“One more word, Ronan! Say it, and I’ll toss you to the jellyfish!” I screamed into the gale, twisting back toward Gyrak’s spiny neck.
To keep his head upright in flight strained him, but it was the only time riders could relieve themselves midair. Another reminder that the system wasn’t built for women. My options were to hold it, or disgrace myself. Not that the beast would care, but my brother—and every Draconis alive—would never forgive me for such an insult.
“It’s your fault he’s in this state!” Ronan growled.
That broke the dam. I snarled, yanking my boots from the stirrups.
“Sit down!”
“No!” I shouted, clawing my way free of the saddle. My boot slipped over a smooth scale. Wind tore my split dress open, fabric flaring. My bare legs shone in the sunlight, but Ronan’s clear gaze remained on mine. “You don’t get to order me! You never have!” My voice cracked. “This is your fault! You never listen—you do what you want and damn the cost! You forgot your place!”
“I’m the heir! You’re just a–”
My fists slammed into his chest. His body pitched over the dragon’s side.
Ronan’s shout vanished into the roar of the wind. I stumbled forward. He caught a current, spinning into a free fall. His dragon bellowed, wings folding as he twisted midair. I screamed, nails scraping for purchase.
Gyrak surged upward, his head snapping my way, using his snout to shove me toward the saddle. I kicked against his back, boots slipping on his slick scales. He growled, teeth nipping at my feet.
“I’m trying!”
Motions frantic, I swung my leg over just as Gyrak rolled into a dive. Air punched from my lungs. My fingers flew over buckles, yanking the straps tight around my calves. I knew what came next. I wouldn’t hold on–
Everything went black.
I snapped awake with a jolt. My head slammed into a wall of dark scale. Pain burst across my tongue where my teeth bit down. I braced a hand against the dragon, scanning the sea below.
A deep growl rumbled from Gyrak’s throat as he beat his wings, climbing again. His tail skimmed the water.
Ronan hauled himself over the dragon’s shoulder, face livid.
“You wicked hag.” His breaths panted, harsh and strained as he slid in behind me. His chest crushed against my back. “You could’ve died!”
My heart twisted, heat knotting beneath my ribs. Gyrak would have saved Ronan first. He always would. His bonded, his rider—more important, more valuable. Even with Ronan’s freefall, I was the one hanging by a thread.
Something warm smeared across my lips. I wiped it away, scowling at the crimson staining my hand.
“Sea beneath, sister. You already looked bad enough!”
The urge to shove him off again nearly won. “You should have let me prepare!”
“You don’t get it.” He wrapped his legs over mine to steady us as Gyrak climbed. Each wingbeat shuddered through the dragon’s frame. “It wasn’t just me, Nienna.” He shrugged off his leather jacket. “You were…on displaylike a common whore.”
I snarled, throwing an elbow into his gut. I knew what happened. The memory was carved into me—no escaping it.
“Shut up and listen.”
He caught my arms, forcing them into his jacket. Heat bled into my bones, and I hated the comfort it gave. He didn’t let me speak.
“All of them saw you. Tallon. The Velli. Half the palace! The oath—he tore it apart. You both did.” His voice cracked, faltering. “Don’t pretend you understand how it felt. To see you that way—my sister–”
He hesitated. His breath hit the back of my neck. “Sea beneath, how could you?”
“How could I what, Ronan?” I turned my head, anger rising—but already retreating like the tide. “Fall in love? You weren’t there. You don’t know how it felt. He was the only one who cared about–”
“Our people are starving,” he spat. “And you think a man twice your age—willing to void ablood oath—loves you?!”
Helpless tears burned behind my eyes. That was all he would see—an aging king, dishonorable and treacherous enough to break a blood oath. A man who treated the threat of dragonfire like smoke in the wind. To Ronan, Kallias mocked Draconia’s warnings, taking advantage of me to do so.
