“Master Sevarin,” Falken's voice came deeper from his dragon mouth, more resonant and louder.
I hurried forward and stopped a foot before the dragon.
He held out his right foreleg, foot facing up, and opened his claws. “Climb onto my foot.”
I climbed onto Falken's foot, using his claws to hoist myself up onto the padded surface, and then his claws curled in over me, forming a cage. As he lifted me to his chest, he crouched upon his hind legs. With a leap, he sprang into the air, the rush of it making my stomach drop. I clung to one of his claws and knelt on the base of his foot. My eyes were wide open, taking it all in, but I had to squint against the wind when the King lurched forward.
Falken kept me tucked against his chest, his arm in that awkward position so I could rest on his palm, protected from the wind. Even hundreds of feet off the ground, I felt safe with him. He wouldn't let me fall. If I threw myself through the gap in his claws, he'd catch me. I was certain of it. I couldn't remember a time when I had trusted a non-Volper so much, and yet it felt natural.
My hair whipped back, and I breathed in the cleanest air I'd ever smelled. “This is wonderful!”
A laugh rumbled in the King's chest. “I knew you'd like it.”
Then the bells went silent.
“Cover your ears. It's time for my announcement.”
I plugged my ears with my fingers, but I could still hear Falken speak.
“Citizens of Eberein!” The King circled the city. “We have discovered the source of the Silver Rot.”
Below us, people of many races flooded the streets. No one had to strain to hear the Dragon King. His voice carried across all of Eberein.
“Items using resonant enchantment loops are susceptible to rot and help it spread. My horns and talons will come to collect any such enchanted items from you. Do not hold anything back. They could spread the rot into your homes and threaten the lives of your loved ones. We will dispose of these items, and all resonant enchantment loops are now prohibited. If you have items that the teams have missed, please bring them to the Royal Palace.” He circled the city. “And do not be afraid. The destruction you see of public architecture is only to remove the susceptible magic. Once they are clean, we will rebuild those structures. It will take time, but this must be done to save our city. Please be patient with those working to correct the issue. They are trying to save you and Eberein.”
The Dragon King spun around to head back to the palace.
“Together, we will conquer this rot and clean our city!”
The people cheered and waved at the King as he flew above. But I wasn't sure if that was enough. He hadn't mentioned the thefts or what he was doing to catch the culprits. Maybe it was better that he hadn't. It would only make people more hesitant to allow the clearance teams into their homes.
The King landed and laid his foot on the ground to open his claws. I slid out and onto my feet. I had spent most of the flight with my ears closed, but it had still been the most fun I'd ever had. To see the city from that perspective was priceless. I hurried to the steps to give Falken space to shift and found his clothes there without his knights. A quick glance found the knights on the wall-walk. They were coming down now that the King was back.
I gathered Falken's clothing and rushed to meet him halfway across the courtyard. He needed to be clothed as soon as possible. I was getting annoyed at how often he appeared naked in public.
Falken slipped into his pants first and then nodded to his knights. They didn't look happy, but I agreed with the King. He'd only been out there for a few minutes. If there had been an attack, it would have had to originate from the ground, and Falken would have had time to outmaneuver it. But he was the Dragon King, and it was their duty to protect him.
“Thank you.” I handed him his belt. “I enjoyed that.”
“We'll go for a longer flight next time.” He finished dressing, took my hand, and we went inside the palace together.
Next time. He was going to take me flying again. For that, I'd allow the hand-holding to continue.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Later that night, I dined with the Dragon King at his table in the dining hall. The meal started well, but then Falken spotted Arril sitting with the Volper courtiers.
“Would you prefer to mate one of your own?” Falken's voice slid over my skin like a warning.
“We don't call it mating. We marry.”
“You didn't answer my question.” He turned in his seat to face me.
“No, I don't have a racial preference. I have a compatibility preference.”
The King grunted, glanced at Arril, and drank half his glass of wine. “Where did you meet Arril?”
“I won't speak to you about this.”
