Just then, a burst of flaming energy flung the heir backward. He slammed into the wall behind him and collapsed to the floor. I felt the heat from the blast nip at my face.
Titus turned his attention to his nephew as he rose from the floor and spoke.
“Do try to remember, young Rexius, we only have one human and therefore one shot at this.”
Then the High Lord turned his head toward the other side of the room, looking directly at Aurelius, and continued. “So please refrain from pointing your sword at her.” His eyes narrowed in warning as he addressed the Dragon Master.
The tension in the room was thick, and the High Lord’s words seemed to carry a different weight when directed at the Master of Dragons.
Wait. Were we still talking about swords?
I felt slightly better knowing that even though they all hated me, they needed me. That meant I would be safe. Protected.
The heir left the room, rubbing his head. Aurelius broke the harsh eye contact with Titus and lowered his gaze to his plate.
I let out the breath I had been holding. After a brief pause, I spoke. “So, the plan is you fly me into the volcano, and hopefully your power shields me from burning alive. Then I grab the dagger and we leave?”
He leaned back in his chair with arrogance and the effortless grace of a Fae High Lord and replied, “Unfortunately, the chamber’s enchantments are rather particular. It seems only one person at a time is allowed within its proximity.” He added, “Meaning you will need to learn to ride, and I will protect you from the sky.”
“A dragon?” I asked. “You want me to learn how to ride a dragon...by myself?” My disbelief was impossible to hide.
Aurelius looked at the High Lord, his brows furrowed, as if he had not been aware of this part of the plan and did not like it one bit.
“My Lord,” he interjected, “there are no accounts of a mortal being able to wield a dragon. It is common knowledge that a certain level of magical ability is required to ride. We only accept High Fae males into the program. She will likely die.”
He replied, “Like you said, there are no accounts. Her success is unknown. She has to try. It is the only way.” He spoke with such finality that there would be no more arguments from anyone.
There was no other option. No way out of this. I thought about running away, but I would probably be eaten by something if they did not catch me first. And then where would I even go? Certainly not back to the forest. So, my only real, logical option was to stay here and do everything I could for the small chance that I would be with my husband again. Even if that meant possibly burning to death in a volcano.
“Okay. When do I start?” I asked.
The High Lord’s gaze swept over me, his nose wrinkling in disapproval. Then he replied, “First, you will need to gain some weight and build muscle. Physical strength is essential for flying. You canstart training tomorrow. After a month, you can begin selecting a dragon and working on the basics. When you are strong enough, you will start training with my second in command.” He gestured toward Aurelius.
When my eyes met Aurelius’s, they seemed to shine. He smiled at me, and I smiled back warmly. It was nice to have a friend in this strange world.
“Ahem,” the High Lord said in annoyance, breaking my attention from the Dragon Master. He continued, “For the rest of the day, I want you to go to the library and read the stack of books I selected for you. You can read, can’t you?” he asked cruelly.
I glared at the High Lord. “Of course I can read.”
“Good,” he continued. “I will be sending some homework to your quarters as well.” There was a hint of wickedness in his tone that sent a chill straight up my spine.
“I will be leaving soon for a couple of days to oversee a political matter. My servants will bring you your meals. You are to report to General Cercies for training tomorrow morning. And Aurelius, be sure our third in command is on his best behavior.”
Aurelius nodded curtly in response. Then Lord Titus stood and left without the slightest goodbye, though I was not sure why that surprised me.
CHAPTER 9
Dragons
DELILAH
When I finished eating, I needed some fresh air to escape the awkwardness of breakfast. I wandered out through the main gates and found three dragons on the landing platform. I watched them for a few moments while the keepers readied them for travel.
I knew I should have been terrified of the scaly beasts, but for a reason I could not explain, I was not.
I decided to approach one of the smaller brown dragons. It noticed me immediately.
No one was paying attention. The dragon keepers were preoccupied with the other two dragons, who were bickering over the carcass of something unrecognizable.
