Kingdom of Shadows and Wings (Dragons of Tirene, #1)

by Nina Frost

Feathers the color of burnished copper peeking between the branches.

My ability to use magic without eyril brands me as a freak. Mother made me swear to never reveal my secret, claiming the truth would endanger me.

All told, King Xenon is a million times more caring than whatever poses as royalty in Tirene. A kingdom that sanctions unprovoked attacks on civilians and children—like the one that stole my father from me—is a kingdom that deserves to die out.

The reality is, in fact, just as scary.

Dragons.

The gold emblem below her left shoulder marks her as a flyer, the rank above fledglings indicating graduates of Flighthaven’s initial training program.

“Who am I? I’m your worst nightmare, Duchess. My job is to judge you, and I’ll do so whenever and however I see fit. You’d best pray my mood sweetens before I see you in training, because your. Ass. Is. Mine.”

“That’s Sterling Thorne. Your flight trainer.” I squeeze my eyes shut. “Of course it is.”

Sterling Thorne. Expert flyer. Refugee from a war-torn kingdom, though people debate which one. Worked his

way up to join King Xenon’s guard and then saved the king from a rogue dragon attack. One of t...

No one bothered to mention that he’s about as friendly as a hungry snow bear with a toothache, or that he could cut a person to the bone with a single icy glare.

“Don’t let him fool you. Theo Everheart’s a pain in the ass sometimes, but he’s the kind of guy who’ll always have your back.”

Forget about making it through the next month. I’ll be lucky if I survive the day.

couple of heartbeats pass, and then I burst into laughter. I can’t help myself. The absurdity of the situation kills me. Is this what I missed out on, all those years I longed to be around people my age and one day meet someone to date and marry? Men who throw hissy fits and lash out because a woman told them no? Even toddlers can learn that concept.

Prowling back to the dragon, he strokes the scales between the animal’s eyes, sorrow etched into his features. He leans over to whisper in its ear. When he finishes, he bows his head, his hands curled into fists at his sides. A moment later, the biggest ice spear I’ve ever seen materializes in his right hand. Without hesitation, he shoves the tip through the dragon’s eye and deep into its brain.

Nostrils flaring, Thorne closes the distance between us. My nerves shriek a warning, and I back away until I bump into the wall. “Five minutes.” His low voice is menacing as he cages me by planting his forearms on either side of my head. He leans close to my ear and whispers. “I just need you to shut that annoying mouth of yours for five minutes. Think you can handle that?”

Because if there’s one thing I’m an expert on, it’s loneliness.

What’s wrong with the dragons? The following one says, Sickness? Sabotage? Eyril overdose? Below that, she wrote my name and underlined it twice, followed by File? Fire? My heart stutters as I read the next line. The date our father died precedes the words, Research Tirenese account of attack. Down the page, she writes, Prophecy? After that, only a single line remains. One that cramps my stomach. Keep Lark away from Flighthaven.

“It’s okay, you know. To love someone and still hate their choices and how they treat you. Family is complicated.” I hesitate. “Do…is there someone in your family like that?” “My brother.”

I imagining things that aren’t there? The air stills, and my stupid heart beats double-time. He swallows. His gaze dips to my mouth before his jaw hardens. “Lark⁠—” The sound of my given name on his tongue does funny things to my heart. Things I definitely should not be feeling. Embracing my inner coward, I turn and bolt.

Also, I received a new book that I think might interest you. It’s from the library where Peaches was staying before she went on her extended vacation. You can pick it up when you next visit.

Royce jokingly referred to Leesa as Peaches.

“I’m not just showing you the aerie. You’re going to help me feed the dragons.”

To my utter shock, he pauses outside the cold room to grab my hand and give it a gentle squeeze. Embers spark to life at the innocent touch, the sight of his fingers on my skin zapping all my nerve endings awake. As if he experienced the same spark, Thorne jolts, dropping my hand like it stung him.

The gold pupils stare at the meat, transfixed. The beast’s quickened breaths hiss through the enclosure, and its jaw clicks. As I watch, I can almost feel his intense hunger, to the point that my own belly rumbles and a sudden desire to eat grips me.

