge is when two kings came asking for help finding him. In the morning, I will show you where I took your father. The one place it would make sense for such a person to dwell in a place like this.” With that, he lies down on his back and begins snoring.
    “Thank you,” I mutter and lie down as well.
     

     
    “WAKE UP, DRAGON!” Khende shouts into my ear.
    I force an eye open and see him jumping up and down in front of me just so he can reach the top of my head. “Is it truly morning?” I groan.
    “It is. And we’d best be going because there’s a bit of a walk.”
    “Could you spot the place we’re looking for from the sky?” I stretch out, forcing myself to get up before I fall asleep again.
    “I suppose it would be easy enough.” He shrugs.
    “Then we’re not walking.”
    “Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Khende holds up his hand. “I did not agree to fall to my death. We’re not flying.”
    “Either you can climb up on my back and hold on, or I can pick you up in my talons and carry you. I am stuck as a