Page 50 of Tempest Awakening

Then, with a grace that belied his size, Kane bowed slightly to the dragon. The storm dragon inclined its head in return, and just like that, they were paired.

As they made their way to one of the barrier courses, I realized with a start just how few dragons there were compared to the applicants. I counted quickly—no more than thirty dragons for the nearly two hundred people waiting.Maybe the dragons go more than once?

"Of course Kane goes first," a voice grumbled nearby. "Always has to be the center of attention."

"Shh," another voice hissed. "You know his father's probably watching."

A loud gong sounded, and Kane and his dragon partner sprang into action. It was like watching a perfectly choreographed dance. Kane's movements were fluid, his magic manifesting in bursts of elemental energy that complemented the dragon's own abilities.

The first barrier was a towering wall of solid ice. Kane's eyes narrowed in concentration. He raised his hands, and I felt a shift in the air. Heat shimmered around his palms, and suddenly, aconcentrated beam of fire shot towards the ice wall. As the ice began to melt, the dragon unfurled its wings, creating a powerful gust that accelerated the process, carving a path through the barrier.

"Fire and air in one go," someone muttered. "Show-off."

"Wait for it," another voice chimed in. "He'll use all four before he's done."

The second obstacle was a chasm too wide to jump. Kane knelt, pressing his palms to the ground. A soft green glow emanated from his hands, spreading outward. The earth groaned and shifted, rising to form a narrow bridge. But it wasn't enough. The dragon, understanding without words, used its tail to smooth and widen the path, its own magic reinforcing Kane's work.

"And there's earth," the same voice said, a note of begrudging admiration in their tone.

"How is that even possible?" someone else asked. "I thought Fae could only master one or two elements at most."

"Three is rare enough," another applicant added. "But four? It's unheard of."

That was what a true dragon rider looked like. He made it seem so effortless, like he was born to do this.

For the final barrier, a magical storm materialized, wind and rain lashing at them furiously. Kane turned to the dragon, a silent understanding passing between them. He raised his arms, and I could see the strain on his face as he wrestled with the chaotic energies of the storm. Slowly, a pocket of calm formed around them. The dragon then spread its wings wide, channeling its innate connection to the storm. Together,they pushed back against the magical tempest, creating a path through the heart of the storm.

"And water makes four," someone said. "No wonder he's the golden boy."

"It's not fair," another grumbled. "How are the rest of us supposed to compete with that?"

"All that flashy magic doesn't mean he's actually skilled," a third person chimed in.

But I couldn't tear my eyes away from Kane. This was the first time I'd seen him use his magic, and it was... breathtaking. The ease with which he wielded multiple elements, the way he seemed to anticipate the dragon's moves—it spoke of talent that went far beyond mere nepotism.

As Kane and his dragon partner returned to the starting area, a commotion erupted from one of the other courses. A pained cry pierced the air, causing my head to snap in its direction. I'd been so focused on Kane that I'd completely forgotten about the other two courses running simultaneously.

My stomach lurched as I saw a female applicant being carried off the field by a team of healers. Her face was contorted in agony, and even from this distance, I could see the unnatural angle of her leg. The sight sent a chill down my spine. The dangers of this challenge seemed suddenly, terrifyingly real.

Valen's grip on my arm tightened, his breath hot on my ear as he leaned in close. "See that, little librarian? That's what's waiting for you out there. Maybe worse." His lips curled into a cruel smile. "Who knows? Maybe one of those big dragons will decide to make a snack out of you."

I swallowed hard, my mouth dry. The urge to run, to slip away unnoticed, grew stronger with each passing second. My eyes darted around, searching for an escape route. Maybe if I moved slowly, carefully, I could edge my way out of the crowd without anyone noticing.

Just as I was about to attempt my escape, a deep, resonant voice echoed in my mind, stopping me in my tracks.

“Stay, little one.”

Chapter 18

Tess

I froze, my heart pounding.

A dragon.

I knew that distinctive telepathic touch, but this voice was different from any I'd encountered before—intelligent, powerful, and somehow... compelling. My eyes darted around, searching for the source, but none of the visible dragons seemed to be paying me any attention.

“I've been waiting for you.”

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