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)
The grass in front of the orange withers with its next breath.
“It’s always the right time for a lesson around here,” she counters. “It’s not just the signet. The more powerful the dragon, the less other dragons are willing to fuck with its rider once the bond solidifies,” she finishes. “I’m perfectly safe. You, however, are not.”
My lips part. I never thought of it that way, but it makes complete sense.
The orange’s head surges forward at the same moment that the trees to the left of us move. Before I can so much as blink, the dozen razor-sharp tips of a daggertail rest against the orange’s exposed throat.
A jade-green daggertail.
My gaze flies along the daggertail’s spine as the dragon maneuvers backward into the little clearing, holding its tail in place as it nimbly fills the space between the orange and us. It snarls in the orange’s direction before swinging its head toward us.
With a single glimpse into her golden eyes, I forget to look away.
My heart stammers a staccato beat.
She’s the call in my chest, the voice in my head. I’m as sure of it as I am my own name.
“Well, damn it,” Eya mutters quietly as the orange retreats into the trees. “Lower your eyes, and remember not to—”
“Back down,” I finish for her, taking a step toward the green. “I know. I studied. Don’t worry. She’s mine.”
“You’d better be sure about that,” Eya replies. “A green will absolutely know.”
“You’re mine,” the green corrects me.
“Isn’t that what I said?” I take another step, putting me within an arm’s reach of the green’s snout.
“It is not the same.” Her nostrils expand with her next inhale, and then she draws her head back slightly, peering down at me. “You coagulate quickly, Rhiannon. What an excellent sign. I am Feirge.”
“Feirge,” I whisper, and that missing piece of my lungs clicks back into place.
“You would have known that had you sought the reference guide upon waking.” It’s a blatant admonishment.
My mouth opens, then shuts. She’s called me out in the way that only Raegan does—blunt with no apology. “I meant to, but I needed to make sure my squadmates ate, since our squad leader is running around out here.”
“Really? I had no idea. I’ve never seen any of your memories.” She tilts her head.
Well, that can’t be right. Dragons are privy to every memory the second they bond us.
“I’ve been calling for you since the dragon-watcher brought your aspirants to the forest. Your sense of direction leaves me awestruck.” Her talons strike the grass one at a time like a schoolteacher drumming her fingertips to hide her exasperation.
A smile curves my lips. “Thank you.”
She blinks.
“Oh.” My eyebrows rise, and my smile vanishes as quickly as it formed. I had it right—she’s exasperated. “You’re being sarcastic.” Of course she’s seen my memories and knows what I was doing this morning. And she definitely isn’t impressed with how long it has taken me to find her.
“How quickly you catch on.”
“I didn’t know dragons could be sarcastic,” I mutter, staring up at her as she lifts her head, clearing a path to her foreleg should I choose to mount.
“Hopefully you’ll be able to tell the difference when she isn’t,” Eya comments from behind me. “You’d better get going before she changes her mind.”
Feirge resumes clacking her talons.
“Right.” I take a step, then hesitate and glance back over my shoulder. “What about Visia?”
Eya looks at me as though I’ve sprouted another head. “What about her? If she wakes before nightfall, it’s up to her if she wants to continue, and if she doesn’t, she’ll be set back to next year in hopes a squad leader is willing to take her.”
“Willing to take her?” My eyes widen. “You mean Aetos had to agree to take Sawyer?” Eya nods, and my mind races over my squadmates. Tynan’s a dick, but the rest of us are solid. I choose to go with the odds. “When Visia wakes, tell her second squad understands the grit it takes to repeat, and she will be welcomed by whomever is designated to be our squad leader.”
A smile slowly softens Eya’s face. “I have a feeling that will be you.”
My heart beats double-time as I rip my gaze from Eya’s and turn back toward Feirge. A flicker of hope ignites in my chest, swiftly fanning into flames of determination as I look into her eyes. Squad leader. That’s a hefty goal, and I’d have to be worthy—
“You approached without hesitation instead of cowering when your friend with Teine’s scales was in danger during your Presentation. If you were not worthy, you’d be char by now.” Feirge huffs a deep breath that feels like a giant dragon sigh. “Should you doubt it, you have no place on my back.” There’s zero sarcasm in her tone, and her talons still.