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)
Another distant scream sounds, this time from the north, but neither of us bothers to look. The sound came from far enough away that we aren’t in any direct danger.
Xaden looks over at my figurine. “Is that him? Your Red Daggertail?”
I nod. “It’s Deigh, and to answer your earlier question, I’m certain I’m his.” My thumb presses against the blade gently as I start the more delicate features of his snarling face. I took one look at him during Presentation and felt it. “You didn’t feel the same certainty about Sgaeyl at Presentation?”
Xaden scoffs. “Sgaeyl didn’t bother showing up to Presentation. She’d never be so banal as to conform to quadrant expectations.”
“I can see that.” That Blue Daggertail he’s bonded to is as vicious as they come, a fitting match for her equally vicious rider. “Any last words of advice before Deigh shows up?”
“If he’s a red, then his temper is probably worse than Sgaeyl’s, so don’t piss him off.”
My hands pause on the wood. “No dragon in this world has a temper worse than yours.”
A corner of his mouth rises. “You might be right. But while Sgaeyl is ruthless, she has enviable control of where that temper is unleashed. Pinpoint accuracy with lethal consequences. Reds tend to act on the rage and think about it later.”
“So don’t make him angry. Got it.” I nod. “Anything else?”
“All that bullshit Kaori feeds you about approach techniques is just that—bullshit.” He turns to face me, bracing his shoulder on the trunk of the tree. “Yes, those rules will keep you from getting torched by other dragons, but none of them really matter to the one that’s chosen you. They know everything—the best and worst of you—before they deign to speak to you. So if you don’t have manners, they already know and accept that about you.”
“Enjoyable thought. Someone knowing everything about you and accepting you anyway.” I won’t have to explain the relic, or my parents’ loyalties, because he already knows.
“It’s the strongest relationship you’ll ever have. And don’t worry about whether he’ll side with us when it comes to what’s happening beyond the border. If he’s chosen you, he already has.” Xaden straightens. “Trust me. There’s nothing you can do to change his mind, except maybe run or refuse to mount.”
“So I shouldn’t lower my eyes?” I ask.
“Oh, no. Lower your fucking eyes just in case another dragon—” He tilts his head to the side and stares off into the distance, which usually means he’s talking to Sgaeyl. “Godsdamn it. I have to go.” He pulls me into a hug, thumping my back with his fist. “Be careful.”
“What’s wrong?” I ask as he lets go of me.
“Two words as usual this year. Violet. Fucking. Sorrengail. Five-foot-nothing pain in my ass just got herself involved with Sgaeyl’s pet. I’ll see you on the flight field, Liam.” He strides away, disappearing into the trees to the west.
“That’s three words,” I whisper with a smile, damn well knowing he can’t hear me as I begin carving the figurine’s snout. Funny, I’ve never seen him so obviously obsessed over a woman. He’s never been one for attachments, and he barely tolerated Cat during the times I’d seen them together last year. Thank the gods that arrangement fell through, because it looks like my brother might have finally met his match. Good. He needs someone to crack open the impossibly thick walls he’s built—
Deigh’s head appears in front of the lowest tree branch ahead of me, and I startle. One second the space was empty, and in the next, he’s simply there, dark red scales and all. My knife slips off the figurine and slices into my forefinger just deep enough to draw blood.
“Shit,” I mutter and shove the carving into my pocket with one hand and sheathe the penknife with the other, somehow not managing to fumble, considering I have a pair of golden eyes assessing every move I make.
“Your last attempts were poor.” His voice is higher than I expected, more human-sounding than monstrous. “Is this the closer look you need to be accurate?”
Joy erupts behind my rib cage, and I grin. He’s really here. I’m really his. He will be the one thing in this world no one can take away from me. “I’ll get it right this time.”
“See that you do. I have not avoided holes in my wings and scars through my scales to be misrepresented by a slip of your knife.” He sniffs loudly, rustling the leaves at my feet. “And your blood is a shade too dark for my scales.”
“I don’t usually wound myself.” I test the cut, happy to see it’s already scabbing.
“Good.” He lifts his head to stare down at me. “You enjoy the tree. Good. I chose it on purpose. I have seen them in your memories of your home. You favor the ones on the southern hillside, do you not? I find them cumbersome to hunting, but humans seem to like them.”