Page 81 of Resurgent

“Absolutely not,” Matt says.

Sasha's eyebrows rise, “Why?”

Matt stuffs his hands into his pockets. “I'm over girls trying to demand my attention.”

I choke on a laugh, “Demand your attention?”

“You know what I mean.”

“I really don't.”

He looks at me expectantly. “They want to be my only focus, and I’m not willing to give them that. I have you guys and classes, and soon I’ll have Zest…that alone will require more than enough attention if Lee’s experience is anything to go off of.”

Sasha laughs as I smack his arm.

“I'm serious though, I'm enjoying the freedom.”

“Freedom from women?”

“Freedom from needy women.”

I arch an eyebrow. “Bold statement from the man who spent weeks sitting beside my bed.”

“That’s different. You were unconscious, so you couldn't actually demand anything.”

I smack his arm harder, and before I know it, I’m over his shoulder and he’s yelling our goodbyes to Sasha as he charges for the Riding Grounds. Our laughter is enough to draw the eyes of everyone we pass.

The moment Tyr senses me getting close to the field, his excitement floods through our bond.

“Officially cleared.”

I grin, “Finally,” I mutter.

“You two are together every single day. How could you possibly miss each other already?”

“You’ll know as soon as you’re bonded with Zest.”

As if summoned by his name, Zest lands nearby with a tremendous beat of his wings.

Matt's soon-to-be dragon lowers his head toward him, Matt scratching between his horns lovingly.

“You hear that?”

Zest snorts.

“I know. She's jealous.”

I roll my eyes as Tyr nudges me hard enough to make me stumble.

“You don’t scratch my face like that!”

“Ohhh, I’m so sorry! Do you need your scrubs and scratches too?” I tease in the puppy voice I know drives him crazy.

Before he can answer, Lorenson steps onto the field, looking far too pleased with herself for any of us to feel comfort.

“Those of you who are planning to bond,” she calls, “can begin with the basics of battle flight training today.”

Several recruits stare at her, only one brave enough to raise a hand.