Page 106 of Burn Her They Said
Cirrin sends me a questioning look, and I shrug my shoulders as I walk to the center of the clearing. Sutrea’s amethyst scales glint and shine in the low morning light, their deep purple hue appearing unreal—like something made up in a children’s tale—the coloring exactly matching a polished gemstone. A satisfied smirk pulls on the corner of my mouth as Fray wrestles with the harness, trying to bring it across Sutrea’s chest while I nod to her in amusement and she returns the same in response.
I plod forward with a sigh, unsure of where I am meant to land, when my body makes the decision for me—halting when there is just enough distance between Minea, Varic, and myself to appreciate the pair from afar.
The gregarious green Dragon may enjoy showing off just as much as his rider—fluttering his emerald wings while ambling in a tight circle around Varic, lifting his head up and down while chuffing repeatedly.
I hide the smile breaking across my lips behind a loosely held fist, staring unreservedly at Varic, whose own smile grows the more excitable Minea becomes. Tears begin to form as I witness the heartfelt sincerity in their shared sense of joy. Varic holds out his hand to halt Minea’s motion, then steps forward and pats the side of the Dragon’s neck.
Minea drops the spines running down his back and tail, leaving a smooth surface for the harness as he closes his bright green eyes and slowly cants his head into the palm of Varic’s hand. I laugh when he huffs out a burst of breath, sending Varic’s hair flying with several strands sticking out at odd angles.
Shit. He heard me.
I drop my gaze before he catches me watching. Heat licks the skin on my cheeks, trailing down to follow the hollow of my neck in the opening of the leather top, leaving me rueing the fact I cannot act the way I do with my other Guards when it comes to him. Had it been anyone else, I would have had no problem holding my gaze where it was and would not have cared what they thought when they caught me admiring a display of affection between them and their Dragon. Yet I can’t fathom doing the same in this instance where Varic stares back, unable to tolerate the specific kind of heat rising to my cheeks.
“He adores you.” My eyes widen as I tentatively look up at Minea. “You heard me,” Minea jests telepathically while emitting a deep, throaty croaking sound out loud.
Varic’s stare increases in intensity as his magnetism pulls me forward.
“I understand why,” Minea says, and my eyebrows lift. “You’re genuine. No pretense.” Heat blazes in my cheeks from the compliment. “You haven’t allowed the power and control afforded you to change who you are at your core.”
“Oh, I would argue the opposite. I am so thoroughly entangled in power and corruption, I do not know who I am without it,” I admit with regret as Minea sits back on his haunches.
“You’ve only proven my point,” Minea says, nodding to Varic, whose eyes haven’t left me the whole time he’s spent unfolding the black leather harness.
“You’ll be riding with me,” Varic says with an ornery glint in his eyes as I gape at him.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Height
“I’m sorry?” I ask, vision blurring over the swaying grass, which isn’t helping.
“I’ll make sure you’re properly secured,” Varic says with confidence, and I shake my head, then look back to Cirrin and Fray, who adjust their own harnesses.
“I—”
His cheeks rise in an amused grin, crinkling the lines in the corners of his eyes.
“I thought it made the most sense for her to ride with me,” Fray yells on his way toward us. Varic’s muscles visibly tense under the thin black riding leathers.
“Go on. Explain your reasoning,” Varic commands, as a thrill strikes through my center.
“If the harness were to fail, I’m the only one who can fly to catch her,” Fray explains, crossing his arms as the frigid wind blasts his raven-black hair over his pale forehead, while the Dragon tattoo around his neck adds to the menacing effect as he narrows his eyes at Varic.
“Whereas I think it makes the most sense for her to ride with me, since I can imbue her with healing to help her build strength before she faces the Emperor,” Cirrin says.
Varic nods, though it’s obvious to me he’s only pretending to consider their arguments.
“You each pose compelling arguments. However, you are able to heal her now, then again once we land.” Varic’s eyes flick from Cirrin to Fray. “And if she should fall, you would be flying close enough to catch her—though, when she rides with me, she will be safe within my force-shield, which will help to keep her from falling, while also preventing the cold from getting to her. And it’s the only power any of us possess capable of preventing any harm from enemy fire.”
Fuck. I hadn’t considered an attack in the air. And any foreign Dragons crossing into our airspace bring far more dire implications than our momentary safety, since a war between their kind is the last thing we need. I cannot argue with Varic’s logic, as he does make the best argument for my safety. Even Hendry would have said the same.
A pang of guilt and grief gnaws at my chest the moment I appreciate the fact it will be Varic I am riding with rather than Hendry—though if it would bring him back, I would gladly ignore the awkwardness of the position. It is simply true I feel most comfortable riding this way with Varic, who gestures for Malin and Lars to join us, and we all stand in bated silence until they jog over.
Dew must have accumulated while they worked on securing their harnesses, as it rolls down the Ampara Deicra sigil and each of the various symbols expertly tooled into their leathers. All of which are a mystery to me, though they claim each one indicates whichever implements are hidden within the carefully crafted compartments.
“Tasch will be riding with me,” Varic explains, without room for argument. “I will secure her within my force-shield to protect her from any potential threats in the air.” Malin and Lars nod their understanding.
“Fray,” Varic says, looking at him intently. “You and Sutrea will fly to our right. Should anything happen to me, I expect you to protect her from there.” Fray tips his chin in agreement.
