As I pulled my dagger and slashed out, gouging his arm, the second man dove toward my feet, grappling with my legs, wrapping his arms around them and tightening his hold. This man had dark brown hair streaked with gold and he wore a tunic made of a burnished tan fabric. He snarled up at me, revealing teeth that I worried would gnaw at my flesh if I didn’t get away.
I kicked, snapping his head back. He groaned as it smacked into the stone railing.
Pivoting, I bolted down the slope of the bridge, my legs pumping as I aimed for the aerie.
“Get her,” one growled.
Drask left me, flinging himself at them. I sent a spell their way, a random thing that should dosomething, but they kept pace, too close behind me. Only Drask fluttering in their faces slowed them.
My heart churned, and my pulse screamed in my throat as I reached the end of the bridge. The cool, dark aerie beckoned ahead. If I could get inside, I could duck down somewhere and hide. Figure out why my magic wasn’t working and why I wasn’t able to flit.
I bolted across the open area between the bridge and the stable and slipped into the dark opening. My heart thundering, I wrenched open the first gate I came to, tumbling inside. A subtle click rang out as I closed the gate. I cast a spell, praying to the fates it would lock the door, then slid along the wall andslumped down onto the floor, tucking my legs up and wrapping my arms around them.
Muffled curses rang out from the hall as they searched.
And searched.
And searched.
Their footsteps and voices faded. Were they giving up?
Why not enter this pen? If they tried the gate and found it locked, they’d suspect I was inside. They might find a way to break down the door or enter from the entrance on the opposite side, the one the riders used to exit the aerie to fly.
Finally, silence reigned in the hall. Only the shuffle of dragon feet on sand and the occasional huff of a beast releasing sparks reached my ears.
When Drask flew in from outside and landed on my shoulder, I breathed out a sigh of relief. I rose to shaky legs and stroked his smooth feathers.
“Aren’t you a brave bird for attacking them?” I choked out. “I love you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” I kissed his birdie head, and he flapped his wings before pecking at my cheek.
I flopped back against the wall, and now that my eyes had adjusted to the darkened interior of the aerie, I peered around.
Whose stall had I entered?
My gaze met Madrood’s.
Trembling, I tipped my head back to take in the immense silver beast, his scales glinting like a field of deadly stars in a night sky. Mounds of dragon poop covered the floor, and I inanely wondered why no one was taking better care of him.
His sinuous muscles coiled beneath his hide; his talonsetching lines into the sand beneath his feet. His eyes, chilling red orbs, stabbed my soul with malice. Only a few days ago, I’d watched this dragon unleash fire that devoured someone in moments. He was a beast bound to a merciless king's will. Now trapped within his lair with him, every breath I took felt borrowed.
He’d see me as prey.
Insignificant.
Expendable.
Drask cawed, flapping his wings, but he remained on my shoulder.
Carefully rising, I backed toward the gate, my hand scrambling for the latch.
Keeping pace, Madrood stalked me.
My throat thick with fear, I tried to swallow, but it wouldn’t go down. This was it. I’d come so far. I’d worked hard to get ready to bludgeon the king with my growing power. And now I’d die.
Madrood sucked in a breath, heat coiling in his lungs. He’d blast, and nothing would be left of me but ashes that would be swept up by the wind and scattered across the valley below.
“Flee, Drask,” I croaked, jerking my shoulder, trying to dislodge him. “Fly away from me.”
My fingers fumbled with the latch, but it wouldn’t open. I’d locked myself inside with my own spell, and I couldn’t figure out how to undo it. I couldn’t flit. My power was still locked down by whatever spell the fae men threw my way.
