Page 18 of A Kingdom of Fire and Fury (House of Embers #1)

“Don’t disappoint me,” Kieran hissed in my ear.

I rolled my eyes “I’m going to complete the bond, and it has nothing to do with you.”

He grinned, easily falling in step with me as we walked to the large training clearing. “That’s the spirit.”

Condescending ass. My retort died on my red rouge lips when I noticed the crowd gathered, a motley of peasants, knights, and everything in between.

My heart stuttered. This isn’t how it normally goes.

Peasants weren’t invited to witness a rider’s first flight.

“I’m a fucking circus monkey. Do you want me to give a little dance too? ”

“It certainly wouldn’t hurt.”

I fought the urge to elbow him. “Are you allergic to showing any sort of kindness?”

“To you, yes.”

I exhaled. There was a reason this was so public. If Umara rejected me, then the king would be blameless, and it’d reinforce the message to any hopeful peasant that commoners didn’t belong on dragons. I raised my chin as I sauntered over to the center of the grassy plain.

“Make sure to keep a steady grip,” Kieran murmured.

“Obviously.” I smoothed out my uniform. All eyes would be on me, and while I didn’t care about the public, I didn’t want to be Luther’s excuse for why commoners should be put down.

“You don’t need to worry. You look the part. Beautiful and deadly.” I eyed him, searching for any hint of mockery. “It was a good call to braid your hair. The other women riders do too.”

I flexed my jaw. “Fuck off. This is how I like to style my hair.”

A faint smile formed on his lips. “I know.” He glanced at the crowd.

“On the surface level, there’s nothing Luther can use against you.

Even without meaning to, you’re dressed like a dragon rider.

Almost like a noble with that long hair of yours and rouge lips—very impractical by the way.

” He looked at me, mischief sparking in his eyes. “But captivating nonetheless.”

“Do you want me to hit you? Why are you trying to insult me?” But I didn’t feel any true anger, and his words eased some of my nerves. How the hell did we get here? When he wasn’t running training, Kieran wasn’t a total jerk.

“This is your chance to prove yourself against everyone who wants you to fail.” His gaze lingered on Aurelia and Luther. “Be the badass I know you can be.”

“I thought you were better at manipulating people. This is embarrassing for you.” I grinned at him, but I couldn’t believe my words. Or his. Our conversations usually consisted of scowling at each other.

“You need the encouragement.”

“I don’t need shit!” I shook my head in amazement. Kieran Motherfucking Caddel, the very man who tried to execute me, was trying to soothe my nerves.

“Now who’s lying?” He smirked. “Don’t fail me now. That’s an order from your captain.”

“Don’t tempt me to sabotage myself.” If we didn’t have a crowd watching us, I would’ve gave him a vulgar gesture. Kieran and I exchanged one more grin, and then he made his way to the other riders. As per tradition, I stood by myself and waited for Umara to appear.

I didn’t have to wait long. She roared from up above and sent a cascade of flames over our heads.

Her golden scales glistened from the sun, so bright it was nearly blinding.

The ground trembled when she landed before me.

People yelped and clutched at each other.

Umara, my golden dragon, wasn’t known for her patience after all. By the Family, how could she want me?

Our eyes met.

Energy rushed through my veins. The rest of the world fell silent. I didn’t even realize I was walking toward Umara until we stood inches apart. My hand hovered over her snout. Umara chuffed, and those golden eyes searched my soul.

What do you see in me ?

Why did you choose me?

How can I be worthy?

Warmth pulsed down the bond, and Umara pressed her head to my palm, closing the gap between us. My breath hitched. The bond flared to life again, and a memory appeared in my mind, so crisp it was almost painful.

I soar lazily through the skies. Down below is a mess of little humans, but there is someone who catches my eye.

I watch her weave through the city undetected.

It took me a second to realize that person was…

me. The memory wasn’t mine. It belonged to Umara.

There were no words spoken aloud, but the emotions made every thought clear.

The girl, a scrappy little fledgling, robs a lazy human.

She brings supplies back to a smaller human—her kin.

So caring, kind. So fierce and protective. Thorned edges but soft petals.

‘You’ve watched me,’ I send the thought across the bond as the images continue one after another.

The fledgling’s on trial. Worry and anger coat the memory.

I fly faster than I’ve ever flown. She is brave.

