Page 98 of Ensnared

Azar’s powerful muscles shift and bunch, and then he launches into the air, his wings beating regularly as we lift up, up, up and into the sky. He wheels around sharply, and we’re headed back to Clear Lake.

“Won’t people think it’s strange that you’re dropping me off?”

Azar’s wings skip a beat and we dip.

“Maybe you should shift and drop me off a mile away.”

I need to deal with Ocharta first. I’d do it without you, but it seems like you get into too much trouble whenever I leave you alone.

He’s not wrong about that. “What are you going to do?” I bite my lip.

He blows air out of his nostrils. I should just kill her.

I do feel a little bad for making his life harder, but it’s not like our bond has been a walk in the park for me.

I’ll demote her.

“Can you do that?”

I’m guessing not really. His wings beat harder and we gain speed, and then he dives downward, bringing his wings in tightly so we’re rocketing. In that moment, for the first time ever on his back, I relax and fully enjoy what I’m doing.

I’m riding a freaking dragon.

A fire-breathing dragon.

When he drops onto the ground with a bone-jarring thunk that rattles my teeth, I rethink my prior elation.

Sorry. I’m not used to having a rider.

“It’s fine,” I say.

You’re back. Gordon bows. I kept her here, Your Majesty.

Ocharta.

She’s curled up into a dried-and-sticky-blood mess. I almost can’t recognize her in this state, her silvery scales dull and coated in places with black and brown goo. Her tail looks like it’s about half regrown.

It’s nasty. I slide off Azar’s back and retrieve the swords I dropped when I was last here. Luckily, I’m still wearing the scabbard Gordon made me. Once I’ve sheathed them, I walk a few steps farther away, standing near Gordon. It feels like something I should do, to move away from the big scary dragon to stand near my bonded dragon’s worker.

You’re back to kill me? Ocharta struggles to stand. Do it.

“Release my mom,” I say.

Azar glares at me.

I can’t release her, human. No one can release their ensnared. She’ll die with me. She’s smiling. It’s not in my head. I’ve never wanted someone to die and also wanted to keep someone safe as much, at the same time.

Your people will choose a new leader.

It doesn’t work that way. Ocharta’s smile broadens. If you let me live, I’m their leader.

Azar roars in her face.

She looks shockingly unconcerned.

It works however I say it works.

Your pet is weakening you. Ocharta leans closer. He’ll prove your demise if you don’t put him down.