Page 16 of Wild Bond (Wild Bond #1)

T he next three weeks were full of nothing but training, studying, and more training. I could hardly move without some part of my body aching. I still went to class with the hatchlings every day and learned about all things dragon and the history of the dragon riders.

I also spent several hours a day training with the prospects. There had been no further confrontations with Daisha, though she still inexplicably hated me and glared at me whenever possible. Except for her, I had begun to enjoy pitting myself against the other trainees. I usually partnered with Con or Nesenya and had even started eating with them and a few of our fellow trainees at mealtimes. The others still treated Con like a pariah, but I didn’t let that stop our growing friendship.

Sometimes I even ate with the younger trainees for the noon meal—since the younger trainees didn’t stay for dinner or in the compound overnight unless they didn’t have homes or parents to go home to—and had way too much fun. Declan and his crazy dragon Izzy were fast becoming two of my favorite beings in Baldor.

My flying training had temporarily been put on hold. Rake had left the capital with Naasir the morning after our night at Sal’s Tavern for parts unknown. Apparently, he was on an assignment for the queen, or so Dembe had told me that first morning. I hadn’t seen him since and had no idea when he would be back.

I was disappointed and could at least admit that to myself. Skye was as well, since that meant we had to wait to go flying together. A large part of me was also relieved. I had no idea how to act around Rake after our kiss in the alley. My attraction to him was ridiculously strong, and he sure wasn’t helping matters by encouraging it at every turn. And despite all the reasons why I knew I shouldn’t pursue anything further with him, my head and my heart didn’t agree. I was beginning to wonder if I even had a choice at this point. I liked being around him. I liked him . He was surprisingly fair and kind and had a quick wit and sense of humor that matched my own. He was a patient instructor, and I felt alive when I was with him. But I had to protect myself. This space and temporary reprieve were good. Hopefully by the time he got back, the walls around my heart would be firmly in place again.

I still began every morning training one-on-one with Dembe, and this provided ample distraction. I loved sparring with him, because he had a unique, unpredictable style of fighting. I never knew what he was going to throw at me. I was still dismal with a sword, but more and more my skill with daggers was returning, along with my strength and stamina. Some days we fought hand-to-hand, others with weapons. Sometimes we didn’t spar at all, and he had me run or perform endurance drills.

After one of these sessions, I usually wanted to send him to one of the Dark Realms, and I told him so with the most imaginative language possible. But he would just grin that wide grin of his and tell me to go again. And as much as I despised running, I knew my health was improving.

Almost two months of good food and hard training had worked its magic on my body. The hollow, gaunt look had left my features, my hips and breasts had filled out, and my hair had never been so clean and shiny.

Zade had shown up a week ago and taken me and Skye to meet The Tower blacksmith and tanner to have Skye fitted for a saddle. He was a burly man with the biggest arms I had ever seen, and Zade introduced him as Neskel. After asking permission, the man had climbed up on Skye’s back and draped a massive piece of tanned and leathery animal skin over her back. He then began muttering under his breath and frantically making marks all over it with a piece of chalk. When that was finished, he then took my measurements twice and then shooed us out, saying my saddle would be “ready when it was ready”. Zade explained as we walked away that Neskel was always like that when he was working on a project. Not only did he make the saddles for new trainees once their dragons were large enough, but he also forged the dragonscale armor riders received once they passed the trials. Neskel was not a rider himself, but his son had been before he and his dragon had perished in the war.

This morning, however, I was running late. Skye had kept me up last night, showing me each of the “shinies” in her makeshift horde. Her horde being a rag-tag pile of stolen junk she had collected that now sat in the corner of our room. It contained everything from jewelry to rocks to buttons. She even had an expensive looking knife with a gold-inlaid handle, a belt buckle, and what I thought was a stopper to a perfume bottle.

Gemma had been teaching us in class about dragons’ obsession with treasure, and shiny objects especially, and how that led dragons to seek out and collect these things wherever they found them. This instinctual need started when they were hatchlings and only grew as the dragon matured to adulthood. Gemma explained that our dragons would be extremely possessive of the items in their hordes. She also said that if our dragons ever chose to share their hordes with us, it was a great honor and a testament to the bond and our dragon’s trust in us.

So, last night when Skye slowly began bringing me the items from the corner over to the bed one by one, to show me each thing, I hadn’t had the heart to tell her I was tired and just wanted to sleep.

I wasn’t sure how late I was, and as I jogged my way out onto the practice fields, I hoped Dembe would still be there. The morning sun was already warm, and I quickly braided my hair down my back as I went.

Dembe was there waiting, but just as I was about to apologize for sleeping in, he told me that Rake had returned, and that I was to meet him at the aviary where our lessons had been before.

Nerves raced through me all the way there. When I reached the bottom of those infernal stairs, I was tempted to hop on Skye and have her fly me up them, but I knew I shouldn’t. Skye was a good sport though and kept me company, fluttering around me as I made my way up. The ascent didn’t seem as hard to manage this time. Skye informed me just before I reached the top and stepped onto the flat outlook that she scented more than just Rake and Naasir waiting for us.

