can do that Sharoani medicine can’t? And Falka has lots of connections. He might know a guy.”
Kalai hesitated. He’d heard those words before. But he was also fascinated by this strong, handsome former Sky Guard soldier with his one golden earring and adorable freckles, and Kalai wouldn’t mind the chance to see him again. To find out what kind of story hid behind those wary blue eyes. “Nothing shady, please,” Kalai said. “Been there.”
“Nothing shady,” Tauran promised.
* * *
Tauran passed the egg to Kalai with both reluctance and relief and left the archive. He was grateful for the crisp morning air, helping him clear his thoughts as he headed down Watercress Avenue toward the guard grounds.
He’d arrived in Valreus not wanting a single thing to do with dragons. Not even remotely. And here he was, barely settled in yet, and already hugging dragon eggs like he was being paid for it. Fuck. Fuck it all to the skies, but he couldn’t find it in him to regret it.
One thing was certain. Falka must not know about it.
The moment Falka found out Tauran showed even the faintest interest, he’d try his hardest to reel him in with hook and line. Falka was a good man, but by the skies, he was persistent. It was what made him such a good general.
Either way, the morning’s events had been a one-off. The egg wasn’t his responsibility.
The hatch shot aside before Tauran even made it all the way to the guard ground gates, a familiar face appearing in the open square. “Captain Darrica! Here for another round of training?” Esmera, one of the young ground recruits, pulled the gate open.
“I’m not a captain,” Tauran reminded her. “And I’m not here for training. Not today.”
“Oh.” Esmera kept pace with him across the courtyard. Her gait was quick and steady, making Tauran’s limp appear even worse than it was. “Are you here for the Sky Guard?”
“I’m just here to see a friend. And clearly, you’re here to stick your nose in other people’s business.” Tauran gave her a hard glare.
Esmera blushed. She dropped her head, making her thick braid slide over her shoulder. “I’m sorry, Cap- sir.”
Tauran shook his head. He remembered what it was like being brand new in a brand new world, full of excitement and zest for adventure. Tauran had been positively uncontrollable when he’d first joined the guard. Young and foolish.
The shriek of a dragon followed by the rush of wind under large wings made them both look up.
Valeron soared above, twisting into a descent. Astride his shoulders, Roric leaned back in the saddle, turning Valeron’s head to the sky. Valeron’s claws extended, impacting the side of the Sunrise Tower, using the building to push them upside down. Completing a spin, Valeron landed heavily on the empty training court. Tiny pieces of chalk tumbled down the side of the tower in a cloud of dust. Not nearly as elegant as a swiftwing, but Roric clearly didn’t care.
Unlike Tauran, Roric seemingly hadn’t changed a bit.
“Tauran!” Roric’s cheerful voice echoed across the open space. He slid off Valeron’s back. Shining in the sunlight, Roric was the perfect image of the heroic Sky Guard rider: wind-swept bronze hair, nose and cheekbones dusted by a golden tan. His black and silver leather jacket was spotless and form-fitting, his tall riding boots polished and tightly laced. He wore a riding harness around his hips, the metal buckles clinking as he strode toward them.
Tauran glanced at Esmera. She stared, jaw hanging open, a blush turning her cheeks rosy.
All around them, recruits and ground soldiers paused their activities to take in the sight of the dragon stretching its neck and wings from the flight.
Tauran rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t quite help the smile tugging at his lips.
“You’ll get in trouble with Falka for showing off like that, Commander,” Tauran said, when Roric reached him.
Roric huffed and threw his arms around Tauran in a tight embrace. “It’s Roric to you, idiot,” he said. “And as far as I remember, you were the one doing death drops above Lavender Square at the harvest festival.”
Tauran winced. “That was only once. And I regret it very much.”
Roric’s sidelong glance told Tauran he didn’t believe his half-assed play at guilt for a second. “Oh, I’m sure. As much as you regret our games of hurricane tag. Not that you were ever in danger of being thrown out,” Roric said, leading Tauran back to Valeron. “You were Falka’s bright shining star.”