Page 21

Chapter 21

Ash

I had attended this competition several times over the years. I had seen my mate’s teams perform, too, of course, but this was my first time here as a Flight Leader, and it was terrifying. How different things would’ve been if we’d ever gotten close enough to each other back then. But different didn’t always mean better, and it was difficult to imagine a scenario where life with him was better than this, with him by my side as my partner in all things.

The number of details we had to keep track of was alarming and something I hadn’t even considered before we arrived. So far, we were managing, but I had a feeling it was one of those situations where if you dropped one ball, they would all start falling.

It was all very “hurry up and wait” while we organized and the competition got started. Or so we thought. Then Isaac tripped over an extension cord and was sure that he had pulled a muscle, which required a quick shift and flight check for him. Susan forgot her lucky water bottle in her dorm room, so she had to go track that down, only they wouldn’t let her into our team area because she’d also left her ID badge behind. It was a whole ordeal I was thrilled was over.

So far, we had been able to avoid Carson, and we all agreed we’d like to keep it that way. It was best not to see him than to have to deal with him, that was for sure. But even knowing he was there added a level of stress to an already stressful situation.

I was introduced to several other teams at the banquet dinner last night. Everyone was incredibly welcoming and supportive, giving my mate and me well-wishes. Clearly, Zayne was a well-respected member of the community. I couldn’t be more proud of him.

According to everyone I spoke to, he was a new dragon now that he was mated. In the past, Zayne avoided the social events, but he went there with me on his arm without a fuss. I even got him to wear a tie. I’d have preferred staying with the clutch all of the time, but this was important. If I wasn’t there, by his side the entire time, people would jump to all sorts of conclusions, including that we weren’t really Co-Leaders and the title was in name only. Thankfully, we were surrounded by people who were at the ready to stay with our eggs.

When I woke this morning, I thought the day would fly by. It always had when I was a spectator. Turned out, it was different when I was participating. The day was crawling by instead of running. Probably because our first flight competition was just after lunch, and our second one would be later in the evening. We had all morning waiting in anticipation.

We spent it watching the other competitions. I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. Sure, we could learn from their success and mistakes as far as the tiny things went, but if they pulled out something fabulous we needed to figure out, there simply wasn’t time. Either way, we took notes to go over after the games.

Zayne and I sat in the stands, our team a nervous wreck behind us, each of them fidgeting. Next time I was going to give them actual fidgets to make their lives easier and their nerves calmer.

They also took turns sitting in Zayne’s and my room with the eggs so that they were never left alone. Zayne’s parents had come to watch us compete, and they were currently sitting with them. They were going to be the best grandparents. That was for sure.

“Galeclaw’s team is up next,” Zayne said.

I sat a little straighter, keeping a keen eye on the team walking out onto the field. As with all of these events, the teams would first walk out and be introduced to the judges in their human form. Then they would all shift into their dragon forms. Once the judges gave the all-clear, they would take flight and begin their routine. Each team was given five to seven minutes to perform their prepared routine. It was very formulaic like that, even though each routine had its own personality of sorts.

Galeclaw’s team consisted of five members, all returning competitors. They captivated the audience from the second they stepped onto the field. I wasn’t sure if it was their confidence or their reputation that drew everyone to them. Most likely it was a bit of both.

When their dragons took to the skies, their routine was impressive and executed flawlessly. I couldn’t find a single movement to mark them down on, and I was picky. When their score came back—higher than anyone else’s—I wasn’t surprised. We applauded, as we should. I wasn’t the kind of Leader who got upset when other people did well. Bad sportsmanship never did anyone any good.

“We should get down there and get ready,” Hayden said. Nerves were pouring off of him. Following a team that was so perfect wasn’t ever easy.

I agreed with him and indicated it was time to get the others. We stood from where we were in the stands and walked down to the waiting area before the announcers started speaking again. We didn’t want to disturb others by blocking their view, even if it was only for a few minutes. We held our heads high—now was the time to get into the competition mindset and not let any doubts or anxieties overtake us.

We could do this.

We were ready.

We were going to own the sky.

Of course, Carson found us and took the opportunity to come by. Jackass. His typical smarmy smile adorned his face, and for a split second, I wished I was the type of guy to throw a punch. He was 100% the type of guy who needed one.

Zayne held my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“Ash. Zayne. The two of you never returned my calls.” He spoke loudly, as if hoping others might overhear and we might be framed as the bad guys.

