Page 52 of Veiled Flames (Destiny of Dragons #1)

Thirty-Seven

Rosomon

A s the dragons rise above the canyon, our class races toward the trail leading back up, all of us eager to reach higher ground so we can better watch them fly.

Tynan did it! He bonded with a dragon. And although I still mostly hate him, although I still detest his family, I’m truly happy for his success—happy for him. And happy for the Seven Kingdoms. We have another dragon rider to defend the veil.

“Over here, you fools!” yells one of the senior candidates.

Stopping, I turn to find their group laughing. As I walk closer toward them, I see a lift, rising up the side of the canyon. We don’t need to climb back up the path. And we needn’t have walked down it either. No wonder the Master Roule got down here so much quicker.

I expect our descent along that challenging path was yet another test, one which thankfully took no lives.

The rest of my compeers follow behind me, even some who’d already started climbing up the long path. After the last of the senior candidates is raised to the top of the canyon, our group gets our turn.

I jump quickly into the two-sided cage with the first group of six. Egon lunges after me and tries to pull me out. But I shake free of his greasy hold as the cage starts to rise.

“Little fucker,” he shouts. “Can’t wait to see you die.”

“Get used to disappointment,” I call back down. Egon’s face reveals more cruelty than Tynan pretends to possess.

Egon’s friend Amis slams his elbow into me, hitting right over one of my bound breasts. I wince at the pain, and Amis grins. I’d never wish anyone dead, but if Amis or Egon dies while trying to bond with a dragon, I’ll not shed a tear.

Once out of the elevating cage, we quickly exit the enclaves and I race across the field, looking up.

The five dragons circle above us. Then they race back and forth across the sky, spanning the distance between the two mountain ranges as if they aren’t a dozen leagues apart. The distance would take hours to cross, even on horseback, but the dragons cross it in minutes.

At first, I find it hard to differentiate the dragons, all of them flash like silver against the violet sky, but I soon figure out how to spot the dragons of the riders I know.

Surath’s scales are more tinged with teal, compared to the others; Ersot, Treacher’s dragon is tinged with violet; and Tynan’s dragon is like pewter, tinged with blue.

Treacher’s dragon is also very large, but Tynan’s beast looks at least half again as large as all the others in the sky right now.

Coming back toward us, Tynan’s dragon swoops lower, and my heart races as the beast descends toward our group. Everyone around me crouches.

The dragon’s talons tuck up against its body, and the air rushes over me as they pass.

I spin. Atop the dragon, Tynan turns back, a massive grin on his face.

“Holy thrix,” Egon says, as he rises from his crouch. “Tynan’s dragon wants you dead too.”

I turn away from Egon, refusing to give the bully more energy.

It’s possible he’s right. It’s possible Tynan’s move was meant to be threatening, but every instinct inside me says that it wasn’t.

His expression was filled with pure joy.

And as horrible as he can be, I don’t believe Tynan finds joy in cruelty.

More than a fathom across the field, Saxon, Tynan and Treacher land, as Stran and Jakeon’s dragons fly into the distance.

The three riders use their long ropes to dismount, and then Tynan seems to speak to his dragon, stroking his scales as if thanking him for letting him mount.

By the time Tynan leaves his dragon’s side, the masters have closed half the distance between us.

Saxon’s hair flies back in the wind, his cape flares, and my body reacts to the vision.

I haven’t changed my mind about this man, and I’d never turn recreant to accept what he’s offered, but I do harbor feelings for him—both physical and emotional.

Saxon introduced me to so much—and most of it with patience and kindness.

Tynan races after the other men, passing them before they reach us, a massive smile on his face. Tynan is running directly toward?—

He’s running directly toward me.

I glance over my shoulder to check if Burchard, or one of his other friends, is behind me.

Before I can turn back to face him, Tynan slams into my body.

Lifting me high off the ground, he spins me and pulls my face down into a kiss.

My shock is devoured by his lips and consumed by my own desire.

Passion explodes between our hungry mouths as he continues to spin me in his arms. One of his hands holds my head, deepening our kiss as the other squeezes my bottom.

I’m lost. I’m on fire. It’s as if both his joy and passion are infectious, and I’m flooded with happiness and need.

It’s as if I’m on a dragon, soaring high over the fields and kissing the clouds.

He breaks away from me. “That was amazing!”

I freeze in his arms. And then push back against his shoulders, trying to force him to let me down.

But the damage is done.

“Holy thrix!” Egon shouts. “Rosshall is a girl !”

The group gathers around us, drawing into a close circle. Saxon emerges, alarm in his eyes, and his jaw twitches with tension.

“I’m so sorry,” Tynan says.

I push away from him, trying to get out of his arms, only now registering that it’s his fault my secret is out. I suppose it’s possible he might have kissed a boy thus, but Egon saw the truth, and now everyone else has too.

Treacher steps forward, a fierce and unforgiving scowl on his scarred face. “Is this true?” He shakes his head, as if disappointed in himself.

Stepping away from Tynan, I stand at attention in front of Treacher.

“If it’s true,” Treacher says, “you are exiled from camp—immediately.”

“That’s not fair.” I shake my head. “Am I not a good student? Did I not beat the record time for the gauntlet? Have I not proven my skills with weaponry?” My heart is racing so quickly I can’t hear a thing.

Treacher frowns, glowering over me with every bit of intimidation his huge body possesses. “Your success with the trials is irrelevant, if you can’t mount a dragon.”

“How do you know I can’t?” I raise my chin.

Treacher looks as if he’s about to smack me right off my feet, but this is my last chance, my only chance.

“How many women have tried?” I ask with impertinence.

Treacher’s eyes narrow, the scars on his face become more prominent, and anger threatens to explode through his tightly clasped fists and the veins pulsing over his forehead. I’m going to die. Right now. With one swing of his powerful arm, Treacher is going to kill me.

Roule and Saxon step forward to flank Treacher, creating an intimidating wall of dragon masters before me.

“Your true name is Rosomon ?” Roule asks, and I nod.

“ Princess Rosomon,” Saxon adds. “I recognize her now as the only daughter of the King of Achotia.”

Treacher’s gaze snaps toward Saxon, and I glare at him too. I’ve never felt so betrayed. Saxon has revealed far more than my gender.

“Rosomon,” Roule says. “Thus far, your performance in class and in training has been…exceptional.” He nods. “In fact, I had planned to recommend you to be the first of your compeers to attempt a mounting.”

Hope and pride nearly burst inside me.

“But your deceit changes everything.” Roule frowns, looking so disappointed in me that I want to melt into the ground. His disappointment feels worse than Treacher’s anger.

Tynan steps up beside me. “Why not let her try ?” he says. “She’d be risking death, while you three have nothing to lose.”

“Blasphemy!” Roule says at the same time Treacher shouts, “Absolutely not!”

“If the princess doesn’t wish to leave camp,” Saxon says, “if she prefers to turn recreant, certainly I can find her a suitable role here.”

Anger bubbles inside me. Saxon is trying to manipulate this, so I’ll end up as his courtesan. In a position where I’ll have no value beyond attending his cock.

“Go to your quarters,” Treacher yells, his tone pushing me back. “You are confined to chambers, until further notice. I’ll see that your meals are delivered to you there.”

“But—”

He raises his hand to cut off my words. I’m not even certain what argument I had left to make.

“The dragon masters will discuss your deception and blasphemy,” Treacher declares. “We will inform you of our decision soon.”