Zade and his dragon Valla were also present.

This was the first time I had seen Valla in her natural form, and she was gorgeous. She was slightly bigger than Skye, her frame more muscular and solid compared to Skye’s sleek and sinuous lines. Her scales were a bright yellow-green that shone in the sunlight. Her rider’s blonde hair and tan skin did much the same.

Skye transformed into her natural size and walked at my side as we made our way over to the two men and their dragons. I stroked Skye’s neck absently as we came to a halt a few feet away. I purposely didn’t look at Naasir or the dark rider standing before him. I wondered if Rake had deliberately asked Zade here to be a buffer between us. Did he regret what happened between us? I quickly dismissed the pang of hurt that thought caused and tried to focus.

Zade’s handsome face split into a wide grin as he regarded me. “Well, it sure took you long enough. We were just wondering if we would have to send a search party after you. Death by stairs isn’t a very dignified way for a rider to go out.”

I was tempted to flash him an unkind hand gesture but decided against it. Zade had an easy-going manner, but he was still a dragon rider, and I was just a trainee. Still, there was something about him that made me feel comfortable enough to tease.

“I’d like to see you climb them,” was all I said in response, though I could tell by the flash of humor in his eyes that Zade knew I wanted to say a lot more than that.

He waved off my comment. “Waste of time when you can just ride a dragon instead.”

“I would love to,” I retorted, “but I’ve been forbidden to until I have a saddle.” I said this purposely not looking at Rake.

Zade grinned and opened his mouth as if to speak when Rake’s deep voice cut in. “That will no longer be an issue.”

No longer able to avoid looking at him, I finally turned my attention to Rake. My eyes took in that broad form, bronze skin, and those blue eyes in a single breathless moment. Even after not seeing him for so long, everything about him was achingly familiar.

“What do you mean—” I began, but then my gaze was drawn to what he was holding draped over his arms.

A saddle. The seat, straps, and harnesses were all made of a deep brown leather. Silver buckles hung from the harnesses in several places.

My eyes widened. “Is that for me?”

Rake nodded, warmth entering his gaze at the smile that broke across my face. “Neskel just finished it this morning. I had him put a rush on it. I know your penchant for disobeying orders and didn’t want you falling to your death before your time.”

I didn’t even bother to respond to his little jab as a squeal of excitement left me at the thought of getting to fly with Skye. Really fly. I could feel Skye’s eagerness as well as she chuffed in anticipation. “Can we use it now?”

Zade chuckled at my reaction.

“Why do you think we’re here?” Rake asked.

I smiled unabashedly at him, and something sparked in his gaze as I did. But then he seemed to shut down whatever it was. After our kiss in the alley, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I saw him again, but he seemed almost stiff or reluctant in some way, like he was holding himself back.

Deciding to brush it off for now, I had Skye bend down. Rake showed me how to lay the saddle flat just at the base of her neck, before the arch of her back. He then showed me how to cinch the straps so they were secure, but not so tight as to be uncomfortable for Skye. Zade threw out a few pointers, and before long, it was ready.

Rake helped me get strapped in the saddle, showing me the strap that went around my waist as well as each of my legs.

“That way she can spin and twist in the air, and you’ll have no fear of falling to your death,” Zade explained helpfully, with a teasing wink.

I rolled my eyes as the two men mounted their own dragons on either side of me.

The anticipation to get in the air was killing me, but a thought occurred to me, a question I probably should have asked when I first arrived on the clifftop. In my excitement over the saddle, I had forgotten.

“Where are we going?” I addressed the question to Rake, deciding that if he was going to act like nothing happened in that ally—at least while we were in front of Zade—then so could I.

“Itrain,” Rake replied as he strapped himself in. I tried valiantly not to notice the suggestive roll of his hips as he naturally adjusted to Naasir’s shifting movements, or the way the rider tattoo on his bicep gleamed against his bronze skin as he flexed slightly.

I had noticed that he and Zade preferred to dress in the more casual lightweight leathers rather than their more formal dragonscale armor. Some of the other dragon riders and council members pranced around in their armor from time to time at the compound, but not these two. And not Dembe, either. Come to think of it . . . I had never seen Rake in his full dragonscale armor. He probably only wore it for special occasions or, I assumed, in battle. I’m sure he would be a sight to behold.

He looked at me, and I fought to keep my eyes on his face as he explained, “I have business there, and since it is several hours’ flight from here, I thought it would be a perfect way for you to gain experience on the way.”

“And the spare?” I motioned with my head to Zade on my other side.

“I need his help,” he said, again being purposely vague.

I glanced at Zade.

“Not just a pretty face, Button,” Zade grinned, swiping a hand through his wavy golden locks.

I rolled my eyes again as he laughed, and in the next second Valla beat her large wings and dove off the edge. I couldn’t help but catch my breath as she and her rider swooped down and then arrowed back up into the sky.

