"Does it have to be monster meat?" Sienna-Rose tilted her head, her tone caught between disbelief and resignation.
The tree's leaves shivered in response, scattering faint motes of golden dust that floated through the air like tiny stars. Its voice came soft and deep, echoing as though spoken from the roots of the earth itself. "To grow strong," it murmured. "She carries her mother's bloodline. Keldros's child cannot live on grains or fruit. Her magic needs the life force of the wild."
Thessaly, still standing beside Sienna-Rose with the glowing sapling in her hands, blinked twice before letting out a nervous, incredulous laugh. "You're telling me that adorable little thing is going to grow up eating monsters?" She leaned forward, staring at the dragon's bright golden eyes, which blinked back at her in the most innocent way possible. "She looks more like she should be eating cookies, not creatures."
