“This is one of my favorite places in the palace.” I set down our bags. “The view changes with every season and even depending on the time of day. I used to come up here when my parents were alive, watch them take off together.”
“Together?”
“Dragon mates often fly in formation. It’s…” I paused, not sure how to explain. “It’s a form of communication. Intimacy. My parents were spectacular fliers.”
I caught the expression on her face, curiosity mixed with a softness that made my lungs ache.
“I’m going to shift now,” I said. “Then you can climb onto my back. I’ll drop low to help.”
“I’ll try not to stare.” A smile came through in her voice.
The shift always started deep in my core, a gathering of heat and magic that spread outward through every nerve. At my command, my bones lengthened and reshaped, and my skin hardened into scales. Wings erupted from my back in a rush of power that never got old. The world shifted as I grew, colors becoming sharper, scents more distinct, and sounds clearer.
In seconds, I stood in my dragon form, my scales catching the early light.
I found Adele staring up at me with wonder.
“You’re magnificent,” she breathed.
The words settled into my dragon heart with a warmth that had nothing to do with my internal fire. I lowered my head, bringing it close enough that she could touch my snout if she wanted.
She did, reaching out to place both hands on my scales, her touch cool and gentle.
“Hello,” she said softly.
I rumbled a greeting, the sound vibrating through my chest.
“Perspective changes everything,” she said, stroking along the ridge above my eye. “When I first saw you at the wedding, you were terrifying. This enormous creature who could incinerate me with a sneeze. But now…” Her smile turned tender. “Now I see you, Raoul, and you’re beautiful.”
If I’d been in my usual form, I would’ve kissed her. Since I wasn’t, I settled for nuzzling her belly and memorizing the feel of her hands on my scales.
“I need to climb on your back now, don’t I?” she asked.
I lowered myself to the ground, making it as easy as possible for her to mount. She grabbed our bags and approached my shoulder, studying the best way up.
There are ridges between the scales,I said in her mind.Use them like handholds.
With the bags looped over her shoulders, she placed one foot on my foreleg, testing her weight, then pulled herself up. Her hands found the ridges I’d mentioned, and she climbed carefully until she could settle at the base of my neck, in front of my wings. She looped the bag handles over one spike.
The sensation of her on my back was indescribable.
Every point where her body contacted mine created a connection, a loop of awareness. I could feel her heartbeat, quick with excitement. Could sense her nervousness mixed with exhilaration. Her thighs pressed against my scales as she shifted her position, and her hands gripped the spine ridge in front of her.
“Is this right?” she called.
I sent her an image of agreement, and she laughed, the sound making my dragon side rumble with pleasure.
“I’m ready whenever you are,” she said.
I should’ve taken you flying every day,I said.I’m sorry I didn’t.
“We’ve been busy,” she said. “There’s been a lot to do. The archives, the Summit planning, discovering drought patterns…”
Always so quick to excuse my failings, to see the practical reasons rather than the emotional ones.
I stood, feeling her accommodate the movement, her hands tightening on my spine ridge. I spread my wings, testing the wind currents, and launched us into the sky.
Adele gasped as we lifted off, but it was a sound of wonder, not fear. I kept the ascent smooth, my powerful wing beats carrying us high above the palace, above the mountain peaks, and into the open air where we belonged.
