Page 99 of Veiled Flames
Once out of the elevating cage, we quickly exit the enclaves and I race across the field, looking up.
The five dragons circle above us. Then they race back and forth across the sky, spanning the distance between the two mountain ranges as if they aren’t a dozen leagues apart. The distance would take hours to cross, even on horseback, but the dragons cross it in minutes.
At first, I find it hard to differentiate the dragons, all of them flash like silver against the violet sky, but I soon figure out how to spot the dragons of the riders I know. Surath’s scales are more tinged with teal, compared to the others; Ersot, Treacher’s dragon is tinged with violet; and Tynan’s dragon is like pewter, tinged with blue. Treacher’s dragon is also very large, but Tynan’s beast looks at least half again as large as all the others in the sky right now.
Coming back toward us, Tynan’s dragon swoops lower, and my heart races as the beast descends toward our group. Everyone around me crouches.
The dragon’s talons tuck up against its body, and the air rushes over me as they pass.
I spin. Atop the dragon, Tynan turns back, a massive grin on his face.
“Holy thrix,” Egon says, as he rises from his crouch. “Tynan’s dragon wants you dead too.”
I turn away from Egon, refusing to give the bully more energy. It’s possible he’s right. It’s possible Tynan’s move was meant to be threatening, but every instinct inside me says that it wasn’t. His expression was filled with pure joy. And as horrible as he can be, I don’t believe Tynan finds joy in cruelty.
More than a fathom across the field, Saxon, Tynan and Treacher land, as Stran and Jakeon’s dragons fly into the distance.
The three riders use their long ropes to dismount, and then Tynan seems to speak to his dragon, stroking his scales as if thanking him for letting him mount.
By the time Tynan leaves his dragon’s side, the masters have closed half the distance between us. Saxon’s hair flies back in the wind, his cape flares, and my body reacts to the vision. I haven’t changed my mind about this man, and I’dneverturn recreant to accept what he’s offered, but I do harbor feelings for him—both physical and emotional. Saxon introduced me to so much—and most of it with patience and kindness.
Tynan races after the other men, passing them before they reach us, a massive smile on his face. Tynan is running directly toward?—
He’s running directly toward me.
I glance over my shoulder to check if Burchard, or one of his other friends, is behind me.
Before I can turn back to face him, Tynan slams into my body.
Lifting me high off the ground, he spins me and pulls my face down into a kiss.
My shock is devoured by his lips and consumed by my own desire. Passion explodes between our hungry mouths as he continues to spin me in his arms. One of his hands holds my head, deepening our kiss as the other squeezes my bottom. I’m lost. I’m on fire. It’s as if both his joy and passion are infectious, and I’m flooded with happiness and need. It’s as if I’m on a dragon, soaring high over the fields and kissing the clouds.
He breaks away from me. “That was amazing!”
I freeze in his arms. And then push back against his shoulders, trying to force him to let me down.
But the damage is done.
“Holy thrix!” Egon shouts. “Rosshall is agirl!”
The group gathers around us, drawing into a close circle. Saxon emerges, alarm in his eyes, and his jaw twitches with tension.
“I’m so sorry,” Tynan says.
I push away from him, trying to get out of his arms, only now registering that it’shisfault my secret is out. I suppose it’spossible he might have kissed a boy thus, but Egon saw the truth, and now everyone else has too.
Treacher steps forward, a fierce and unforgiving scowl on his scarred face. “Is this true?” He shakes his head, as if disappointed in himself.
Stepping away from Tynan, I stand at attention in front of Treacher.
“If it’s true,” Treacher says, “you are exiled from camp—immediately.”
“That’s not fair.” I shake my head. “Am I not a good student? Did I not beat the record time for the gauntlet? Have I not proven my skills with weaponry?” My heart is racing so quickly I can’t hear a thing.
Treacher frowns, glowering over me with every bit of intimidation his huge body possesses. “Your success with the trials is irrelevant, if you can’t mount a dragon.”
“How do you know I can’t?” I raise my chin.
