Dragon Food

"Yes," The moment those words left That Man's mouth I turned and started running.

"ROSE!" I heard Roy shouting, but I didn't look back and just kept going.

Of course, he would do it.

Of course, he would sell me to a demon.

I wasn't running for even a full minute and my legs already felt like burning. Starving more often than not makes a person weak, and right now if I stop running I'm certain I will be dragon food.

Fuck.

I heard the beast growling and the sound of metal creaking.

*WOSHHH*

The sound of its wings flapping.

FUCK.

I could feel the air moving with the strength of the beast.

One moment I was running, the other I was sprawled on the ground. The dragon was on top of me. Its huge front claws held me down and easily shredded my old dress.

The beats snout came ever so slowly closer. This is how I die.

I closed my eyes.

Hopefully, it won't hurt.

I waited for the fatal bite.

...

The sound of moving metal plates greeted my ears.

I felt a hand holding my cheeks and pulling at my face. I then opened my eyes.

"Despiteful," The gruff voice said with a snarl. It let go.

"This was not the agreement," The demon said, walking away.

The dragon snorted and lifted its head to follow its master's moves.

The demon walked back towards That Man, he and Rory were fighting over something but I could barely hear it over the buzz in my ears.

I felt like all my blood had been drained.

Both stopped fighting at the imposing form of the beast. It pointed at That Man and then at me. It seemed angry.

"The dragon can eat her for all I care!" That Man said in rage, stupidly screaming at a demon. But before the dark knight could do anything Rory punched him.

It wasn't a strong punch. Rory was just a kid. And That Man seemed furious by it, but then, the dark knight held That Man by his throat and lifted him from the ground.

Only now I noticed the demon towered over everyone in the village.

I saw veins popping in That Man's head as he struggled against the immovable wall that was the creature. Taking the bag of coins from him the creature launched him on the ground and he fell limp; hopefully dead.

Then, the creature whistled and the dragon let go of me, obediently walking towards its rider.

"If the village does not offer a good woman for his Draco majesty before winter it will be burned to the ground and used as fuel to his majesty's castle!" The dark knight said with finality.

The dragon opened its wings. With a single flap, the beast was up in the sky and moving graciously toward where it came from.

"Rose!" Rory screamed and came running towards me. "Are you okay?" He asked, looking me over and searching for any spilled blood.

It was hard to find blood when everything had a reddish hue, so he was passing his hands over the scratches in my dress.

"Yes Rory" I held his hand in my shaky ones. "I'm not hurt don't worry"

"Thank the Stars," He said.

We both stared at each other, breathing and glad we were alive.

People were starting to gather around us, I could hear them gossiping and pointing, but I still couldn't fully grasp what had happened.

"Cathar!" I heard a woman's voice shouting with worry. Mother raced as fast as her weak legs could carry her to come by That Man's side.

"Oh Stars no, please Cathar, PLEASE!" She wept, holding his face and searching, she then lowered down her ear to hear his chest.

Everyone stated for a few seconds before she finally lifted her head with a relieved face.

"Thank the Starts he is still alive" She stated. "Aden, can you please help me carry him home," She asked one of our neighbors. He simply nodded and moved to help the pregnant woman.

"Rory," I said, turning my attention back to the redhead. He looked at me. "What happened?" I asked.