Rowen sighed. She enjoyed the attention, the praise, but now she wished was somewhere else. Somewhere that wasn’t a room with no windows or furniture and guarded by mops and brooms. Somewhere that didn’t stink of alcohol and musk. Somewhere that didn’t have a human’s hot breath on the back of her neck, his drunken grunts in her ear, and his sweaty body sticking to her backside.

What is his name again? She asked herself. She tried to focus, tried to keep recall the events of what transpired before coming into the increasingly stuffy room with the increasingly stuffy man flailing against her rear. But her thoughts took her back to earlier that night, reminding her of her true place. The reason why she was fucking in a broom closet instead of a lavish bedroom like she usually did.

She reached her limit first, giving a low trill mixed with a growl that pushed him over the edge. The noble gave one last loud moan, pulling hard on her fins, his fluids oozing out of him and into her. She grunted from the discomfort of having her fins pulled and hoped he didn’t notice.

“That was different from what I expected,” the man said.

She continued to face the wall and listened to him getting dressed. “Did you enjoy it?”

“Oh, I did. Much better than any whore I’ve been with.”

She smiled to herself. It was worth that much at least. The door opened and she peered over her shoulder. Her master Colin Stirling stood in the doorway with the noble whose name she couldn’t recall.

She craned her neck to clean herself. It was a tight squeeze in the confines of the closet and she was going to receive a bath upon returning home, but keeping clean was important. And she hated waiting while Colin talked business.

“So, I trust everything was to your liking?” her master asked. “And our agreement?”

“Yes, yes. I’ll see what I can do.”

She froze.

Colin gave a weak chuckle. “Please, don’t treat me like an idiot; I know that phrase is no better than a rejection. We had a deal!”

“Come on, Colin, you know how these things work. I can get your dragon an invitation, but if you want her to make Grand Wyrm, you’ll have to do that on your own. My vote alone isn’t going to sway everyone.”

She listened intently, not even bothering to hide her eavesdropping.

“Well, I don’t need everyone,” Colin said. “I just need enough to ensure Rowen’s victory.”

“You’ll need to hand out a few more ‘bribes’ for that. I won’t deny she’s a beautiful specimen but she can’t compete with--”

“Which is exactly why I’m asking you. Usually Aaron doesn’t take part in this, but this year, he decided to change his mind. I need every edge I can get. You’re not going to tell me no one else is doing the same thing.”

There was a long pause. Then the noble spoke again. “I can guarantee you two things: protection and an invitation. Like I said, my vote alone won’t guarantee anything, but you also have my support.” He patted Colin on the shoulder. “Give me a few days, and I’ll have something lined up.” He looked back at Rowen. “Just make sure she knows to keep her mouth shut.”

She hid her displeasure at the remark. Even knowing it was how the humans were, it always stung when they treated choosing her as a mark of shame. That other dragon wasn’t treated that way. Everyone wore their feelings for her on their sleeve. But whenever she met someone, she was always forced to wear a polite smile and pretend they hadn’t seen each other just the night before. That she didn’t know their touch, smell, and taste better than anyone there.

Colin was quick to respond. “If you were that worried about your fetish getting out, maybe you should’ve asked before accepting my offer.”

“Dragons like to brag about their conquests, especially to other dragons.”

Rowen rolled her eyes. The only thing dragons bragged about was the frequency of their clients’ visits; no one ever named names.

“My dragons are well trained. They know better.”

The two humans shook hands before the nameless noble departed. Colin watched with a smile on his face. She knew when the human had left his sight because he frowned and turned back to her. “Are you all right? He wasn’t rough with you was he?”

“He pulled my fins a few times, but that’s about it.”

He squeezed into the closet and examined the fins on the side of her face. “I don’t see any damage. It doesn’t still hurt, does it?” When she shook her head, he added. “Good, good. If he had done any damage, his reputation would definitely be the least of his problems. Come along now. It’s time to go.”

“Wait, there’s no one else?” There were often others. Once, there was a line; that was a good night. But never was there only one.

