Page 31 of Crown of Ashes and Awe

All thoughts of Tearloch fled when the dragon's neck and shoulders lifted in the air. The distance between myself and the ground was suddenly unbearable to watch, and I sealed my eyes shut. Nogel's body before me seemed much more substantial than the dainty metal seat and I reached out and caught his uniform at his sides. I both felt and heard his chuckle.

"All he's done is stand, my lady. We're not off the ground yet."

"I...I'm not fond of riding," I said. "I never get used to it."

He patted one of my hands. "Happy to oblige. But never fear. Old Grim knows he's got someone important now. He'll be gentle as he can."

When the beast began loping toward the edge of the canyon, threatening to jar us all loose, I swallowed back another scream and promised myself I'd let it out again as soon as I found myself alone on solid ground. But for now, I had to pretend. I had to pretend and keep on pretending until I found Moire...

15

THE HIGH ROAD

Ihad read that some are able to sleep on dragonback. I had hoped I would be one of those, but alas, Minkin was the only lucky one in our party, and once she rested against my back, she was blissfully unaware of the minutes as they passed.

Combined with the rush of air all around us, the temperature remained warm for only an hour. After that, I was glad of the nightcoat and the pressure from Minkin's body and Nogel’s form shielding my head from the brunt of the wind.

I dared not look down, especially when Grim's large wings pushed below him. Though the full-on night kept me from seeing much, the stars shed enough light to prove we were far higher than the gods ever intended.

I closed my eyes and silently cursed whatever fool first conceived of dragonflight but opened them again when I realized Tearloch was speaking to me. I turned carefully and looked over my shoulder, expecting him to laugh at me. But his frown was all concern.

"Look up, Asper. Watch the stars ahead. The beast has an easy rhythm. Breathe with him. Ignore the wind. We're just skimming the ground. Just skimming the ground. Just keep looking up. I won’t—we won’t let you fall."

I nodded and did what he said, keeping my attention on the smattering of stars, picking out patterns I knew and looking around for those I couldn't see. After a while, I laughed when I realized I was enjoying the ride, the rhythm, even the constant thud of Grim's heartbeat echoing under my backside.

I had never liked heights—but we weren't so high. Just skimming the ground. Just skimming the ground…

Two hours later, Nogel warned we'd be descending. Grim needed to rest, he said, and there was a small lake ahead. I was no longer afraid of the flying, just the possibility of falling. But when this flight was over and I arrived safely in Ristat, I was certain I would never climb onto a dragon’s back again.

The landing wasn’t nearly as violent as I’d expected, and I hid my relief while Nogel helped me to the ground. “A half hour should revive him,” he said.

"Come on. Mind your skirts." Tearloch grabbed my wrist and dragged me away from the others. I thought he'd have a harsh word for me, but he just kept walking, kept dragging me along the shoreline until the prick of light from a few glow stones in the distance was the only sign of the rest of the party. But even then, he didn’t stop. Just released my hand and slowed a little. “Better?”

“Better than what?”

“Better than flying? You think you could keep up this pace all the way to Ristat? Or would you prefer to ride.”

I laughed and stopped, put my hands on my hips. “I didn’t take you for one of the Everfolk.”

He noticed and returned to stand in front of me, his breath labored. “Why do you say that?”

“You obviously have the power to read my mind. Or maybe you took that power from one of the Everkind along the way.”

He cocked his head and lowered his chin, and I suspected he knew how charming it made him look. “Anyone can read your mind, Asper. You hide nothing.”

“No one has ever accused me of that.”

“That’s because they didn’t want you to know, so they could keep on reading you.”

I thought of Demius, of Viggo. I could believe it of them both. “Well, then, thank you for the caution. I shall try to do better.”

He bit his lips, obviously realizing what he’d done. Then we both laughed. His attention caught on my mouth and held. His smile disappeared.

“You’re fairly easy to read yourself,” I said, as he closed the short distance between us.

“Oh? You know what I’m thinking now?” Those black gloves reached for my hands and he tugged me forward, until I could go no further.

“You’re thinking…” I plunged ahead, knowing my next words would ruin everything. “You’re thinking of Yora.”

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