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FOURTH WING by Rebecca Yarros meets POWERLESS by Lauren Roberts, and LIGHTLARK by Alex Aster in this fairytale story of dragons, plagues, and curses.

Aurelia grew up knowing she was the result of the tattoo on her father's wrist. The engraved sign came from killing a dragon, which caused him to obtain one of the five curses. Aurelia was that curse. She was a Scaleborne, half-dragon, and half-mortal and had been hidden in a tower her entire life as she was wanted for her golden blood.

When diseased creatures spread plague and famine across the lands, she is the only one to save her kingdom. She is quested to search for the golden dragon relic that grants only one wish and can only be seen by the Scalekind. Being the only person who can see the egg, she goes on a journey to save her kingdom from the diseased creatures and the extinction of dragons, all while being hunted for her golden blood.

With dragons possessing elemental abilities and being able to transfer these gifts to their riders, Aurelia has to claim her ability with her connected dragon and train in time before the kingdom is immersed with plague by the Deathlies or before she is killed for her gilded blood.

CHAPTER 1: AURELIA

The chill of the hammer's handle seeped into my grasp as I carefully wrapped my fingers around it, hidden beneath the folds of my cloak. The large metal chains and cuffs were almost as big as my body. Only one link needed to be released to set him free.

Clank. 

Clank. 

Tremors reverberated from my body with every forceful stroke. Tiny sparks lighted into the air from my efforts, but no dent was made in the thick metal used to keep him captive. I tried repeatedly, but there was a barrier on the chains.

Lifting my hands, swirls of fire erupted from them, blasting the metal.

Nothing budged. Even the flames did nothing to move the forged steel.

I should have known better. Of course, they would use my grandmother’s magic to stabilize him. To imprison him. At least she was the only sorcerer that I knew of–especially with old magic being cast out.

Nonetheless, I kept trying. 

Clank. 

Clank.

Clank. 

Holding the iron hammer low, blisters tore through my skin as tears streamed down my face. 

“Zemoumai,” I apologized to him in Satas Lerma through the mental connection.

Fascinated and intrigued, I slid my hands up the fire-red scales of his body, tracing them up to his snout. The smell of imprisonment burned my senses.

“They put a spell on your chains,” I told him in his mind. 

His eyes–as large as my head–unveiled, revealing the golden irises. A form of emotion collected in them, glimmering with an ethereal warmth. The tears were like liquid sunlight, but in the darkest way possible. 

He knew that there was nothing else I could do. “I understand. Save yourself,” he said in response. Anger filled my veins and my heart, shedding the respect and love I had for my grandmother. In defeat, I placed my head against his body, still moving my hands around his scales to provide as much comfort as possible. 

“I’m sorry,” I said again, leaving for the tent holding the knights. I pulled my cloak’s hood up to not be seen. After years of hiding in the dark from what I was, I had learned to become invisible.

  There was only one more thing I could do. I could find the connection tethered to the magic, but I was running out of time. Just finding out about the trials this morning left me with only broken wishes and shattered opportunities to make a change.

Clicking the metal door behind me, hearing the distinct lock of it, an expanse of bright greenery came into view, the mountains towering in the distance. Beside the rows of tents held the stadium; the dark bricks of the arena clouded the scenery beyond the small grass field, displaying the line of citizens along the exterior, eager for the Trials by Fire. Their anticipation was palpable as they waited to see which knights would slaughter the dragon to become heir to the king. The mere thought of it made me tremble.

A quiver raced down my backbone. Was it the thought of them killing the dragon? Or the thought that I couldn’t be heir myself? I brushed aside the unsettling thoughts, knowing I had to intervene.

Approaching the tent doors, a subtle tap grazed my shoulder, eliciting a startled jump. I turned around, finding Tobias. Not only my past lover, but the man who was trying to steal my rightful place on the throne. His power-hungry and controlling behavior was enough alone to bring our brief relationship to an end.

His dark blue hair shimmered from the sun. His obscure eyes seemed to peer into my soul as if he knew what I was up to. Embellished in a coat of mail, he kept his silver sword secured by his side, held by a lustrous blue sheath.

 “Aurelia, Aurelia,” he tsked. “Silly Aurelia. What do you think you are doing here?” I hid my sleeping potions tighter to my body to avoid being seen. The knights couldn’t fight if they were asleep. 

“Tobias. Fancy seeing you here.” I clenched my teeth. The urge to hiss at him overcame my body.

His hand grasped my waist, pulling me closer, my head tilting back to be as far away from him as possible. “Aurelia, a few of the knights here don’t know who you are.” He paused, smirking at me. “I guess I should say what you are,” he emphasized. I grimaced at how he talked about my secret like it was his to keep, like it was something that he could threaten me with. 

