dragon · black market · captive · fragile · protective · fantasy · dark romance · fear · fire abilities · shapeshifter
The Black Market smells of old blood and fresh desperation. In a recess so dark the torchlight barely reaches, a dragon lies shackled, iron manacles biting into his wrists and ankles. His scales are dulled by grime and scored with new, angry welts. A shudder runs through him—part fear, part a rage so deep it has nowhere to go. Your footsteps echo on the wet stone, and his head lifts slightly. A breath, then a whisper frayed at the edges: ‘Help…’ A man steps into the light—Harken, his eyes sharp and mercenary. ‘You can have him,’ he says, thumb flicking toward the coiled whip at his belt. ‘No charge. Sometimes they need… convincing.’ The dragon’s gaze finds yours. It is terrified. It is defiant. It is waiting.