She is strong. She is… like the last but different.

There will be no death. I ram myself against Hesperos.

THE FLEDGLING WILL NOT DIE. She is MINE.

My legs trembled, and I leaned on Umara for support. So that’s what you see. I wasn’t sure how I’d live up to it, but I knew in my soul, I’d spend my life trying to live up to her vision.

Umara chuffed, the heat welcome as it chased away the cold.

Then she stepped back and lowered herself so that I could ride.

I barely heard the crowd’s sharp intake of breath.

This was it. This would complete the bond.

There was no doubt in my mind. I wouldn’t fail.

Umara wanted me. And even with everything going on, I wanted her.

In the first flight, you didn’t get a saddle with a strap to keep you in place, but I felt no nerves as I used her leg to climb up. You are mine, and I am yours, I thought and was met with a burst of pride. The moment I sat down a feeling of rightness filled my very being.

I gripped her spikes for balance. This was it. From here on out, I’d be a dragonsguard, a tool at Luther’s disposal. But I’ll use them right back.

Umara didn’t immediately fly, so I acted on instinct and patted her.

“I want to be free,” I murmured. “I want to raze the kingdom to the ground for my sister, but I can’t.

At least, not right now. Not if she’s happy.

But I need help. I need your strength. Will you lend it to me?

In return, I’ll be the rider you wish me to be.

Every single day will be an honor. I won’t forget that. ”

She purred, this time audibly. It was strange hearing it aloud, but thrilling, nonetheless. That was the only warning I had before she bolted. The world blurred, the trees getting impossibly closer. ‘You might want to jump up now,’ I sent through the bond.

Umara jumped with a loud roar that echoed through the trees. We launched straight through the flames. It was almost like she was saying: Stop doubting me.

I gripped her spikes, my heart thundering against my ribcage. I had no time to panic, only to trust. And holy fuck, I didn’t burn. My body jerked with each rocky movement, but then… then we were up in the sky. Umara spread her wings wide and glided. “Beautiful,” I whispered.

This lightness in my chest… it was like my soul was singing.

The bond between us was stronger and brighter than ever.

All her emotions—her pride, joy, sorrow, nostalgia, happiness—it was like they were mine.

A tear rolled down my cheek. We’re one. Not dragon and rider.

One. This was nothing like being on Enmei.

Umara growled, and we jerked to the right.

I gripped her scales so tight my fingers were practically white.

“It wasn’t meant as an insult,” I said, laughing.

The bond, already strong and overwhelming, snapped in place, filling me with so much warmth for a second I was sure I was burning from the inside out.

Another tear fell down my cheek. Umara glided through the clouds before dipping down so that we remained in sight.

I laughed again and raised my face to the sky.

The wind kissed my face and brushed my braids back.

This time, my eyes didn’t burn like before.

It was like… like it took until now for my body to realize I was made to ride.

“You’re so fucking amazing, Umara. Thank you. ” I couldn’t say it enough.

Umara purred.

The flight felt like it lasted five minutes, but the sky went from bright blue to a haze of pink, orange, and purple. I grinned and patted Umara’s scales. “You know Luther’s going to be pissed, right? He’s probably still waiting down there with everyone else.”

Umara chuffed, and I snorted when she flew in the opposite direction of the clearing. I belong here. I knew that in my bones. The nobles might not think so, but fuck them. I belong here. I smiled. “You can bring us down now. I’m ready.”

Umara dived. I didn’t even have time to scream. But somehow, I didn’t fall. It was only once she landed, did I realize what she’d done. She showed everyone just how much she wanted me. Her magic was the only thing that had kept me in my seat.

I stared down at the crowd, none of them had left despite the hours long flight. For a moment, everything was silent, and then the crowd erupted into cheers. My eyes landed on Kieran and the slight curve to his lips. Pride. But only because he saw me as a tool, just like Luther.

I grinned as I slid down Umara’s back, meeting Luther’s blank expression head on. I didn’t care that my double yesenian braids were a mess of fly-aways. Not when I felt like I could take on the world, especially with Umara hovering behind me. Her silent support was everything.

Luther stood beside me and clasped a hand on my shoulder. “The dragonsguard is now complete. The seventh rider has been chosen!” His hand dug into my shoulder when the crowd got even louder.