Page 57 of A Kingdom of Fire and Fury (House of Embers #1)

The day of the festival, my stomach was in knots. I stood in front of Umara and ran my hand along her golden scales. “Just one day of being a show monkey. We suffer through one day, and then we get to take back the reigns.” And if we’re really lucky, people stop trying to kill me.

She growled, but the bond thrummed with understanding.

“You look like a proper dragonsguard,” Kieran said, stepping beside me.

“If you're trying to make me throw up, keep with the compliments.” I wrinkled my nose. But despite my words, my body tingled. His black leather uniform hugged his body in all the right places. Whoever designed the men’s uniforms needed a raise.

No wonder he could lift me so effortlessly.

I want those hands to hold me up against the wall. I want his cock to—

“Such a liar, but you’re in good company.

” The amusement faded as he added, “Remember all the nobles will try to fuck with you. You’re a wild card, and none of them like that.

Don’t let them shake you. You’re not a newblood anymore.

You have some missions under your belt. You’ve proven yourself on the field, and you’re lethal. Don’t forget that.”

“I won’t.” There was too much at stake for me to fuck up. I exhaled. “Do you ever get tired of playing a role?” I’d have to wear a mask this entire time. From here on out, the success of Lusadia and my sister’s safety depended on it.

Before he could answer, Aurelia made her way to us, her arms folded, and her brow creased. “Don’t fuck this up.”

When I glanced at Kieran, the mask was back on his face, erasing all traces of vulnerability. “How long do we have to stay?” I asked.

“Too long.” Ben wrinkled his nose. “I joined the dragonsguard to get away from my family. The dragonsguard festivals are the worst. But at least we get to suffer together.”

“You still on to be my buffer?” I asked Nimue.

“Only if you’ll be mine.”

I nodded. “I can do that.”

My heart sat in my throat when we flew toward the capital’s quad, a huge area large enough for all of our dragons to land.

The crowd cheered when we flew over top of them.

Even from this high up, I could hear their shouts and frenzied praise.

It made my stomach do a little flip. Everyone would be watching me.

And because I was a street rat, I knew they expected me to fuck up.

It didn’t matter how many missions I completed, I’d still be a dirty commoner to the nobles.

As much as I didn’t want to be a circus monkey, I wanted to stick it to those assholes who thought I couldn’t keep up.

I’d make them see how valuable I was. Dammit.

Kieran had a point. As much as I didn’t like it, I was a symbol.

Whether I failed or succeeded today, it would send a message about commoners as a whole.

I straightened my shoulders, glancing at the others as our dragons took position in a circle above the quad. As stupid as this was, today was going to be a battle. It’d decide my public image, and whether the Andovan spies would try to take me out again. I couldn’t mess this up.

“This better be perfect,” Aurelia hissed.

On her mark, our dragons glided downward.

It was a tight fit and left no room for error.

All six of our dragons weaved their way around each other, twirling in mesmerizing circles.

As a citizen, I had never seen the dance.

Mainly because the royal guards were always extra attentive during the festivals.

It wasn’t worth the risk of getting my hand chopped off to try to steal at this event.

Even though I was nervous and worried Umara would act out, she didn’t. She purred in the back of my mind as she performed every glide, every twirl, and every dive. Beautiful. Dangerous. Deadly.

All this for a king who doesn’t give a shit.

That’s what this dance was about. To show how much power Luther wielded, that he got all these proud dragons to dance for him.

And to the public, that we had our dragons under control.

But it was so much more than that. It was a partnership, not one of master and pet.

Umara rumbled, a pleased sound .

Our dragons landed in the same circle, and as practiced, they all shot flames up at the sky. I smiled and slid down Umara’s back. The crowd parted as we all walked to the stage to stand behind Luther. It was so silent, you could hear every breath.

Beautiful. Dangerous. Deadly.

I raised my chin and kept my expression blank. We did it. The dragon dance went off without a hitch. Only once I stood on the raised pavilion did I allow myself a small smile. Looking down at the crowd, at those faces… they expected me to fail.

Fuck you all. I belong here. And for once, I could confidently think that. I wanted to be here, wanted to be a part of the dragonsguard and by doing so, keep my sister safe.

