A roar split the quiet. Gyrak surged forward with a bellow, rebuking those who would dare challenge us. Those that remained upright bowed in terror—others tugged down by friends and family.
My fingers dug into Kallias as the black recoiled with a warning snarl.
I was supposed to be presented as a queen today, a boon to their nation bringing a treaty—not demanding their loyalty through fear. No doubt I had my brother to thank for Gyrak’s intercession.
“Rise, Radaan!” Kallias’ voice boomed over the plain. “On this day, you stand witness to the mingling of blood, and with it, the binding of two kingdoms. Today, Draconia and Radaan unite as one!”
Cheers erupted from the crowd, exuberant cries of happiness. My husband, my king, myequal—led me onto the bridge.
The construction betrayed no hint of haste. Fine and detailed, small, intricate engravings traced along the rail—flowers, flames, life intertwined—but I had no time to fully appreciate them.
Wood creaked beneath our boots as we reached the peak, facing downstream. The land here had been cleared of the thick willows that crowded the banks further down. No place to hide, no way to obscure the view. Both sides of the river teemed with people, ears straining for our words, eyes shaded against the bright sunlight.
“Roll my sleeve,” Kallias murmured, offering his right arm.
I resisted the urge to lick my lips, biting down on nerves. The fabric was stiff beneath my fingers as I pushed it upward,revealing corded, tanned muscle. I rolled his tunic sleeve to the elbow, exposing his warm skin.
From his waist, he drew a tiny dagger, no longer than my finger. Its hilt gleamed gold, inset with emeralds that caught the sunlight.
He offered it to me. “Cut me first.”
Storming eels. How could I have forgotten the ritual? Horizontal or vertical? How long?
“Come now,” he urged in encouragement, lips barely moving.
I clenched my jaw, took the blade, and cradled his arm. The tip pressed to his skin, a sharp intrusion that felt wrong, threatening to drown me.
This was ritual, not injury, important to his people. I was a queen—I would not shirk from my duty.
The blade bit, drawing the slightest arc along his forearm. Crimson welled, spilling over smooth skin.
“More.”
My gaze shot to his, sucking in a breath at his command. Lips pressed together, I drove the dagger in again, dragging a shallow cut from elbow to wrist, careful to avoid the small veins.
Blood gushed, trickling in droplets that spattered across my dress.
He wasted no time taking my left arm. He cradled it in his large hand, then glanced up at me, knife tip biting into my skin. A muscle jumped in his jaw, a silent show of reluctance. His eye twitched once before his gaze dropped to his task, slicing a much smaller cut.
Tsunami screamed. I bit down on my tongue, refusing to search the sky for the source of her rage.
Blood coursed down our arms, and he sheathed the dagger, clasping my hand in his. Lifting our fists, we faced downstream, lowering them over the railing. Cheers erupted as the first dropsstruck the dark water, crimson splattering and disappearing with the current’s force.
Tsunami streaked down, slamming into the river.
People screamed, scattering from the banks. She lowered her head with a snarl, eyes locked on us.
“Send her back to the sky,” Kallias hissed.
My nails sank into the wooden railing as I bared my teeth at the dragon. She was ruining everything! This was supposed to be a day without my dragons! Today I was Queen of Radaan, not just the Dragon’s Heart.
Gyrak’s roar followed the sound of splashing behind us. His fierce anger sent a gale, picking up my dress.
Our hands still dripped blood into the current below while people scrambled for cover, seeking shelter from the bickering beasts.
With a shriek, Tsunami snapped her jaws before creeping forward. The river reached her chest, paws barely breaking the surface as she stalked closer. Another higher-pitched roar echoed from Gyrak at our backs. Heavy paws hit the ground, shaking the earth.
Tsunami’s nostrils flared, searching for a scent.
