I ignore it. Without even a moment’s hesitation, I draw a lightning arrow and fire into his mouth.
Shadows appear from nowhere, and it’s like the world has taken a breath. The arrow hangs halfway between me and Sidon’s mouth. Shadows have wrapped around his neck, holding him in place. They’re wrapped around me as well, and I can’t move a single muscle. Even the bowstring is caught in them, held in the midst of vibration.
“That’s enough,” Azric says as he settles on Sidon’s back. He turns to me and says, “That arrow will create lightning?”
I can’t open my mouth, and the best I can do is a mumbled, “Yes.”
Azric looks from me to Sidon. “You’d be dead. She won.”
The arrow slowly moves through the air to Azric’s hand, and as soon as he’s holding it, the shadows disappear, releasing us. Sidon lets out a roar, and Azric races to me, his hand wrapping around my waist while Sidon leaps into the air again. This time, though, I hang onto Azric as tightly as possible rather than the spine on Sidon’s back.
Wings sprout from Azric’s back, and he keeps us aloft as Sidon flies to his spot in the forest.
Normally, I know my body would go crazy being held by him like this, but I’m still a little surprised I’m alive. Instead of carrying me to where we normally train, he carries me to the area just in front of the remaining four dragons.
He sets me down on the stone, and my legs are shaking as I stand up. He examines the arrow. “How does it work?”
“I…” I pause, trying to get my thoughts together. Then I shake my head. “I made an oath not to reveal any secrets. I can’t tell you how it’s made.”
He turns to me, his eyes little more than slits. “This is important, Fiona. This could change everything.”
I shrug. “It isn’t my secret to tell. When these trials are done, and we’ve ended this war between the gods, I can probably convince my fath… Rhaskar to walk you through it.”
He sighs and shakes his head. “It’s fine. The gods don’t work together. Why should I expect humans to work with me?”
He hands me the arrow and turns to the dragons. “What did she do wrong?”
Vyran the Black is the first to speak. “She seemed surprised he would fly. A dragon always prefers to take things to the skies. She should have known this.”
Azric turns to me. “Did you know this?”
I begin to shake my head and stop myself. “I didn’t, but I should have. A bird wouldn’t want to be on the ground when there’sdanger, so why would a dragon? Yes, you’re powerful while on the ground, but you’re not as mobile.”
Vyran nods to me, an obvious sign of respect, but it’s Kasan the Lifegiver, the brown dragon, that speaks next. “She did not expect him to use any magic. Human, did you know dragons are more than teeth and claws and flames?”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
Azric interprets for me. “Those were Vyran’s shadows that caught the arrow. Not mine. I couldn’t have done it that quickly, and I certainly couldn’t have held Sidon in place.”
“Then what is Sidon’s magic? He didn’t use any, I don’t think.”
The dragons look at each other, and several of them shake their heads. Finally, Kasan turns to me and says, “You do not wish to speak of arrows. We will not tell you of another dragon’s powers. It is not our secret to tell.”
“So, he has powers, but they’re not widely known?”
Kasan nods to me, and Azric chuckles. “Anyone who knows anything about the history of Nyth should know what his powers are. Regardless, he didn’t use them.”
“So why’s he mad?” I ask.
Calyr speaks then. “Sidon is angry with himself. He believes he has grown old and won’t be as worthy a warrior when the time comes to fight the Hunters. He has more reason than most to want to go to war with them. They killed his mate, and dragons never truly get over losing a mate. His pain is still just as fresh as it was the day she died.”
Azric says in a low voice, “That was not your secret to tell, Calyr.”
“Itis a necessary conversation, Prince of Bones. Do not forget who and what I am.”
“I forget nothing when it comes to you, Calyr. You are not Sidon. Even my mother could best you.”
Calyr gnashes his teeth at Azric, but Azric doesn’t flinch. “What advice do you have for Fiona about her fight with Sidon?” he asks.