I met all the nobles’ gazes unflinchingly. It was easy to see the resemblance between them and the dragonsguard. I didn’t even need to use raised banners with their family crests their servants carried to identify them. Aurelia’s mother was practically a carbon copy of her.

“I’m sure you all have already been made aware, but our seventh rider has been claimed. Truly, I never thought this day would come.” Luther laughed, and the audience chuckled along with him.

I straightened my spine, my gaze flitting to Kieran, and the pride that shone in his eyes. I could do this. I could play my role. When Kieran nodded, I mimicked the gesture.

The various lords and ladies watched us with frowns or blank expressions. They probably couldn’t stand to be so close to all the peasants. The thought made my lips twitch. Let them see how powerful this peasant dragon rider can be.

Umara’s amusement sparked through the bond.

I barely had time to process it before she strode forward.

Commoners and nobles flung themselves out of her path—they knew not to fuck with a dragon.

Umara’s steps thundered across the pavilion.

She waited until she was before Luther and me.

Then, with a glint in her intelligent eyes, she fired at us both.

I smirked, looking at the shocked faces of the crowd through her golden flames.

‘You’re the best,’ I said through our bond.

Umara purred and made her way back to her spot, but not before nipping at Aurelia’s father. It took everything I had not to break out into a smile.

Luther let out a strained laugh. “As you can see, Umara is proud to have Selena as her rider, and we couldn’t be more pleased to have the kingdom under their added protection.

As per tradition, we waited to have this ceremony until Selena completed her first mission.

And just like with her claiming, she blew us out of the water.

In her first mission, she and the dragonsguard successfully eradicated a gryphon nest. Selena, come forward. ”

I kept my back straight and chin high as I strode forward.

“Kneel,” Luther ordered. His tone promised pain if I disobeyed. How I wished to punch him, to see how he’d react if I told him no. But I couldn’t do that, so I knelt. “Selena, do you vow to fight for Lusadia? ”

“I do.”

“Will you give your heart to the kingdom?”

“I will.”

“And if the need ever arises, will you shed blood for the good of the realm?”

My stomach churned. There was a good chance I’d need to do that and soon. Especially if the dragon eggs were stolen. “I will.” The words burned my tongue.

“I accept your vows and your pledge.” Luther pulled his sword from his hilt and hovered it over my shoulder.

Even though it barely tapped me, it felt like it was cutting into my skin, chaining me to the ground.

“I’m honored by your service. I know you will protect the realm from those who wish to do it harm.

Arise, Selena. You are now an official member of the dragonsguard. ”

The crowd went wild. From behind us, the dragons roared, shooting flames up into the sky.

Just another soldier in line. I barely stopped myself from scowling as I stepped back into line.

The responsibility weighed on my shoulders.

Already we stood on the cusp of war. Not only from Andova but also the gryphons.

Luther grinned, flourishing under the attention.

“The dragonsguard are working around the clock to defend the people of Lusadia, but today, they’re here for you, and we’ve prepared a little display for you all.

” Luther paused for the crowd to cheer. “Selena here hasn’t manifested her Gift Mark yet, but we suspect her Gift to be able to locate the gryphons—an ability which benefits us all.

” His eyes glinted, and I knew he wasn’t talking just to the crowd, but to the spies from Andova, no doubt listening in.

“But let’s move on to lighter stuff! Gareth, you’re up first.”

Gareth fiddled with his gloves as he stepped before the crowd.

I only half listened as he called for a volunteer, for someone with a broken arm.

The crowd parted not a moment later to reveal a mother and son.

The boy, who couldn’t have been more than six, looked rough.

His right arm had thick bruises, obvious to see even amongst the dirt that coated his skin.

Gareth’s expression softened, and he knelt before the boy.

“You’ll feel an ounce of pain, and then it'll be over.” He hovered his gloves over the kid, and golden light covered the kid’s arm.

The boy gasped but stayed still the entire time.

Damn. I knew from experience how sharp that jolt of pain could be, but the kid took it like a champ.

Gareth stood up and smiled down at the boy.

“You’ll be okay. Take it easy this time and be more careful. ”

“It doesn’t hurt anymore,” the kid whispered and poked his arm.

“Harold!” the mom cried.