Page 26 of Wild Bond (Wild Bond #1)

“N ow we’ll never know who he was working with,” I murmured after Rake and I had seen the body and made our way back out into The Tower courtyard. Someone had cut Safan’s throat and left him to bleed out there on the floor of his cell. “Or where those men took Lessa,” I added. How were we going to find her now?

Something ticked in Rake’s jaw, frustration etching his features. He had barely said a word since Zade came bursting into his room earlier. “We’ll find her, Rin,” Rake promised.

I gave him a wan smile that I knew wasn’t convincing. I wasn’t hopeful. Though I suppose if anyone could find her with so little to go on, it was Rake and his contacts.

I couldn’t get over the fact that Safan was dead. It still hadn’t sunk in yet, even after I saw his body lying there, eyes vacant, blood everywhere. Safan. The man who had tormented me my entire childhood and lorded his power and influence over me as I got older, threatening Lessa unless I did what he wanted. He had always seemed so large and untouchable and now he was just . . . dead. Gone. And I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. There was overwhelming relief, but also anger that his death had been so quick and that he had died before we could question him. And as twisted as it was, in a way, he was the only father I had ever known, and I felt a sense of . . . not sadness exactly, but something close to it.

Just then a young boy approached and bowed. “Rider Rakim, the Queen requests your presence. The delegation from Halmar has arrived.”

Rake nodded, quickly reading the missive the boy handed him. “Tell Her Majesty that I will be along shortly.”

The boy nodded and bowed again before departing.

I watched him go, wondering if he would even reach the castle before Rake and Naasir did, even leaving before them.

“The riders from Halmar feel they must discuss a few arrangements before the trials.” My attention returned to Rake as he spoke. He exhaled, not sounding at all excited about meeting with the other kingdom’s representatives. “We’re leaving for Three Points in three weeks, and there is still much to prepare for.”

“We?” I asked.

“The other dragon riders,” he explained. “The majority of the council is coming, as well as the prospects in your class and most of the riders at The Tower.”

“Will Zade and Dembe be going as well?”

He nodded. “The trials last several days, and with a day of travel there and back, you’ll have the run of the place for the better part of a week. Other than your class with the hatchlings, of course,” he teased.

I put my hands on my hips, fighting a smile of my own and wondering at how this man could change my mood so effortlessly in a matter of moments. “Don’t make fun,” I laughed. “I happen to love that class. I’ve made several friends, and Gemma is a fabulous teacher.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt it,” he said seriously, his mirth contained. Sort of. I could still make out the amused light in his eyes. I was getting better at spotting it.

Normally, I would have been rushing off to my class with the hatchlings at that very moment, but due to what had happened with Safan, classes had been cancelled for the day. So far, no one had any idea who had done this, or why, and the council wanted to investigate what had happened more thoroughly before allowing the younger riders back to the compound.

Before he left, Rake surprised me, when in full view of everyone, he leaned down, cupped the back of my neck, and kissed me.

“What was that for?” I asked when he pulled back, staring up into those amazing eyes.

“To tide me over.”

I flushed a little as he began to back away. “See you later?” I called.

He smirked, then said cryptically, “Sooner than you think.”

I didn’t understand Rake’s response until several hours later when the prospects and I were told our class that day wasn’t cancelled but would take place at the Great Temple atop Dragon Spear. I had never been to the temple before. It was known as the Great Temple because of its location, size, and the fact that it was a temple dedicated to all nine gods rather than just one.

Despite the warm summer day, it was cold up on the mountain when we arrived. The wind was icy, and I noticed several patches of snow still littering the ground in several places.

But that wasn’t what caught my attention when Skye finally landed on the grounds of the temple—a large open area before the great stone pillared building. What caught my attention was the familiar figure waiting beside Rider Trenton as we all dismounted.

Rake stood there looking tall and imposing as ever, feet apart, massive shoulders back, and arms crossed, with the usual scowl on his handsomely perfect face. But as I approached—Skye shrinking down to land on my shoulder—I could see the hint of warmth in his eyes as he regarded me. My stomach fluttered the way it did anytime I was in this man’s presence, but I kept that to myself.

