Page 48 of The Infirmary for Dragon Burns and Midair Mishaps

I shook my head. “No. If the infection had set in, it would have killed me. He gave me my best chance. But perhaps he resents me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you know my mother died shortly after giving birth to me.” Eden nodded. “And here I was, once again forcing him to experience a horrible situation with a healer. Making a tough call.”

“That’s not fair,” Eden said. “You were a child and it was an accident.”

I shrugged. “Trystan says the same thing. But my father and I have always struggled to maintain any sort of relationship. After I rejected his attempts to put me on track for a councilor’s position, he washed his hands of me. But I knew I’d never make him proud like that, schmoozing my way around the palace gardens. And I’d never live up to Trystan in my father’s eyes. So I did what I knew I could do best.”

“Wrangling,” she said.

I nodded. “I’d always been able to tame a wild horse. How different could dragons be?”

Eden laughed. “Very different, I expect.”

I grinned. “As a girl, it seemed like a reasonable comparison. I wanted to be great at something. I knew I’d never run the fastest or jump the highest or even excel in armed combat. I have a weakness that can be exploited. But in the air… It’s different. Sometimes I think I was born to fly with Min,” I said. “And she’s made me a damn good wrangler. Because to bond and ride a dragon, all you have to do is have the guts to hold on.”

“Doesn’t that terrify you?” she asked.

“Of course.” I laughed, the sound echoing like a pleasant buzz in my chest. “I’d be a fool not to be afraid every time I got on dragonback. But there’s also something freeing about facing your fears.”

“You’re incredible, you know that?”

I flushed at her compliment. “The dragon bond is what’s incredible. These beautiful, intelligent creatures are capable of an immense amount of destruction, and yet they also have the capacity for tremendous love. Min wakes up every day and chooses me to be her rider.” It’s all I’d ever wanted. My gaze flitted over Eden’s face. At least, it was all I’d wanted until recently. “I feel very lucky to be able to wake up each morning and do this job with her by my side, knowing there’s nothing I’m better at in the world.”

And in that way, Eden and I were the same.

She got to her feet, carrying my prosthesis back to me. “I’ve taken the measurements I think I need.”

I nodded, standing to get the fit right as I fastened the prosthesis back in place. She was closer than I expected when I straightened. I could feel the heat of her breath. Smell the honey salves on her hands.

“Are you going to tell me what you have planned?” I asked.

“I’d rather it be a surprise,” she said. Her lips were the color of pink roses. I couldn’t help looking at them. Her gaze flickered over my face, and for one ridiculous second, I considered pulling her close and kissing her. “Thank you again for the new dragon scales. I’m excited to get back to work to see if fresher scales burn the same way the older ones did.”

The honey overwhelmed me, and a thought occurred. “Have you ever considered coating them with something?”

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

“In something that soothes burns.”

“Like a protective layer?” she said, catching on quickly to what I was saying. She squeezed my arm. “Vaela, it’s brilliant!” Her grin was so wide I couldn’t help but smile in response.

“Why do you sound so surprised? I’ve only knocked my head a couple of times wrangling. This old brain is still capable of the odd good idea.”

“It’s a fantastic idea!” She drummed her fingers against her lips. Those lips I shouldn’t be looking at. “Perhaps I could paint the scales and soak the leathers. I’ll raid Nisse’s store cupboards and see what ingredients I can find.” She nodded to herself. “Yes… This could make all the difference. And then I’ll need to test it.”

“I could return tomorrow night,” I offered. “With Min.”

“Would you?” She sounded so hopeful.

“Of course.” As I stepped away, the feeling of being parted caused a physical ache in my chest, but the thought of returning kindled hope like a flame. “Until tomorrow.”

16

EDEN

When the knock came the next night, I was vibrating with excitement. I latched onto Vaela’s arm the moment I opened the door, practically dragging her into the cottage. Min poked her nose through the door after her, expecting a hello.