Chapter 37 #2
I almost collapse with sheer relief. We all go nuts, jumping around and hugging one another. Jordyn practically tackles me, and Dani joins in, the three of us laughing and celebrating. Then Georgia and I hug, followed by Becca.
“You did it!” she yells before turning to hug Mist. They jump up and down together.
I turn to Drake when the ladies start hugging their mind-bonds. I look at him, and he looks at me. He’s closer than I thought he was. If one of us reached out, we’d be hugging. Neither of us moves. It’s awkward. We just stand there, a few feet apart, the moment stretching uncomfortably between us.
“Well done,” he tells me, his voice low.
“Thanks.” I nod.
Nope. We won’t be hugging.
Scar calls for our attention, and I turn to face him, grateful for the interruption.
“Tomorrow, you will learn how to mount a dragon.”
There are shouts of happiness as well as mutters of despair.
“Will we have to climb actual dragons?” Georgia asks, her voice small and uncertain.
Scar smiles. “Soon,” he tells us. “But not just yet. Some of you are almost ready for training with your mind-bond in their dragon form.” He looks at me and then at Jordyn.
“Thank fuck,” Drake murmurs beside me, just loud enough for me to hear.
“Tomorrow we are going swimming,” Scar says.
I look over at Jordyn, and she makes a face. Dani is frowning.
“Swimming? How is swimming practice going to help us mount a dragon?” Becca asks.
“Mounting a dragon isn’t as simple as it sounds,” Scar says.
“It doesn’t sound simple at all,” Georgia grumbles.
“You are guaranteed to fall a lot initially. Instead of falling on the hard ground, you’ll have a safe water landing,” Scar explains.
“Surely we’re not expected to attend?” Drake says, his voice tight with annoyance. “I have work that—”
“Yes, you will be expected to attend,” Scar interrupts him. “You will all be expected to help and encourage your riders. Aside from learning combat maneuvers astride your beast, this is one of the toughest learning curves.”
“Yes, but they’re training to ride our dragons. They’re mind-bonded with our beasts. This seems unnecessary to me. I don’t need to be present while Harlow learns to climb a damned rock.”
My cheeks heat. Jordyn gives me a strange look. I can’t say I blame her. Drake is acting like I have the plague or something.
“I have matters that need my urgent attention,” Drake continues; his eyes are narrowed, and he’s bristling.
“You may have a lot on your plate, but you need to be here, Drake. As much as you think your dragon is separate from you, he isn’t.
You are two halves of a whole. You need to take part, to get to know your rider in human form as well.
It has been proven that trainee riders advance more quickly that way. ”
I glance at Drake, and we exchange a look. It’s exactly what I told him earlier, but in not so many words. He looks away first, his jaw clenched.
“None of you are excused,” Scar tells the whole group.
“Getting onto that rock is also your next sticking point in your training. None of you gets to tack up or to mount a dragon until you can successfully climb Mermaid’s Tail.
I doubt that any of you will manage it tomorrow…
or even the next day.” Then he shrugs and smiles.
“It’s going to take time, effort, and plenty of practice. ”
It sounds delightful. I’m already dreading it. The swimming part I’m fine with; it’s the climbing and the falling part I’m not so sure about.
“The weather is looking good on the forecast. It’s hard, but it’s fun.” Scar smiles, clearly enjoying the prospect of watching us struggle. “Head back to lunch.” We all begin to move toward the SUVs when he calls us back. “One last thing…”
We turn to face him.
“If any of you do not have a bathing suit, you can collect one when we get back. Drake’s new PA started this morning. She is available to take your orders.”
I only brought a bikini along, which will not be suitable. I should probably go and introduce myself to Drake’s new PA anyway, so this will be killing two birds with one stone.
This should be interesting. And by interesting, I mean potentially humiliating.
I note that Drake is already halfway to the SUV, and I jog to catch up to him. I can see that our conversation earlier fell on deaf ears.
He promised to be cordial.
He’s gone back to being an ass.
My eyes drop down to his leather-clad ass. Drake looks good in leather. Sooooo good. I force myself to look away. To look at anything but him.
I’m his rider.
Just his rider.
Unfortunately, that makes me think of me straddling him and riding him.
Riding his cock. Of how good he looked under me.
All those muscles bulging under his bronzed skin as he thrust up into me.
How pretty his face looked, taut with desire.
His jaw tight, but with need instead of disapproval. The sounds he made. His eyes hazy with…
I need to stop this line of thought.
That door is closed and bolted shut. I need to concentrate on making it through this training. On getting through today. My life depends on having a clear head.
I jump into the SUV, buckle up my seatbelt, and stare out my window. I don’t talk to him once. I don’t look at him. Two can play this game.