I stuck my tongue out at him—very mature, I know—for not letting me know beforehand he would be here. He didn’t react except to glance away with the trace of a smirk on his lips.

There were several murmured questions from my fellow classmates, speculation as to why Commander Rakim was here.

Con came to stand next to me, and once everyone was assembled, Trenton finally stepped forward. The older man didn’t appear nearly as intimidating with Rake standing beside him. “As you know, we cannot tell you much about the trials,” he began, “but today we make a slight exception in order to prepare you in what ways we can. The First Trial is physical and will test your endurance, strength, and cunning, as well as that of your dragon. The Second Trial, however, is a test of your mental fortitude, and most importantly the strength of your bond with your dragon. Both trials will obviously take place on Three Points, but the second will occur in a particularly special location. And that is why we are here today.”

Trenton then stepped back, and all the riders around me perked up as Rake addressed us. “Beneath this temple is a chamber similar to that in which you and your dragon will be sequestered during the Second Trial. Only a member of the council can grant you access, which is why I am here. Now if you will follow me.”

“Excuse me, Councilor Rakim?” Daisha spoke up making everyone halt and Rake turn back to face her.

“Yes, trainee?” Rake asked.

“I’m sorry I have to ask, but why is she even here?” Daisha inquired sweetly, gesturing to me. “She’s not even competing in these trials.”

Trenton opened his mouth as if to respond, but Rake got there first. “Even though Trainee Darrow won’t be participating in the rider trials this time, it won’t hurt for her to be made aware of what is to come and what she will need to prepare for in the future.”

“Of course,” Daisha said too sweetly. “My apologies.”

Rake simply nodded and turned back to lead our group towards the temple. I simply walked past her and refused to acknowledge the glare she was shooting my way.

The temple was beautiful. As we entered, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the vaulted stone ceilings, the colored glass windows that created rainbow patterns on the floor, or the eight statues depicting the gods that lined either side of the nave. The dark god—known only as The Necromancer—was the only one without a statue, as there were never any depictions of him. In art he was only ever portrayed as darkness or a shadow, but never in a physical form. The Thief, whom I couldn’t help but study as we passed, was depicted as a cloaked figure with a single hand outstretched, holding a coin between his fingers.

Once we reached the alter at the back of the temple, one of the priests, a Hollow One clad in flowing green robes, appeared and led us to a stairway that led downward. Due to the narrowness of the staircase, we were forced to descend one at a time with our dragons.

As we made our way down into the depths of the mountain below, I began to feel a slight tension in my chest.

When we reached the bottom of the stairs, the priest led us through a stone corridor that had been carved into the rock. Sconces on the walls were lit every few feet and provided some light, which I was grateful for. The oppressive darkness was unnerving and reminded me of things I would rather not think about. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest and my palms felt clammy. Why was there no air? Maybe because we were so far underground? The thought of all that rock above my head collapsing down on top of us made my stomach churn. I glanced around, but no one else seemed to be worried or having the same problem I was as we shuffled along.

No one spoke. The silence, aside from the echoing of our many footsteps, seemed to forbid it. I knew Skye was worried about me from where she sat on my shoulder, but I assured her I was fine. And I would be. I wasn’t going to give in to this strange reaction, especially not in front of the other trainees and our instructor.

The corridor we were in finally opened into a small cave with a high ceiling. Strange rock formations hung down from it and rose up from the ground like spears.

Vaguely I could hear water dripping somewhere and was aware that someone—maybe Trenton—was speaking in low tones to Rake farther ahead. Something about how the chamber we were about to enter was carved from the same obsidian that was found on the floor of the Nests and in the rare obsidian mines in Zehvi. He droned on some more, a few of the trainees getting involved in the conversation as well, but I couldn’t hear him. I was focusing too hard on putting one foot in front of the other and on trying to get a deep breath. The air felt too thin, and there was now a constant pressure on my chest.