“Not tonight, I’m afraid. Once Lord Strauss arrived, everyone began fawning over his dragon.”

She frowned and fought to keep her tail from slapping the floor. Little Miss Perfect is here. Of course. What makes her so special?

Colin patted her head. “Don’t worry, Rowen. One day, it will be you they call for. She may be their favorite now, but no one else spends time with her like they do with you. Even with her appearance, they still choose you. Now wait outside while I get your brother.”

His words made her feel better, but the thought nagged at the back of her mind. She wondered why Aeris wasn’t chosen when everyone talked about her and what would happen if that ever changed. The thoughts plagued her all the way home.

She knew exactly what would happen. No one would want her anymore.

A large crowd had gathered outside. She feared they were there for her but then she saw they had gathered around something.

Curiosity got the better of her and she approached the crowd. Several onlookers noticed her and looked away. Her stomach dropped. “What is it?”

One of the dragons in the crowd responded. “Rowen, I don’t know how to tell you this--”

She rushed into the crowd, shoving human and dragon aside. “Get out of my way! MOVE!”

She reached the center of the mass and stopped. A Short-Snout that strongly resembled her lay on the ground, his neck bent at an odd angle, exposing the wide gash in his neck. The sea-green scales shone red in the lamplight.

She couldn’t speak, couldn’t move. Only stare at her brother’s corpse.

The crowd parted and Colin rushed through. “No, no, no. Caleo!” He spun around to the crowd. “What are you all standing around for? Get help!”

One of the nobles nearby shook his head. “Colin, he’s dead.”

He sobbed over the body. Everyone continued standing there and looking uncomfortable. Rowen heard the others whispering behind her.

“What do you think happened?”

“No idea. He was trying to push up on Aeris last I saw him. She didn’t seem to like it too much.”

“Guess we know what happens to dragons who get on her bad side.”

She dug her claws into the grass and growled, silencing the onlookers. With no proof, there was nothing she could do about it.

I won’t let that bitch win, Caleo. I promise.

****

“Hey, Rowen,” Giselle said. “Cutter wants you.”

Rowen tried to hide her fear as she stepped around the large woman. As second in command, Giselle was usually the one who handled the day-to-day. Cutter almost never asked for anyone personally. If she did, it was never good.

The stares from the others made her wish she hadn’t bothered to come into work today. While walking down the hall, she racked her mind for all the things she could have done wrong in the past week. Except for her outburst when her brother’s killer showed her face, nothing came to mind. But she had already been properly reprimanded for that. Even if it still grated on her nerves that Cutter didn’t send her away, she accepted it. She did her job and serviced the customers as she always did. No one ever complained and many asked for her personally.

Cutter looked the same as ever. A Short-Snout like herself, it was still hard to believe they were the same species. Her body was covered in scars yet she still carried herself with pride and acted as if she owned the world. It was something Rowen was always envious of.

“Sit down,” Cutter said.

She hurried to the nearest cushion.

“So, I heard you’ve been fucking people off the books—don’t bother denying it. Lying to me is only going to piss me off.”

She had no intention of lying, but she tucked the knowledge away for any future inquiries.

Cutter approached and sat in front of her. Rowen did her best not to scoot away. “Listen, I don’t let my girls go off on their own for a reason. Humans don’t look at sex the same way we do.”

Tucking her head, she mumbled. “I know.”

“Then why would go along with something so fucking stupid? What happens when your caretaker sends you to some asshole?”

“He would never let anyone hurt me.”

“That ain’t the same as trusting the wrong person. Colin thinks he’s making moves but all he’s doing is burying himself deeper. No one wants a whore for a Grand Wyrm.”

“You don’t know that.” She regretted the outburst.

Cutter sighed and shook her head. “Come on, Rowen. That shit is not a true display of your power. And besides, how many times have you won?”

“None,” she mumbled.

“And that was before Snowflake entered the stage. I’m sure you already figured it out. You can’t fuck or blackmail your way into this. If even if you could, is that really how you want to win?”

“I will be Grand Wyrm. If not this year, then next year. They’re going to be sick of her eventually.” she growled and added under her breath. “She’s not even that good-looking.”

