House of Dragons (Royal Houses #1) - K.A. Linde Page 0,28

do. A rare gift indeed.

Kerrigan straightened and nodded. “I would love that.”

Tavry waited as Kerrigan climbed up his haunches and onto his back. Tavry was a medium-sized dragon, made for swift flying with long, lean limbs. His scales were plum-purple, and as she shifted near the light, they gleamed almost metallic. Kerrigan seated herself between Tavry’s wings and held on tight. For battle, dragons were fitted with saddles for the comfort and ease of their riders. But on leisure flights, most riders knew how to ride without them.

Tavry didn’t wait to ask if Kerrigan was ready. One minute, he was standing on the edge of the opening to the aerie, and the next… he dropped like a stone in the sea.

Kerrigan screamed as they plummeted toward the earth and the great city below. Down, down, down they went. So fast and so far that Kerrigan’s eyes watered, tears streaming out behind her.

Then, Tavry’s wings shot out, and they hovered low over the city. Kerrigan could see the shop workers going about their day. None even seemed concerned that a dragon was flying so close to them. They were used to the movements, especially this close to the mountain.

Tavry climbed back up almost to the clouds, and they soared across the valley. It was much colder than on the ground, but Kerrigan didn’t even care. She lay back across Tavry’s back and soaked up the sun and the clouds and this incredible life that she had been allowed to live. She hated her father, but if he hadn’t given her up, would she have ever had this?

“It’s amazing,” Kerrigan said to Tavry over the wind.

Truly. You have the heart of a dragon.

It was quite a compliment.

“Thank you,” she choked out.

Tavry circled the valley three times before heading back to the aerie. Kerrigan could have stayed out there all day. Forgotten the entire world below and lived among the clouds. But her responsibilities awaited her. As much as she wanted to shirk them, she couldn’t.

The House of Dragons had given her a new life.

She couldn’t turn away from that even if she wanted to.

“Thank you,” Kerrigan said when Tavry finally landed back in the aerie. “I’ll always remember this last flight too.”

You are always welcome with me, Kerrigan Argon.

Kerrigan shuddered at the sound of her full name in her mind. Of course the dragons knew.

Still, she dipped into a low curtsy and then retreated from the rooms. A tear trickled down her eye as she left the aerie and flying behind.

10

The Ceremony

“I know. I know,” Kerrigan gasped.

Hadrian and Darby were looking at her as if she’d just sprouted wings. She waved her hand at them as she hustled into the back of the line.

She was obviously the last of the twenty-three Dragon Blessed who were attending the ceremony today. Mistress Moran shot her a disparaging look before turning back to face the front of the line.

Kerrigan took that opportunity to rest her hands on her knees and take a deep breath.

“Where have you been?” Darby asked, flustered. “You’re late. We’ve been waiting for you.”

“I’m here now,” she got out.

Truly, she was ready to collapse. Running in these new heeled shoes that Parris had selected for her was not for the faint of heart. But they sure showed off the elegant line of her leg through the slit in her blush silk gown.

Mistress Moran marched forward, directing the lot of Dragon Blessed out of Draco Mountain and through the winding streets of Kinkadia.

“Seriously, where were you?” Hadrian asked, sidling up to her.

She shrugged. “Flying.”

“Now… and not… I don’t know, humor me, Ker,” he said with an eye roll, “tomorrow?”

Kerrigan ruffled his perfectly kept blue hair. He balked at the touch and tried to sweep it back into place. “It was now or never.”

“Can I at least put a braid into your curls?” Darby asked with a resigned sigh.

She nodded and let Darby work two quick braids into her hair, pulling it off her face and hiding her ears. It didn’t matter much to Kerrigan. The dress and shoes and rouge would hide everything well enough. She was used to her hair not being tamed.

“Is it just me… or is it crowded?” Kerrigan asked as they reached the heart of the city.

Irena Hall in the Central district housed the ceremony every year. Since it was a dragon tournament year, it was also coupled with a party for the competitors. It was typically a busy event. Representatives from all twelve tribes would show up. Wagers