Page 158 of Ashborne: Defiance

I prayed the whole way down this time, begging God to let me give a good impression in front of Donavyn.

“Did he really say the queen wants to come to my assessment?” I blurted to Ronen, just before we landed.

“He did. But let’s focus on this landing before we talk about it.”

“Of course. I just—”

Koa’s back arched as she gave those powerful downflaps, dropping her hind end and swinging her tail to keep her body positioned correctly.

Moments later, the first bone-jarring thud, then the second when her front feet hit the ground. I’d had to fight the instinct to brace my arms on her for the landing, because it felt like I wanted to stop myself hitting her back too hard. But all my brothers and Bren assured me—pulling up on the straps and keeping contact with her back would be far more comfortable than breaking an arm or dislocating a shoulder when my elbow was locked and she hit the ground too hard.

I did bounce, but luckily, Koa’s back feet almost overstepped her front and she took a quick forward leap, that pressed her back up to my seat, so I didn’t lose position.

Then we galloped along the base of the launch hollow, and even though I bounced a little on her strides, I kept my seat.

I was thrilled, beaming at Bren, as Koa came to a stop near the other end of the launch hollow, and my brothers rushed forward, cheering.

I did it.

I did it!

“Well done!” Ronen said, clapping a hand to my arm. “I didn’t hold you, Grace. You’re getting there. You practice a few more days and you’ll be sticking your seat every time.”

I hoped he was right.

I trembled as I waited for him to dismount, then leaned over Koa’s neck, pulling my legs down so I was bent over her withers, took hold of the mounting strap, right at the top, and let my bodyweight slide down, so I could brace my feet against her shoulder.

There was a tricky moment, just when my weight got to the extension of my arms, that I sometimes lost my grip and didn’t plant my feet properly. I’d taken some painful falls already.

But not today.

Today, I grinned like Gil when he was annoying Voski, as I made my slow, but steady way down Koa’s side until there were only a couple of feet left and I could drop to the grass.

“You did it!” Bren rushed forward and hugged me, and the men clapped and whooped. Koa tossed her head and whistled, and I felt like I’d already passed the assessment.

There was still so far to go. But I could do this. I knew I could!

Then, as I worked on getting Koa unharnessed again—because that was the exercise, start to finish—Donavyn approached and he and Ronen stood nearby, discussing my assessment, while I worked.

“Kgosi says Koa needs to spend as much time with the herd as possible—it’s the only way she’ll learn the unity and connect with them all to find the trust.”

Ronen grimaced. “It’s tricky when she’s got a new matebond, and a Flameborne to train with. We really can’t have her flying off for hours during the day—Grace needs to work with her.”

“I know,” Donavyn agreed. “But that’s why I think we push hard in her training for the next assessment. Once they can fly alone, she can go with Koa. They can both be working and strengthening at the same time.”

My heart began to pound. How soon would this happen? And the queen would attend? What if I lost my nerve? Or did something stupid?

“I’ll put her on daily rotations with the squad—including Bren, who’s helping her a great deal. Even if each of us only spends an hour, she’ll get plenty of practice. We’ll get her ready.”

“For next week’s flight?” Donavyn asked.

My heart flipped in my chest. “I can do it!” I gasped, rushing out from between Koa’s legs where I’d been unbuckling a leg strap. “I’ll work. I’ll be strong enough. I can do it.”

Donavyn looked at me, one side of his mouth tipped up like he was amused, but his eyes keen. “I believe you, Grace,” he said quietly. “But it’s not only your willingness that will determine your success. There’s a certain level of finesse required.”

I nodded quickly. “I’ll keep working. I’ll find a way. They’re helping me—and I can practice the harness and mounting alone right? Just no flying?”

“Yes,” Donavyn said and Ronen grinned. “Yes, you can do that.”