Our past made his touch familiar, yet one that I despised. The audacity with which he thought he could touch me like we were back together mocked me, not wanting to be with him, but wondering if I would be alone forever because of what I was.

“However,” he continued, leaning forward, “if I win, I will make sure that you marry me so that you can obtain your rightful place on the throne,” he whispered, his mouth uncomfortably close to my ears. A surge of disdain welled within me at the mere sight of Tobias, let alone the idea of marrying him. 

I didn’t want to move to give away that I was carrying four bottles of sleeping potions on me, making me stay in place right by his body. He would send me straight to my father, and then I couldn’t stay to watch the Trials by Fire. Not that I wanted to, but I had to know what would happen. 

“How thoughtful,” I wanted to spit through my teeth. The idea of threatening him pestered me. He wouldn’t last a day on the throne even if he won. And if he did, I would find a way to take it from him, proving to him and my father that the throne was mine.

He released me with a sigh and leaned over to kiss my hand as if gently holding me the whole time. The presence of his hands on my hips lingered, although he had let go. With a side smile pinned on his face, he sauntered off, leaving toward the line of people waiting to learn of the new heir.

The blood boiled in my body, the paleness of my face emitting. The unwanted interaction set my blood aflame, but I knew I was running out of time for the slight chance to save Laneux. I swiftly entered the tent, wanting so badly to escape the lingering touch of Tobias. 

It was disheartening to think he would be the best king out of all the options. He would actually have the confidence and ability to run the kingdom. But I couldn’t think of anyone stealing what was supposed to be mine. 

The tent was soiled and lazily draped up, looking as though it would fall any second. Armor, weapons, clothing, and rags were cluttered along the interior and dangled from the ceiling, drooping low to the dirt ground. The tang of salt hung in the air, mingling with the unmistakable scent of sweat.

Bottles of alcohol were scattered across the lengthy white tables that surrounded the perimeter. The flasks full of cheap wine formulated a sour smell.

Making my way toward the heap of bottles, I was determined to get the job done. The table that held them was made of light wood and felt unsteady, the wood splintering on the sides, and the structure of it tilting.

I removed my cloak, revealing the sleeping potions that I had attached to my sides on a leather belt. The liquid in them was bright and ethereal. They were my backup if I couldn’t help the dragon escape. I just hoped that the knights would be back here before they fought. 

Opening the dark vials I had brought, the slight pewter smoke lifted, making me choke. Small wisps of blue trickled through the air as I poured the liquid into the bottles of alcohol. I needed this to work. I wasn’t sure I would have time to find the tethered connection to the old magic used on Laneux, and this was my last chance to save him before the trials.

I quickly tapped the corks back in place once I was finished and hid the bottles under a pile of dirty clothes on the side of the tent. Hearing some noise outside, I quickly pulled my black hood back over my face to cover my light pink hair and golden eyes, exiting the tent without a second thought.

“Excuse me,” a bald knight said, passing me to go inside the tent. Others followed after, laughing and rambunctious. Most likely, they were already drunk. They didn’t pay me attention as I slipped outside the door, my eyes on the floor.

After passing a few knights, heading toward the stadium, a hefty woman with strong shoulders and confidence raced after them.

“Wait, wait! We are about to start! Knights, get your armor fixed and meet us in the arena. Quick!” Her thick accent scratched my ears. “Is that alcohol, I see?”

My heart thrummed, knowing that I would let Laneux down. “Let me get that. You better not drink any before your match. Good luck!” From the outskirts of the castle, I watched as a gust of wind rustled the tent flaps, revealing the lady inside. She gathered the bottles and then left the tent, making her way toward the line of the arena.

Well, there went that plan. 

I had other ideas, like replacing the knight's armor and weapons with weaker materials and outlining their chain-mail with powders to make them drowsy as they fought. However, as much as I didn’t want the dragon to die, I also didn’t want the men to die, either. 

I blamed my father for doing this to him, to all the dragons. It was symbolism. It had been done for centuries. Scales, the killing of dragons was the reason for what I became.

Whether I liked it or not, the trials were about to start. Thousands of watchers encircled the arena. Commoners from the surrounding villages were invited to come, and they did. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It used to be done more often, but with the dragons becoming extinct, they now only hosted the Trials by Fire on special occasions, like finding the new heir to the throne when your daughter could not run it. 

I wasn’t supposed to be out of my tower, so I hovered. I didn’t stay in one area for longer than a few minutes at a time to avoid being seen. When roaming, I had my hood up so as not to expose my identity. No one could know who I was. What I was. 

