Page 11 of Wild Bond

“All those who are twelve years of age or above. If they bond with their dragon before that age, they only come to the compound to train during the day and live at home the rest of the time. Once they turn twelve, they live here year-round.” She could probably see my next question forming because then she went on, “You don’t get a room in The Tower until you pass the trials and become a dragon rider in truth.”

We were moving across a large open manicured lawn in front of the barracks, heading past Rider Tower itself. My eyes travelled to the massive tower, and I couldn’t help but think it was even more intimidating up close. The square-shaped stone structure with its pointed spired roof rose into the sky as if it meant to disappear into the clouds.

I looked past the tower into the fading light and could just make out what looked like training fields beyond it. Skye seemed just as fascinated as I was with everything around us, taking it all in from her spot on my shoulder.

“What are the tri—”

“Do you always ask so many questions?” Nesenya growled, turning to face me again and stopping us in front of the stone steps that led up to the double door entrance to Rider Tower.

I shrugged. “Not usually, but then again, I haven’t had many people to talk to in the past two years, so . . .”

She stared at me, and I couldn’t read the expression on her face. “Let’s just get you to the ball and then—”

“That won’t be necessary, trainee,” an unfamiliar male voice said.

We both turned to see an older rider with silver hair, in full dragonscale armor, approaching us. The scaled armor gleamed dark blue in the dying sunlight and matched that of the dragon flapping its wings in the air beside him.

“Councilor Varron,” Nesenya stated sounding startled. She was no doubt wondering why one of the members of the Dragon Rider Council wouldn’t already be at the keep for the celebration. I wondered that myself.

He came to a stop before us. “I’ve been sent to escort Trainee Darrow to the council chamber. You may go on ahead to the ball.”

Nesenya’s brow furrowed. “The council chamber? But she is to be presented to the queen—”

“There has been a slight change of plans,” he interrupted again. “Someone will take her to the castle after she has met with the council.”

Nesenya’s eyes widened at that, and my gut tightened with sudden anxiety. He wanted to take me to see the council? The council was made up of some of the most powerful riders in Baldor. Commander Rakim was one of its leaders, as was the Crown Prince.

Skye chuffed and rubbed her nose into my neck in comfort, obviously feeling my apprehension.

“Very well, Councilor,” Nesenya acknowledged, still sounding confused at this turn of events.

“Follow me, girl,” the councilor ordered, barely glancing at me before turning and heading up the steps to the tower.

I made to follow him, but Nesenya grabbed my arm to halt me. Her face was grave when she whispered quickly, “I’m not sure why they want you, but keep your mouth shut unless they ask you a direct question. And don’t touch anyone else’s dragon, it’s considered extremely rude and even taboo to some of the older riders. Got it?”

I nodded briskly, unsure why this woman who seemed to dislike me was now helping me.

She released me, then strode off without another word. Warm and fuzzy she was not, so maybe it wasn’t necessarily dislike.

I watched her go, then followed the councilor, uncertain of what awaited me now.

Councilor Varron led me through the large oak doors and into a grand entrance hall, at least by my standards, though admittedly, I hadn’t been in many nice buildings in my life. Silver and green banners emblazoned with the Baldorian crest hung from the walls, as well as the high ceiling. Two large, curved staircases toward the back of the hall led to the upper floors. I wondered if Commander Rakim had a room here or if he preferred living somewhere else in the city.

Instead of going up either of the staircases, the councilor took me to the right and through another set of doors into what I guessed was the council chamber.

The room was large with another high ceiling and tall windows along either side. Dozens of benches were lined up facing a long raised dark wood podium that curved forward into a half circle, along which sat nine council members.

No wait . . .sevencouncil members. Two seats were empty. One of them was quickly filled by Varron as he abandoned me where I stood and found his spot amongst the other councilors. The other empty seat was one of three seats raised above the others in the center.

I did a quick scan and realized that Commander Rakim was not here. I wondered why he wasn’t and had a feeling that wasn’t a good sign. The rest of the council appeared to be here. Three women and five men, including Varron and Prince Pierce Andor himself. He was a fit man in his third decade and wore white dragonscale armor that matched his dragon. The prince’s golden hair was swept back from his handsome face, though the arrogant sneer on it kind of ruined the effect.

I had only seen him once before during a victory parade to celebrate the end of the war with Zehvi, just before I was imprisoned. He still looked every inch the general he had been then, though it felt odd to see him so close. He sat in one of the other two raised seats in the center, along with an older female rider with dark hair that was pulled back severely from her face. She had a no-nonsense look about her and was the only one not in dragonscale armor. Instead, she wore a silvery gray robe with a dark tunic underneath. Her gray-scaled dragon sat primly on her shoulder and watched me and Skye with sharp silver eyes. I had never met her in person but knew her to be Councilor Felain Zadeth. The third and final leader of the council.

I didn’t recognize any of the other council members, though a female councilor who sat at one end smiled faintly at me when we made eye contact. The rest of the council stared at me with blank—and in the case of Varron—even hostile expressions. Their dragons weren’t much better. Several of the councilors’ dragons were perched on their rider’s shoulders, and they all watched us just as closely. I assumed the dragons with larger minor forms must be sitting at their rider’s feet.

I tried to get a sense of how Skye was feeling through the bond, but all I got from her was calm and faint curiosity.

“Come forward, trainee,” Councilor Zadeth commanded.

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