Zayne shrugged one shoulder. “Didn’t seem to be anything worth discussing, really.”

Carson chuckled. “I just wanted to extend my congratulations. Ash is a unique” —he winked— “person. You’re lucky to have him. Even if he isn’t a dragon, he sure knows his way around one.”

He was such a piece of garbage. If we were anywhere else, we could end the conversation right here, with him walking away knowing not to cross the line again. But we weren’t somewhere else, so instead, we had to get through this without causing a scene.

My skin burned, both with embarrassment and irritation. Meanwhile, Zayne just looked bored. He was so much better at dealing with horrible people than I was, that was for sure.

“If that’s all…” Zayne gave a little shooing motion.

For a moment I thought Carson was going to say more. He did love the last word. Instead, he seemed to deflate at not being able to get a rise out of my mate. “Oh. Good luck,” he said, though I didn’t believe for a minute that he meant it.

Once he walked away, my mate pulled me tight against him. “Mine,” he said.

“There was never a doubt.” I wiggled my body against his, blending our scents together. His dragon was close to the surface. So was my eagle.

“I really wanted to hit him.”

I laughed, having been thinking a very similar thought. “It would’ve been fun to see that, but it’ll be more fun if we can enjoy our team’s flight.”

He nodded, and his dragon receded as calm overcame him. I refused to let Carson get under his scales and my feathers. I full-on refused.

The time was ticking away, and we pulled the team into a huddle.

“This is it, team. We’ve done what we can, now it’s time for you all to show the rest of dragonkind what we can do.” Zayne’s voice sounded so confident that even if we didn’t have a solid routine at the ready, I’d probably have still believed him.

Each member of the team nodded, their earlier fears and anxieties washing away now that we were here.

Zayne, Hayden, Kellan, and I stood in our designated area while our team marched onto the field, led by Scott and Christa.

I held my breath and Zayne’s hand while we watched.

The team was introduced, and the crowd cheered for members new and old alike. We had many supporters who had come from far and wide to watch us. I’d been aware of that all along, but experiencing it was such a different story.

Once the team had stripped down and shifted to their dragon forms, they were given the go-ahead to begin.

Christa and Scott took to the air first, followed closely by Issac and Susan. Jay was our alternate and wouldn’t compete until the later competition. We made sure that everyone played an active role, unlike some teams. It was important to us that they all felt their worth.

The team began with a diamond formation, with Scott leading and Christa tailing. They kept tight to one another, their wing beats in perfect unison—a feat that was not an easy one considering they were all of differing sizes. I lost count of how many hours we’d spent working on that alone. Watching them synchronized on this made each and every one of them worth it.

Their first few maneuvers went well. They twisted and turned in unison, showing off their skills as a team and individually. Scott and Christa dipped low, while Issac and Susan flew circles in the air. Their careful figure eights gave the illusion that they might crash head on, but their precise maneuver didn’t allow for that. I had seen them do it countless times and knew full well they weren’t going to crash and even I gasped along with the audience. The illusion was performed to perfection.

Just when it looked as if Scott and Christa would hit the ground, they extended their talons and picked up the batons that were waiting for them.

I bounced on my tippy toes while they flew. With each swirl in the air, my stomach tied itself into tighter knots.

“C’mon, you’ve got this,” Zayne said.

The team had opted to try exchanging an item mid-air, though that was a more difficult task. I had faith in them. They had already done so beautifully that if it failed, they still wouldn’t fly away with last place. I preferred they didn’t, but it wasn’t a death sentence if they did.

Scott and Christ raced upward, baton in claw. They soared above their two teammates, then the four of them flew straight, two high, two low.

Then in unison, Scott and Christ banked left and dropped suddenly, both letting the baton go. Isaac and Susan beat their wings frantically, soaring upward. Both caught the batons at the same moment.

I let out a loud whoop and clutched at my mate. Hayden and Kellan both whistled their support. The crowd leapt to their feet in surprise.

Once the catch was complete, Issac and Susan’s wings fanned out, slowing their ascent. Next, they banked opposite directions to make room for Scott and Christa. Then the four of them were flying in line—a force to be reckoned with.

I couldn’t watch the judges. And honestly, I didn’t care what they thought. I knew that the formation had been flawless and was ridiculously proud of them.

The four dragons descended until they all landed at the center of the field. They bowed their heads to the judges and changed back to their human forms.

The crowd continued to shout out their cheers.

I hugged my mate and kissed him soundly. “They did it!”

“We did it,” he said.