“Ladies and gentlemen!” My father spoke loudly throughout the arena, calling the attention of every last person. His throne was bejeweled in the center, his crown so bright you could see it in the furthest stands of the stadium. “Welcome to the Trials by Fire! Where we will find the strongest of our knights to become heir to the throne! As you may know, my daughter died when she was very young, leaving us heirless.” The lie that escaped his teeth made me flinch. However, it was a lie that ensnared and saved me at the same time. “We now stand together on this day to prepare ourselves for our future king! Hurrah!” 

I slid between a few drunken men who started to wail as they witnessed the large trap door rising to the far side of the pit. The metal chains grated as it gradually ascended, displaying the empty void where Laneux was being held.

The crowd softened to a silence as the dragon’s steep footsteps pounded into the ground. A steady pace, exhilarating everyone’s heartbeats, waiting for his presence to be shown. His scales reflected the colors of the setting sun. Yellows, oranges, and reds accompanied the sun as it disappeared behind the horizon. He knew that, just like the sun, his end was near.

He was large, but the stadium was, in no comparison, grander. Those farthest up in their seats probably felt superior to Scalekind, watching Laneux as if he were a losing pawn in a chess game, ready to be eliminated without a second thought.

Being over twenty feet tall, he had the opportunity to scorch those who sat in the first rows of the arena. The flames could easily flee his throat and scorch every person.

But he didn’t.

The king’s men, wearing matching violet uniforms and chain-mail that sparkled from the sunlight, yanked on Laneux’s chains, forcing him to the middle of the arena. The crackle of the rubbing metal made me wince with each movement. With the slight purple veil, noticeable only to me, marking my grandmother’s magic, compelling him to his chains. 

Laneux’s head held low, as if praying to the gatekeeper of Ezu to spare him from his slaughter. Small horns protruded through the top of his head, sticking out like sharp knives, immediate weapons for the combat he was forced upon.

“I won’t go without a fight,” he told me in my mind, the golden irises peering into my own, matched with mine from the curse I was. My lip trembled as he bowed, his snout glowering toward the floor, knowing that he wanted peace, but humans were the ones to disrupt it. 

“Do what you need to do, Laneux.” I knew his name by heart. We didn’t have to tell each other, but dragons could sense each other’s names. It was like their aura. It was as if their soul had already whispered it to us as we met. 

In a heartbeat, his sinewy claws coiled around the silver-blasted chains holding him captive. His claws drew nearer to his body, creating a forceful whip with the deadly metal, sending the king’s men to the outskirts of the arena.

A deep bellow infiltrated the air. “Let the games begin!” my father called out, my body debilitated from the pride of his actions. The crowd matched his energy as they simultaneously shouted, “Hurrah!”

With the vitality of the audience, the knights erupted from lowered gates along the arena’s outskirts, believing they had a chance. As the knights ran toward Laneux, dirt polluted the air, creating a haze of fog. Different colors of vests speckled the bottom of the arena, signifying which village of the kingdom each knight was from.

The crowd mirrored the knight’s enthusiasm as they sprinted to launch their attack. The first knight that reached Laneux bore a deep purple, his dark curly hair sticking up with friction as he slid from the gravel, escaping the dragon as his claws swung toward the knight’s body. The section of the crowd from Elenar resulted in cheers as their victor reached the dragon first.

Laneux’s fangs snarled as he thrashed his robust and scaly tail to collide with the knight, striking him into the concrete surrounding the arena. A sickening crack echoed as his body crumpled to the dirt.

Following the knight from Elenar was a knight sporting a glossy green vest. His blonde, shaggy hair fell over his shoulder as he held his sword up high. “For Glodendale!” he hollered, matching with the left part of the arena’s cheers.

Before his metallic sword could confront Laneux, the dragon whipped his chains fast enough to sever the knight's head, making it roll on the ground. The crowd repulsed at the grotesque scene, some unable to continue watching.

I hoped they realized how dangerous dragons were, how dangerous they became when you only attacked them. If they had left him alone, they would’ve been fine. 

Excitement erupted after the silence as knights wearing dark blue and orange took their swords and sliced into Laneux’s legs. His claws penetrated the earth beneath him, howling in pain. Laneux’s eyes creased forward as he released a billow of flames, scorching the bodies until they were only a pile of blackened ash on the ground.

The dragon made his way across the stadium, still attached to the leash gripping his ankles. His wings instigated upward, the density of the wind flustering the audience. Bottles of alcohol rattled on the ground, as well as bags and articles of clothing being snatched into the air from the wind. 

