Page 80 of Only Flames Remain

His scales were warm and smooth beneath my bare legs as my skirts settled around me. Rensford wasted no time making the jump, easily settling himself into the ridge behind me and securing his arms around me like a cage.

I might not be Rensford’s favorite person, but I trusted him to keep me safe. Without warning, Sorin pushed off the cliff face with immense strength. We were free-falling for one heart wrenching moment before his wings beat in a steady rhythm at my sides.

My heart jumped into my throat.

We ascended over the Saltale Sea, Voirel pressed against my front, Rensford breathing heavily at my back.

I had done it.

I was riding a dragon!

Enora would never, ever believe me. I could barely believe it myself as we straightened out, reaching a steady altitude where Sorin could ride the wind. He was careful to avoid making any quick maneuvers that would send me sliding off his back.

Every moment we were skyborne was a moment that brought me closer to reuniting with Enora and Quinnick. I would need to search for ingredients for my tincture as soon as I was able when we arrived back in Gothryn. Knowing I had been poison-free for over a week was deeply unsettling.

If I was allowed out of Sorin’s sight, that is.

There was a very real possibility that I would be immediately taken to the dungeons upon arrival.

My hair whipped back from my face, and I could hear Rensford sputter as it smacked him in the face. The wind was cold against my cheeks, the air stinging my skin.

I dared a glance down—and immediately regretted it.

Between the thin veil of clouds, I could make out the sea below. The ships were so small I could almost pretend they were merely toys. Figurines a child might play with.

I swallowed back the alarm that had climbed its way up my throat, vowing not to glance down again. I watched the sky before us between the great black horns on Sorin’s head. The movement of his scales beneath me was rhythmic as his wings beat steadily. But without Voirel and Rensford holding me in place, I surely would have slipped to my death.

We arrived in Gothryn much faster than I expected. The speed with which Sorin flew was at least twice, if not three times as fast in his dragon form compared to his human form.

Sorin gracefully glided toward the balcony of his rooms, landing on the paving stones right before them and stepping up to the balcony railing with a yawn. Rensford dismounted first, allowing himself to slide down the scales until the railing of the veranda came up to meet his feet. Without a cliff’s edge to hang from, Sorin was able to sidle right up against the balcony’s edge.

I wasn’t sure I could be nearly as graceful as Ren had been, and I worried that my dress would ride up entirely from friction as I slid down Sorin’s scales.

Without a word Ren extended his hand out toward me, signaling me to do the same. I swung my leg over the ridge of Sorin’s back, allowing myself to slide down the same way Rensford had. I cursed this blasted dress once more, the skirts pooling around my hips as my feet hit the railing with a jarring start that rattled my teeth.

I fell forward, and if Rensford hadn’t been standing there to catch me, I would have fallen face first onto the stone.

Voirel was behind me in a heartbeat, having dismounted with the elegance of a practiced rider. I was sure she had traveled with Sorin many times over the last century. Within the blink of an eye, Sorin’s hulking dragon form disappeared. He appeared in human form, black leather wings at his back as he dropped onto the balcony beside us.

“Shall I take her into custody?” Rensford asked at my back.

I spun, betrayal stinging fresh in my gut.

I had trusted him to keep me safe while we flew, but I was a fool to think we had arrived at any sort of truce between us. I had still tried to kill the crown prince, after all. My mouth fell open to speak, but Sorin held up a hand to stop us from bickering.

“I will take care of it.”

Rensford’s jaw tightened. “But, My Prince—”

“It isn’t up for debate,” Sorin replied, his tone brooking no argument.

Rensford bowed deeply at the waist before casting a dark glare in my direction and disappearing into Sorin’s rooms with Voirel. I could hear the door to his rooms slam distantly.

I turned back to Sorin, my brow raised in question.

My palms were sweating, and I tried my best to discreetly wipe them on my dress as I pressed my skirts down.

I cleared my throat. “Is this the part where you take me to the dungeons?”