“Rowen, I need you focused.”

“I am focused.”

“On that stupid human contest? Yeah. You don’t wanna win that shit anyway. The humans do it to show off. It’s degrading. Is that really what you want?”

So I’m not worth degrading, is that it?

“I don’t know.” She knew. Being Grand Wyrm meant no more hiding, no more pretending, no more secrets. People could acknowledge they knew her. For once she would be invited inside instead of being forced to sit outside. For once she would have the privileges that one got without even trying.

But she couldn’t say any of this to Cutter. The Matriarch wouldn’t understand. Cutter was a clan-born and she could have whatever she wanted.

Cutter watched her for a moment longer before nodding and saying. “All right then. Just remember Snowflake isn’t the problem. I know it wasn’t easy seeing her so soon after your brother died, but she had nothing to do with it.”

Except she is. Even you play favorites with her. She murdered my brother and you welcome her like an old friend. “I’ll remember that.”

She nodded. Colin had locked himself away, devoting every minute to finding Caleo’s killer. After a month of searching, he had nothing. She knew who it was and hated that they wouldn’t prove it. Those who knew the truth also knew better than to say anything. It wasn’t uncommon for dragons to die during those events.

Rowen left the room. With each step her tail jerked, swinging at the doors, walls, and floor. She took several deep breaths and centered her thoughts, but her mind drifted back to her. The perfect one. Always ahead. Always the favorite.

And she did nothing to earn it.

When she reached the lobby, her thoughts had run their course and she had her tail under control. Someone asked, “So what about that blue dragon that was here a few days ago?”

She growled and spun on the man. “What about her? I’m not good enough for you?  Look around! There’s plenty of others to choose from!”

Giselle pushed her away from the man. “Go home.”

“But I’m not done for the day.”

“You are now. Leave and get your head on straight.”

Rowen growled and stormed out.

She didn’t get far before Kathel called out, “Hold on!”

She paused briefly then continued walking. It didn’t take long before the Nightstalker appeared at her side. The large black-scaled dragon towered over her. “I’ll walk with you.”

“I don’t need an escort.”

“You’re angry so you shouldn’t walk alone.”

“Unlike you clan-borns, I know better than to do something stupid.”

The dragoness laughed. “Says the dragon who just growled at a customer. But that’s expected from a domesticate.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“You think like humans. You hate that she doesn’t do what you do but still gets attention. A clan-born wouldn’t care.”

“I don’t expect you to understand,” Rowen mumbled.

“No, I do understand. You’re not like us. We don’t treat you different for being a domesticate, but you don’t think you’re one of us because you have too much human in you. It’s clouding your judgment.”

“I may be a domesticate, but I’m still a dragon.”

“A dragon doesn’t measure her worth by what another dragon does.”

The only way to end the conversation was silence, so she said nothing. Kathel didn’t push further but refused to leave her side until she got home.

Before leaving, the larger dragoness added, “Cutter has an assignment for us, so I’ll be by later.”

Half-listening, she nodded and went inside. She greeted the staff then went to her suite in the basement. After a month, it still felt too big. Colin had designed it for two dragons to stay in.

Not long after she flopped onto her bed, Colin came into the room. “Oh, good. You’re home. I need your help with something. I have a lead on Caleo’s killer.”

She immediately sat up. “Who is it?”

“But, I’m going to have to ask you to do something you don’t want to do. Just know that I would never ask this of you, but we need this.”

“Anything.”

“I’m setting up a meeting with Aaron Strauss. You’re to sleep with him so we can blackmail him into giving up his partners.”

She tilted her head. “Partners?”

Colin sat on the edge of the bed. “Listen, it’s no secret how protective he is of his dragon. But Caleo was no threat to him. And, he’s kept her out of the scaled banquets for years. Why now? What changed? Someone is controlling things from behind the scenes, and I’m going to find out who.”