Audience members cried out in panic, scrambling to protect their loved ones, witnessing the giant dragon take control of the stadium and watching him fly into the air. His wings continued to flap up and down, barely able to fit inside the stadium. 

I relocated from the row I was standing by to get to the other side of the arena, hoping to get closer to him. I could feel the anxiety brew within me. What was going to happen? 

Laneux wasn’t able to fly higher than a couple of feet. That was when I saw Tobias. His silver vest was sparkling, resembling the glow of the moon. I couldn’t miss him, with his posture that looked so familiar. His proud shoulders and stuck-up chin.

His footsteps collided on the ground as he advanced toward the dragon. His sword in his hand gleamed alongside his vest, signifying his representation of Leveland. Chinking sounds echoed in the air, his movements in slow motion as he traveled up the metal chains leading to Laneux’s body.

As Laneux flapped effortlessly a few feet off the ground, pulling the chain behind him, he flicked his foot, whipping the forged links upward, sending Tobias soaring. His legs gliding, making their way skyward, the audience gasping in suspense. Tobias was catapulted higher than the dragon. His sword was fixed and elevated in the air. 

Tobias used this to his advantage. With his sword in hand, he raised it above his head with the tip pointing below. With the momentum of his fall, he plunged the sword deep into the back of Laneux’s ear. The glint of the sword disappeared, becoming covered with the golden shine of his blood.

Yelping, I covered my mouth before anyone would take notice of me. Taking in the environment, everyone was as shocked as I was. Tobias knew the spot. The spot that would immediately kill any dragon. 

There was a horrific roaring sound that I knew would keep me up at night. It shook the Earth beneath our feet and was the type of sound that you knew resulted in death. The roar continued to ring throughout the stadium, echoing painfully. 

Laneux’s wings stopped flapping, and his body fell to the earth with Tobias falling after him. The thud sent a wave of dust, coughs emitting from the audience. At this point, everyone was standing in their seats. Was Tobias of Leveland going to be the next king? Did he kill the dragon? Were they both dead? 

The silence was overbearing, my hand held to my heart. “Laneux. Laneux!” I called after him. However, I couldn’t feel his soul. I couldn’t feel his presence. I quickly wiped a tear from my cheek. He was dead. Tobias killed him. I hated Tobias for that, and I hated my father even more.

Tobias’ body lifted gently from the ground. The smoke covered the arena so deeply that it was hard to see. He stood, and I couldn’t push aside the whispers that I heard throughout the crowd. 

“Is he alive?”

“I see movement! Did he kill the dragon?”

“Will he be our new king?” 

I wanted to go down there and kill Tobias myself. 

“Our winner is…” I heard my father cry out into the crowds. They were silent to hear the name of the victor. To know their future king. “Tobias Maxwell from Leveland!” A wave of exuberant cheers filled the stadium, rhythmic chants of Tobias’ name following after.

“Hurrah, hurrah,” resonated in various languages and accents, morphing into the sound of a unified kingdom, rooting for their new heir. 

My heart absorbed pain with every beat. My father’s face was full of pleasure and pride for Tobias winning the trials. I took it personally, knowing that Tobias not only had lived with us for years, but was also my father’s favorite knight in the kingdom. I was sure he even favored Tobias for winning to be heir and wanted him instead of me.

Watching my father, I glanced at the tattoo on his right wrist. The tattoo that I despised. The curse that brought me here. The curse that caused my deepest pain and stole my birthright of being heir to the throne.

CHAPTER 1: AURELIA

Flying wasn’t only a luxury; it was freedom.

The bitter air unraveled through me, calling me home. It brushed across my cheeks with tunes of freedom, as if it were a reminder of what was beyond my tower. Leather whipped past the wind as the dragons flew around me.

“Watch this,” Belle suggested through our mind connection, dipping low in the sky, crossing through the wisps of clouds, absorbing the aureate light twinkling from the setting sun.

“Not again, please. I’m going to be sick.” Damian scowled behind me. His nails dug deeper into my thighs as he noticed Belle veering unnecessarily off course, taunting the proximity of the rocks clinging to the mountainsides.

“Last time, Damian almost fell off,” I recalled to her, but this young dragon was determined to claim her place with the surrounding intimidating dragons. “And,” I added, “we’re nearly there. Please don’t make me sick before this next training. I beg of you.”

“You're no fun,” she said, sarcasm seeping into her words.

“Thank the curses,” Damian said when Belle evened out her body. 

“Ya know, you didn’t have to come,” I said to Damian behind me, curiously. 

“Yes. But it’s the last Scaleteam gathering before the initiation.” He wouldn’t say it, but he knew how much this night meant to me. It was the only reason he came along for this. 

