Page 25 of The Bond That Burns

Nyxaris circled high overhead, as if showing off. Which he probably was. The dragon’s wings were so large they blotted out what little light pierced the overcast sky.

He flew low, swooping over us, his wings nearly brushing the tops of our heads. The highblood man who had been swooning crumpled to the cobblestones in a dead faint.

Some of the highbloods were backing up. I saw a few run back inside the Black Keep.

I am here. Satisfied?Nyxaris’s gruff voice said in my mind.

I didn’t answer. My throat was tight as I watched him descend. Slowly, deliberately, he spiraled lower until he’d landed on the bridge. Around me there were gasps of awe.

Showmanship, wingless one,the dragon purred shamelessly.It’s an art.

The bridge let out a worrisome groan.

My stomach clenched.Yes, you’re very impressive indeed. But is that thing going to hold your weight?

Nyxaris snorted his amusement.This bridge was built long before you were born. The ancestors of these people were not entirely incompetent.

So he’d done this before. Perhaps sat on that very bridge before. Who had his rider been then? It was hard to wrap my mind around how ancient he really was. I had so many questions. But I knew better than to ask.

“Look at that creature. The beast is an abomination,” Lord Mortis growled from behind me, breaking the spell. His voice was shaking–from rage or fear or both. “The girl and the monster should be destroyed. We’ve indulged in this farce long enough.”

I forced myself to ignore him, keeping my eyes on Nyxaris who crouched regally on the bridge, his molten gold eyes surveying the crowd with undisguised disdain.

I glanced around at the highbloods, wondering if they could read Nyxaris’s expression as well as I could.

Slowly, I turned to face them all, my back to the dragon.

“Here is your proof,” I announced. “Nyxaris listens to me. And if you let me, I can make him listen to all of you.”

Nyxaris made a loud snorting sound from behind me.In their dreams perhaps.

I winced, praying the highbloods wouldn’t notice.

But I didn’t have to worry. Around me the crowd broke into more murmurs of amazement.

Things seemed to be going well, until Lord Mortis stepped forward. His boots thudded heavily against the cobblestones as he moved to stand next to me.

“A parlor trick,” he sneered, his face twisting with contempt. “The beast is just that—a beast and nothing more. A mindless monster.”

Nyxaris gave a low rumbling growl deep in his throat, but Lord Mortis ignored him.

The highblood house leader turned to face the crowd. “This is not the momentous moment you all seem to believe it is. The beast will split us apart and bring ruin to our kind.”

This one tries my patience, Nyxaris complained.

Please,I begged silently.Just be patient. I’ll handle him.

I took a deep breath, trying to think of how I could deescalate the situation. Then I saw it—a glint of steel in the highblood’s hand. A dagger. My breath hitched. I glanced to the side and caught sight of Blake moving through the crowd, his gray eyes locked on Mortis. He’d seen it, too.

I froze, torn. Was the dagger meant for me? Or would Mortis really be stupid enough to attack a dragon? I was unarmed. Besides, I couldn’t make the first move even if I wanted to—not against a regent. It would be tantamount to suicide.

Mortis stopped at the edge of the bridge, glaring up at the black dragon.

He had balls, I’d give him that. Wisdom, however, perhaps not so much.

“Youare nothing but a relic,” he spat at Nyxaris. “Andyou—” He jabbed his dagger in my direction, making no pretense of hiding it now. I heard gasps go up from the crowd. “You are nothing more than this beast’s delusional herald.”

Move. Now.

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