Page 139 of A Cage of Crystal

Gritting her teeth, she fully faced Ferrah. Every muscle in her body quivered as she lowered her head into a bow. She held the position for several long seconds before slowly straightening to her full height. She bit back a scream as she found Ferrah’s face just a few feet from hers. The dragon studied her, shifting her head from side to side.

“Now lift your hand,” Garot called in a too-loud whisper.

She didn’t want to move at all, but she feared what would happen if she didn’t.

Breathe, she chanted in her mind.Breathe.

Air flooded her nostrils, steadying her nerves the slightest bit. The sensation would have brought more comfort if she could feel the familiar magical connection to the air element. Without it, it was just air moving through her lungs. Nothing else. At least it was something. Routine.

Finally, she forced herself to move. With one arm loose at her side, fingers splayed to show her hand was empty, she lifted the other, palm forward.

“Level with her snout,” Etrix said, but she couldn’t bear to look at him. Of the three, his emotions had proved to be the most rational in any given moment. If his eyes held fear, her terror would grow.

She raised her palm until it was just a foot away from Ferrah’s snout. Everything inside her told her to snatch her hand back. She yearned for her magic, yearned to feel the tingle of it surging through her palms. Then perhaps she’d know for sure whether she was doing the right thing.

Or if this was all a terrible mistake.

Ferrah flicked her tongue. Once. Twice. It tickled Cora’s palm, while steam wafted over her face.

Cora’s heart hammered so hard, she feared it would crack a rib. Her lungs constricted with panic.

Ferrah’s throat rumbled with something like a growl. Her scaly lips lifted in a snarl, revealing the pointed tips of her teeth. The breath that brushed Cora’s face became unbearably hot.

“It isn’t working,” Garot said, tone panicked. “Maybe her blood is too diluted. Maybe Ferrah doesn’t recognize her as Ailan’s kin.”

Fanon let out a dark chuckle. “What happened to your theory that the dragons had sensed some great awakening of Ailan’s heir? Here’s proof that you were wrong.”

Ferrah opened her mouth wider, revealing a bright glow at the back of her throat.

Cora stumbled a step back.

“No, Fanon,” Etrix said, tone laced with panic. “Maybe it’s the collar. It’s dulling themorain her blood.” Then louder, he shouted at Cora. “Take off the collar!”

“Do not—” Fanon’s words ended with hiss as Cora reached for the collar with both hands. Pulling the two sides, she opened the cuff on its hinge and pried the tines from her neck.

Emotion surged through her in a rush. Warmth blazed from her chest, down her arms, filling her palms with a tingling heat. Fear echoed through her—her own mixed with Etrix’s and Garot’s. From Fanon, she felt anger and vindictive pride. And from the dragon…

Cora met her slitted purple gaze and was struck with the heat of Ferrah’s ire. Her annoyance. Her enraged confusion. Ferrah’s sinuous neck quivered with another growl, her breath so hot it scalded Cora’s face. The glow at the back of her throat grew brighter. Brighter.

It’s going to kill me. Cora was certain, whether from common sense or the return of her clairsentience.

To make matters clearer, a warning rang through her, filling her body with urgency.Run.

The dragon swung her head back and bellowed a screech.

“Get back!” Etrix yelled. He and Garot dove out of the way. Even Fanon looked panicked as he retreated several steps back. Ferrah lowered her head, but Cora didn’t wait to see what happened. Turning around, she kicked up her feet and ran as fast as she could.

The ground trembled behind her, and heat licked her ankles. A bright blaze flashed in her periphery—purple flames—but she forced herself faster. Faster.

She knew what she had to do. And now that she’d removed the collar, she could do it.

With a deep breath, she called the elements to her. Air in her lungs. Earth beneath her feet. Water in her blood. Fire chasing her steps. It wrapped around her, fueling her emotions. Fear. Terror. Worry. She sank into these feelings, affirmed their presence, their legitimacy.

The ground shook faster now, and another screech rang out behind her.

She closed her eyes and sought something lighter than fear. Something warmer than dread. Her thoughts immediately went to Teryn. A spike of worry surged through her, but she kept her thoughts on a softer path. A vision flashed in her mind’s eye, of her and Teryn’s kiss against the tree. Calm flooded her mind. Her heart. Her soul.

Yes.

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