Iron Flame (The Empyrean, #2)

by Rebecca Yarros

“I can make it on my own,” Andarna argues three hours later as cadets scurry into our hasty and unauthorized formation in the center of the valley. “It’s an eighteen-hour flight,” I remind her, checking all the joints of her new harness. Thank gods she’s still only half the size of Sgaeyl now, so Tairn can still carry her. “I respect your decision to come, but this is the only way.” She can only fly for an hour or two before her wing muscle completely cramps. “And you think I should be carried like a juvenile?” She huffs a breath of steam as I walk underneath her and fit my fingers between her scales and the smooth metal that curves under her shoulders. “I think Tairn is capable of bearing your weight. You can fly until you tire or hold back the riot, but wearing a harness for quick clipping in is the only way I’m letting you come. I’m not risking you getting left behind if you fall out of formation.” I tug at the steel just to be sure it doesn’t give like mine did when we flew back to Basgiath last summer. “I get it. You don’t want to be carried. Sometimes I don’t want to fly in a saddle, but it’s what I need in order to ride. It’s your choice. You can come in the harness, or you can stay behind.” “Dragons do not answer to humans.” She bristles, straightening her posture. “No, but they do answer to their elders,” Tairn grunts, his claws flexing in the green grass beside us. “Only to the eldest of our den,” she counters as I walk out from under her, careful not to step on ...