Page 48 of Dragon Valley
NADIYAH
“Come on, Dus,”I patted her neck, “let’s turn back and meet Caden. There’s nothing out here.”
Dusa did a half-somersault in midair to fly back in the direction we came. I chewed my lip as I stretched my legs out. All that flying in a different direction for nothing. What was this nagging feeling that I couldn’t shake?
I felt it the moment I saw Myra under that tree, like someone told me about her even though I’d never seen her in my life. The more I tried to place a finger on how I knew of her, the more it escaped me. She was not an ugly woman and had been definitely ogling Caden. Maybe that was where this discomfort came from.
If she came onto him, would he refuse her? Would he try something if I wasn’t around?
Dusa roared and abruptly arched her back so that I bounced on her spikes.
“Ow! Damn, point taken.” I rubbed my rear end before sitting back down on her.
Thank the Dragon God for a friend who set me straight. She sensed my insecurity and just told me it served no purpose. Caden wouldn’t do that to me. And if he would, she’d be able to smell his betrayal long before we got to this point.
Whatever this point was.
I never expected to bond with someone so quickly. Azel, Dusa, and everyone else in my life took years to build up a sense of trust and comfort that I seemed to have with Caden within weeks. Even with a civil war going on, the world just felt right with him.
But Azel…
The moment I wanted to wrap myself up in daydreams about Caden, memories of Azel hit me like icy water to my face. Would I go home and mourn him or marry him? Those were my only two choices.
And if I married him, would he hold this thing with Caden against me like his sister did? I hated to admit how much Azaria was right. She saw sparks between me and Caden before I ever saw them myself.
There’s still a third choice…
I pushed the thought away with a scoff. Caden would never face an exile with me. He had too much to gain after the war was over. The new king would surely recognize him as a hero, and most likely give him lands and titles. He’d want nothing to do with an exiled Dragon Rider who refused marriage to a chief.
And even in the off chance that he did, I still couldn’t stomach the thought of a life without Azel. Every time I considered the possibility of him not coming back, my body panicked in response and my mood spiraled downward. I couldn’t lose faith in him. Not yet.
“Ugh, why do I have to choose, Dusa?” I complained. “I love them both. I think you’re the only one who understands how torn I am.”
She snorted her reply and the feelings I got from her made me laugh out loud. My dragon’s thoughts could be best summed up as,why bother to choose at all?
“I could never have two men, as much I like the idea,” I murmured, growing hot at the mental image of being sandwiched between Caden and Azel. “They would never go for it. No man on earth would.”
A flash of movement caught my eye on the ground and I leaned over to get a better look. A small troop of soldiers moved in a tight formation. Polished golden shields and helmets reflected the sun almost like Dusa’s scales. Underneath their armor which shined just as brightly, royal blue tunics contrasted handsomely.
My breath hitched in my throat. They looked well fed, well armed and well paid. This could only be the royal unit that Myra spoke of. So shewastelling the truth?
I rubbed my forehead, thoroughly confused. Something still didn’t feel right about this.
The soldiers already noticed us and began pointing up at the sky.
“Might as well greet them, girl,” I said with a squeeze of my heels. “Let’s go down.”
On the ground, the soldiers formed a tight circle with their shields up and long, pointed spears sticking out. I nearly sighed with disappointment. Taking them out would be too easy. Curiously though, they seemed to be circling around one unarmed person. A hostage or someone important they were protecting?
“Who are you?” the lead soldier demanded as we touched ground. “State your name and affiliation.”
“I’m Nadiyah, a Rider of Dragon Valley,” I announced, sliding leisurely down Dusa’s scales. “I don’t know what you mean by affiliation.”
“Do you side with the rebels or royals?” the man hissed, snidely looking me over. With his helmet and shield polished to such a high shine, it was clear which side he aligned with.
“Rebels,” I said, placing a cocky hand on my hip despite the nerves jarring inside me. “Care to explain why you’re raiding and burning innocent villages?”
The man blinked, scowling at me. “What are you talking about? We’re royal soldiers, not bandits!”
