For that, you have my gratitude, foster mother, I replied.But you and Father raised me to be free in ways you never were. You can hardly expect me to cede that willingly.
Quite.
With a snort, Zafira settled down behind Hazel’s chair when the furniture was set out on the roof. The general stepped over to pull it out for the dragon consul, helping her sit before he did the same.
“Now, these young males lost control of themselves trying to impress a queen they could potentially mate with?” Hazel asked as she picked up a tall vessel, pouring out a steaming liquid into the cups as a male human approached me carefully, tossing a haunch of lamb my way before skittering away. The smell of raw meat helped erase the stink of this tea, the astringent scent making my nostrils tingle. “Is that their excuse?”
“As I haven’t had time to investigate the matter fully, I can’t say.” The general’s stiff reply earned him a dark look from the consul. “But yes, I believe that is the crux of the matter, and if Rider dragons are at the mercy of their instincts the moment a potential mate comes near, then steps will need to be taken.”
“To suppress perfectly natural responses?” Zafira’s eye flicked open to regard the general as Hazel posed the question, passing him a cup of this tea. Perhaps it was a potion of sorts, because the male settled back in his chair as he took a sip. “When you and I both know how well what went before? Theheart wants what it wants and nothing in this world or the next will stop that.”
I liked Hazel and trusted Zafira implicitly. They were a kind and gentle presence for the entirety of my early years, so I thought I could relax now, letting the tensions of the training exercise fall away.
“If that’s the case…” Something about the general’s tone had my muscles bunching, my wings shuffling. “Then perhaps the answer is to pander to these perfectly natural responses.”
“Rex—” Hazel said, her fingers gripping her cup tighter.
“Auren must find her mates and fast.” The man bared his fangs in a way that would be considered smug in a fellow dragon. “Because when she is bound to suitable mates, then all the other males will stop taking ridiculous risks, trying to get her attention.”
Chapter 27
Fern
Oh no, he didn’t just say that.
That deathly rattle started up in Auren’s throat again, but she didn’t bother with a display of anger. Instead, she jumped to her feet, her wings whipping out.
Which meant I needed to move.
You think you can barter me away as you do your women?The way the general flinched at my dragon’s verbal lash was very satisfying.Think again, human. I chose to obey your ridiculous rules, but no more.
If you asked me twenty minutes before if I’d want to get back into the saddle of a dragon, I’d have thought you were mad, yet here I was launching myself at my dragon’s side, then clambering up onto her back.
You’re sure you wish to come?Auren’s thoughts were full of tension.I don’t when or if I’ll be back.
Riding off into the sunset to find a place by a large lake to build our home, remember?My hands may have gripped the saddle horn extra tight, remembering just how easy it was to lose my hold.That promise still stands.
Very well.Auren approached the table and I admit I had toadmire the general’s self-possession. He looked up from his cup idly, as if in response to a comment across the dining table.Know this, leader of humans. What happened during the training exercise is a problem for you and your tame dragons to deal with. It has nothing to do with me.
As she turned to take off, Zafira rose.
Ride far, darling. Her head pressed into Auren’s and for just a moment, they shared something I felt the aftershocks of. A wave of the most intense love washed through the bond with my dragon.Ride to the ends of the earth if that’s what it takes to stay free.
Thank you, my queen. A glance over her shoulder at me was all the warning I got from Auren.Hold on tight, Fern.
I did just that as she launched herself off the edge of the keep. That thrill that came each time she took flight, it was tinged with fear for the first time, but I did as I was bid, holding on for dear life as she climbed into the sky to the sound of dragons’ roars.
Auren…I looked back to see other beasts launching themselves off the roof.Auren, I think we have company.
Not for long.Her wings moved like scythes through the air, slicing through drafts and clouds alike as she propelled herself forward.Queen dragons are built sleeker than males and have more stamina when flying. When, if I choose to rise to mate, males will have to fight hard to catch me.
Just as they did now.
My view of our pursuers was blurred by the speed of which we were flying, but one by one, brightly coloured spots dropped away. All but one. A green blob got closer and closer, revealing itself as Viridian sometime later.
You seek to be rid of those troublesome males, my queen?I noted that he had no rider on his back, obviously not willing to wait for Lance.May I suggest a place to shelter for the night? You are fearsome and strong, but even a queen as mighty as yourself must rest.
Auren had stiffened when he drew abreast, but his speech seemed to mollify her.
