Page 30 of A Kingdom of Fire and Fury
He grinned, easily falling in step with me as we walked to the large training clearing. “That’s the spirit.”
Condescending ass.My retort died on my red rouge lips when I noticed the crowd gathered, a motley of peasants, knights, and everything in between. My heart stuttered.This isn’t how it normally goes.Peasants weren’t invited to witness a rider’s first flight. “I’m a fucking circus monkey. Do you want me to give a little dance too?”
“It certainly wouldn’t hurt.”
I fought the urge to elbow him. “Are you allergic to showing any sort of kindness?”
“To you, yes.”
I exhaled. There was a reason this was so public. If Umara rejected me, then the king would be blameless, and it’d reinforce the message to any hopeful peasant that commoners didn’t belong on dragons. I raised my chin as I sauntered over to the center of the grassyplain.
“Make sure to keep a steady grip,” Kieran murmured.
“Obviously.” I smoothed out my uniform. All eyes would be on me, and while I didn’t care about the public, I didn’t want to be Luther’s excuse for why commoners should be put down.
“You don’t need to worry. You look the part. Beautiful and deadly.” I eyed him, searching for any hint of mockery. “It was a good call to braid your hair. The other women riders do too.”
I flexed my jaw. “Fuck off. This is how I like to style my hair.”
A faint smile formed on his lips. “I know.” He glanced at the crowd. “On the surface level, there’s nothing Luther can use against you. Even without meaning to, you’re dressed like a dragon rider. Almost like a noble with that long hair of yours and rouge lips—very impractical by the way.” He looked at me, mischief sparking in his eyes. “But captivating nonetheless.”
“Do you want me to hit you? Why are you trying to insult me?” But I didn’t feel any true anger, and his words eased some of my nerves. How the hell did we get here? When he wasn’t running training, Kieran wasn’t a total jerk.
“This is your chance to prove yourself against everyone who wants you to fail.” His gaze lingered on Aurelia and Luther. “Be the badass I know you can be.”
“I thought you were better atmanipulating people. This is embarrassing for you.” I grinned at him, but I couldn’t believe my words. Or his. Our conversations usually consisted of scowling at each other.
“You need the encouragement.”
“I don’t need shit!” I shook my head in amazement. Kieran Motherfucking Caddel, the very man who tried to execute me, was trying to soothe my nerves.
“Now who’s lying?” He smirked. “Don’t fail me now. That’s an order from your captain.”
“Don’t tempt me to sabotage myself.” If we didn’t have a crowd watching us, I would’ve gave him a vulgar gesture. Kieran and I exchanged one more grin, and then he made his way to the other riders. As per tradition, I stood by myself and waited for Umara to appear.
I didn’t have to wait long. She roared from up above and sent a cascade of flames over our heads. Her golden scales glistened from the sun, so bright it was nearly blinding. The ground trembled when she landed before me. People yelped and clutched at each other. Umara, my golden dragon, wasn’t known for her patience after all. By the Family, how could she want me?
Our eyes met.
Energy rushed through my veins. The rest of the world fell silent. I didn’t even realize I was walking toward Umara until we stood inches apart. My hand hovered over her snout. Umara chuffed, and those golden eyes searched my soul.
What do you see in me?
Why did you choose me?
How can I be worthy?
Warmth pulsed down the bond, and Umara pressed her head to my palm, closing the gap between us. My breath hitched. The bond flared to life again, and a memory appeared in my mind, so crisp it was almost painful.
I soar lazily through the skies. Down below is a mess of little humans, but there is someone who catches my eye. I watch her weave through the city undetected.It took me a second to realize that person was… me. The memory wasn’t mine. It belonged to Umara. There were no words spoken aloud, but the emotions made every thought clear.The girl, a scrappy little fledgling, robs a lazy human. She brings supplies back to a smaller human—her kin. So caring, kind. So fierce and protective. Thorned edges but soft petals.
‘You’ve watched me,’I send the thought across the bond as the images continue one after another.The fledgling’s on trial.Worry and anger coat the memory.I fly faster than I’ve ever flown. She is brave. She is strong. She is… like the last but different. There will be no death. I ram myself against Hesperos. THE FLEDGLING WILL NOT DIE. She is MINE.
My legs trembled, and I leaned on Umara for support.So that’s what you see.I wasn’t sure how I’d live up to it, but I knew in my soul, I’d spend my life trying to live up to her vision.
Umara chuffed, the heat welcome as it chased away the cold. Then she stepped back and lowered herself so that I could ride. I barely heard the crowd’s sharpintake of breath. This was it. This would complete the bond. There was no doubt in my mind. I wouldn’t fail. Umara wanted me. And even with everything going on, I wanted her.
In the first flight, you didn’t get a saddle with a strap to keep you in place, but I felt no nerves as I used her leg to climb up.You are mine, and I am yours,I thought and was met with a burst of pride. The moment I sat down a feeling ofrightnessfilled my very being.
