“But remember to mind his wings when you swing your leg over.”
Like Arrow adjusting to the saddle, Kalai settled on his back like he had been born for it. Tauran didn’t even have to remind him to keep clear of Arrow’s neck spikes, it was already becoming second nature to him. Tauran adjusted the lengths of the stirrups, then stepped back and took in the sight. Pride stirred inside him. He thought about Kalai’s dragon master pin, left to him by unknown parents. Kalai looked so at ease on Arrow’s back. It was in his blood.
Kalai beamed. “How do I look?”
“Breathtaking.” The word slipped out before Tauran could stop it, and he flushed, covering up his love-struck declaration with a cough. “I’ll grab a riding harness for you from the tower next time. Then we can start getting you into the air. For now, just move him around the chamber. See how he feels with a saddle between you.”
Tauran retreated to the wall and sat, content to watch Kalai and Arrow experiment. It was clear the saddle was new and unusual for both of them. The extra layer between them required adjustments to cues. Arrow missed some, and Kalai nearly slipped from the saddle once when he directed Arrow left, but Arrow turned right. But they kept the pace easy, and it was clearer than ever how well they knew each other. Whatever misunderstandings arose, they sorted out quickly, always ending each obstacle with a soft pat or a word of praise. As before, Arrow was surprisingly attentive to Kalai, fanning out his wings protectively when Kalai lost his balance.
Tauran couldn’t help a certain level of jealousy. He’d had that kind of bond, once, and it had been torn from him. Leyra was special, but Tauran could never ride her. In the back of his mind was the constant knowledge that she wasn’t really his. That he was only borrowing her until he inevitably had to turn her over to her future rider. He could only hope it would be someone good. Patient and kind. Having seen the way Kalai was with Arrow, he feared any rider, no matter how good, would never match up.
But then the jealousy was overtaken by guilt, because if anyone deserved this, it was Kalai. Tauran basked in the sight of him so happy astride Arrow in his brand new saddle, and that was enough.
An idea kindled in the back of Tauran’s mind. Kalai was a natural, the two of them a perfect team. Maybe the solution to their illegal dragon problem was right in front of them. Tauran knew his relationship with Falka gave him perks most wouldn’t get. He wouldn’t mind taking a little advantage if it meant Arrow could be free and Kalai would no longer have to worry.
With no windows in the chamber, it was easy to lose track of time, and when Tauran flicked open his pocket watch, he was surprised to find they had already spent all afternoon in the tower.
Tauran glanced back at Kalai. He radiated focus and concentration, trotting Arrow in a circle around the chamber. Arrow seemed happy as ever, wings slightly raised and head held high. Tauran hated interrupting their fun, but if there was one thing he had learned about training dragons, it was to stop while one was ahead.
“All right,” Tauran called and stood, bracing a hand against the floor so he wouldn’t have to put weight on his left leg. “Bring him to the center and we’ll call it a day.”
“Coming!” Kalai urged Arrow around, who leaped in a circle and bounced towards the center of the chamber before coming to a halt.
“So, how was it?” Tauran asked.
“Fantastic!” Kalai grinned at him, eyes alight. He looked tired, but full of joy. “I can’t wait to do it again.”
Tauran smiled back.
The change in Kalai’s gaze was subtle. Slightly unfocused. His grin slipped and he leaned forward, unnervingly close to the spikes along Arrow’s neck when the dragon shook himself out.
Tauran frowned. “Kalai?”
“Tauran.” Kalai spoke so softly, Tauran could barely hear him from the distance. He swayed in the saddle, grasping thin air in front of him as he started to slide. “I need to... sit down.”
Tauran’s heart leaped and he pushed into a run, but the sharp stab of pain shooting up his leg forced him to slow. “Arrow!” he barked.
Arrow’s head whipped around just as Kalai fell. With a rush of air, Arrow extended his wing to cushion Kalai’s fall and lowered