The purpose of our dragon army was not only to strengthen our Kingdom, but also to unite Scalekind in—hopefully—all lands through an alliance. Positive first impressions of the Scaleteam in front of the Kingdom’s people were my priority. 

Riding up by the verdant, glistening scales of Meiinaraux

, Loker glanced my way and did a mocking bow, his untidy rustic green locks filling his face with the movement. 

I rolled my eyes.

“Hello, Majesty of the Clandike Kingdom,” he purred, sarcasm searing through our connection.

Scoffing, I said, “I hate that you’re so formal. Why can’t you say, ‘Hey, Lia,’ like the other Scalebound?”

“And not make you angry? No way.” 

I would expect nothing less from Loker. 

He laughed as he pushed the strands of his hair back into a pin to keep the wind from wrestling him. “You ready for tonight?” he asked, tilting his head and molding his body closer to Meiinaraux’s. 

Now that I had been on the throne for a year, had established the routines, and picked up my duties, I decided it was time to introduce the Scalekind in a non-aggressive approach to the other lands, as well as push for signatures for our peace treaties. The whole Clandike Kingdom’s reputation was at risk with not only a cursed half-dragon and half-human queen on the throne, but an army of dragons protecting the Kingdom, along with the allied help to other Kingdoms, should they choose to sign our Scalekind peace treaty. 

“Can anyone ever be ready for something such as this?” 

“Only you could, Lia.” His voice fizzled out sooner than usual, but I dismissed the thought of it, turning my attention back to Belle’s unsteady flying. 

“There’s no need to show off,” I reminded her again, but she cut the connection with the sass of a knife.

Dragons of all types, breeds, and colors circled us, joining as our Scaleteam. Those who had not only become knights, but dragon riders as well, were ready to protect our kingdom, Scalekind or not.

Our Scaleteam encompassed humans, those who held magic from the Old Religion, and Scalekind—those with golden blood flowing in their veins from the curse of their parents slaying a dragon. 

As Loker and Clemmy—who I had first met when we were both held captive in a tavern for our golden blood—twisted in the sky, I couldn’t help but imagine Luella’s bravery if she were with us today. If things had been different. 

Luella.

In only a few days, she had become a sister to me. Her fearlessness radiated from her as she inspired everyone, reminding us not to care what others think. 

She would’ve easily joined our Scaleteam with no questions asked, no matter her age or experience. Her bravery had been an inspiration to me as I continued to push for what I believed to be right. 

Images of Luella scraped across my memories like glass. The blood sputtering from her lips, her body crushed on the rock, and the way we couldn’t save her from the plague of the Deathlies. It all sent shivers down my spine, making my heart crash against my ribcage like the pounding raindrops on delicate roses. Everything ached inside of me. As my shoulders fell with the weight of her death, the memory suppressed itself, pretending that it didn’t happen—that we didn’t lose her. 

That it wasn’t my fault. 

But it was. 

Some days, the grief was unbearable. When the hurt came, it arrived at once, filling my whole body with a sorrow I couldn’t shake free, like pins pricking my skin until they became knives stabbing my heart. The wounds never healed properly—never closed completely. Always open slightly, always somewhat vulnerable, shredded back layer by layer, the longer the time went.

“Malua

?” Belle whispered like a breath across my face, taking her guard down from my previous comments to check if I was okay.

Small drops of condensation flowed from the clouds above, carefully splattering around us as we weaved through the cliffs of the grand mountains. 

Sighing, I forced out, “Yana mashmaleeii

.”

Glancing at the Scaleteam members as they flew their elemental dragons, their faith washed over me like a tsunami I couldn’t control. 

As we enveloped the clouds overwhelming the sky, the view of the snow-capped peaks opened up, as if they were the gates to Ezu

itself. The pastel tones of reds, yellows, and pinks blended in the atmosphere—an image of what I once could only see in paintings within a book, or beyond the Forbidden Forest by my tower. 

Once we reached the tallest mountain, we banked left, following the other excited elemental dragons, weaving between the peaks and ledges. 

Belle sheared near the cliff, the foliage of it caressing our faces. “Careful!” I reprimanded her, unintentionally. “The edge is right there.” 

As if by memory, I knew she scrunched up her nose and tightened her eyes. It was simply our banter that kept our relationship alive. 

“Old people don’t like fun,” Belle huffed and cruised in the center, eyeing the other dragons who soared dangerously close to the different mountain ledges, picking up animals in their mouths on their way to their destination. 

With my words, Damian sighed in relief behind me. Heights weren’t his favorite, yet he joined me anyway. 

