“You look surprised. Of course, General. No Ezkai is entitled to the bond.”
Oh dear. He just spoke my deepest fear into the world.
What if I came all this way, wasted all this time, only to be rejected because whatever connection I felt between me and the dragon during the Trial of Wisdom was only my delusion?
“Come on, General. We’re not done yet. You can come back here to read the journals and other books on the dragons any time.”
I put the journal back and follow Elder Arcon out of the library. All the way to the next location, I barely pay attention tomy surroundings or the monk next to me. I’m drowning in my anxiety until Elder Arcon pauses in front of another double door.
This one has an image of a dragon with its rider on the back carved into the wood. Elder Arcon opens the door and we enter a large space that only holds a dozen round pillows making a neat circle. No other furniture, except for a couple of white marble statues holding incense.
“Our meditation hall,” Elder Arcon says. “This is where we come to clear our minds and open our hearts.” He turns to face me. “It’s an essential part of every Ezkai’s life, as I’m sure you’re aware. One must have utmost control over their mind, heart, and soul before they can welcome the bond.”
My throat goes dry. Oh, fuck me.
Do I have utmost control over my mind, heart, and soul?
Lorca chuckles.
I push the trickster god away and focus on the only decor in the room—a large mural that takes up the whole left wall. It’s beautiful, like all the other art in the monastery, featuring a regal dragon in the middle of the forest with an Ezkai kneeling in front of the creature. The fae has one hand on his heart, and the other rests on top of the dragon’s snout.
I frown. “I thought Decarios and dragons are supposed to be equals. Partners. Not one submitting to the other.”
Elder Arcon approaches me. “You misunderstand, General. The Ezkai isn’t submitting. He’s listening.”
“Listening to what? Is there mind reading involved?”
Imagine a third presence at all times in my mind…I will rip my hair out one by one before the year ends.
“Dragons don’t speak our tongue. They communicate through images and emotions. That’s why a Decarios must govern their own heart, mind, and soul perfectly.”
It makes sense now, Kazh pushing me to master the blessed trinity before I find my dragon. Why she was so adamant I keep training until the very last minute.
If I don’t hone my mind, my heart, and my spirit into the perfect blade, my dragon will not bond me.
“You look worried, General,” Elder Arcon says with a smile. “Don’t. It’s too early.”
I can’t help the laugh that escapes me.
Elder Arcon’s smile grows wider. “I must show you one more thing. Then, you can be worried.”
I’m glad at least someone finds humor in my situation. Silently, Elder Arcon leads me out of the meditation hall and deeper into the monastery. I’m surprised when he opens a tall, narrow door that reveals limestone stairs leading into the basement.
Thankfully, there’s enough light from the gas sconces on the walls as we descend under the monastery. I have no clue how the monks keep every space in this place so clean and airy, but even under the building, the air is not stuffy.
In the basement, there’s a maze of corridors. We pass a number of doors that hide gods know what behind them, until we finally reach the very end of the corridor with a wide double door. This one’s not wood like those upstairs. It’s black iron, with mysterious symbols I’ve never seen before carved into it.
Elder Arcon pulls on the handles and it opens with ease. It’s dark inside, so I don’t see much until we’re inside and Elder Arcon lights up the sconces on the walls.
A gasp escapes me.
No way.
The only thing in this large room is a preserved dragon corpse. It’s huge up close, the silver scales glimmering in the dim light. I reach a hand towards it, but stop myself.
The dragon’s bat-like wings on the back are folded around it. There wouldn’t be enough space for them to be fully outstretched. The creature’s eyes are closed, and from the way it has its front legs folded together, you’d think it was asleep.
I circle the creature, my eyes straining to take in every small detail. During the Trial of Wisdom, I didn’t have enough time for it. When faced with the possibility of death, you don’t waste time admiring the way the scales shimmer or how beautiful the veins on the wings are.
