Page 107 of The Bond That Burns

Yes. Riders could sometimes make it through a blast that would kill a regular blightborn or highblood.

I was suddenly grateful that there were no other dragons alive.

The first tasks on the list were methodical. The Tribunal had set up a series of massive poles of varying heights. Nyxaris had to navigate around them in a specified pattern. I could see why he thought it was dull work, considering he had memories of real combat. In comparison, this really was child’s play.

He moved through the obstacle course with ease, massive wings folding and snapping. At one point, he tilted just enough for me to see the spectators down below. Some of them were clapping—until Nyxaris let out a loud growl that sent them into an uncomfortable silence.

Relax, I said soothingly.I’ll tell them to hold their applause next time.

Next came the fire demonstration. Targets had been arranged across the field—barrels painted red, straw figures, and even metal shields propped up on stakes. The Tribunal wanted to see not just his firepower, but his ability to direct his flames accurately.

Nyxaris hovered high above the field for a moment, surveying his targets. Then, with a deep inhale, he unleashed a jet of flame. The fire streaked across the sky, hitting a barrel dead center and exploding it into flaming splinters. I could hear the crowd erupt into gasps and murmurs of appreciation.

He turned his head a little and aimed for one of the straw figures. This time, a narrow plume of fire shot out, igniting the figure’s chest without touching the surrounding field.

Satisfied?Nyxaris asked, sounding bored, as the straw figure collapsed in a heap of ash.

Well, I know I’m impressed, I admitted.But I think they expect you to keep going.

Nyxaris growled in annoyance, but swept lower. His flames washed over the other targets in calculated bursts, alternating between wide sprays of flame and pinpoint blasts. After all of thetargets had been destroyed, I could feel the heat rising up from the burning field below us even from my perch on his back.

I felt a sense of overwhelming relief. That was it. We’d gone through the tasks on the list.

Down below, I could see the Tribunal panel members conferring on the platform. After a moment, Catherine Mortis and Viktor moved to one side, their heads bowed together like conspirators.

What are they up to?Nyxaris’s voice rumbled.Their scheming faces make me itch to melt them.

I held onto him more tightly.Nothing good.

I watched Catherine and Viktor descend the platform steps, the other Tribunal members trailing behind them. Kage’s grandmother marched behind them. Elaria Avari looked distinctly annoyed. I decided that was not a good thing.

Viktor was gesturing to Nyxaris and I. He was shouting, too, but his words were lost in the wind. It was clear he wanted us to land.

Nyxaris snorted derisively.Such authority. It’s a wonder you don’t tremble at their feet.

Just land, I whispered urgently.Please.

Nyxaris gave a long-suffering sigh but complied, angling his wings and descending. His claws touched the ground, gouging deep into the dirt, and he lowered his head so I could slide off. My legs were shaky as I faced the Tribunal. Blake, I noticed, had remained on the platform, keeping Aenia and Florence close to him. I glanced around and saw Rodriguez, Theo, and Vishastanding to one side of the platform beside Jia, keeping her within their protective circle. That was a small comfort.

Catherine stepped forward. She was dressed in a tight suit of shining red leather, made to look as if it was formed from interlocking scales. I hoped Nyxaris wouldn’t notice. It seemed in very poor taste to wear something like that around a dragon.

“Your dragon has demonstrated skill and precision,” she said coolly, addressing me instead of Nyxaris. “But there is one more matter we wish to have addressed.”

Viktor stepped up beside her. “Yes. Catherine and I have decided we must have an act of submission before the evaluation can be considered complete.”

I felt like I’d been punched. My hand reached up instinctively to Nyxaris’s side, feeling the ripple of his muscles beneath the black scales.

His voice growled in my mind and there was no mistaking his fury.Submission? Do they mean to have me roll over? Or perhaps I should sit up and beg like a trained pup?

I think they want you to bow, I murmured back to him.

I stared at Catherine and she looked back at me coldly. Gone was the girl I’d seen last year who’d passionately embraced her thralls in the middle of the refectory, as if daring anyone to pass judgement. Or maybe this was still her. Maybe she’d always been like this–completely controlled, utterly proud to the point of never caring what anyone else thought. Her father had been a hard man. How much of that hardness, I wondered, had he passed on to his daughter?

Nyxaris had gone dangerously silent. For a moment, the only sounds were the wind and the waves crashing on the rocks below the cliffs.

I couldn’t wait any longer.What should I tell them?I asked, my voice trembling a little.What are you going to do?

Walk toward them. Slowly. Do not say a single word.

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