Page 79 of Only Flames Remain

“I won’t let you fall.”

“But how can you guarantee that?” I swallowed thickly.

Sorin laughed, and I bristled. “I will simply catch you.”

“With your claws?” My hand flitted to my chest as my heartbeat thundered.

I hated to admit that the thought of flying on dragon back terrified me. That the thought of adding to the plethora of scars I already possessed made my stomach sink.

“I have carried a great many people in my claws, Little Dove. Rensford certainly does not allow me to carry him like a princess in my arms when we travel alone, though that would be rather hilarious.”

The image brought a small smile to my lips at the idea of Rensford, almost as tall and broad as Sorin, held delicately in his grasp, legs tucked over one arm as they flew.

Voirel giggled at my side.

“You promise?” I asked, taking a hesitant step toward him.

Sorin bowed his head as I placed my hand in his, an electric current passing between us. “You have my word. No harm will come to you under my watch.”

I nodded once, allowing him to pull me forward to the edge of the sea wall, my hand still firmly in his. The sensation sent butterflies stirring in my stomach.

“Rensford and Voirel will show you how to mount. You’ll sit between the ridges of my spine. You have nothing to fear.”

I gulped one last time before Sorin jumped over the sea wall, disappearing below the mist that had blown in to obscure the cliffs below.

He disappeared from sight for one long moment before an enormous black figure could be seen cutting through the fog, wings flapping steadily at his side. He soared toward us, skidding to a stop and clinging to the side of the cliffs edge with his claws.

He turned his horned head toward us. I was surprised to find his dragon eyes the same rich shade as when he was human. I had never been this close to a dragon before, and I was not nearly as afraid as I thought I should be.

Voirel jumped first, grasping one of the raised horns on his spine to hoist herself up onto the ridge of his back. She settled between two large spikes, her grip tight on the one before her.

“Use the horn as a lever to pull yourself up!” she called.

Sorin shook his head. If I didn’t know any better, I would think he was laughing, his belly shaking.

“Shouldn’t Rensford go next?” I asked.

Sorin beat his wings softly with the limited space he had, stirring the air between us. He was clinging to the cliff’s face and wouldn’t be able to hold this position for long. My raven-colored hair pushed back from my face beneath the stirring wind.

Voirel shook her head. “He will take up the rear to hold you securely in place. Come on, Aveline!”

I couldn’t believe I was about to do this.

I cursed not putting on a pair of trousers instead of the celadon-colored skirts that danced around my legs. I pulled the material into a fist so it wouldn’t tangle in my limbs as I stepped up onto the waist-high sea wall with the help of Rensford.

I eyed the divide between where Sorin was clutching the edge of the cliff and the wall I stood on, nausea rolling in my stomach. Voirel had made it look so easy, but the jump was much farther than I had imagined. Farther than I thought I could manage.

Rensford’s voice was almost swallowed on a gust of wind that barreled through the courtyard. “I’m right behind you! He can’t hold this position forever. He is too heavy, and the rock face will crumble beneath him. Jump!”

I did not hesitate.

With the wind at my back, I jumped.

I released my skirts midair to grasp the horn Voirel had indicated with both of my hands, nervous sweat slick against my palms.

“Good!” Voirel called, clapping her hands together. “Use the horn beneath your feet to push up and take my hand!”

Her delicate hand was extended out toward me, and I did as she instructed, pushing off from the horn beneath me to grasp her palm in mine. She pulled me up with a strength I didn’t expect from her. I swung my leg over the ridge of his back and settled against his spine, as if I were mounting a horse.