His bitch of a dragon, that’s who. She acts so innocent and so perfect, but I saw her true face. She holds back so no one suspects her. A chill went through her thinking about her first face-to-face meeting with Aeris. That look in Aeris’ eyes when Reks pushed her just a little too far. The moment she met Aeris in the garden still stood out. Aeris seemed so meek and helpless, but the moment Reks got close enough, she had him on his back with a claw against his throat. Once she lost control, she took it back.

Rowen hated how she let that one outburst frighten her. She did nothing when Aeris asserted her dominance; her mind just went numb and all she could do was watch as Reks cowered before her.

She turned her thoughts back to the situation at hand and asked, “But what about Cutter? She doesn’t like that I’m doing side jobs.”

“Don’t worry about Cutter. What she doesn’t know, won’t hurt her. She isn’t doing anything to avenge Caleo, so it’s up to us.” He stroked her snout. “Someone killed your brother and is sabotaging your chances at Grand Wyrm out of jealousy. I will not let that stand. It should be you this year. It will be you this year.”

“I’ll do it,” she replied without hesitation. It didn’t matter if he had anything to do with Caleo’s death or not. If she could do this, it would prove she was better than her and that nothing would hold her back.

You won’t get your way this time.

****

Of all her clients, she had never been this nervous. Not even during her first time. The human wanted her to do all the work. It was awkward and she had no idea what she was doing, but it had been the first time she got to take control. The human did everything she asked no matter how clumsy or mundane. It felt good.

She couldn’t get the nagging thoughts to quiet down: Why choose her? Why now? What changed? It made sense if there was trouble in paradise, but it didn’t feel that way. Cutter always said be mindful of the non-regulars for they often had an agenda. Aaron was never a client of hers or anyone that she knew of. It brought back all the warnings Cutter had given her about going off on her own.

She pushed the thoughts down when the door opened and the tall human entered the room. It was hard not to smile. Agenda or not, it was still perfect for her. I can’t wait until the time comes that I can rub this in your face. The day you weren’t good enough for him.

As she started forward, her feelings of triumph drained. His green eyes locked onto hers as he approached. The other clients always looked anywhere else, at her claws, her horns, her muzzle. They approached slowly, eyes shining with fear and excitement. He closed the gap between them with confident strides, his eyes filled with only hunger.

“Is something wrong?” he asked.

“It’s nothing. Let’s just get started.”

He began to circle her. She stood in place and tracked his movements. “In a moment.”

“So how do you want to do this?”

“You’re awfully talkative.”

“I like to know what my clients want. So what do you want?”

“I want you to be silent.”

She clenched her jaw. You probably like her to be quiet. I didn’t agree to this to be her replacement. Rather than say it, she turned around and nuzzled his arm. “Don’t you want something different?”

He stopped unbuttoning his shirt to frown. “I think you misunderstand your place. Have you forgotten that you’re a whore? Just do as your told.”

“I’m not some thing for you to play with. Don’t try to act all high and mighty now. You still chose me when you could have had anyone else.”

The look in his eyes made her back away. He was unarmed; she could easily overpower him if he tried something, yet the very idea that he might was frightening.

He went back to undressing and spoke. “Fine. We’ll do it your way. What do I want? I want you to beg.”

“What?”

“You heard me. Beg. Promise you’ll be a good dragon and do everything I ask.”

She swallowed the lump in her throat only for another to replace it. This was the opposite of what the others asked for. They usually asked for her to be more aggressive. To growl or bare her fangs. They liked the danger even if it wasn’t real. But now she felt the roles had been reversed—the exact kind of situation Cutter warned them about. The knot in her stomach got tighter. “Please? I promise to be a good dragon.”

“Not good enough. Don’t tell me you’ve never roleplayed before? How hard it is to swallow that stubborn pride of yours and behave like a true domesticate?”

She took a few deep breaths. Everything about this felt wrong. Unlike with the other humans, she wasn’t the center of attention. It wasn’t her he wanted.

I won’t be outdone. This is the one place where I will outshine you. She circled him slowly, rubbing her body against his. “I’ll be good. I promise.”

He sighed and started redressing. “I’m afraid this isn’t going to work after all.”

“What did I do? Was I not convincing enough?”

