Chapter 49
Chapter Forty-Nine
The friend I always dreamed of but never thought I’d have. The person who welcomed and accepted me when I arrived at Flighthaven clueless and terrified. The woman who trusted me with her life.
She’s dead because of me.
A knot of raw emotion clogs my throat, but I don’t have time for a breakdown. I can’t let anyone else I care about die. Not today.
Get your shit together.
Wrangling the storm of emotion threatening to consume me, I lock it in a neat little box to unpack when I have the luxury to do so.
The dragon flexes her wings, causing Zephyr to tense under me.
Sliding off the alicorn, I lower my gaze and take slow, cautious steps toward the creature who just incinerated my best friend.
My heart thunders in my ears. So loud, so all-consuming, I’m sure the dragon can hear it too. But I’m not afraid. Not for myself. A hollow numbness settles over me, emboldening me to continue my foolish trek.
Blasts of steam from enormous nostrils hit my face. I keep walking.
Seconds crawl by and the air stills, the sounds of the crowd fading into nothing.
The dragon huffs out a breath, and I know I’m near. I chance a peek up…and tortured golden eyes lock on mine. She’s so close that I could reach out and touch her colossal scaly foreleg.
Holding her gaze, I empty myself of all thought.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Unblinking, the dragon lowers her head until she’s eye level with mine. Glistening black horns protrude from her head. Every part of this creature is lethal. I have no idea why she hasn’t incinerated me.
My breath hitches as images flicker in my mind. I take a staggering step back.
The creature’s mind is a seething pit of dark, unspeakable torment. Shocking memories flash from her to me…
Men in Flighthaven uniforms chain the dragon to the ground, then force her head between two pieces of wood attached to a wall. There she remains for days…a week, without food and little water, with no hope of her misery ending until she obeys her human masters.
Roaring, the beast breaks free, setting fire to her cage and injuring one of the men.
I wish they’d died.
Water magic from the tallest man puts out the blaze, and his power encases Aine’s head in thick ice, cutting off sight and the ability to breathe. After the creature falls to the smoldering straw in her cage unconscious, men surround her, allowing her some air to live but not enough to grow alert. They whip her back, flanks, and legs until blood flows from between the orange scales.
Fury simmers in my veins, and I have to tamp down the magic rising to the surface.
Injured and starving, the dragon becomes docile, no longer fighting the men as they pour a dark, burning liquid down her throat.
With hope and will crushed, the dragon takes her place next to her kind in the aerie…until today. In severe pain from captivity, beatings, starvation, and whatever the liquid does to her mind and body, she lashed out.
Again, rage storms within the creature, unadulterated hatred swimming in her eyes.
Willing myself to remain calm, I close my eyes and conjure one of my happiest memories. It’s the flight home with Sterling and Zephyr, where I’m at peace and utterly free. I channel that feeling into this unseen connection with the dragon.
My eyes pop open.
Aine blinks, appearing confused, then wary. Head lifted, she roars.
The air trembles around me, and the ground shakes from the unearthly volume. My heart stutters. Somewhere behind me, an alicorn snorts.
Retreating to a place deep inside myself, I imagine ethereal cords shooting out from me and connecting me with Aine. Snatches of my fondest memories cascade through my mind. I hold onto the feelings they bring of peace and calm, of happiness and warmth.
The dragon stills, golden eyes again locking on mine. Slowly, the tortured, haunted look ebbs from her gaze, replaced by a newfound serenity.
Aine’s anguished images and emotions cease. Now all I feel is an overwhelming sensation of relief. Of peace. Of freedom.
The breath I didn’t realize I was holding escapes in a whoosh.
“That’s right,” I murmur, still envisioning the silken cords between us. “Go. Be free.”
Lowering her massive head in a gesture reminiscent of a bow, Aine’s gratitude channels through our connection. She turns her head, giving one final, ear-splitting roar.
Then she backs away, semitranslucent wings unfurling as she beats the air and takes off with a gust so powerful, I stagger backward.
Utterly drained of energy, I can no longer fight my lightheadedness. My knees buckle, and I start to fall.
Strong arms catch me before I hit the ground. My back’s pressed against a hard chest, and in a matter of seconds, I’m on a black alicorn and soaring upward. The scent of leather and soap envelops me, and I don’t doubt for a second whose arms I’m in.
“Are you hurt?” Husky concern laces Sterling’s voice.
“Only a few bruises and scrapes.” I know I should fight him, but I think I’m in shock. I’m too tired to do anything but sag against him. Now that I revealed myself as a dragoncaller, no doubt he’ll deliver me directly to the king. I can’t find it in me to care.
His grip tightens around my waist as we soar above the crowd. When I glance toward the king, I see his satisfied grin. Beside him, my mother’s face has gone pale, a silent plea in her eyes. When they lock on mine, she mouths, Run.