Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
“You would go against your father? Your superior officer?”
Cath reaches a peak and our momentum stalls for just a heartbeat. The world goes quiet, and in that moment, I touch what feels inexplicably like…peace.
We’re hundreds of feet above the ground, and up here, nothing else matters. Not my father. Not whatever challenge is called next. Not the quadrant. My life hangs in the balance of the next minute, the actions of the dragon beneath me, and it makes everything else insignificant, meaningless.
Gravity calls, and Cath tucks his wings as we dive.
“There is no bond more vital than that of a dragon and its rider,” I yell, locking my muscles to hold my seat. “No order may surpass its importance, or it is deemed unlawful. Article one, section three—”
“Do you give allegiance to the Codex while you ride the edge of Malek’s doorstep?”
I clench my thighs even harder as Cath banks right, throwing my weight in the opposite direction to maintain my hold as he starts to spiral. The horizon rotates over and over as wind whips across my face. He’s right. Codex isn’t going to save me up here. “No.”
“Then what truly holds your allegiance?” He straightens, and the world evens out.
“You.” My heartbeat steadies. More than ever, I’m certain the voice is Cath’s, that I’ve made the right choice.
He swivels his head just enough to look over his shoulder at me. “Never forget that. It is the only condition of my allegiance.”
“Never,” I promise. Nothing—no one—could be more important, more essential than the bond I feel clicking into place. It makes even Dad’s meddling feel inconsequential. For the first time in my life, I’m connected to someone I can’t disappoint, because he already knows everything about me.
Cath turns his head back toward the horizon, and we fly as one.
632 AU
Cuir—Green Swordtail
(Male) Descended from the Uaineloidsig Line
Estimated Age: 59
Recorded Riders: 1
—The Compendium of Dragonkind,
last updated by Colonel Valin Kaori
Bodhi
“Any last questions?” I ask, making pointed eye contact with each of the three marked ones. My heart beats wildly as we stand at the edge of the forest, but I keep my facial expression neutral. Telling them I’m terrified, too, isn’t going to help our cause, and while dragons enjoy deference, they tend to make overly scared cadets crispy.
And if there’s one thing I’ve gotten good at, it’s keeping my feelings to myself.
“Watch your backs for petty cadets bearing grudges. Find your dragons. Don’t die. Pretty sure that sums it up.” Imogen Cardulo blows a strand of short pink hair out of her eyes before leveling me with a look that says my pre-Threshing motivational speech wasn’t all that motivating.
Can’t blame her. I’m not exactly a leader, nor have I ever wanted to be one. My cousin, Xaden, got all the inspirational, magnetic genes in the family, and I received whatever was left over. Usually, I’m perfectly fine with the distribution of our talents. He was born to lead the duchy of Aretia, and that kind of magnetism doesn’t fade just because Navarre stripped my uncle of his title before they executed him and my parents in the same manner as our city. I’m skilled at keeping everything running in the background so Xaden can be free to do Xaden-like shit. I’m also really damn good at keeping Xaden from being too much…Xaden. It’s a fine balance between supporting my cousin and making sure his ruthless ass doesn’t end up executed, too.
Most days, I’m content with that role. But today, I’d love to have an ounce of the confidence that landed him Sgaeyl, making him one of the most powerful riders in the quadrant as a second-year. Today, I’d love to have the power he does to inspire others and take away my friends’ fear. But more than anything, just for today, I want to walk into this forest as my own man, to be seen as more than Xaden Riorson’s cousin.
As it is, sometimes I feel like I’m one of Kaori’s projections of Xaden; I resemble him enough to earn both hatred and respect, depending on who’s looking, but lack the power to make the same impact he does.
But I told Xaden I’d lead the others when I can, and Durrans don’t go back on their word. I promised my father I never would, and I meant it.
“I think we’ve got it,” Ciaran agrees, his complexion a little ruddier than normal today.
“Good—” I spare a glance over his shoulder at where Colonel Aetos is talking to his son, and my heart rate skyrockets when I catch the colonel watching us. “We need to break this up. Now.” We’re at an official quadrant event, but the four of us being alone together lands us in a gray area when it comes to the Code of Conduct.
The others look back and all of them tense, even Imogen.