As we exited the close-knit mountains, Tobias neared us with his connected dragon, Waitanamai

, of the Waxbreed. Her onyx scales were nearly iridescent with the gleam of perspiration, and tendrils of shadows warped around them like a comforting blanket. Waitanamai was three times the size of Belle, but not as vicious. 

Damian’s hold on my thighs tightened at Tobias’s presence. 

I didn’t blame Damian’s tense reactions whenever Tobias was near. He was my past lover, and we initially believed he was the one who started the plague of the Deathlies. And while he wanted the seat by me on the throne, he had grown in his position as the Scaleteam leader by Loker’s side. I quickly learned how valuable not only his training lessons were for the Scaleteam, but also his ability to seamlessly teach them to ride their dragons. 

While we hadn’t spoken much outside of plans for the Scaleteam and Kingdom, I pretended not to see his longing glances in my direction and the veins that bulged from his neck. 

The shimmering waterfall came into view beyond green vines, hiding the ample space like a hidden jewel. The sun peered through the top of the mountain as it slowly set, glistening out of sight, taking away the fluttering mist with it. 

This area had been a luxury for our Scaleteam to train outside of the arena as we gradually adjusted others to the idea of Scalekind. Even though dragons were now common within the Clandike Kingdom, most Kingdoms were still hesitant to accept Scalekind again. This concealed paradise had been a sanctuary for those connected with their dragons. 

We reached the top of the mountain, where moss spread through the cracks like the disease from the Deathlies almost a year ago. The waterfall crashed below, filling in the spaces that ebbed throughout the exterior. Bright blue sparks splashed amidst the atmosphere, like a veil of vapor, cloaking the thunder of the forceful rapids.

The dragons landed, barely catching the last ray of light as the sun hid itself behind the mountain. The sound of water drummed around us, and the mist rained upon me, rejuvenating my skin. 

Belle met the stones, missing the slippery green moss. I swooped off, my feet landing with a thud. Her wings folded in, and she shook her snout and body, moisture from the air flinging from her sides.

Tobias landed ahead of everyone at the tip of the ledge, where rocks crumbled off the cliff at their descent. His dragon majestically towered by his side. She was massive in comparison to the others; her long black horns waved behind her armored neck, daring anyone to ride her. Murky shadows curled around both of them as they stood in charge of the Scaleteam.

With his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes flicked ruthlessly back and forth, observing the crowd of riders. 

As everyone slid off the backs of their dragons, I took in the others, their smiles shy as they looked away from my glance. Dirt from the landings lifted into strands, gliding in the air of the flat-edged cliff we all stood on.

“Welcome to our last trust training between you and your dragon before initiation!” Tobias called out to the group of riders as if expecting a round of applause, but he was met with silence. 

He moved with calculation, always ready to strike if a threat came our way. His black hair swept behind his ears, revealing the slight blue sheen beneath. While he was ambitious and confident, those were also the reasons for the downfall of our past relationship. 

Tobias had always wanted too much power—even if it was Cora who betrayed me. No matter what my father had wanted, I would not be his wife. And he would not be my king. 

His gaze fell on Loker, who was almost a foot shorter than him. Standing straighter, Loker cleared his throat and said, “Today, we will be doing a trust exercise with our dragons. Not all of you may be connected with your dragon, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create your own bond until you become bound.” I surveyed the riders, curious as to who knew the way to bind with a dragon by collecting their tears on one’s skin. “This training is to see your confidence in each other. When situations arise, you need to have full trust in your dragon. You and them are one. You are to discover your internal connection and communication. Even vulnerability.” Loker, wiggling his nose with what seemed to be a bug bothering him, glanced my way. “We will have our Queen start.”

Applause erupted, and my eyebrows knit together. I glimpsed over the ledge, and my stomach filled with nerves.

Everyone parted, clearing a path for me. My steps echoed on the moist rocks, pounding like the beat of my heart. 

“You’re gonna jump off,” Loker whispered as I reached him near the edge. 

I glared his way. “Yeah, I gathered that.”

Belle reluctantly stepped forward, her pink shimmering scales immediately vulnerable as everyone’s blazing eyes honed on her. With a firm stance, Belle walked with a purposeful stride, absorbing the attention. 

Pride trickled inside my veins. We could do this together. 

I was proud of Belle, my Uanai

—my Everything.

My eyes met with Damian’s before I turned to face the ledge completely. Standing in the back, he nodded, his facial hair a shadow on his skin, hiding the dimple I wanted so badly to see with the slight curve of his smile. As his brown eyes softened, my skin bubbled with his approval.