“That you even have to ask me that answers your question.”

She cut in front of him as he tried to leave. “Wait! Let me try one more time. I can get it right. I know I--”

He sent such a dark look her way, she fell silent. Tucking her head, she stepped out of the way.

Just before leaving, he looked over his shoulder one last time and said. “I guess there is no replacing her.”

She sat there, staring at the wall, unable to accept the recent events. She had never been rejected like this. Not even during her early days at this.

“You’re back already?” Colin asked from the other room. She turned slightly and saw the door was open. “Is everything all right?”

“Everything is perfectly fine, but I won’t be requiring her services.”

“Oh. Did something go--”

“I would like my money back if you don’t mind.”

With a snarl, she slapped the bed with her tail and knocked it askew.

Colin rushed into the room. “What happened?”

“I couldn’t do it. You have got to be kidding me! After all that, I wasn’t good enough! And he had the nerve to tell me she was better!”

“Rowen, it’s going to be all right. We’ll get him another way.”

She snorted and turned away. It wasn’t even about the failure, the rejection ate at her. I won’t accept this. She doesn’t beat me at this. Not now, not ever.

****

“Hey, fix your face,” Kathel said. “If you stand there scowling like that, the other dragons will get nervous. Cutter’s trusting us to get this done.”

Rowen snorted as she straightened up. It was no secret Cutter sent her on this assignment to distract her. Her attempts to outshine Aeris have gone poorly. After the last client wound up with a broken hip because she got too energetic, Cutter had been sending her on menial tasks to keep her away.

Her clients were slipping one after another. Half of her regulars didn’t come by last week. No one said it, but she knew it was because of her. Several clients have asked about Aeris and left disappointed after learning she wasn’t there.

Even now as they stood in the yard, the other dragons whispered excitedly about Aeris. It was impressive and aggravating at the same time. Never had so many domesticates gathered in one place without their masters. It still surprised her to hear that dragons had been learning to read. There was nothing about human stories she found interesting. But as one of the few domesticates working under Cutter, it made her and Kathel the best choice to look into it. The dragoness always found human stories fascinating, even the childish ones.

“You’re still scowling.”

“So what if I am?” Rowen snapped. Several dragons looked her way.

The older dragoness sighed and said nothing.

A dragon suddenly called out, “Aeris is here!”

Rowen had to stand on her hind legs to see over the crowd. There stood the source of her torment, covered in light blue scales as if wrapped in the morning sky. Aeris stared fearfully at the large gathering of dragons.

Standing next to her was another dragon with silver scales and a spiked tail. Rowen recognized the Silver Horntail immediately. She sank back onto all-fours. “What’s Reks doing here? And why’s he standing with her? He hates her more than I do.”

Kathel tilted her head. “Do you like him?”

“What? Where’d that come from?”

“Why else would you bring it up?”

“Not like that, I didn’t.” She growled and snorted into the grass. “She got him, too. Why does no one see what she is?”

“And what is she?”

“A liar. She pretends to be an innocent dragon, but it’s all fake. She just likes the attention.”

The larger Nighterstalker was silent for a moment. “This was a mistake. You should go home. I’ll handle things here.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” This wasn’t something she was going to give up for anything. She knew what Aeris was like; that dragoness was no leader. She wanted to be there to watch her stumble and fall. Even better, this could be used against her. The humans wouldn’t like the dragons reading. Aeris would do anything to keep that secret.

The dragons faced the house as Aeris and Aubrey came outside. The Ravager beside her was her exact opposite. Her blood-red scales and larger size dwarfed the smaller, light blue dragon. Rowen growled. Aeris ‘ face was full of fear, but not of Aubrey.

The dragonesses addressed the group, not that Rowen listened. How satisfying it would be to watch her squirm.

A tap on her side brought her back to reality. Kathel motioned for her to follow the now-moving crowd.

They were led around to the backyard and separated into groups and given books to practice with. Kathel was placed in a different group. That was fine as it meant she was finally spared from the lectures and nagging. Her partners were very quiet and didn’t know the first thing about reading so they sat there and stared at each other.

