Page 68 of Dragon Master (Rise of the Dragon Master)

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With a deep breath, I tried grounding myself for what was to come, slipped Skylar’s sword into my scabbard, and stepped out of the room.

Asher and the other Elevated Warriors waited for me when I stepped out into the hallway. They stood in two rows on either side of the space, and as I walked by them they bowed their heads at me, pressing a fist to their hearts in respect. The action was solemn and filled with solidarity, but it accentuated the seriousness of what I was about to do.

Silence engulfed us as my brothers and sisters walked with me out of the castle, escorting me to the Dragon’s altar. The tension became thick in the air when we began our trek up the stairs, and I focused on the confidence I knew the men and women joining me had in me. My hand fell on the hilt of the sword at my hip, looking for reassurance, and finding unexpected strength in the feel of Skylar’s weapon.

At first, I thought that not having my father’s sword for this was a mistake, but now I understood why she had taken it. Skylar was not only the best swordsmith in Evie’s kingdom, descendant from a unique line of enchantresses with the ability to infuse their rare magic into the weapons and shields they created—like she had done with our arm shields. She was also born of the same race of natural warriors from which Kingston descended, and had fought by his side.

She wanted to show me that a true warrior was not determined by the weapon they wielded, but by the ability they carried within themselves to rise above evil.

With a final step, I arrived at the altar that protruded from the hillside, to see Kingston already standing there, front and center. Evie stood beside him, looking regal in one of her silk and crystal embroidered dresses that I loved, with Willow accompanying her. I wanted to go to Evie, feel her skin on my hands, kiss her… talk to her about our fight. I hadn’t seen her since that night, but it would have to wait.

Quenching the urge, I stopped before them, and bowed. “Princess Evanna, Chief… Willow.” When I straightened, I found no emotion on Evie’s face, or at least the appearance of it missing.

“I cannot wish for the loss of a life, but I do hope you come out victorious from this challenge.” She offered a slight tilt of her head, and the coldness of her voice cut through me.

“Thank you, Princess.”

“Trust your instincts,” Kingston advised, looking stoic next to her. “We will speak after the duel.”

“Will do, Chief.”

“Good luck,” Willow wished warmly, and I was thankful for her smile.

Bowing once more, I turned to find that the Elevated Warriors now stood along one side of the circular platform. The other one showed four men I had seen with Lachlan before, probably here to support him, but he hadn’t arrived yet.

I took my place in the center of the marked circle just as a large shadow swept over us. We all looked up to see Saithar fly up to us, Lachlan perched on his neck. He climbed onto his Dragon’s head, standing on the rhino horn for a moment to stare me down, then jumped onto the platform.

Internally rolling my eyes, I tried not to laugh at his dramatic entrance. If he meant to use a Dragon to intimidateme, then he really had no idea who he was facing today.

Harrison snickered behind me, probably thinking the same thing, until Elijah elbowed him in the gut.

“Chief of Battle, Princess Evanna.” Lachlan bowed, stopping before them like I had.

“I cannot wish for the loss of a life, but I do hope you come out victorious from this challenge,” Evie offered him the same sentiment she did me.

Part of me knew that as the soon to be queen, she could not play favorites, but hearing her wish him well burned through me like nothing else had.

If Lachlan was victorious, that meant I had died.

Pushing the thought out of my head, I straightened when Lachlan stood before me with a fierce expression. He seemed ready and determined to do whatever it took to win. I knew that for him it not only meant the duel, but getting the princess as well.

Over my dead body—wait. Never mind.

Loud thunders suddenly began to echo inside the mountain, and it took a second for us to realize what it was. Our Dragons descended from the honeycombs—all of them—large wings flapping and causing the sounds that exemplified their name. Their forms hovered all around us, with Venom and Tharion at the lead. They too had come to support me.

Lifting a hand, I called Tharion to me, placing my palm on his forehead when he lowered it.“This is a willing fight between Lachlan and I, you understand? No matter what happens. No matter the outcome, you cannot attack. None of you.”

I sent the thought to all the Dragons present, seeing their heads nod. Even Venom nodded, though a screech rumbled in his chest. Threads of lightning ran over the fin like flaps along his head and neck, but he wasn’t preparing to attack. He was letting me know just how much he hated this. He was a feisty one.

“Tharion… I’m talking to you,”I pressed, my attention returning to him.“You will not attack Lachlan, or anyone, if I don’t make it out of here.”

Embers swirled out of his nostrils as he huffed and puffed, resisting my request, but as our eyes locked, I knew he understood. He finally pulled away, no nod or anything else, but a feeling of resignation flowed through me. He had agreed. There was also a fierce ache inside him that said he didn’t want to lose me too.

“You won’t,”I assured.“I’m going to give it my best to stay with you.”

When I turned around, I saw the shock in Lachlan’s face, mixed with distrust, before it turned to animosity.

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