I have no fear, and neither does she. Both of us know it won’t hurt her. She’s as much a part of me as this manifestation is.
Her ribbons curl in front of her armor-clad chest, lifting up to stroke the creature’s maw. Everyone seems to hold their breath as it blinks, watching her.
Then the dragon lowers its head as a subject might bow for a queen.
I’m reminded suddenly about what my father said—about how if I manifested a dragon, I would be king of the skies.
But he was wrong.
Because my dragon drops in supplication to her. She’s the one who rules, and I couldn’t be more fucking proud.
The sight affects the Vulmin and the Lydians too. They all stand in gaping awe, watching this golden Turley stand here, as a dragon, the most ancient of powers,bowsto her.
I climb down its back, leaping off the last few feet, my boots kicking up dust from the decayed soil. I go to her, and the two of us share a look before we turn back toward the city’s arch.
Where everyone suddenly drops to their knees, repeating one thing.
Lyäri Nohcra.
No longer the golden one gone, but…
The golden one whorules.
CHAPTER 50
AUREN TURLEY
The veneration coming from thefae is both exhilarating and intense. My ire from the threat of the flames and the Stone Swords bleeds away, and in its place is this display that I’m not sure what to do with. Plenty of people have wanted me to bow to them, but I’ve never wanted anyone to bow to me.
I definitely never expected adragonto do it.
“Nohcra,” I say to Slade. “What does that mean?”
“My old fae is rusty, but I believeNohciris to rule.”
My heart skips as I look over at him, my brows pulling into a frown.
His dark green eyes meet mine. “Lyäri Nohcra—the golden one rules.”
My gaze jumps from him to them and back again. “Torule? I’m not a queen.”
“And yet…they bow to you.”
I swallow hard, nerves pinching throughout my stomach. I’m not sure what to say to them.
Slade presses his hand at my back, his touch trailing over my ribbons. “I’m going to take the dragon around once more. Make sure I didn’t miss anyone further down the road. If I did, I can question them.”
Turning, I leap at the chance. “I’ll go with you.”
His black brows lift in surprise. “Don’t you want to speak with them?” he asks.
“Not yet,” I admit.
“You’re sure?”
I nod. “Yes. Besides, you think I’d miss my chance at riding a dragon? No way, Lord Rot.”
I turn back to the monstrous dragon. It stands fifty feet tall at least, its scales as dark as a pitch-black night, except for the gilded ones that scrape up its chest. It’s the same color as the one over Slade’s heart. The same color as the one at my neck.
