Page 234 of The Fifth Heir

Chapter 30

Talia

Flying had felt different on Rafe’s back.

Then, I had experienced the sky as a passenger. I had trusted his strength, followed the movement of his body, and tried not to look too long at the ground below.

Now the air answered my wings.

Each downward stroke lifted my crystal body higher. Wind moved over the ridges of my scales and beneath the violet membranes stretched between the delicate bones of my wings. The sensation should have overwhelmed me.

Instead, instinct guided every adjustment.

Rafe flew below me, his storm creating a steady current beneath all five of us. Torren remained to my right and slightly ahead, close enough to intercept anything that approached. Leander held the opposite position while Sebastian guarded the rear.

The formation felt natural.

Ancient.

The Crown Wing circled the Hall of Crowns once before descending.

People scattered across the courtyard as five dragons approached. Academy guards cleared the center, and the headmaster shouted orders I could not hear over the beating of our wings.

Torren landed first.

His bronze-gold body struck the stone with enough force to shake the courtyard. He turned immediately, creating a barrier between me and the guards.

Leander landed to my left. Frost spread beneath his claws, giving me a clear place to set down. Rafe and Sebastian touched the ground behind us.

I lowered my feet.

My rear claws made contact first. One slipped against the stone, and my left wing struck Rafe’s shoulder.

He steadied me with his body.

Amusement moved through our new connection.

I swung my head toward him.

Rafe showed me every pointed tooth in his dragon mouth.

I had the distinct impression he was grinning.

My first landing lacked elegance, but I remained upright.

For three breaths.

Then my legs gave way.

Torren moved before I hit the courtyard. His dragon body pressed against mine, taking my weight as I folded my wings.

Exhaustion settled into every muscle. The power that had carried me from the Trial drained too quickly, leaving me unable to support the size of my transformed body.

My dragon knew what to do.

The shift reversed in one swift rush.

Crystal scales dissolved into clear light. My wings collapsed into my back without pain, and the courtyard expanded around me as my body returned to its human shape.