Chapter 8
Fern
Oh my goodness… I leaned as far as I dared over the side of my dragon’s back. How can one town be so big?
Wyrmpeak, the capital of Nevermere, spread out beneath us. There were so many houses, streets, everything. I couldn’t take it all in with one glance, no matter how high up we were. Auren’s wings cut through the air, sweeping back and forth.
Humans are far too populous. Her grumpy tone made me smile. They infest a place like fleas might a dog. Her head turned my way slightly. Present company excluded, obviously.
Obviously. I grinned back at her.
You are quite superior to the other humans I have met.
I found myself sitting taller at that, but the buffet of the wind forced me to slump back down along Auren’s spine.
The same cannot be said for the fools that think they run Wyrmpeak.
Human, officious humans, who are obsessed by following all of these nonsensical rules.
I felt her sigh rather than heard it over the roar of the air.
We will be forced to deal with them when we reach the keep of the so-called Royal Riders. Demand an audience with the general, the king if we must, she advised. We will get our land grant and then be off again by sunset.
Perhaps in the morning? I suggested. My thighs were shaking with the effort of staying on her back. A warm bath and a meal would be most appreciated.
Ahh yes, my father told me about this. Humans have tiny stomachs that must be filled more regularly and skin rather than scales that takes a lot more care.
I will demand you are given a bath in a receptacle made of gold, then provided the finest of feasts…
I snorted at that, unable to countenance something so grand.
You are my rider, and as such, I will make sure you get the best these humans can provide.
Her body shifted sideways. I was still getting used to this, so my hands gripped the spine in front of me far tighter.
Viridian says we must begin our descent now, she informed me. Oh…
Oh? I thought. Oh?
I was born in the keep hatching sands, she told me, but haven’t been back since I was a small dragonling. I… I didn’t think I’d remember this place, but I do.
With a wild bugle, she announced our presence to the whole city, sweeping past a somewhat startled Viridian, but Lance grinned.
With a whoop, he urged his dragon to follow hot on Auren’s heels, the two of them swooping in and out of the other’s path.
I felt like I was rushing just a little too fast towards the earth, my nails digging into my dragon’s spine, my body rigid, trying to brace itself for an impact that never came.
Instead, the beasts’ wings flapped out like flags, back winging to slow their descent before landing neatly on the roof of a tall stone tower.
Only to be met by an official in military uniform.
He frowned as we approached, then came to stand in front of us, notebook in hand.
“Cadets have been instructed to land in the courtyard below.” The man’s frown deepened.
“Landing on the roof just means you’ll need to walk all the way down to the ground floor and go into the relevant hall…
” His voice trailed away as Auren strode over, placing one golden claw in front of the other until she was almost toe-to-toe with the official. “A queen dragon?”
It was like he saw me for the first time, blinking furiously, and my hands went to my hair, my dress, trying to smooth them both down and then abandoning all hope.
I was a mess, pure and simple, and yet all I could do was smile.
I was free, facing a far brighter future than I could’ve ever dreamed of before today.
“Kennedy, is it?” Lance stepped forward, all confidence, and not for the first time was I grateful for the rider’s assistance. He seemed to know how the keep was run, looking down at the man’s insignia.
“Lance Axton?”
The man’s officious tone transmuted into a strangled squeak. I wondered why, but the conversation forged on.
“Indeed,” Lance replied, then shot me a sidelong look, followed by a wink. I blinked, unsure what that meant. “May I present the Lady Fern and her dragon, Auren.”
Before this Kennedy could reply, Auren decided she was done waiting.
Bring me your general, she said with a kind of confidence I frankly envied.
Or your king. I don’t care which, but we will not leave this roof until a parcel of land that suits our purpose has been granted to us.
A huff of her breath had the man stumbling backwards.
Be grateful that I am here following human protocol, not just taking land as is my right as a queen dragon.
“Ahh, Lady Fern…” Kennedy sketched me a quick bow. “Lady Auren—”
Queen Auren, my dragon corrected him.
My hand slapped over my mouth, stifling my smile. Lance didn’t bother to hide it, his weight transferring to one foot as he watched this whole scene play out with great amusement.
