Page 66 of Prince of Blaze and Embers
"She's coming!" I exclaimed, my heart racing with excitement.
Errax descended gracefully, her powerful form landing with a thunderous impact that shook the ground. She lowered her head, her emerald eyes meeting mine with a look of fierce loyalty. I approached her, my hand reaching out to touch her snout gently.
Errax let out a low rumble, her eyes filled with understanding. The connection between us was palpable, a bond that went beyond mere friendship. She was my dragon, and together, we were unstoppable.
Cade watched the exchange with a mix of awe and admiration. "You have a natural talent for this, Ash." He turned to Hunter and Bella, his voice taking on a serious tone. "Hunter, take Bella with you on Talonor. Ash needs to focus on learning how to ride Errax. Bella will ride with Ash someday, but not yet, not while she's training."
Hunter nodded, his gaze shifting to Bella. "Come on, Bella. Let's get you settled on Talonor."
Bella cast me a quick glance, her eyes filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension. I offered her a reassuring smile, knowing that she was in good hands with Hunter. Bella approached the dragon, but stopped, knelt and plucked a clover from the grass. She eyed it in the sunlight. She shrugged with a smirk and put it in her pocket.
I giggled. I loved when she did things like that. There’s truly no one else like her.
As Hunter and Bella made their way toward Talonor, Cade turned back to me. "All right, Ash. Let's get you mounted on Errax. Without a saddle and reins, you're going to have to command her by speaking into her mind and shifting your body weight to signal directions. But most importantly, trust Errax. She was born to fly; let her instincts guide you. But don't fall off."
I felt a surge of nervous excitement as I approached Errax. Her massive form was both intimidating and awe-inspiring. With a deep breath, I climbed onto her back, settling into a comfortable position behind her powerful shoulders.
"Now, remember, keep your commands simple and clear," Cade instructed. "Errax knows what she's doing. Trust her to fly."
I nodded, focusing my thoughts on Errax. Fly, Errax. I thought, my mind reaching out to her.
With a powerful surge, Errax launched into the air, her wings flapping with a force that sent my hair whipping behind me. The sensation was exhilarating, a thrill that sent shivers down my spine. I gripped her scales tightly, feeling every muscle tense and release with each powerful stroke of her wings.
I glanced over at Cade, who was flying alongside me on Krakos. His expression was serious, his eyes scanning the horizon with a keen intensity. Hunter and Bella flew behind us, their forms silhouetted against the brightening sky.
Errax flew differently than Krakos. She was smaller, moreagile, shorter wings and slender. I felt like a bolt of lightning in a bursting storm. The feel of my thighs around her felt awkward, but I told myself I’d get past that feeling. Soon, I’d be zigzagging in circles around Krakos and Cade.
"Remember, keep your commands simple and clear," Cade called out, his voice barely audible over the rush of wind. "Let Errax guide you."
I nodded, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nervousness. I focused my thoughts on Errax, feeling her powerful muscles ripple beneath me. Faster, Errax. I thought, my mind reaching out to her.
Errax responded with a surge of speed, her wings slicing through the air with a precision that took my breath away. The sensation was exhilarating, a thrill that filled me with a sense of freedom and empowerment I had never known before.
As we soared through the sky, I reveled in the scent of dragonfire, the heat of the flames mingling with the crisp morning air. The sensation was invigorating, a reminder of the power and majesty that lay within the magnificent creatures we rode.
Cade flew beside me, his expression serious but steady. "You're doing well, Ash. Keep it up."
His words filled me with a sense of pride and determination. I had come so far, from a slave girl in Bramblebash to a dragon rider, wielding magic and facing the Blaze Queen herself. It was a journey that had tested my limits, pushed me to the brink, and yet, here I was, soaring through the sky on the back of a dragon.
Cade's voice cut through the rush of wind, his tone serious. "Ash, listen to me. The queen is coming. We can't avoid her forever. But you must not engage with her. Not yet. You are not ready. Trust me on this."
I felt a shiver of unease at his words, a stark reminder of the danger that awaited us. "What should we do if she comes?"
"If the queen comes, we need to keep our distance," Cade said, his voice firm. "Do not engage with her under any circumstances.Even with your newfound magic, you are no match for her. She wields ancient powers fueled by malice and ambition. We must outmaneuver her, not fight her directly."
I nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. The idea of facing the Blaze Queen, a figure of terror and darkness, sent a chill down my spine. But Cade's words were clear: engage only if absolutely necessary, and even then, trust him to handle the situation.
"And if she doesn't listen to reason?" I asked, my voice barely audible over the rush of wind.
Cade's eyes darkened, a storm of emotions swirling within them. "Then we pray to Odiun that she will. And if that doesn't work, leave the queen to me. I know her better than anyone. I know her weaknesses, her motivations. Trust me, Ash. I will do everything in my power to protect you and bring an end to her tyranny."
His determination was contagious, filling me with a renewed sense of purpose. We flew on, the landscape below a blur of greens, browns, and the occasional sparkle of water. The sun ascended higher in the sky, casting a warm glow over the world.
The journey to the mystic was fraught with uncertainty, but as I looked at Cade, Hunter, and Bella, I felt a deep sense of unity and resolve. Together, we would face whatever challenges lay ahead. Together, we would find a way to overcome the Blaze Queen and restore peace to Allovan.
As we flew, the sky darkened, clouds gathering on the horizon. The air grew cooler, and the scent of rain filled my nostrils. The distant rumble of thunder echoed through the sky, a portent of the storm to come.
"Storm's coming," Cade called out, his voice carrying over the wind. "Stay close, Ash."
