Page 11 of Queen’s Gambit

Get up! Get ready! The thought was so loud it made me wince. With one last effort, I dragged myself upright as the dragon plummeted from the sky, a dark arrow that cut through the air and grabbed me in its claws.

The air whooshed past me, but with each beat of the dragon’s wings, the fog surrounding my mind cleared, and strength returned to my body, fuelled by the dragon’s fury.

You stupid human! You careless scrap of meat! Why did you do this to me? Cinared’s gentle grip contradicted the rage that burned in his mind. Rage fuelled by the image of me lying lifeless on the ground.

I trailed my hand over his paw. Thank you, Cin. I’m sorry.

And I was sorry. That was a blunder unworthy of a king. My gaze drifted to the object in my hand, hoping it was worth almost dying in this cursed mud.

I wouldn’t have let you die. Sana would poison my mutton. Why she loves you escapes my understanding, but she does, and I’d rather risk my wings than see her crying. Cinared was still pissed, and I sighed, but when I attempted to close the connection, warmth flooded the bond.

Don’t give me those morose thoughts; just promise you’ll never try to die on me. You’re not allowed. My eyebrows shot up, but before I had a chance to tell him that every human dies eventually, Cin added. I’ll take you home. You’ve had enough.

Follow the Tangrian carriage. I need to know if they stop anywhere, I insisted.

No. You have your cursed stick. No more foolish risks. We are going home.

Cinared, go after the Tangrians. I don’t trust them.

The dragon’s claws still caged me, which may be why he ignored me and headed for the forest, straight toward the capital.

Cinared, now! I ordered, but the dragon’s lips pulled back, uncovering sharp fangs. Then he relaxed his grip, and the wind almost knocked me into a freefall.

I’m not your horse, Kingling. If you want to go after them, then jump, but never presume to command me, he snapped, slowing until we hovered over the ground. I cursed under my breath, hand gripping his claw, but when I looked down, his paw tightened, locking me in place.

Stop it! I would have caught you if you’d jumped. His voice was full of grim determination. I’m not losing my rider. I’m not losing either of you.

Cinared’s mind opened for me, filled with images of me collapsing on the ground. The terror of knowing I might die, leaving him to fly alone. To explain to the woman he loved why he lost his rider, knowing he failed us…

Any argument I had died instantly. I couldn’t argue with his love for us.

I’m not going to jump. I’m sorry for losing my temper and ordering you around, Cin. You need to understand, though, Sana and I won’t shy away from danger, and with war on the horizon…

Shock flashed through Cinared’s thoughts, and his fear intensified before he pushed it down, closing our connection. ‘Sanika won’t fight. You won’t allow it.’

His voice was confident, assured, but despite being besotted with her, Cin didn’t seem to know Sana’s soul as well as he thought.

‘She won’t stay behind and watch others get hurt. Now, be so kind and let me onto your back. I don’t want to arrive at Truso dangling from a dragon’s fist,’ I cajoled.

‘Send her to the battlefield, and you’ll be dangling from a dragon’s muzzle.’ he answered, soaring on thermal currents. A moment later Cin lifted me to his shoulder, and I scrambled onto his back and slipped my legs into the natural shoulder pockets.

Thank you, I offered, settling in as his mighty wings beat once, twice, and we shot forth, driven by one overpowering thought: to see his Sanika and ensure she was safe.