Page 63 of Ava's Love of the Dragons
"Wrong, We are of utmost importance. Guards!"
The soldiers stepped forward and bound Ava's hands behind her back. She didn't know whether it was wise to resist or not. Would there still be a trial, or was this her last chance to object?
"The dragon needs me!"
But the king just waved dismissively, as if her case was already settled. However, before he could continue his way through the ranks, Kilian stood in front of him, barely hinting at a bow.
"Allow me a word, Your Majesty, but the dragon has already bonded with her."
"He will have to choose another rider!"
Draco's angry roar sounded, and a salvo of fire rushed close over their heads. Even the king paused at that, and Kilian used the opportunity to continue working on him.
"As you hear, he by no means accepts that. He is a very powerful dragon that we absolutely need on our side. Elora is growing stronger and has conquered more territories in the south."
"Why do We know nothing of this?"
Ava wanted to say something else, but before she opened her mouth, Draco's words rushed through her head."Let the dragon leader speak."
Kilian was already drawing himself up to his full height, as if the power dynamics were reversed. "If you don't want to anger the dragons, Your Majesty, you must accept the new dragon's choice. Believe me when I tell you that we need every single one in battle."
Draco roared deafeningly, as if to emphasize Kilian's words. Ava looked to the meadow where he stood. His head towered far above those present, and his dangerously flashing eyes were directed straight at the king.
Would he incinerate him if he had Ava led away?
Voices grew louder, prompting one of the soldiers to strike the ground with a staff until silence returned.
Ava still stood surrounded by the king's men, her hands bound behind her back. She wanted to say something, but a casual glance from Kilian warned her to remain silent.
The regent examined her thoroughly before narrowing his eyes. "We tolerate it, but We do not allow you to do anything without Our express command. Do you understand, Guardian?"
He practically spat out the last word.
She wanted to rebel, but that wouldn't be wise. She didn't want to be at another's mercy again—especially not the king's.She clenched her jaw and her gaze fell on Magg, who looked at her imploringly, as if she knew what was going through her mind. Compliantly, Ava only bowed her head, unsure if she could hide the anger in her voice.
Only when the king and his entourage had left did she look up again. Marcus gripped her upper arms, his face chalk-white. "We need to disappear as soon as possible."
Magg stepped between them and hissed a warning at him. "Quiet, there are eyes and ears everywhere here. Besides, Ava can't just run away anymore. She's an enrolled cadet and under the king's special observation. If she leaves the grounds, anyone has the right to kill her."
Well, then. Wonderful.
"Does that mean I can't even fly on Draco?"
"Only if a commander explicitly allows it."
Ava couldn't help but look along the ranks, but there was no sign of the only commander who was on her side.
The training began, and she gave it her all, as it was the best way to release her frustration without getting herself or her friends into trouble. But it was clear that a plan was needed, and not just because the trainers couldn't match Master Clark's lessons.
At lunch, she shoveled food into herself listlessly, without noticing what she was eating. Marcus and Magg, along with hundreds of others, were eating, too. Although the dining hall was overcrowded, the noise level remained moderate. Private conversations were nonexistent.
At some point, Lynn appeared. Ava moved closer to Marcus so she could sit with them. "Hey, how was your class?"
But Lynn waved it off, unusually pale. "Have you seen Lilly?"
"I thought she was in class with you."
"She was, but I was supervising a different study group in the morning, and when I went to pick her up for lunch, she was gone."
