Before I could say more, Kaelith growled low in my mind.
You’re being ridiculous, she snapped at him.
If you don’t want her, Siergen shot back,perhaps you should give her to someone who does.
He didn’t say it was him.
He didn’thave to.
Kaelith’s fury ignited like a distant storm cloud crackling with heat.
You are not compatible with her.
I blinked. “Wait, what?” I murmured aloud, more to myself.
I knew riders had to meld with their dragon’s power, knew the bond was more than ceremony and scale.
But…
I wish you were my rider, he whispered across the tether.I would choose you in an instant. I don’t care what people say. You’re beautiful to me.
Silence.
Then, Siergen’s voice again, low and tight.
The humans believe that I am a runt. I never cared about any of that. But you?—
His voice cracked.
You are special. That’s why I would’ve chosen you, if I could.
And then he was gone.
The tether cut clean.
Kaelith said nothing, but I couldfeelher still.
Not angry. Not even smug.
Just…quiet.
The strange part wasn’t that a dragon had argued over me.
It was thatKaelith, the great Sentinel, the oldest flame on the isle, had taken the brunt of Siergen’s anger… and didn’t fight back.
And that silence… felt more like guilt than pride.
We landed in the valley just past midday, the winds calmer here, the air damp with the scent of moss and wildflower. Elmwell Falls poured down the carved cliffs in staggered layers, veils of silver mist catching the light like lace. The roar of the water echoed off the surrounding stone, a deep, rhythmic thunder that made the bones hum.
Kaelith’s talons struck rock first, followed closely by Katama’s stout frame, the two dragons settling along the cliff’s edge with a quiet grace. I dismounted, the rope rough in my hands, and took a moment to steady myself on the uneven stone.
Remy landed beside me and gave a low whistle. “At least the view’s nice.”
We walked along the stream-fed trail that curved beneath the falls. Mist dampened my braid and chilled my cheeks, but it was oddly calming. I could almost pretend we weren’t there because Theron demanded it. Almost.
“There’s nothing here,” I said, after several minutes of silence. “No outposts. No strange magic. No threat.”
Remy kicked a loose pebble into the stream. “I know. Theron sent us on a fool’s mission.” He met my gaze. “It was a power play. Just to prove he could.”
