The rabbit meat in Joan's hand was roasted golden, salted, and fragrant. Suddenly, it lost all its appeal.
She gave a dry laugh and held it out. "You should have this instead..."
"I don't eat rabbits," the Evil Dragon growled. A rabbit could have run back and forth between her teeth.
Joan was on the verge of tears. "There's hardly any meat on me, either. Look how dark and rough my skin is. I wouldn't taste good at all. I know a lord whose skin is softer than a woman's..."
"Too much fat. No chew to him."
The Evil Dragon bared her terrifying teeth. She drew closer and closer to Joan's head, until Joan could almost smell her breath.
"Maybe you should just torture me instead..." Joan squeezed her eyes shut again.
For some reason, thinking of Kilian and his lackeys fleeing in panic as the powerful Blue Dragon descended from the sky made Joan's breathing quicken.
Lightning gathered around Illymoyas's horns. She wanted to teach this woman a lesson... but wouldn't that be giving Joan exactly what she wanted?
Joan waited a long time, but the punishment she expected never came. She opened her eyes and saw the Evil Dragon sprawled atop her mountain of treasure, watching her lazily.
"Human, hand over a ransom and I shall release you."
"I don't have any money..."
"Then you shall become my..." Illymoyas stopped herself.
Joan blurted out, "I can be your slave!"
"Hmph... I have no need of one. I only want your money."
"Ugh..."
Joan lowered her head, aggrieved, and silently gnawed on the cooling rabbit meat.
A little while later, Joan finished the rabbit, her lips glistening with grease. Illymoyas asked, "Have you figured out where to get the money?"
"No..."
"Then I'll have to eat you..."
*No! I