Her energy flagged, but the dragon was nearly free.
GO!she yelled into the dragon’s mind.
The dragon lifted her wings and took off. The dragon was caught on the chain by the collar and pulled up short.
“Fly!” she shouted.
The dragon strained again, then the chain snapped at the weakened link. The dragon bugled, roaring her pleasure as they climbed into the clouds.
Several arrows meant for the dragon glanced off Elizabeth’s legs. The arrows thudded against her before tumbling to the ground, leaving more bruises. Her wards flickered, nearly at their limit.
Asmodeus must have seen her take off with the dragon and took to the skies, flying back towards their side of the field, nursing an injured arm.
The dragon flapped her wings, flying high above the burning plains. They flew until the fighters shrank to the size of ants. Joy emanated from the dragon as she spun through the air. She let out a bugle of contentment.
Elizabeth felt a wave of nausea as they rolled in the air and tried not to throw up. She held on to the dragon’s neck spires as they flipped and circled. Her thigh muscles burned from tightly gripping the dragon’s scaled hide.
Elizabeth leaned forward as the dragon shot towards the army. Her arms burned from the effort of holding herself in such a way that she didn’t impale herself on the spikes.
Nothing she hadn’t ridden and survived before.
Just a very,veryspirited horse.
After a few moments of flying in a straight line without turning or spinning in the air, Elizabeth was able to relax a fraction and appreciate flying high above the ground on dragonback. She grinned broadly.
Who would ever think to try and train a dragon like a common house cat? They should fear the horror and power you can unleash.
Approval rumbled through the dragon’s chest before she breathed a torrent of flame. As agonized cries sounded below, Elizabeth thought grimly that at least it wasn’t Caspian’s legion this time.
But the dragon breathed fire again—on Caspian’s fighters.
Your bargain, Elizabeth reminded firmly, as bloodlust and bottomless rage began to take over the dragon’s mind.
What bargain?the dragon said darkly, turning her massive orange eye towards Elizabeth.
When the dragon blinked, Elizabeth realized the creature had double eyelids—an outer one with pebbled skin the colour of her hide and an inner clear one. She was fascinated to watch the dragon’s two eyelids blinking in rapid succession of each other.
That if I free you, you will help rescue my friend and unleash horror on your master’s army.
The dragon blinked again.I am not bound by the same laws of oathkeeping as demons.
She sneered coolly, not letting her voice waver.Are you a being without honour then? Your word was given.
The dragon pinwheeled in the air. She held on for dear life, her knuckles turning white.
Really, Elizabeth drawled.
Fine,the dragon spat exasperatedly.
Turning midair, the dragon shot towards the castle like an arrow.
Where?the dragon snapped.
The dungeons.Elizabeth sent a mental picture of where she thought they would be.
The dragon dove, landing on the indicated roof. Demons threw spears that burnt to ash in dragon fire before they made contact. Volleys of arrows followed. An arrow struck Elizabeth’s thigh. She gasped as blood welled.
Thathurt.
