“I can,” I say, fighting down my annoyance. I can’t exactly argue with Prince Lucien in front of the king, and he damn well knows it.
Despite my irritation, I send my thoughts out.Ebron, the king wants to meet you. Do you want to come to the practice yard?
His response comes quickly.I can, if you would like me to.
I consider my next words carefully.The king is very important. He rules the dragon riders and the academy. We want to make a good impression on him.
A human. Important.He sounds amused, like he can’t believe any human is important, which can’t be good.
“He’s coming,” I tell the others, feeling nervous.
I shall be impressive and respectful, he tells me, but it doesn’t ease my worry.
Maybe I should’ve clarified with Ebron how to properly impress a king. Ebron is amazing, but he doesn’t get the little things when it comes to humans. I think to us we’re pretty much unimportant to him unless we impact his life in any way. Still, I’m just going to cross my fingers and hope he knows what he’s doing.
“And how has your experience at Stormwrath Academy been so far?” the king asks me.
I glance at his sons. None of them look the least bit embarrassed by their behavior. Okay, maybe Prince Alaric avoids my gaze a bit, but it’s not enough. I don’t think they’d even care if I told their father what they’ve been up to.
“It’s been very… educational,” I say.
His smile brightens. “I’m glad. Stormwrath Academy has taught every dragon rider for as long as the records have existed. This is the place to excel. To become a defender of the realm. To have your name written in history books.”
It’s strange, he makes this place sound almost romantic. But what I’ve seen from the academy so far is a place that hardens men until they’re not even people any longer, just soldiers in a war they never began nor chose.
“Perhaps Harper will be ready for Gore Rock before much longer,” Elder Thorne says evenly, the advisor studying me in a way I don’t like.
The king looks doubtful. “Perhaps, but I’m not sure such a violent location is the best place for our lone female rider.”
I straighten my spine. “I just want you to know, I’m here to fight. I know that’s what being a rider is all about. If it comes to that.”If the peace treaty doesn’t work out.
Arthur gives me a shocked look but manages to cover it up quickly. Everyone knows the stories surrounding Gore Rock. It’s the one stop, the lone island, between the Dravari and the Hollowborns. Even flying on bone wyrms instead of dragons, they need to stop at that island to make it to our continent, so it’s been the location of many, many battles over the course of hundreds of years. It’s our first, and most important, defense against the Hollowborn. But as vital a part Gore Rock is to being a dragon rider, I suspect Arthur doesn’t care. He just doesn’t want me there.
“Maybe–” Arthur begins softly.
Suddenly a dark shape flies into view. We all turn as Ebron comes closer and closer, then lands. But he doesn’t just land, he continues flapping his wings, back legs on the ground, front legs in the air, and roars, followed by a burst of flames from his muzzle. A hush falls over our group, and the scattering of dragon riders around the training grounds. My jaw drops.What the hell is he doing?Oh, right, making a good first impression on the king.
Ebron finally lands fully and stops flying, but his head is held high. His dark scales shimmer in the golden afternoon light, and he looks every bit the regal lone male dragon of legend. One of a kind. More powerful than any other living dragon.
“This is Ebron,” I tell the king, chest swelling with pride.
King Stormvale begins to circle Ebron. “Marvelous. Absolutely marvelous.”
He likes you.
He should.
“He’s massive,” the king says, almost in a hushed tone. “Even my dragon seems small in comparison to him.”
“He’s a male,” I say, even though everyone already knows it. “I think he’s about four times the size of the female dragons.”
“That must be rough on the females,” the advisor says quietly.
I shake my head. “Male dragons are incredibly gentle with their females. They hold them in high regard, treating them carefully, knowing how much larger they are. Male dragons are far kinder than human men are.”
I hadn’t meant to say the last part to a group of men, but it just kind of tumbled out. The three princes are watching me, complicated emotions racing across their faces, but again, I get the feeling that the advisor is judging me. Weighing me against something and finding me lacking.
“How did you come to learn about the interactions between male and female dragons?” the king asks, sounding truly curious.