With another step, I was interrupted. “How do we know when to jump on our dragons if we are not connected and unable to speak to them?” The question came from Salta—one of the first to sign up for the Scaleteam. Although her parents had shamed her, erasing her from their family, she still took pride in her decision and shared our vision of a united Kingdom. Her silky blonde hair wrapped in braided ringlets, covering her head like the adornment of vines around my tower. 

Loker adjusted his tunic. “That’s a great question. This is all based on trust and believing your dragon will watch your timing and catch you.”

Salta gulped, her glossy eyes peering down, and her shoulders sagged as she stepped back into the busy crowd of riders and dragons.

“Any other questions?” Tobias asked.

Silence drifted in thick wafts. 

I solemnly gazed toward Belle, and she knew what she needed to do. Her wings picked up, her body following after as she rounded up and over the peak, merging with the ashen clouds. My breathing hitched, picking up rapidly, burning in my chest.

This was silly. If anyone should be the most confident with their dragon, it should be me.

“I’ll catch you,” Belle said, sensing my panic through our connection.

“I know you will.”

“You don’t trust me?!” she gasped jokingly.

“You’re my Uanai,” I reminded her, allowing my breath to release. The puffs crystallized in the frozen air as the season drew closer to Shuameii. 

I caught a glimpse of her pink scales as she soared off to the left. Nearing the ledge, rocks fell from my boots as I grabbed on with my heels.

The water roared in my ears as I glanced down, my bones shaking from the height. The air swelled with the scent of wet stone, and the atmosphere was muggy due to the high humidity.

“Three,” Belle said, the pink of her scales becoming more prominent as they shimmered, her wings beating closer.

“Two,” she continued.

I took a deep breath.

“One!” she announced, and I jumped.

My heart plummeted to my stomach, my legs kicking as they soared.

Time paused.

My chest tightened and I was unable to breathe.

This was it. Death would finally claim me. 

The mountain seemed to float skyward as I tumbled and fell.

I landed on her hard, my joints aching on impact. My fingers grew slick with sweat as I grunted, using all my strength to pull myself up on her back, her horns holding all my weight.

She swooped upward, the air pulling between us.

A smile curved on my lips as the air whooshed by, reminding me of the freedom I had always wanted. I never knew it tasted like salt and rained like fire upon my skin. 

She glided, scraping past the mountain and passing the untamed torrent cascading down the cliff. We grasped at the clouds above us, grabbing at the silver wisps.

Cheers erupted from the area as she dipped lower and flew through the pool, bringing me close enough for our reflection to come into view. My fingers drew a line through the water as we breezed past.

Flying back up, she landed in the middle of the Scaleteam crowd. Their dragons and riders roared and clapped, a smile brightly cinched on my face.

As my mind came back to reality, Loker counted down the next person.

A scream filled the air as someone else jumped, landing on their dragon. 

Soon after, everyone followed.

It was mere minutes before dragons filled the space between the cliff and the clouds. Their riders were proud of their accomplishment, relishing in the way the open sky filled their veins with excitement.

Damian gripped my shoulders and then moved, wrapping around my waist. “You always surprise me.”

“Oh, that?” I turned from him, my hands landing on my hips, gripping my leather clothing. “That was nothing,” I said, squinting as a genuine smile filled my face. “You sure you don’t want to try?”

“I think I'm good. I only fly when I have to,” Damian said, his eyes peering over the mountain’s ledge where the waterfall crashed down, as if he would tumble to his death if he were to step any closer.

“Would you ever want your own dragon?” I asked, moving closer to him so I could soak up his body heat to keep myself warm. His arm wrapped around me as we observed the dragons and riders jump off and fly in the sky.

He clicked his tongue. “No,” he said. “Belle is enough for me.”

“Okay, but if it had nothing to do with Belle?”

He paused, his eyes peering over the ledge. “I’ve never thought about it before,” he said, his thumb brushing across my cheek. “I just don’t see myself with my own dragon. It doesn’t feel right not to ride alongside you.” The corners of my lips tugged upward, and my cheeks warmed with gold.

“Damian,” Loker called out, striding toward us with his chest as tall as he could hold it, as if to appear taller. 

Tobias stood by the edge of the cliff, counting down the remaining few who were to jump off for the training. His broad shoulders swallowed his frame, his muscular arms bulging from his too-tight clothing.

“Is someone talking to me?” Damian said to me, and I raised my eyebrows, glancing at Loker for his reaction. 

Loker bent over laughing, wiping tears from his eyes. “The assassin is stealing my strategy. Okay, okay, I got it. I will wait until our meeting to ask.” Talking to himself, Loker mumbled, “Assassin? More like an as—”

“Boys,” I interrupted them. 

“It’s Future King, and Sir Loker to you,” Loker said. 

