ULF
Silverwing remembered me.
The ancient she-dragon lifted her head as I entered her chamber, that deep rumble echoing off stone walls. Not threat. Recognition.
"I'm back."
Another rumble. Almost conversational.
I'd brought a sheep—the third in as many weeks. The expense was draining my reserves, but some investments couldn't be measured in gold.
I set the carcass down. Retreated to my usual spot along the wall.
Silverwing watched me for a long moment before eating. Testing, perhaps. Confirming I wasn't a threat.
When she finished, she settled back, amber eyes fixed on me.
"I killed two men three weeks ago," I said. Conversation. Connection. Whatever helped the bond form. "Assassins. They were coming for children I've sworn to protect."
A soft sound. Questioning?
"You've protected riders before. Queen Alysanne. King Jaehaerys. You know what it means to guard someone precious."
Her head tilted. Listening.
"There's a war coming. Dragons against dragons. Fire against fire." I met her ancient gaze. "I need your help. Not as a master commanding a beast—I know you're not that. As... partners. Equals. Whatever bond this becomes."
Silence stretched.
Then Silverwing lowered her massive head to ground level.
An invitation.
I approached slowly. Each step measured. Deliberate.
The heat from her body intensified as I drew closer. Furnace-warmth radiating through my chest, my face, my hands.
Fire resistance. Test it. Trust it.
I stopped an arm's length from her snout. Close enough to touch. Close enough to die if she changed her mind.
"May I?"
Her breath washed over me. Hot enough to sear ordinary flesh.
I raised my hand. Placed it against her scales.
Heat. Intense, building, testing.
I held Tekkai at minimum—just enough to reinforce my skin without committing fully. Let her feel my fire resistance. Let her understand what I could endure.
Ten seconds. Twenty.
The heat plateaued. Didn't increase.
Acceptance. Not full, not yet, but acceptance.
Her scales were smooth under my palm. Warm. Alive.
"Thank you."
A rumble. Different tone. Pleased?
I stayed there for several minutes, just touching, just being present. Building the connection that couldn't be rushed.
Patience. You have time.
Do I?
THE MISTAKE
Confidence has consequences.
Emboldened by the successful touch, I moved along her neck. Closer to where a rider would mount. Where the saddle would sit.
Silverwing watched. Didn't object.
I found the natural mounting point—a spot where scales formed grips, where muscles created a stable seat.
Just one try. Just to feel what it's like.
I climbed.
For two seconds, I sat on a dragon's back. The power beneath me, the coiled potential, the ancient strength—it was intoxicating.
Then Silverwing bucked.
Not violent. Not vicious. Just a firm, unmistakable rejection.
I flew.
Tekkai hardened my body as I tumbled through the air. Stone floor rushing up—
Impact.
Even with my reinforced flesh, the landing drove breath from my lungs. I skidded across the chamber, crashed into the wall, slumped in a heap.
Silverwing watched. No flame. No attack. Just... disappointment?
Too soon. I pushed too soon.
I groaned. Stood. Checked for broken bones.
Nothing cracked. Just bruises. Deep ones.
"Message received," I said. "I apologize."
She huffed. Settled back to her rest.
The dragonkeepers rushed in—they'd heard the impact. Saw me limping toward the exit.
"What happened?"
"I forgot my manners."
They stared. I walked past.
THAT EVENING
Helaena found me in my chambers, attempting to bandage my own ribs.
"Let me."
She took the linen from my hands. Worked with practiced care.
"You tried to ride her."
"I tried. She disagreed."
"Forcefully, from the look of it."
"She could have killed me. She chose not to."
Helaena tied off the bandage. Sat back.
"You're frustrated."
"I'm impatient. Different thing." I tested my breathing—deep ache, but nothing sharp. "The war won't wait for her to trust me fully."
"Dragons aren't horses. You can't force them."
"I know. I knew better. I just—" I shook my head. "Wanted to feel ready."
"Ready for what?"
"Whatever comes. Daemon. Caraxes. The battles that are coming." I met her eyes. "I need to be stronger. Faster. Better. And I'm running out of time."
She touched my face. Traced the lines of exhaustion I knew were visible.
"You've already done impossible things. You'll do more."
"Will I?"
"I've seen it. In the dreams." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "You standing in fire. Silverwing beneath you. Dragons falling around you."
"Is that a good vision or a bad one?"
"I don't know. The dreams don't come with explanations."
I covered her hand with mine.
"Then I'll make it good. Whatever it takes."
She kissed me. Gentle.
"Rest tonight. Try again tomorrow."
"And if she rejects me again?"
"Then try the day after. And the day after that." She smiled. "Patience, my impossible man. Even dragons can be courted."
I laughed despite the pain.
"Courted. Is that what this is?"
"Isn't that what you did with me?"
She's not wrong.
"I suppose it is."
We lay together in the dark, her head on my chest, my bruised ribs protesting the position but accepting it anyway.
Tomorrow, I'd return to Silverwing. Continue the long, slow process of earning her trust.
But tonight, there was warmth, and peace, and somewhere in the city, three children slept safely because of the work I'd already done.
Patience, I told myself. Time is running out, but patience.
The war could wait one more night.
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