River was more complicated. I admired his protectiveness and his devotion to his people, but his possessiveness unsettled me.
Mother always treated me like property. Was I destined for the same fate under his rule?
My grip loosened, and my right hand slipped on her scales.
Anya roared,‘Will you stop it?’
‘Sorry,’ I murmured. ‘There’s a lot for me to consider.’
‘From where I’m standing—or flying—the choice is clear,’ she growled, glancing back at me.
‘For you, yes. For me, not so much.’
A sharp beat of her wings jolted me. ‘That’s because you keep thinking about everyone but yourself. How about, just this once, you don’t?’
‘And what if she attacks?’ The question burned in my throat.
‘So you’d rather go back and let her curse you again?’
I had no answer. The fear that staying might put Fogoyans at risk wore me down. Both River and Anya were frustratedby my hesitation, and that only deepened my doubts. The first stirrings of a migraine pressed behind my eyes. Even the beauty around me couldn’t quiet my mind.
I knew I overthought things, but my thoughts wouldn’t stop circling. The more I questioned our choices, the more I disagreed, though I had neither the courage nor the strength to fight them. Still, somewhere beneath all that worry, I felt a flicker of gratitude for their vigilance.
‘Wow, look at you, Ava!’ Princess Isla’s voice rang out as Anya landed in the courtyard, cracking a few beige tiles. The little girl stood thirty feet away, her mother’s hand locked firmly around hers. Emily’s brow was creased with concern, but awe sparkled in her eyes.
I couldn’t blame her. A creature with fangs the size of her child would unsettle anyone.
‘She’s not hungry, is she?’ Emily asked.
‘People are too bony anyway,’ I said, and Isla frowned. ‘Her words, not mine.’
‘But dragons don’t eat people, do they?’
Anya snorted. ‘Only the annoying ones.’
‘No, they don’t,’ I assured the girl.
‘Even the bad ones?’ she pressed, disappointment wrinkling her nose. Definitely River’s niece.
‘Tell the little human I like her,’ Anya murmured.
‘My dragon says you’ll make a great bond one day,’ I told Isla.
‘Really? Does she know when? I can’t wait! Training starts next week. Maybe she can come visit so I can show my friends she lives in our castle! Mummy, can we move lessons here? Please, please, please!’
‘What was that? And I thought you talked too much,’ Anya muttered.
‘She’s a child, and excited. Humour her.’
Anya roared, sending a ribbon of fire soaring into the clouds before flying off without a backward glance.
‘You’re starting training next week?’ I asked Emily, curiosity edging into concern. She cared for her daughter so deeply; why risk her like that?
‘Yes. Burgundy Wings Academy. I prefer her tutored here, but she begged to join her friends. It’ll be good for her,’ she said, smiling.
As Isla examined the cracked tiles, I found my chance. ‘And you’re fine with dragon training?’
‘Why wouldn’t I be?’ Emily frowned.
