Darian’s grin widened. “Oh, this is going to be fun.”
Before I could ask what the hell that was supposed to mean, the ground beneath my feet trembled. Two shadows passed overhead, massive and swift, blotting out the sun.
Then something slammed into the courtyard. A heartbeat later, another impact sent tremors through my bones.
Two dragons. Twofuckingdragons.
The first was magnificent and terrifying—scales like molten gold catching the light, wings that could have wrapped around the entire castle, and eyes the colour of liquid amber that fixed on me with ancient intelligence.
The second was smaller but no less intimidating—deep crimson scales that gleamed like fresh blood, wings like burnished copper, and ochre eyes that burned.
I stumbled backward, my heart trying to claw its way out of my throat. “You said we were taking a day’s ride,” I croaked.
“We are,” Varyth said, moving toward the golden dragon like he was approaching a favoured pet. “Just not on horses. Isara, meet Thessarian and Caorath.”
The golden dragon’s massive head swung toward me, those amber eyes studying me with uncomfortable intensity. It made a sound that vibrated through my bones and made the fire beneath my skin flicker in response.
“You’re riding with me,” Darian announced, patting the crimson dragon’s neck with easy familiarity. “Caorath’s got a sense of humour. After the screaming you’ll get along famously.”
Caorath snorted, and I swear I saw smoke curl from his nostrils.
“I don’t scream,” I said automatically, though I wasn’t sure why.
“We’ll see about that,” Darian said, eyes dancing with mischief.
Varyth shot him a sharp look. “Remember what we discussed.”
Darian’s grin never wavered, but he pressed a hand to his chest in mock solemnity. “My lips are sealed, High Lord. I am discretion incarnate.”
“You are chaos with wings,” Varyth muttered, but there was fondness beneath the exasperation.
“Exactly.” Darian swung himself up onto Caorath’s back. “Come on then, shadow fire. Time to see how well you handle heights.”
And before I could talk myself out of it, I let him pull me up behind him.
Caorath’s scales were warm beneath my legs, like sitting near a hearth, comfortable heat that seeped through my clothes. When I instinctively wrapped my arms around Darian’s waist, he chuckled.
“Nervous?” he asked, settling back against me with zero shame.
“Concerned,” I managed.
“Good. Keeps the blood flowing.” He leaned forward to whisper to Caorath, and the dragon rumbled in what sounded like amusement.
Varyth was already mounted, Thessarian’s wings spreading wide. “Remember?—”
“Yeah, yeah,” Darian waved him off. “Keep my mouth shut about the destination. You’ve only told me twelve times.”
My stomach dropped. “Wait, where exactly are we going?”
Darian twisted in the saddle to grin at me over his shoulder. “Somewhere fun. That’s all you get.”
Before I could demand a real answer, Caorath’s wings spread and we launched into the sky.
The world dropped away beneath us in a rush of air that tore at my hair, my clothes, my breath. I may have made a sound that was definitely not a scream.
“There it is!” Darian called over the wind, delighted.
“Fuck you!” I shouted back, but I was laughing despite myself, despite the terror, despite the way my stomach had relocated somewhere near my spine.
