Jace turns to me, a stern expression on his face. “She’s a dragon, Serena. She’ll torch anyone who’s a threat to her. Besides, no one can get inside the cave without you.”
I run my hand down her smooth, scaled side.
“Go inside, Furi. Your food is getting cold.” She flaps her wings obediently, and I add sternly, “And stay there this time. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
She gives an affectionate nudge against my mind and darts into the air, disappearing into the clouds before rocketing back down into the mountain’s narrow skylight.
“Do you think anyone saw her?” I ask as we start back. Jace’s face is tight—his jaw clenched and brow furrowed.
“Let’s hope not. She’s kind of hard to miss.”
We reach the main hall and luckily find it empty except fora few guards, none of whom seem to notice or care enough to ask about our blood-splattered leathers. I struggle to keep up with Jace’s swift pace.
We round the corner to find Zadyn on the other side. He breaks into a jog, closing the short distance between us and crushing me against his chest.
“Hey,” I mumble, breathing in his crisp, cool scent.
“Thank gods you're alive.” His relief is palpable as pulls back to study me. “Did you actually do it?”
“I actually did it. I amofficiallya Dragon Rider.” I can’t help but beam up at him. His answering grin is blinding as he wraps me in a hug and spins me around. My laugh echoes down the spacious hall.
“I am so proud of you.” He shakes his head in disbelief as he lowers me to the ground. “Wait, why are you bloody? What happened?” Concern mars his features as he searches for the source.
“It’s not mine. We were hunting for Prophyria,” I assure him, gripping his arms. “Zadyn, she’s amazing. Wait until you meet her.”
“She’s here?” Zadyn’s brown eyes widen in surprise.
“I hate to interrupt this little reunion, but we have pressing matters that require our immediate attention.” Jace’s sharp comment is directed at Zadyn, and I detect a touch of bitterness in his tone. Jealousy, perhaps, seeing as he can barely keep the snarl off his face while addressing him.
“What happened?” Zadyn asks, either oblivious to Jace’s hostile looks or not giving a shit.
“Furi sensed something out in the forest—some kind of danger. We need to find out what it is. She’s somewhere safe, but no one can know she’s here. Not yet.”
“We’re on our way to gather a search party,” Jace says, somewhat impatiently.
Zadyn’s eyes shift to him, finally sensing his indignation. He glances between us, piecing together the source of Jace’s frustration. A new wave of shame washes over me. I want to crawl into a hole and die right then and there.
Without another word, Jace shoves past us, fists balled at his sides. I know he blames Zadyn for me keeping secrets, but it wasn’t his fault. He was only looking out for me. I rush to catch up with him.
“I’ll come with you,” Zadyn says from beside me.
“No. Stay here with Serena,” Jace barks, not bothering to turn. It’s an order.
“I’m coming with you.” Outraged at the mere thought, I wrench his arm, forcing him to face me.
“You are not,” he bites, his golden eyes flashing.
“Why the hell not? Haven’t I proved myself? I just bonded an ancient dragon and lived to tell the tale—I think I can handle a search party.”
He shakes his head, ripping his arm away.
“I don’t have time to argue with you,” he says, stalking away without another glance.
“You can’t stop me from going, Jace. She is my dragon, and I will destroy any threat to her.” The fervor in my voice slows him. My sudden outrage surprises even me as my fingers begin to prickle with magic. I flex the extremities, and Jace’s eyes settle cautiously over them.
“Fine.” He leans in close, index finger pointed in my face. “But you do as I say. When you’re out there with me, you are part of my troupe. You follow orders just like the rest of my men. Both of you. Clear?” He glances between me and Zadyn.
“Crystal,” I hiss, brushing past him and knocking his shoulder in the process. I saunter on as Jace and Zadyn fall into step beside me, their long limbs dwarfing mine.