Shortly after we entered the aerie, my head started pounding and spinning, and now it’s hurting worse than ever. Trembling, I rub my throbbing temples as colors, followed by fuzzy images, flash behind my eyes. I picture myself soaring through the sky. Feeling the wind whoosh past and hearing my own jubilant roar. These images bleed together, creating a dizzying array.

The pain in my head ratchets up. I do my best to hide my discomfort, but I’m not sure how successful I am given the glances Thorne keeps shooting my way. Like they sense my

pain, the dragons all stare at me too. I’m happy once Thorne announces we’re finished and leads me to the front door.

Since starting at Flighthaven, I’ve noticed a link between my weak spells and my attempts to either access or suppress my magic.

Thorne breaks the silence first. “We can’t do this.” “I know.” “This is a terrible idea.” “The worst.” I wet my lips again, and he releases a ragged breath. “Fuck it.”

This is utter insanity. And I never want it to end.

“Yes, sir.” He leans forward, his hot breath feathering against my cheek. “Watch how you say that, Duchess, or one day you’re going to get more than you bargained for.”

My aptitude for riding and connection to Zephyr grow with each session. Sometimes, we’re so in tune, it’s almost as if we can read each other’s minds.

I’m not sure which side wins. I only know that his jaw tightens with resolve and, a moment later, his mouth crashes into mine.

Damn the consequences. For these stolen moments, he’s mine.

“I tried to do the right thing.” He flicks another button open. “Tried to stay away.” A third button. “Tried not to get sucked in by those beautiful eyes and that fierce spirit. I did my best to push you away, but you kept coming back and tearing down my defenses like they were made of parchment.”

To guard my heart. There’s a hollow ache inside me that only he can satisfy.

gasp. “Sterling…” Hands stilling, he slams his eyes shut and takes a breath. “You have no idea what hearing my name on your lips does to me.” He opens his eyes. “But if we don’t stop, I’m going to fuck you into oblivion in the storage room.” Gods.

I’m stronger, braver, and, as wild as it seems, happier. I’m becoming a warrior. Do I really want to revert to my former self?

“Strolling. I strolled away after you hung back and watched me talk to that assassin as if you couldn’t care less. As if you weren’t interested in me at all.” He releases an incredulous laugh. “Is that what you think? That I’m not interested in you?” His expression darkens. “I suppose you’re right, though.” His callous agreement twists a knife in my heart. A painful knot clogs my throat. “Of course.” “Interested is far too tame a word to describe how I feel about you. Obsessed, bewitched. Those come closer.”

“You have me, Duchess.” He slams into me, eliciting a moan from deep inside me. “All of me.”

“Oh, gods.” “Say my name. I want to hear my name on your lips when you come.” He nips and licks the sensitive peak. His teeth rake over my nipple. I unravel. “Sterling.” His name tumbles from my lips as I come undone. I savor every moment, committing the delicious way he fills me up to memory.

Shoving aside any lingering unease, I trace a faint scar on his forearm. “Because Flighthaven is where I belong. Once I complete my training, I’m going to become part of the kingdom’s flight brigade. And believe it or not, I’d love to one day fly dragons.”

You’re so damn beautiful. You’re a habit I don’t mind forming. I can’t get enough of you.

Time has erased how and why the dragoncallers came into existence. Records indicate the first sighting of the winged people with these incredible powers was centuries ago.

Those in Kamor and Aclaris envy and fear the Tirenese dragoncallers for their power over dragons, the most powerful creatures on Earth.

Though the Tirenese people in general require no use of outside herbal or other supplemental enhancements to perform magic, it’s believed that due to the strength of their magic, a dragoncaller’s use of such a supplement could lead to deadly consequences. In fact, according to legend, when first manifesting, even non-enhanced magic can result in disaster.

Young, untrained dragoncallers are susceptible to the beasts’ emotions, the first several onslaughts confusing and

easily overwhelming until they gain experience and control. Headaches and nausea typically accompany unexpected images, sounds, and ever-changing feelings that emerge from the dragons to settle in the dragoncaller’s mind.

With time and practice, those physical and mental issues fade, leaving the dragoncaller to bond with the beasts and own the sky.