Page 93 of The Scars Within
“And,” my words were stunted with nerves. “I’m not allowed to fly without supervision.”
Rhodes winked, “Call me Professor Wylder, then.”
“You humans and your foreplay,” Lakota muttered.
I didn’t fight back my grin, and nodded.
I watched as Rhodes patiently guided Tatum through the process of mounting Echo. He didn’t just tell her what to do—he demonstrated it himself, earning Echo’s calm approval with every move. From a distance, I heard him assure Tatum that while it was crucial to mount without support, she didn’t need to worry about falling. “I’ll catch you before you hit the ground,” he promised with a hint of his usual confidence.
Of course, Tatum, being who she was, managed to mount Echo perfectly on her first try.
I observed as she nestled herself between Echo’s shoulder blades, finding the right position where she could tuck her legs into the natural crooks of Echo’s muscles. Rhodes explained that this would keep her balanced but emphasized the importance of finding the right-sized spikes along Echo’s back. Tatum’s hands wrapped firmly around them, giving her the perfect grip for stability without needing to be strapped in.
When she was good to go, Rhodes made his way over to me.
He slipped off his riding gloves as he approached. “Are you ready?”
I shook my head slowly. “What if we get caught out here?”
Rhodes tilted his head, leaning in with a reassuring smile. “Scarlet, you’re a mage now. One of the most powerful and esteemed among theelementals. Dragons aren’t just a cadet privilege—Lakota is yours, and no one can take that bond away from you, even if you are expelled. Mageia may be providing your education, but you are your own warrior. I know it’s not in you to sit back and let others lead, so let’s mount up and take charge.”
The impact of Rhodes nonchalantly addressing me as a mage shook me to my core. Sensing the moment, Lakota bent his elbow closest to us, creating a makeshift ladder with the gaps between his spikes. “He’s got a point. Hop on,” he urged, making it easy for me to climb aboard.
I steadied myself and faced Lakota, feeling the cool night air against my skin. I wrapped my hands around a spike above me, bracing a foot on a lower spike for support. Rhodes stood behind me with his arms extended to catch me if I slipped.
With each pull, confidence surged through me. I reached Lakota’s shoulder, scrutinizing the gap between the top spike and his back. I glanced down at Rhodes and then back up at the distance.
“I don’t think I can make that leap,” I said, my voice tinged with uncertainty.
“Place your hands on his scales and let the bond fuel through the touch. The magnetization isn’t strong enough to hold you in place, but it should be enough to help you climb up and settle between his shoulder blades,” Rhodes instructed.
Following his guidance, I placed one hand flat against Lakota’s scales and closed my eyes, envisioning the swinging bridge from earlier—the one that felt closest to my bond with him. As I focused, warmth spread through my skin, blending with the heat radiating from Lakota. It felt like my hand was gently suctioned to his scales, giving me just enough grip to climb the rest of the way. I repeated the motion with my other hand, then tested my shin against Lakota’s back.
This is wicked cool.
With only a few feet separating me from the top of his back, and knowing Rhodes would catch me if I fell, I leaped. Instinct kicked in, my fear melting away like I had done this countless times before.
“Without a seatbelt, please keep all limbs inside the vehicle.”
I examined the small spikes along Lakota’s back, carefully choosing the best ones to fit my small hands. After testing my grip on several, I found the right ones and committed them to muscle memory. The magnetized pull connected with my body, enhancing my grip and boosting my confidence.
But my newfound confidence was quickly overshadowed by the sound of wings beating the air as another dragon approached the valley. Everyone halted, eyes trained on the incoming dragon—a smaller red than Lakota.
The rider dismounted with impressive agility before the dragon’s feet even touched the ground, sliding off with ease.
“Who is that?” I asked Lakota, but he remained silent.
As the rider walked towards us with a stern, purposeful stride, her features became more evident in the dim light.
Professor Maksimov.
Shit.
“What’s going on here, cadets?” she called out, her voice carrying so both Tatum and I could hear while mounted.
Rhodes stepped forward. “Professor, I was just helping them learn how to mount during the downtime we had today. My apologies.”
Maksimov held up a hand to stop him and walked directly to Tatum before making her way to me. “Wasn’t it declared that no classes were to be held today, Wylder?” she said, turning to face Rhodes. “I hardly consider being this deep into Dragon Valley as staying within the school grounds. And Cadet Thorne is certainlynotsupposed to be out here.” Her tone was firm, suggesting she was about to report us for disobeying orders.
