I was leading my dragon to the slaughter.
As I crossed into Myth’s den, I shot Rush a wild-eyed look. His blue eyes followed me, perfectly unreadable, as always. The metal in my hands pricked Myth’s attention right away. He scampered backward, slinking along the back wall of his vaulted space. He was running from me.
My heart cracked in two.
“Myth,” I called, voice thick with emotion. If I’d never come here, never dreamed of changing the world, Myth would have lived. We could have learned to ride all by ourselves, no books or teachers or rules. We could have been happy.
He stopped fluttering about and remained still, allowing me to approach. Even now, he trusted me. Afraid and confused, surely reading the agony inside me, he trusted me.
“I’m so sorry, boy,” I whispered as I stepped up to him. For a moment, I leaned up against him, relishing the way his massive lungs drew air, his side rising and falling beneath me. This was my only chance to ride. If he died, I would never bond again. The metal clanged against the floor as it fell from my hand. I fisted my fingers and clutched at Myth, fighting back tears.
“Get in there and end this pathetic wallowing,” the duke roared.
Footsteps hurried into the stall. Scraping metal as someone picked up the muzzle.
“Come on, stop acting like he’s already dead,” Rush muttered, voice barely audible. I stepped back. He held the muzzle up, but Myth jerked his head away. Then louder, “Make your dragon obey.”
His own father had sent him in here, into the presence of a dragon he fully believed to have his flame. Rush glanced over at me, and in his expression, I could see apology, fear. Then, at my arching brows, he gave the slightest shake of his head. He hadn’t told his father.
Myth accepted the muzzle more easily than I wished he had. I almost wanted him to fight, to break away from this lair and fly to his freedom. But he would never go without me. And I was pinning metal hooks in place over his snout. I was trapping him. Sending him to his death.
My fingers started to shake so badly I couldn’t fasten the final hook.
Rush stepped around and did it for me. Over his uplifted arm, he whispered, “My father assumes we aren’t friends.”
I snorted in frustration, wiping my nose with the back of my hand.
“He doesn’t know we know his secret. Keep it that way.” He finished securing the muzzle and stepped away quickly.
“Lead him out,” shouted Bryce.
But I couldn’t. I just couldn’t be the one to send him away. “Myth, I…” But there was nothing to say. I had done this to him. It was my fault.
“Son,” barked the duke.
Rush coaxed Myth forward with both hands. Myth obeyed. He turned his bright eyes on me, and I nodded, stepping forward to place my hand on his side. I walked with him out of the den, into the sunlit hall. A dozen more students had gathered, including Vanya. She rushed to my side.
“If this dragon is found to be unbonded, he will be executed,” the duke announced to the assembled onlookers. Several gasps from the crowd. A few darted behind their friends.
“And if not? What about the bond test?” I said, barely able to contain my roiling emotions. I had to act like I wasn’t worried, but I wasn’t like Rush. I wore my emotions on my sleeve.
The duke sniffed. “I doubt there will be a need for that.”
“What!” I lunged for Myth. “You can’t deny me the bond test!”
“Someone restrain her,” drawled the duke.
“You can’t just take someone’s dragon,” I shouted, digging myself a deeper hole with each outburst.
“When you violate our society’s rules, designed to keep humans and dragons safe, I can. Now, will someone please restrain this foul woman? Son?”
Rush’s arms wrapped around me from behind, pinning me to him. I struggled against him, needing to touch Myth one more time, but he was too strong.
“Your Grace,” began Headmaster Vaughan, who’d remained frustratingly silent so far, “we are investigating her family tree, but I would like to administer the bond test in addition.”
The duke scowled. “Fine.Ifshe turns out to be godborn, I’ll consider it. Now, take him.”
I bucked and twisted as Bryce led Myth out of the lair.
