Page 53 of Mountain of Dragons and Sacrifice

Evander lay on the ground and stretched out his neck so that Dorrian could reach. Dorrian heaved the saddle over the base of Evander’s neck just before his powerful shoulders. Dorrian buckled the saddle in place, accompanied by Evander’s grumbling and my laughter.

Once the saddle was in place, Evander shook himself, once again looking a bit like a dog, before he turned to me again. “All right. Your turn. Hop on.”

That sobered me up, my laughter dying in my throat. I eyed his back, so high that I wasn’t sure I could scramble up.

Evander stuck out his leg, lying on the ground to put his neck as low as possible.

I crawled up his leg, then fell into the saddle, my skirts in a tangle around my legs. I straightened out my skirts, then fished around for the straps of the harness. I buckled myself on, strapping myself around the legs and waist so I wouldn’t fall off.

After checking all the buckles and straps one last time, I clutched the handles at the front of the saddle. “All right. I’m ready.”

Evander slowly lifted his head, and I squealed, pressing myself tight against his neck. He twisted his head around, putting his giant, slitted eyeball only a few feet from my face. “We will need to practice this several times until you can get on and off in a regal manner.”

“Are you saying all this scrambling and squealing isn’t dignified?” I couldn’t help the squeak in my voice as he stood to his full height.

“No, I’m afraid not.” Evander’s chuckle washed hot, dragon breath over my face.

“Just get in the air already, dragon.” My knuckles were white on the straps.

“If you get airsick, please aim all vomit away from my face. And my wings. And just away from me in general.” Evander spread his massive wings.

He was so huge, his wingspan blocking the sight of the cliffs and the ground. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it was trying to punch a hole through my chest.

Then he launched himself from the cliff. I screamed as I was yanked hard against the straps, and we fell.

He beat the air, and I grew light-headed as we were pushed higher into the air until we were soaring above the mountaintops.

I finally forced myself to stop screaming, and I gulped lungfuls of air, my head still light. But I braced myself against his back, shaking. “I think I prefer your other method of flight. Not that I don’t appreciate your full dragon form. But your half-dragon form is far more comfortable. And less terrifying.”

I could feel the power of this form beneath me. But I’d rather be snuggled up, warm against his chest and held securely in his arms.

Evander’s body rumbled with his chuckle, and he tilted his head to peer at me with one eye. “I prefer the other method for certain passengers as well. But for a grand entrance…”

“This one is better.” The wind whipped away my sigh. “And making a grand entrance is going to take practice.”

Whatever I had to do to end the sacrifices, I’d do it. Even ride on dragon back.

After an hour of flight, a mist-shrouded castle came into view, perched near the top of a mountain. This one was larger than Evander’s eyrie, with spiraled turrets and a large balcony protruding from the mountainside.

Evander landed on the balcony, then crouched low, sticking out his leg.

I quickly unbuckled myself, then slid down his leg. As my feet touched the ground, Evander blurred, shifting. The saddle hit the ground at his feet, no longer cinched around him now that he was person-sized instead of dragon-sized. He quickly grabbed it, then stuffed it into his pocket as if he didn’t want anyone to see it.

Once the saddle was hidden, he rested a hand on my back. “Welcome to my parents’ eyrie.”

So far, it didn’t look that much different from his, except in size. Just lots of gray stone set among white-peaked mountains.

We had taken no more than three steps toward the double doors that led into the castle when the doors flung open.

A tall, broad-shouldered man with pointed ears and brown hair like Evander’s strode alongside a plump woman with curly hair that was dyed streaks of red and pink among the brown strands.

Evander’s hand was warm against my back. “Mama, Papa, I’d like you to meet—”

“Nessa! I’ve heard so much about you!” Evander’s mother wrapped me in a crushing hug, my face just about squished into her well-endowed bosom. “I have waited forever and ever for Evander to settle down and bring home a girl! And now he has! Have you solved your sacrifice problem, Evander, dear?”

“Not yet, but Nessa has a plan. That’s why we’re here.” Evander’s voice held a warm laugh.

His mother finally released me. She spun back to the castle. “Anything you need, dear. Anything at all. The sooner we get this sorted out, the sooner I get grandchildren.”

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