Page 100 of Flameborne: Chosen

“Bren, do you realize what you did?” he said quietly.

“Yes!” I gasped, but forced myself to stay at attention. “And I’m sorry. I was trying to follow your instructions and—”

“You didn’t just try. You succeeded.”

I blinked. Then frowned. “Youwantedme to kick you?”

I had the distinct impression he wanted to roll his eyes, but he scratched the back of his neck and shook his head. “No, Bren. I’m saying you did it. You climbed the mounting strap and got yourself over her back. You only fell because you dismounted hastily.”

I blinked again and thought back.

Holy shit. He was right.

I did it!

My mouth dropped open and Donavyn smiled. “At ease, Flameborne. Go do it again. This time I’ll stay out of kicking range.”

I snorted, but swallowed back the laugh, then nervously turned back to Akhane.

She peered at me, a strange, warm feeling washing from her through the bond.

‘Are you okay if I try again?’I asked her, afraid she was tired and sick of being clambered on like a child’s climbing frame.

‘Of course. It’s very exciting, Bren. All of it,’she said and I had the distinct impression that shesmiled.

Biting my lip, I ran towards her, grabbed the mounting strap with one hand, and jumped to grasp it with the other as high as I could. It took a moment to get myself positioned correctly, but soon I had my feet flat on Akhane’s side and began the climb.

My hands stung and I had to tuck my elbows into my sides to keep them from shaking. But I finally made it up, then paused to remember what he’d told me.

“Hook over with your right elbow—that means you need your left high enough to raise your shoulders.”

I nodded quickly and did as he said. Once again I hung off my dragon with one arm over her withers, and the other hand gripping the mounting strap.

It was awkward, and I knew I looked terrible, but I was able to slide my left hand down to brace on her shoulder and push myself up, heaving over her withers until I had my ass in the air again.

Then it was only a matter of grasping her lowest spine to give myself an anchor, then I could pivot my belly and… And I was on her back.

By myself.

Without the climbers’ clutches.

“I did it!” I shrieked and turned to look at Donavyn, who stood on the ground, fists on his hips, smiling up at me.

“Yes, you did. Now clip in, Flameborne. You’re going to fly. And this time when Akhane powers forward I want you to keep pulling up on that neckstrap—but try loosening your, er, seat. See if you can sit her stride so you aren’t bounced so high with each step.”

I nodded. It took two tries to clip in because I was suddenly nervous.

‘Don’t be afraid, Bren.’

‘I’m not—I want to do it, Akhane. I want to do this!’

‘You will. If not this time, then next.’

I took a deep breath, then urged Akhane to go, cursing when she snapped her wings wide, then shoved forward with that incredible power.

I bounced and my teeth clacked, but then I heard Donavyn shouting. “Loosen your hips. Lean back instead of forward—see if you can ride it!”

I tried to do as he instructed and leaned back—surprised when the next jolt only compressed my spine rather than ringing in my joints.