Page 49 of Court of Secrets and Flames

The dragon shoots out another ball of fire, then dips lower. His flames streak toward my face, and without time to flinch, I push them away with my magic.

He’s testing me.

Leaning forward, I pat the ridge of scales where his neck and shoulder meet.

“We make a good team. But let’s hope we never need to test just how well we can work together.”

A blur of motion streaks into my vision.

Out of instinct, I lurch back, muscles tensing. The world tilts without a backrest to steady against. I’m at least a mile high, suspended on trust and dragonhide.

And then I see her, and my heart slams against my ribs.

A vast figure emerges from the rush of air. The reddish-brown female dragon arcs out of her sideways maneuver, as sharp as a sword’s swing.

Her arrival was a near miss that sets the orange scales beneath me vibrating with alertness.

The female dragon circles in an impressive display of agility, given her size and thicker abdomen. After only a few wing strokes, she settles into our pace.

Beneath me, the male dragon opens his mind like a bloom to the sun. His mind, complex and still partially hidden, reminds me of a chirean, the slow-blossoming orange flower that resembles a mosaic when in bloom.

Chirean, a magnificent Aclaris flower.

My pulse gallops. I think I’ve just named my first dragon.

His vibrant collage of emotions, weave through my consciousness: curiosity, contentment, the simple joy of flight with companions he enjoys.

Yet, as this communion blossoms, the female keeps her distance. Amidst the clouds, she’s a fortress of solitude, her mental barriers firm and unyielding. It’s a caution I understand, one that resonates within the marrow of my bones.

Maybe we’ll eventually learn to trust each other.

Swooping in a graceful arc to lower my speed, I steer Chirean toward the fire paddock, the wind tugging my hair free from the simple tie binding it.

From this vantage point, the ground seems like a tapestry of activity, but one particular figure stands out.

My sister.

Even from the air, I recognize the terror painting her features.

Not that I can blame her. Her last encounter with dragons was when Chirean and his mate nearly scorched us in the arena.

With the slowing beats of the dragon’s wings, we descend and land.

Once his feet are on solid ground, Chirean bends his foreleg, and I climb off. My dismount, while nowhere near as graceful as Knox’s, is a vast improvement from last night.

The dragon lets out a puff of steam as he gives Leesa a leisurely inspection. He recognizes my love and admiration for the other human but is not yet comfortable enough with her to allow her to approach.

At least he’s not shooting streams of fire mere inches from her face.

Progress.

“Thank you for today.”

I pat Chirean on the leg, transmitting feelings of gratitude through our bond.

Leesa’s astonishment gives way to a hesitant smile, and I know this is just the beginning. I can sense power struggles, betrayals, and losses lurking on the horizon like ominous storm clouds.

For now, I live in the present moment and enjoy what I can.

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