Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
“You’ve been to Mairghdelle?” Not sure why I’m surprised. Dragons fly all over Tyrrendor, and though it’s not an outpost, my family’s isolated estate is no exception. Though it now belongs to a Navarrian noble. The thought is almost enough to steal my joy. Almost.
“Of course. You are not my first rider,” he chides. “And those in my line have always favored those in yours. Are you ready to become a rider, Liam Mairi, son of Rune Master Celadine?”
My heart clenches at my mother’s name, at the mention of her unmatched skill with runes. Our enemies may have taken her ancestral home and burned her belongings, but she isn’t forgotten.
“I am.”
“Good. Then let us begin. You and I will take on the evil that plagues this Continent.”
Xaden’s right. Some of the dragons know and they’re choosing to do something about it. Determination swells in my chest, and for the first time since Sloane was snatched away from me, I have a purpose beyond myself. Beyond protecting Xaden’s back while he stands in front of us all.
“I’m ready.” I nod.
“You’re not. But we will be.”
I mount and begin the next—and last—chapter of my life as Deigh’s rider.
Please note:
the rest of the stories in this collection contain spoilers for Iron Flame.
634 AU
Thoirt—Red Daggertail
(Female) Descended from the Wybjorian Line
Estimated Age: 62
Recorded Riders: 1
—The Compendium of Dragonkind,
last updated by Colonel Valin Kaori
Sloane
“Don’t lose heart if it takes a few hours to bond,” Kaori says, holding his hands behind his back as he addresses every first-year left standing after Gauntlet and Presentation.
I tune him out as he starts in on the finer points of patience.
Can’t lie. I thought the cliffside obstacle course was going to take me out. Then again, I was pretty sure I’d end up at the bottom of the ravine at Parapet, too. Oh, and I definitely saw my life flash before my eyes during a few challenges. Right. And then there was Presentation, where I also prepared for my imminent demise only to walk off the field unscathed.
Basically, I’ve been awaiting my death for the last three months, ever since Bodhi’s letter arrived with Garrick, telling me that my older brother had been killed. He wrote it carefully, knowing any mail between the marked ones is read and sometimes redacted, but I’d read through the lines. I know what happened to him, that Violet Sorrengail and Dain Aetos got him killed.
If my perfect, caring, incredible older brother—the best in his year—couldn’t even make it through twelve months in this place, then what chance do I possibly have? I’m so fucking over it, and I’m done pretending I want any part of this.
The riot flew overhead a few minutes ago, which means the forest is now full of opportunities to meet Malek. If the price for refusing to bond is incineration, then so be it.
I will not be made into an instrument of death.
“And remember to follow your instincts,” Kaori continues.
“Unless your instincts lead you to a really pissed-off red,” Baylor mutters from beside me, a playful grin lifting his rich-brown cheeks.
Farther right, a corner of Aaric’s mouth rises in the only display of emotion he’s had today. It’s as if he’s the one who feels like he’s destined to die here with how tense he’s been since breakfast.
Visia rocks side to side on my left. Clearly her nerves haven’t settled.
Can’t blame her. If a dragon scorched a path up my hairline last year and left me for dead, I wouldn’t exactly be chomping at the bit to get back into the forest.
“You’ll be all right,” Avalynn promises, wrapping her arm around Visia and resting her bright red curls on her shoulder.
Maybe she won’t. Maybe we’ll both die today. That’s what I want to say. Instead, I offer a reassuring smile and nod.
A third-year out of Second Wing jogs up to Kaori, then whispers something in his ear before she retreats back into the woods.
“Right.” Kaori clears his throat. “Looks like Molvic has been spotted in the forest.”
A murmur goes through the cadets, and everyone around me perks up, so I do, too, feigning interest. It’s a lot easier to simulate feelings than it is to explain to everyone why you don’t actually have them anymore.
Well…I still have one. Rage is my constant, nagging companion. In that regard, maybe it should interest me that a vicious Blue Clubtail has entered the forest. Perhaps our temperaments would match. Except for the pesky little fact that I don’t want to bond.
Definitely keeping that morsel of truth to myself.
“He isn’t on this year’s list,” someone from Third Wing calls out.
“He isn’t,” Kaori responds, then sighs. “He never is. He just likes to wander about in the woods and get a look at you before inevitably returning to the Vale. Give him space and you’ll be fine.”