It all changed when two human women came outside and things gained momentum. Instead of groups, everyone was taught at the same time. Aeris gained control of the situation and things moved along smoothly.

Rowen wanted to sabotage it. She thought of pointless questions and other things she could do to disrupt the lessons. But she couldn’t do it. Seeing how the other dragons hung on to Aeris’ every word proved they would vilify her if she tried.

And she hated Aeris for it. Her plan to blackmail Aeris and take her down a few pegs had already failed. Her hopes of avenging her brother’s death had been dashed. The winner had been decided.

Soon, Aeris thanked everyone and sent them home. Rowen left quickly to avoid listening to the other dragons gush about how much they enjoyed their lessons and looked forward to the next one.

It didn’t take long before Kathel descended next to her. “You did good today.”

It was bait, she knew it, but she couldn’t hoard her thoughts. “What are you talking about?”

“You glared at her all day. But you did good holding back.”

“I just focused on the task Cutter gave me. She would have tore me in half if I messed up.”

“True. But there’s more to it than that. You saw what every other dragon sees in her.”

“What?” she asked, feeling a ball form in her stomach.

“She’s a Matriarch.”

Rowen stopped. “No, she isn’t.”

“She has all the signs.”

“She doesn’t have any signs. She’s weak and helpless and does whatever someone tells her.”

Kathel tilted her head. “But you said she was manipulative and had your brother killed. Pretty impressive for someone weak and helpless.”

“She’s not a Matriarch!”

That one couldn’t be a Matriarch. A Matriarch could only be defeated by another, and she wasn’t one. There would be no competition, no comparison. Her only choice would be to bow and obey for dragons did not challenge their Matriarchs.

There was that look again. That look of pity and disappointment. “You have too much human in you. You don’t decide if she is or isn’t. You just decide if you’re willing to follow.”

Rowen snorted and stomped off. There was no decision. The humans loved Aeris, the domesticates loved Aeris.

She wasn’t allowed to think otherwise.

A gentle tap on her back made her jump. She whirled around and cursed her foolish reaction to Kathel standing there. “Stop worrying about her.”

“What?”

“You follow Cutter, so stop thinking about Aeris. She’s not your concern.”

“It’s not--”

“Are you a dragon or not?”

She snapped her muzzle closed then slowly nodded.

“Good. Then start acting like it.”

There was no more talking for the rest of the walk home. Kathel didn’t leave her side until she reached the front door. It was likely to keep an eye on her so she didn’t do anything stupid, not that she cared. She wasn’t stupid enough to try and harm Aeris.

Colin greeted her the moment she went inside. He unsuccessfully smoothed his wrinkled clothes and gently took her head in his hands, bloodshot eyes brimming with excitement. “Rowen, I’ve done it. I’ve figured out how to make you Grand Wyrm.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore. I already lost.”

“You can’t talk like that. Everyone just needs a chance to see you’re the better dragon. And I have the perfect way to do that.”

“How?”

“There’s rumors going around that dragons have been learning to read. If we place a few rumors that Aeris is responsible…” he let the sentence hang, but the tilt of his head finished the statement.

Rowen tensed. It was the perfect opportunity, but the other dragons would also suffer for it. Her master treated her well enough, but she heard the rumors.

It shouldn’t affect them, right? They’ll just go after Aeris; the other dragons will just run to save themselves.

“Actually...it is Aeris, Master. I just came back from one of her reading sessions.”

Colin’s eyes widened. “What? She is responsible? Well, that makes this much easier!” He pulled her into a tight embrace. “I just need you to go to more lessons and report everything, understand?”

Rowen knew it wouldn’t be that simple. Her dislike of Aeris was widely known, the other dragons would suspect something if she was too friendly. It would also work in her favor. No one would suspect her of being a spy because it was too obvious. She would never be allowed into the inner circle, but Kathel could handle that for her.

But something else nagged at her mind as well. “But what about Cutter?” she asked. “She wanted me to look into this.”

“What Cutter doesn’t know won’t hurt her.”