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In the six centuries of recorded history of dragon and rider, there have been hundreds of known cases where a dragon simply cannot emotionally recover from the loss of their bonded rider. This happens when the bond is particularly strong and, in three documented cases, has even caused the untimely death of the dragon.
“Great. Well, if you can back me up with those claws, I’d really appreciate it.” It chuffs twice, and I spare a glance down at its claws. Or should I say…paws. “Oh, fucking hell. You don’t have any claws?”
“I’m used to functioning in pain, asshole. Are you?”
My arm is shot. My leg is shot. But at least I made Jack Barlowe run away before I died.
And my heart lurches into my throat. Standing with the golden one tucked under an enormous, scarred black wing is the biggest dragon I’ve ever seen in my life—the unbonded black dragon Professor Kaori showed us in class. I don’t even come close to reaching its ankle.
“Step aside, Silver One,” a deep, gruff, definitely male voice orders. I blink. Wait. What? Did he just speak to me? “Yes. You. Move.”
“Well, that’s a statement on his character. Not mine.”
“It’s not that simple when you’ve been run through with a—” I shake my head again. Am I seriously arguing with a dragon? This is so fucking surreal.
“And to think, I’d almost forgotten just how loquacious humans are.” He sighs, the gust of his breath rattling the trees. “Get on my back.”
“Get on your back?” I repeat like a fucking parrot. “Have you seen you? Do you have any idea how huge you are?” I’d need a damned ladder to get up there.
“Get. On,” the black dragon growls, shaking the ground and trees at the edge of the field. “You don’t want me,” I argue. “I’m—” “I’m not going to tell you again.” Point taken.
“You are a rider, are you not?” “That seems up for debate at the moment.”
he shocks me to the core as he stretches forward, his front leg becoming a ramp. Dragons never supplicate for anyone, and yet here he is, bowing to make it easier for me to climb on. It’s steep but manageable.
This is about to be the first and last ride of my life.
“My name is Tairneanach, son of Murtcuideam and Fiaclanfuil, descended from the cunning Dubhmadinn line.”
“But I’m not going to assume that you’ll be able to remember that once we reach the field, so Tairn will do until I inevitably have to remind you.”
Just because you survive Threshing doesn’t mean you’ll survive the ride to the flight field. Being chosen isn’t the only test, and if you can’t hold your seat, then you’ll fly straight into the ground.
“You’re making us look bad. Stop it.”
“Now get in the seat and actually hold on this time, or no one is going to believe that I’ve actually chosen you,” he growls. “I still can’t believe you’ve chosen me!”
“You’re going to have to strengthen your legs. Didn’t you practice?” Indignation ripples up my spine. “Of course I practiced!” “There’s no need to shout. I can hear you just fine. The entire mountain can probably hear you.”
“I’m just…not as strong as other riders.” “I know exactly who and what you are, Violet Sorrengail.”
My legs shake until they lock, the muscles freezing in place as though bands have been wrapped around them, but there’s no pain.
He’s doing this. He’s holding me in place.
I should have spent more time preparing myself for this. He shouldn’t have to spend his energy on keeping his rider seated. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t think I’d make it this far.” A loud sigh resonates through my mind. “I didn’t think I would, either, so we have that in common.”
“You will not fall. I will not allow it.” The bands around my legs extend to my hands, and I feel the pulse of invisible energy. “You will trust me.”
“Why did you choose me?” I have to know, because as soon as we land, there are going to be questions. “Because you saved her.”
“But…” I shake my head. “Dragons value strength and cunning and…ferocity in their riders.” None of which defines me. “Please, do tell me more about what I should value.”
“You are the smartest of your year. The most cunning.” I gulp at the compliment, brushing it off. I was trained as a scribe, not a rider. “You defended the smallest with ferocity. And strength of courage is more important than physical strength. Since you apparently need to know before we land.”
“You’ll never be alone again.”
scoot over the scales of Tairn’s shoulder and, before I can lament the distance I’m about to have to jump on the wreckage of my ankle, Tairn shifts slightly, angling his front leg.
bumpy piece of lethal playground equipment,
She blinks. “Maybe I was saving you.”
“Didn’t anyone tell you that you’re not supposed to speak to humans who aren’t your rider? Don’t go getting yourself in trouble, Goldie,” I whisper. “From what I hear, dragons are pretty strict about breaking that rule.”
to maintain secrecy of a dragon’s full name.
“Don’t say it,” Mom hisses, her eyes on Tairn, not me. “Not until she does.” Because only a rider and the roll-keeper know a dragon’s full name and she’s not certain I’m really his. That’s exactly what she’s implying. Like I’d be able to hijack Tairn.
“Pronunciation could use some work.”
“Andarnaurram.” The sweet, high voice of the golden fills my mind. “Andarna for short.”
“Tell the roll-keeper her name,” Tairn echoes.
“Tynan won’t be coming,” I whisper, guilt gnawing at my stomach. “That is not your kill to take credit for,”
“As aggressive as Baide might be, from the way Tairn’s looking at you, he’ll have no problem scorching your bones into the earth if you take another step toward his rider.”
“Everyone who needs to know already knows.”
“It’s up to the Empyrean to decide,”
Tairn rumbles his own growl, stepping forward so I’m between his massive claws.
“Yep! We’re talking about you!” Andarna says as the line passes by, and she joins.
“Stay close to the wingleader until we return,” Tairn orders. Surely he meant to say squad leader. “You heard what I said.”
“They’re a mated pair, Tairn and Sgaeyl. The strongest bonded pair in centuries.”
Xaden’s not going to kill me. The realization makes my chest tighten, makes me reexamine everything that happened in that field, makes my sense of gravity shift beneath my feet.
“And I would do it again.” I raise my chin. “Well-the-fuck-aware,” Xaden roars,
“His mate told him,” I whisper. Sgaeyl called for Tairn.
“She’s never been a fan of bullies,” Xaden says to me. “But don’t mistake it as an act of kindness toward you. She’s fond of the little dragon. Unfortunately, Tairn chose you all on his own.”
