Eyeroll. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Yes, I am. And my dragon form is rather exceptional, I’m told.”
The last time I’d seen Thorne shifted was at night, while I was running for my life. All I remembered of his beast was shadows and menace.
Curiosity won out. Carefully, I gathered my legs beneath me until I was straddling Thorn’s spine. Finally, I dared to sit up.
Gulp.
Thorne’s dragon was enormous.
Whereas Alaric’s beast was brawny, powerful, and ridged, Thorne’s was captivating. His shining scales were black with an iridescent blue luster. Leathery wings, black as midnight, stretched wide, broadening his already massive frame. Thick muscles flexed in his shoulders, his wings slicing through the air with undeniable grace. Down the back of his sinuous neck was a ridge of spikes. More protruded from the edges of his jaws, a set of sleek, ebony horns curling away from his forehead.
If Alaric was a pack mule, Thorne was a stallion, sleek, swift, and untamed. The flame in my center warmed at the sight of him. Tentative, I loosened the grip I held on that blazing fire. Stoked it, gave it fuel, oxygen. Let it build—then set it free. Sparks tingled throughout every inch of my body, igniting every part of me.
Up here among the clouds, there was nobody to judge me. To shove me into a cage, defining who I was, who I was meant to be. No rules. Just me, the wind, and my dragon.
“Flarking hell, Thorne.” I didn’t hold back. “You’re beautiful!”
I could almost feel the beast preening beneath me, his growl emerging as more of a soft purr.
“I am rather fabulous, if I do say so myself.”He heaved a mournful sigh.“It’s a shame Alaric doesn’t let me out to play more often.”
Yes, shame on Alaric.
The ground below rolled like green waves in an ocean. Golden sunlight shone down on our heads, the air crisp as it coasted over my skin, my unruly curls waving like a flag. Instead of being held in a cage of deadly claws, I was one with the dragon beneath me. His powerful body rippled against mine with every swipe of his wings. While keeping my legs tight, I relaxed my hips, our bodies moving together.
Soaring on the dragon’s back, I felt freer than I had in years. I flung out my arms, pretending I was a mighty bird of prey.
“Careful up there,”Thorne warned when my hands left the spines on his neck.
“Screw, careful. I’m flying!”
His laughter rumbled through me, deep and rich, and for once, I didn’t mind.
THORNE
Serafina’s joy was infectious, and I found myself gliding instead of pumping my wings on the trip back to the mountain, telling myself I took the long way through unpopulated areas to prevent us from being spotted.
“Woohoo!” she whooped, and dammit, I smiled. I’d forgotten the raw exhilaration of flight. How good it felt to let the sky carry you.
Over the years, I’d taken my dragon form for granted, flying only at night, Alaric too afraid of discovery.
He’d raise hell when he learned I’d revealed myself in daylight. But there were worse things hunting us now than dragon slayers.
I banked left, and Sera squealed, part fear, part delight, arms snapping down to clutch my spines.
Laughter rumbled through my chest. I’d never carried awillingpassenger before, only enemies—in my claws. How I loved to soar high with them smashed in my tightening grip, only to let them plummet to earth, their screams of horror and pain a delight to my ears.
Flying with Sera was far different.
Too soon, Gravestone came into view, black and soulless, as void of life inside as it was out. Stark compared to the hills and valleys we’d explored. I aimed for the flight deck. “Hold on tight, Princess. Time to land.”
Her thighs tightened, and I ignored the fiery pulse that ran through me. I’d come to discover there were many delights to be had with the curvaceous female straddling my back.
My feet touched down with little jarring, muscles straining in my wings to soften the blow. I landed soft as a feather, my cargo remaining safely in her seat. Not too bad, if I did say so myself.
Score one for the dragon.