“Queen Auren.” The official said that very carefully. “Your… Majesty, I fear I am unable to accede to your request.”
And why would that be?
Her talons pushed free of their sheaths, the sound they made as they scraped across the stone alarming.
“Today is intake day,” he explained and that had Lance’s smile faltering.
Perhaps because Kennedy looked to the rider for support, as if they both knew what that meant.
“The latest group of people wishing to bond with dragons or the newly bonded are reporting to the keep for their training. By law, all new riders must spend a year at the keep—”
“A year…?” I gasped, then looked at Auren.
We will not be staying… here. Auren looked around as if she’d landed on top of a dung heap, not a military compound. For a year.
“The directive doesn’t come from me,” Kennedy squeaked, backing off abruptly. “The agreement was forged between the prime minister and Hadrian, king of the dragons…”
Auren stopped in her tracks. She was a gloriously massive beast, able to demolish any of us with just the sweep of her tail, but for some reason citing Hadrian’s name had her pausing.
“Humans that bond with dragons have to prove their worth.” The man was talking faster and faster.
“Ensuring the bond is a legitimate one and not born from coercion or an opportunistic binding of a baby dragon to a person. You can take it up with the general or Hadrian if this does not please you, my queen.”
The man held his notebook up as if the thick tome would be enough to ward off the rage of a queen dragon. Instead, Auren jerked her head back and then sat back on her haunches.
Fine. Those golden eyes focussed on me and I found myself stepping closer, not falling back. I apologise, Fern, but the humans make everything so very difficult.
Don’t apologise. My hand went up and I placed it on her flank without even thinking.
She looked down at it and I thought I might need to snatch it back, but a wave of cautious pleasure radiating out from her had me rubbing circles there instead.
If the government wants me to prove I deserve to be your rider, I’ll stay in the keep for a year, for ten years, if that’s what it takes.
A little chuff, that was all the warning I got before her head moved.
Pressed into my chest, I did stumble, then wrapped my arms as far as I could around her huge skull.
Giving her a hug, that’s what I realised this was, and the fact a dragon could relish contact just like a human was both exhilarating and reassuring.
Males are so stupid, she grumbled. So many rules and regulations to keep us contained.
On that you’ll get no argument from me, I replied.
She pulled free, done with the moment, before turning to Lance and Viridian.
I am instructing Viridian’s rider to take you through this… intake process. He obviously has had some experience in this matter. Viridian says he and his rider did a year of it with no ill effect. I have made clear what will happen if anyone dares to disrespect you.
My smile was back and I sketched a quick curtsey on reflex. Her queenly tone had my training kicking in.
I thank you for this, Auren.
I will go and feed. She lumbered towards the edge of the roof. Know that I am always with you, Fern. If any of these humans dares to displease you, they will face my wrath.
There was no chance to reply as she launched herself off the roof, dropping down into a slow swoop.
“Gods, I’ve forgotten how intense wild dragons can be.” Kennedy had fished out a kerchief and was mopping at his forehead. “So, can I take your details down, Lady Fern? You’ll submit these to the quartermaster when you go into the women’s hall.”
“Certainly,” I said. Auren seemed disgruntled at being forced to stay in the keep that housed the Royal Riders for a year, but I felt quite differently about it.
This was just another part of a grand adventure I never expected to go on.
If it meant no suitors, no stupid men bemoaning the fact their fathers coerced them into making an offer for my hand, well, I would happily become a cadet.
“Lady Fern Rochester,” I said, watching the man scribble down the details.
“Rider and bondmate of the queen dragon, Auren.”
“And where are you from, milady?” Kennedy asked.
I smiled slowly.
“No fixed address. Just put the keep down for now.”
The process was completed swiftly so I turned to Lance, ready to thank him for his assistance, but he got there first. A very large, muscular arm was thrust out, and it took me a second to realise I was supposed to take it.
Wrapping my hand around his forearm, he covered it with his own with a smile.
“Let’s get you down to the women’s hall and complete your enrolment, shall we?”