I had felt something like this before, but not quite this strong. My mind kept drifting back, reminding me of the days I had spent on that cold stone floor underneath the castle. And that darkness, that deep oppressive darkness—so similar to the darkness around me—so thick it felt like sludge on your skin and so complete that there was no difference between opening your eyes and closing them.

But there was light here, I kept reminding myself. I could see some flickering off the stones ahead. I had slowed and was now towards the back of the group, but I could still see Rake, Trenton, and the priest. They had stopped before a set of ornately carved stone doors that stood open. Inside I could just make out what I thought was the sacred obsidian chamber.

I forced myself to stop. To breathe. To calm. Skye lent me her strength as I told myself I was just fine. There was plenty of air. The cave walls weren’t closing in around me. I wasn’t in that cell any longer. I was free.

But my inner monologue didn’t seem to be helping. I decided I needed to get out of there. I forced my body to move, to turn around. I had to escape. I felt pinned in. Trapped. Caged.

Real panic overtook me, and I couldn’t move. The world was narrowing around me. I couldn’t see anything but strange shapes. My skin felt sensitive. I could feel my pounding heart pumping the blood through my veins. All my senses felt heightened and at the same time, like there was a dull fog over everything. I could hear someone speaking close by, but the words were muffled, distorted, and I only caught bits and pieces.

“. . . wrong with her?”

“. . . her dragon . . .”

“. . . can’t breathe . . .”

Some part of me was aware that that last statement was me—that I was repeating it over and over.

I felt the cool ground under the palms of my hands and my knees hurt. Pain . Someone touched my shoulder.

I couldn’t feel Skye anymore. I couldn’t see anything. It was dark . . . too dark. There was no light in the world. I would never see it again.

I began clawing at my neck. There was no air. I couldn’t breathe. My lungs felt paralyzed in my chest.

Suddenly I was moving. Warmth surrounded me.

“Rin,” a clear, familiar and beloved voice broke through the fog, “stay with me. Take a deep breath for me. You’re going to be fine.”

“Need—air,” I panted.

“I know, sweetheart,” the familiar voice assured, sounding anxious in a way I hadn’t heard before. “I’m going to get you air.”

But the smothering panic and consuming weight surrounded me again, pulling me under into an ocean of despair and fear. I sank into it, drowning in it, unable to claw to the surface.

I was going to die.

No. I just needed—

Air!

My lungs expanded, and I was able to take in greedy lungfuls of cold, life-affirming air. My eyes squinted at the sudden light that poured over me and the strong wind that whipped my hair. I was on the mountain, outside the temple. Rake was holding me. Skye was upset and fluttering around me like an anxious hummingbird rather than the dragon she was.

I took in these details all at once and then dismissed them.

All I cared about for those first several moments was the air—that I could breathe, and the sunlight that was washing over me. I didn’t feel the cold or the fear any longer; I pushed that to the back of my mind where it belonged. There was only the light and the open space.

I was here on Dragon Spear. Not there anymore. Not again. Never again .

“Rin?” Rake murmured quietly as he set me on my feet. I took a few steps away, and he let me, giving me space.

Gratitude for him, and for what he had done filled me. And a part of me wanted nothing more than to turn and have him hold me in his arms.

But a larger part of me was humiliated.

I couldn’t be here right now. I had no explanations to offer. I barely understood what had just happened myself. I had to get away. Far away.

Skye was right there. In the bond, I begged her to shift, and I was profusely grateful when she didn’t hesitate. The instant she was her normal size, I climbed up and sat on her back. I had no idea where her saddle was, and at the moment I didn’t care.

“Go!” I cried to her, my throat tight.

“Rin!” Rake called, yelling to be heard over the wind as he took a few steps toward me.

I pretended not to hear him. Embarrassment, hot and potent, flooded me as I thought of what had just happened—what he had just witnessed. I couldn’t bear to look him in the eye . . . to see the pity there.

“Go!” I screamed again. And this time Skye raised her powerful wings and launched us into the air.