A little chuff, that was all the warning I got before her head moved. Pressed into my chest, I did stumble, then wrapped myarms as far as I could around her huge skull. Giving her a hug, that’s what I realised this was, and the fact a dragon could relish contact just like a human was both exhilarating and reassuring.
Males are so stupid, she grumbled.So many rules and regulations to keep us contained.
On that you’ll get no argument from me, I replied.
She pulled free, done with the moment, before turning to Lance and Viridian.
I am instructing Viridian’s rider to take you through this… intake process. He obviously has had some experience in this matter.Viridian says he and his rider did a year of it with no ill effect. I have made clear what will happen if anyone dares to disrespect you.
My smile was back and I sketched a quick curtsey on reflex. Her queenly tone had my training kicking in.
I thank you for this, Auren.
I will go and feed.She lumbered towards the edge of the roof.Know that I am always with you, Fern. If any of these humans dares to displease you, they will face my wrath.
There was no chance to reply as she launched herself off the roof, dropping down into a slow swoop.
“Gods, I’ve forgotten how intense wild dragons can be.” Kennedy had fished out a kerchief and was mopping at his forehead. “So, can I take your details down, Lady Fern? You’ll submit these to the quartermaster when you go into the women’s hall.”
“Certainly,” I said. Auren seemed disgruntled at being forced to stay in the keep that housed the Royal Riders for a year, but I felt quite differently about it. This was just another part of a grand adventure I never expected to go on. If it meant no suitors, no stupid men bemoaning the fact their fathers coerced them into making an offer for my hand, well, I would happily become a cadet. “Lady Fern Rochester,” I said, watching the man scribble down the details. “Rider and bondmate of the queen dragon, Auren.”
“And where are you from, milady?” Kennedyasked.
I smiled slowly.
“No fixed address. Just put the keep down for now.”
The process was completed swiftly so I turned to Lance, ready to thank him for his assistance, but he got there first. A very large, muscular arm was thrust out, and it took me a second to realise I was supposed to take it. Wrapping my hand around his forearm, he covered it with his own with a smile.
“Let’s get you down to the women’s hall and complete your enrolment, shall we?”
Chapter 9
Fern
It was only a few days ago that I’d awoken, assuming I’d walk into my father’s formal dining room on the arm of one of my suitors. Instead, I descended the stairs that led into the keep on that of a very handsome dragon rider.
One I had to work hard not to sneak looks at.
Probably because when I did, he was already staring at me. I wasn’t sure why. Was this the kind of deference dragon riders paid to those that bonded with queens? My mind came up with a couple of different possible reasons and discarded them, before I decided to just ask. Freed of my parent’s estates and that damn corset and all their rules, surely I could just blurt out?—
“Why—?”
“Cadet intake day?—”
We both laughed as Lance had started speaking the exact moment I had. Falling silent, I gestured for him to proceed.
“If I’d known it was cadet intake day, I’d have brought you here tomorrow.” His voice was so deep, his smile kind. If he had presented himself to my father’s house, I would’ve run towardshim, not away. “It was always bloody chaos when I was a cadet, and that was when just boys joined the corp.”
“Of course,” I said. “Women have only just recently been admitted to the corp. Well, the former queen was a cadet five years ago…” I peered up at him. “Did she serve with you?”
“Pippin?” His lips thinned and a small frown formed, but he dismissed it with a smile. Sucking in a breath, he was about to reply when a masculine voice silenced both of us.
“Lance!” We turned to see a smartly dressed man in a rider uniform striding over. Several other riders followed along behind him. “Bloody hell, it is you!” The man’s hand went to Lance’s other arm, and he gave it a slap. “What are you doing here? Tell me you’ve decided to rejoin the corp. It’s been frightfully dull since you and the lads left. Remember that prank you played on Soren?”
The rider looked over his shoulders at his comrades, all of them grinning wildly.
“Treacle in the gloves?” one said. “The look on his face.”
