Page 164 of Hero of Elucia

"Yes, you may."

My hands found the riding straps automatically. I settled into position, put my flight goggles on, and wrapped my fingers around the leather.

He knew I was ready without having to ask, and as his enormous wings unfurled, the muscles beneath me bunching and coiling, I heard gasps from the remaining cadets, heard Saphir calling out something I couldn't make out.

Then Morgateth launched us into the air.

Wind screamed past my face, tearing at my hair, stealing my breath. The roof of the Citadel fell away beneath us.

We climbed higher and higher, spiraling up through the auroras, the colors dancing around us like living things. The mountains spread below, vast and ancient and beautiful. The sky opened above, endless and free.

Exhilaration exploded through me.

I had been born for this.

Below us, the world was small and far away. Up here, there was only sky and dragon and the golden thread of the bond connecting us.

I threw my head back and laughed, the sound whipped away by the wind.