Damian scowled. “I am no king, Loker. If you're going to continue to make up titles, at least say the right ones.” 

“Ahh, now he's speaking to me,” Loker joked, reaching up as tall as he could to wrap his arm around Damian’s shoulders, tugging him lower with the effort. 

“Only because you’re annoying me.” Damian shifted his stance as they bickered like siblings. 

“Loker, what is it you need?” I wondered why he had come over here, and if Damian had refused to wait, maybe I could help. Damian had been integrated into many aspects of the Kingdom. Yet he remained my protector—spying on the cities and other Kingdoms, then presenting his findings at our council meetings so we knew how to present Scalekind to elicit the best response. 

“I needed Damian’s help with our next preparation. Now that multiple of the Scaleteam members are connecting with their dragons, we need his scary side to scare them to actually properly use their ability. And he’s done great with training you.” 

He had. 

“Is that so?” I asked, laughing at the fear the Scaleteam had over Damian. 

He constantly scowled at those around him, and his brooding eyes didn’t call out “friendly.” However, while his blood wasn’t gold, his heart truly was. 

Damian had been by my side for the last year, growing my Kingdom stronger with unification, and while some thought he was uninterested, he always knew exactly what to say. 

With a sigh, Damian said, “You’re a pain in my spine, Loker, I hope you know that. But unlike you, I’ll actually assist you outside of my ‘working’ hours.” 

Loker bowed in Damian’s direction, holding his hands up together in a pleading motion. “I beg of thee.” 

“Get up,” Damian commanded. “Why are you like this?” With a roll of his eyes toward Loker, Damian kissed my forehead. “I’m going to help the poor guy out,” he said. 

“He needs you,” I joked, laughing as Loker walked toward the ledge where Tobias stood, waiting for Damian to follow. 

“Unfortunately,” Damian said in a muffled voice as he strode in the direction of the other two. 


***

Training ended, everyone having jumped off the ledge with their dragons, strengthening their bond even though most weren’t actually bound. Many were indecisive, taking longer to decide to jump than it had taken us to get there. 

But they all eventually did. 

Every last one.

The Scaleteam was occupied, mastering the art of flying between the different loops and merging through suspended peaks. 

My shoulders slackened as a feeling of contentment washed over me. 

This was what the Kingdom should be like: dragons and their riders airborne and wildly drinking in the adventure of freedom. 

“I’m surprised that every one of them jumped,” I said to Loker through our Scalekind connection—the ability of those with dragon blood to communicate with each other. The words silently grazed my mind.

“I think it’s because you were here to encourage them.”

“Maybe, but I won’t take all the credit. Someone had to count them down,” I joked.

“Hah!” he laughed as if he wasn’t humored, which I knew he was. “Glad I’m just a counter.”

“What else would we do with you if you weren’t?”

His boisterous laughter oddly wavered through our connection. 

“Then I would have to be a pusher if my counting wouldn’t work,” he said. The words gurgled as if they had hit a barrier. 

“Loker?” Even though he was right by my side, curiosity lingered about whether he had cut off our link intentionally or blocked me out in some way. 

Calling the Scaleteam, Tobias rounded everyone up, and they all mounted their dragons, ready to head back to the castle. I reached Belle, slinging my body over hers, and climbed onto her, sitting comfortably, prepared for the ride. Her scales were warm beneath my touch, but I knew the real fire was within her feisty heart. Not only was she claimed as my own, but we were family. 

Damian arrived by Belle’s side and familiarly hopped on her back. 

I couldn’t help but focus on the heat of him close to me. His presence was like the warmth of flames, tea seeping with honey, and a blanket covering your skin by the fire. 

We lifted off the ground, her wings flapping aggressively against the current of wind fighting us in the opposite direction, and we followed Loker, who led the Scaleteam back to the castle. I stayed at the end, rounding up the rest of everyone, making sure no one was left behind.

We crossed the Forbidden Forest, the dark trees contrasting with the setting sun. The tips of them reached up high and sharp like frozen icicles. The sky was laced with darkness, losing the light from the favorable sun. However, something caught my eye.

Movement rattled down by the Forbidden Forest, between the trees. 

An animal, perhaps. 

The odd part was how the creature slithered past the dark lines of the Forbidden Forest and out into the Clandike Kingdom’s lands without a barrier. 

Quickly, I turned to Damian, “Look below!” 

The scruff of his facial hair rubbed on my chin as he looked over my shoulder. When he followed my gaze, it was gone. 

“At what?” he asked. 

“Nothing,” I said. My eyes curiously peered in that direction, observing the thick shadows of the dark forest, no longer glowing with the cursed purple tint. 

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