I'll have to rely on you, sensible readers, when it comes to posting adequate reviews. This story is not going to be some cliche one where remarkable things happen to a character in distress. Even if my fanfic is going to be a little different, I would like you to express your opinions in reviews without flaming or threatening that you're not going to read or saying how much you hate this story. The story is not as dark as it seems. You'll see what I mean in the future.
"Look at him!" Galbatorix yelled with disgust, pointing a condemning finger at Thorn. "He is useless."
Saphira snarled at him, but her attention was focused on the still quivering ruby dragon. A while had passed since Galbatorix healed him, but Thorn did not even get up. While the healing spell might have healed his wound, the blood that he had lost could not be replenished, and Galbatorix seemed not to be aware, or even care, about his condition.
"No no," Galbatorix drawled. "Such a pathetic dragon can not conquer a fierce and beautiful female."
Saphira drew back slightly, chains clicking faintly as her feet shuffled through the disgusting slime. Thorn had warned her about Shruikan, and even though she kept Thorn away from fulfilling his oath to Galbatorix, this time, the larger dragon would certainly overpower her.
I don't want to…
This is not a request! Galbatorix roared in her mind. You denied Thorn of such privilege and you will mate with Shruikan.
Saphira growled spitefully, but did not argue with the King. Not only that it was pointless, but his mere presence unnerved Saphira. Aggressiveness and strength would not win this fight for her. Only a shrewd mind could, and Saphira's wisdom had saved Eragon numerous times.
Her plan seemed to work as Galbatorix glared at her with cold stark eyes, then rushed towards the door. He was about to open it when his frame suddenly stopped. No metallic screech reached Saphira's ears.
"Actually," Galbatorix said, smirking, "I expect results this time. Relying on Thorn has brought nothing but irritation to me. I will make sure that such failure will not repeat itself."
Saphira suppressed her urge to fight back. Hostility could only earn her an even worse punishment. Galbatorix was known to break the minds of his subjects and force them to obey him by making use of the Ancient Language. If the same happened to her, then death was a better option.
I will never serve you, tyrant, Saphira thought as she lay down, her body shuddering slightly at the cold, wet contact with the moist floor.
The massive door shrieked loudly, rousing Saphira's attention in an instant. Through the wide door, a dragon with pristine onyx scales entered the room, his bulk inspiring power and awe.
Saphira bared her teeth when his amber eyes fixed on her, his stare holding both compassion and sadness. Galbatorix stepped aside to allow enough room for the black dragon to enter. His size, contrary to what the rumors said, was not that impressive, and Shruikan certainly looked nothing out of the ordinary.
He was not much bigger than Saphira, although his muscular body and sinuous limbs could overpower her at any given time. The rich and sparkling color of his scales was strangely pleasant, and the tan membrane of his wings contrasted beautifully with the rest of his body.
Saphira, a deep and sympathetic voice entered her mind. I wish we would have met on the battlefield, where your might and agility rivals mine. A dragon robbed of its ability to fly is but a helpless prey.
Shruikan looked into her eyes, then moved towards Thorn. The young dragon nuzzled him gently, his frame still quivering. After licking him several times, Shruikan's limbs buckled as he prepared to lay down besides him, but Galbatorix interrupted the moment with a harsh voice.
"Leave that pitiful thing alone. Don't forget why I summoned you."
Shruikan bared his teeth at the puny human, hissing with hostility. His teeth were an impressive sight, and Saphira's fighting spirit began to dwindle. No matter a dragon's resolution, her instincts told her that such opponent was not one she could tackle. Shruikan approached her reluctantly, but Galbatorix seemed far from impressed.
"You know that I don't like to wait," he said venomously.
In an instant, Saphira felt an invisible crushing force pressing on her body, rendering her limbs and wings useless. Fear, desperation and rage engulfed the helpless dragoness that crashed on her side, her belly exposed to Shruikan.
She roared, she growled and snarled, but her efforts were in vain. Having no other choice, Shruikan approached her, lowering his snout to nuzzle her neck and cheek.
Don't surrender to hopelessness, Shruikan said. Saphira's body shuddered when his snout poked her neck, gusts of warm air tickling her scales as he sniffed her inquisitively. Such life is not worth living, not when there is someone life worth living for.
Saphira growled with rage. The force exerted on her body made it impossible for her to move. There was nothing she could do to prevent Shruikan invading her body, and Eragon was not besides her to prevent such atrocity from happening.