The other four dragons in his group continued their slow procession down the line, but Morgateth came straight for me.
His stride was as lumbering as that of the others, and yet faster and more purposeful. Each step shook the roof beneath his talons.
"The Hero of Elucia who hears all dragons," his voice slammed into my mind. "I've heard a lot about you, and I'm sure you've heard a lot about me."
I held my ground. My heart was racing, but I refused to let fear control me.
"Yes."
"They say I am cursed. That my riders die. That I am dangerous, unstable, unfit for bonding." His head lowered until we were nearly eye to eye, his hot breath washing over my face. "They told me I shouldn't come here today."
"But you came anyway."
"I felt the pull. I knew I would find my rider here today. I hoped it would be you."
That surprised me. "What's your verdict?Am I the one you were destined to bond with?"
"Yes, but only if you'll have me. I will not force the bond on an unwilling partner.That's why this is called the Day of Volition and not the day of choosing.For the bond to solidify, you have to accept me."
I didn't even know that it was possible to force the bond. No one had told us about that.
"What will happen if I refuse? Will you get another chance?"
I could feel his disappointment in my answer, even though I hadn't told him no. He just assumed that was why I had asked him the question.
"There are more possible partners out there. I will attend other Days of Volition. Don't feel obligated to say yes."
Dragons were not bound by the precepts of truth. They could lie, but I didn't think Morgateth was lying about there being more than one possible bond partner. I couldn't be sure, though.
Still, I would never agree to bond a dragon or marry a man out of obligation, duty, or pity. The decision had to come from the heart, and my heart was telling me that Morgateth was the one for me.
"I accept your bond," I told him.
He reared his head back, surprise flickering in his luminous eyes before the mask of aggression slammed back into place.
"Are you brave, little human? Or simply stupid?"
"Neither." I met his gaze steadily. "I see you, and it's all good. Your reputation is unearned."
He looked like he was about to spew fire at me and burn me where I stood, but I didn't flinch away. "My riders kept dying one after the other. If that doesn't scare you, you must be stupid."
"If you are trying to push me away by insulting me, it's not working.I feel your pain.I know loss, I know grief, and I know what it means to carry burdens that threaten to crush you."
"Pretty words." His voice dripped with contempt. "Do you think understanding will protect you when the curse takes you too?"
"There is no curse."
"Three riders." His head snaked closer, those terrible eyes burning into mine. "Three partners, three deaths. Coincidence? Fate? Or something darker?"
I understood why he was trying to push me away even though he'd chosen me. He wanted me to fight for the bond, to prove that I wanted him despite his past, that I saw him for who he really was.
Evidently, male dragons were not much different from male humans, and understanding that made things simpler.
"I don't know what killed your riders. But I know it wasn't you."
He went very still.
"How can you be sure of that?"