Turning my attention back to Rake, I asked, “And what exactly do you need his help with in Itrain?”

Rake stared at me, then finally decided to give me something. “Itrain is home to one of the largest black-market trades in Baldor. So, if there has been an influx in the dragon trade, my contacts there will know about it. Zade is . . . talented at getting information.” Before I could comment, he asked, “Are you ready?” I nodded as he instructed, “Take it slow until you both get used to the saddle.”

I nodded again, and he took off on Naasir. Skye and I both watched Naasir bank and rise in the air, headed towards where Zade and Valla were circling above.

I urged Skye forward and let out a whooping cry as she leapt off the ledge. It felt as if we were free-falling for a moment. Then, with what seemed like no effort at all, she pumped her wings, and we changed direction, shooting up towards the two dragons waiting overhead. Deciding to test out the leg straps, I leaned back and let my arms fall behind me as Skye made an almost vertical ascent. I couldn’t help the exultant laugh that burst from me as her smaller form shot right between Valla and Naasir where they hovered in place.

I couldn’t be sure, but I swore I saw a full, dazzling grin on Rake’s face as he watched Skye and I disappear into the cloud cover.

Even after the few times I had flown with her, I was still amazed at Skye’s exhilaration in the bond and the sheer enjoyment she felt from flying. There was absolutely nothing like it.

As we kept climbing in the air, I was surprised at how quickly the temperature dropped, even on a warm spring morning like today.

With only the hint of a warning by way of a teasing thought, I just managed to lean forward before Skye was diving downward and twisting in the air.

Take it easy, Skye, I thought to my overly excited dragon, or I’m going to lose my breakfast. Skye was immediately contrite, and I couldn’t help but laugh as we came out of the spin. We quickly rejoined the others where they were still waiting for us. Both males had smiles on their faces, and I swore I even picked up a hint of amusement from their dragons.

Zade let out a whoop from his place on Valla’s back. “Realms, that was some incredible flying! I’ve never seen a dragon come out of a tailspin and change direction that quickly!”

I grinned, and Skye preened.

“Speed is obviously a strength of yours, Skye,” Rake commented, but his grin was now gone, and his all too familiar admonishing voice was back. “But you need to be careful. Give Rin time to get used to the saddle and how to navigate it before preforming any more drastic maneuvers. Rin could easily be injured without the proper training.”

I could feel Skye took the reprimand to heart.

“Let’s get going,” Rake said. “I would like to get to Itrain before midday.”

“Which way?” I called to them. Having never been outside of Dessin before, I couldn’t say I was the most knowledgeable about geography. I knew the streets of Dessin, and especially the lower city, like the back of my hand but when it came to having a sense of direction, I was hopelessly lost.

“South,” Zade yelled back, pointing off to our left.

Left it was.

I found myself unconsciously leaning lower against Skye’s neck and gripping the saddle with my thighs as she banked, changing course slightly.

Over the next little while, I learned that I needn’t have worried about my sense of direction, or lack thereof. Skye knew where we were going.

I relaxed into the saddle as we flew, letting Skye take the lead. Skye was indeed fast, and I could tell it was a struggle for her to restrain herself and keep pace with the other dragons. She performed a few more spins and twists, being much more conscious of me and my safety as she did so. Rake and Zade shouted out pointers and suggestions along the way, sometimes even illustrating which way to lean into a spin or how to situate myself in the saddle so Skye could more easily maneuver beneath me.

Eventually, Skye was able to goad Valla, who—like her rider—was a little more playful, into a race. Skye won, but from what I could tell, the other dragon didn’t seem to mind, although Zade immediately wanted a rematch.

Less than an hour into our flight, the dragons suddenly became more subdued, and I could tell Skye was uneasy. Before I could ask her what was wrong, Rake brought Naasir alongside me, his face more serious than usual.

“For the next several miles, we will be flying over the griffin nesting grounds,” he warned, “until we reach Dividian Pass. This time of year, the pride will be congregated in the caves and trees below us. The younger, unmated griffins are vicious when protecting the mated pairs and their nests, so we have to remain out of sight and absolutely quiet as we pass over. Loud noises draw them out. When we get a little closer, we’ll fly up into the higher cloud cover so as not to be seen.”

I nodded in acknowledgement. “I’ve never seen a griffin before,” I confessed, unable to keep some of the awe and excitement from my voice. I knew from my studies with Gemma that the half-eagle, half-lion creatures were fierce and deadly on their own, and that if you ran into a group of them, they were some of the few creatures in Palasia that could be deadly to dragons.

Rake gave me an apologetic look. “You likely won’t see any. As long as we don’t get too close and don't draw attention to ourselves, they should stay in the trees. Most riders try to avoid this area altogether. Caravans go days out of their way to avoid the southern road this time of year, but it is the quickest way to Itrain. If we fly high enough, we should be fine.”

I nodded again, disappointed, but I supposed not seeing one of the creatures up close was a good thing.

Part of me wondered who would win in a skirmish between three dragons and a pride of griffins, but then again, I didn’t really want to find out.