Page 89 of Wild Bond

My mind turned to my next task, which was to find Skye. Con hadn’t told me where the dragons would be, but he had mentioned something about caves. So I would have to keep an eye out for a cave system. I tried not to consider how the thought of being inside a cave again made me feel, and instead, focused on searching for Skye in the bond. I could feel her presence more strongly now behind that internal wall, almost as if whatever had been done to us was partially wearing off, but I still couldn't breach it. Even still, I tried to let that trickle of awareness and sense of where Skye was guide me as I struggled to my feet. With a wince, I trudged on, hoping I was heading in the right direction.

The few times I heard something up ahead—a rustle of an animal in the brush, or a glimpse of what I thought might be another trainee—I was careful to avoid them. Better not to tangle with anyone or anything else. I didn’t trust that someone wouldn’t harm me or steal my flowers, if given the chance.

I eventually came upon a small clearing in the trees that led to a large drop off. From what I could see in the darkness, it was a steep cliff of rock and dirt that plateaued where I was currently standing. It was a small miracle I had noticed it at all in the darkness. My throat, lungs, and muscles burned, and I was desperate for a drink of water. I wished I was back at that stream, as I paused to consider my options. I was obviously lost, or at least turned around, because there was no way I could make it down that drop-off in the dark, and I doubted the other dragon riders expected—

I heard something behind me and spun around just in time to be struck across the face with something hard. I stumbled at the unexpected blow as pain lanced through my skull, and I tasted blood in my mouth.

I looked up to see something wooden headed towards my face again. I ducked, barely missing the strike and nearly losing my balance—which wouldn’t have been good, considering the cliff’s edge was mere feet behind me.

I only realized who my attacker was when a feminine voice hissed, “You miserable, whoring thief. What are you doing here? Trying to sabotage the trials?”

Daisha.

I could just make out her profile in the darkness. She was holding a nasty looking club in her left hand.

I spit out blood and before I could even answer she continued. “It doesn’t matter. You’ll die either way. It’s a disgrace they ever let lower city scum like you even train at The Tower.”

This time I was able to block her strike with my blade, the impact jarring up my arm as I did. My previous injuries pulled painfully, protesting any movement. She yelled before her next swing, the sound slightly manic and unhinged.

As we traded blows, I tried to be mindful of the cliff behind me. There was little room to maneuver, and she had me trapped.

“So, you’re going to kill me, is that it?” I gritted out, pushing back against her weapon. “Rake told me that killing other riders during the trials was frowned upon.” Not to mention dishonorable. Especially with our numbers dwindling.

“Accidents happen,” she grunted, pulling back, unable to get the upper hand. “AndRake,” she said the name with scorn, obviously hating the familiarity I showed, “will be none the wiser. There’s no way you could have won the trials anyway. I’m saving you the trouble.”

“Yeah, you’re a real saint,” I muttered, wondering how I hadn’t seen how insane this woman was.

We were both breathing hard, and frankly, I was proud of the fact that I was holding my own against her, especially in my wounded state.

“You know, you really should—” Her words cut off, and I saw the glint of her eyes as they fell to the flowers at my waist. I had tucked them into my belt for safe keeping.

A sneer broke across her face. “Where did you get those?”

“From a harpy,” I answered honestly, all the while trying to slowly shift my position so I wasn’t pinned against the drop-off.

Unfortunately, she realized what I was doing and raised her club. She really had drawn the short end of the stick with her weapon. “Give them to me,” she ordered.

I scoffed. “Go find your own.”

Without warning, she struck. I was tensed for it but still only just managed to block her hit. I wasn’t prepared for her to drop her weapon altogether and tackle me to the ground, though.

My sword flew from my hand as my back hit the ground. The air was knocked from my lungs, and I tried to gasp in a breath. My head was hanging over the edge of the cliff, my braid dangling loose beneath me as we fought and struggled, wrestling to overpower the other.

I took an elbow to the face and saw stars. I was also pretty sure I had a few broken ribs from the sharp pain I felt in my chest. She’d definitely reopened my healing claw wound as well. Ignoring the pain, I bit her hand when she tried to scratch my cheek and kneed her so hard in the stomach that her grip on me loosened momentarily.

The flowers had fallen loose in the struggle, and now lay beside me. Daisha saw them at the same time I did, and we both reached for them.

She got there first, but with a hard shove, I was able to push her the rest of the way off me. The moonlight glinted off my sword where it lay not too far away. I scrambled to my feet and lunged for it. Bending forward, I just got my hand around the hilt when Daisha delivered a punishing kick to my gut. I dropped to the ground on my hands and knees, gasping and still clutching the sword. I tried to force myself to blink through the pain, now positive I had broken ribs.

I had to get those flowers back, or I wouldn’t be able to free Skye.

She reared back to kick me again, and I swung out blindly with the sword. It hit something, and I heard her curse.

“You bitch!” she snarled. This time I wasn’t able to block her before her foot connected with the side of my head. My vision went white, and my ears rang. The fiery pain was oddly delayed, but when it registered, I was only partially aware of falling to my side.

She was speaking, but her voice was muffled, as if I were underwater. She kicked me again, but I barely felt it over the pain in my skull. My body rolled and the grassy, rocky ground beneath me gave way.

I was suddenly weightless.

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