Page 118 of Ashborne: Defiance

“You get a choice—which is better than I got,” she said with a wry laugh. “The vest should fit, though it might be a little tight in the chest. It’s not as warm as the jacket, and won’t protect you as much if you fall. But it will allow you a lot of movement—and you’re going to need that today.

“The jacket sleeves will be too long. But it’s the smallest I have. It will keep you a lot warmer, but it might get in the way when you’re working.”

“Working?”

“With Koa. You’re going to fly with the squad and learn a lot today.” She gave a huff and look that was half-apologetic. I didn’t understand, but my heart thrilled at the thought of flying again.

“I’ll wear the vest,” I said after a moment. “If I’m working I’ll stay a lot warmer, and then I have the jacket for later when I’m not moving. I don’t want to wear anything that could cause a mistake.”

Bren nodded and handed me the vest, then placed the leather jacket at the end of my cot. “You can keep that until they get you one that fits properly, just in case. They said it would only be a day or two.”

As I dressed, Bren frowned at my boots, muttering that she was uncertain they’d be robust enough not to be abraded by the dragon scales. I agreed, but had no choice. Her feet were two sizes bigger than mine, which would be dangerous if I was trying to clamber onto a dragon. And I had no other footwear. Besides, they’d lasted me the week flying on Kham.

Bren hurriedly braided my hair, then I was ready. I dearly wished I had a mirror—I’d like to see if I looked as strong and confident as Bren, who stood next to me with her hands on her hips, smiling. She looked stronger here than she had in the fine gowns and ballrooms of the castle back home. But of course she would, because she wasn’t hiding herself anymore. She was a Furyknight. She’d been through the training and the tests, and she’d attained the same rank as the men.

I’d also walk with my head high if I’d done that.

I prayed I would, one day.

“Are you ready?” Bren asked.

I nodded happily and followed her to the ladder down to the stable.

Koa stood, bathed in morning light slanting down from high windows in the wall of the stable. A quick glance across the aisle told me Kham was still gone. As I greeted her, she chirped to me, fluttering her wings. I trotted over and hugged her nose when she extended her snout.

‘Did you find the food you needed?’ I asked her in the link while Bren greeted her in words.

‘Hunting was well,’ she said carefully. ‘I am ready to fly.’

“She said she’s had enough to eat and she’s ready to fly.”

“Excellent!” Bren smiled. “All we need to do before we go is harness her. Ask her if she minds? Has she worn a harness before?”

I turned to Koa in my mind, but she was already speaking before I could ask. ‘A har-ness? Skin straps?’

I gulped—I hadn’t thought about what she’d think of leather. But she didn’t sound frightened. So, I nodded, scratching her nose. ‘Yes. The straps that Kham wears when Voski flies on him. Have you worn any before?’

‘No.’

I shook my head. “She’s never worn a harness before.”

Bren bit her lip. “I wish Kham was here to talk her through it, but I think he’s gone to get Voski. We need to get you some breakfast and get to the clearing. Can you ask her if I can place the harness on her? It will go over her withers and back, buckle at her chest, under her belly, and at the top of her legs.”

I did my best to send her a picture of what I remembered from Kham’s harness. ‘I haven’t used one before, so Bren would have to put it on for you. Do you mind?’

‘We will try,’ she said, dancing a little on her front feet. Her head swung toward the stable door, and I felt the ache in her. I felt the tugging too—to be out there. Southwest. Was that the direction Kham had gone? I didn’t know, but I understood her restlessness.

‘Thank you. Once we get the harness on, we can go outside.’

‘Outside is good,’ she sent, then sighed so heavily, her exhale moved the straw.

“She says you can do it,” I said to Bren, my chest swelling because it hit me as Bren waited for my instruction, that Koa was mine. She was beautiful, and massive, and kind, and mine. No one else could touch her unless I told them so.

Koa must have felt my pride because she turned to look at me, and chirped again.

‘I’m so glad you’re mine, Koa. Thank you for choosing me.’

‘We are one. My heart is glad.’