Page 65 of Burn Her They Said
Applause rises as Varic waves to the annoyingly adoring crowd, upon which I narrow my eyes at everyone blushing and grinning so wide, they apparently do not feel the need to hide their attraction to the sorcerer smiling before them.
An itching sensation expands from the center of my palms the moment a particularly attentive blonde witch tucks her hair behind her ears, and I forcibly pull on the tendrils of disgust my magic attempted to send to her. Yet my power fights, refusing to return, almost as if it has a mind of its own and wants to modify the emotions of those who want him. Which would be a waste of my magic, because no matter how hard they yearn for him, they can never have him. No one can.
Because he is mine. I am the only living being who can lay claim to him, even after he blood-bonds with a Dragon. Because his vow binds him to my side for the rest of our lives. Unable to leave me, no matter what he may wish as time progresses. A truth which is oddly satisfying in its selfishness.
“It is time to begin the assessment!” Emperor Aldritch announces.
Varic shifts his attention away from his audience to smile at me, cheeks rising high as his wavy brown hair falls over his face. My heart swells from all the joy he sends, allowing it to enchant me as he intends, despite needing to focus more on the Emperor before he notices.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Bond
Imperial Dragon Master Sonya strides out from the smallest cave with her infamous wooden staff, expertly carved to resemble a Dragon expelling a fiery breath. Her coarse white hair is bound in a single braid, which swings from side to side behind her back with errant strands catching on the simple black fabric of her dress. Deep lines define her pale white face, while dark brown spots she has earned from years of serving our Empire under the sun decorate the backs of her hands.
She pauses roughly one hundred paces away from the stage, beckoning for Varic. He hands his sword and dagger to an Imperial servant before joining her where she has planted her staff in the earth. They appear to make introductions, then turn their backs to us as Varic awaits the assessment of the world’s deadliest creatures.
“Release your skirts, witch,” Emperor Aldritch commands, sneering down at my hands. “Present yourself proudly, or I will have you spend the rest of the ceremony inside the heart of the mountain.”
I quickly do as he bids and clasp my hands before my waist when the ground rumbles so hard, tiny rocks rise to skitter across the grass. Every magical being stares at the dens when the first Dragon ambles out from one of the cave mouths.
My heart drops at the sight of her golden scales. The first Dragon to grace us with their presence is Mirinea, who once chose Hendry as her blood-bound sorcerer.
Her golden eyes scan over me before her attention is drawn by the four acolytes striding forth with large gold offering bowls, filled to the brim with gold coins, which they present to the Elder Dragon.
Imperial Priest Kado steps forward and bows to Mirinea, who regards him with more coolness than usual when stomping her front leg once in a signal of acceptance. The acolytes set the bowls on the dead grass before her, then back away to flank the Priest. He gives a short speech about taxation and the need to provide an offering for the Dragons before returning to their place at the back of the stage.
Mirinea focuses on Varic, whose frame is unmoving without seeming tense or rigid. I shake my head because only he could be as still as a statue and somehow make it appear natural.
The gold Dragon closes in on him, and my teeth clench as she takes a deep sniff of his hair. Then stars invade the edges of my vision until she stomps over the lawn to drop back on her haunches.
Imperial Dragon Master Sonya turns to address us, “Mirinea has declared it is not a match.” Her melodic voice carries across the expanse, to which the rest of us nod in response.
The shaking earth beneath our feet announces the next beast’s arrival as Venea, an Elder dark brown Dragon, plods out onto the field. “Venea, son of Verea, has arrived,” Imperial Dragon Master Sonya announces.
He shows less interest in Varic than Mirinea had, barely giving him a look and not so much as a sniff.
“Venea has declared it is not a match.” Imperial Dragon Master Sonya’s tone is formal as she awaits the next Dragon’s arrival.
Anxiety tightens my chest as eagerness for Varic to be chosen increases, ushering us closer to the bonding ceremony itself.
The next Dragon takes us by surprise, as no sounds announce its arrival. Instead, a vibrant green snout captures our attention as it protrudes from the smallest cave mouth, preceding the appearance of a slightly smaller emerald Dragon.
The energy radiating off of his form makes it seem as if he nearly prances onto the lawn. Each of my Guards restrain their laughter when witnessing this energetic beast bound toward their leader, who seems to be bracing a bit late for the oncoming assault. I bite down on the inside of my lips as Varic’s joints shift, preparing for the unknown antics of this hyper beast before him.
“Minea, son of Mirinea, has joined us,” Imperial Grand Dragon Master Sonya announces.
My eyes widen at the golden Dragon who looks on with indifference, then turns back to her son, who sniffs Varic while chuffing. How difficult it must be for Mirinea to observe her son consider the possibility of bonding with the one who replaced the sorcerer to whom she was blood-bound.
Minea takes several steps back and bounces on his forelegs before spinning in a circle around Varic. A small laugh escapes my lips, with their joy feeling so palpable, it’s as if I am experiencing it with them. Varic’s hearty chuckle reaches our ears, and Cirrin is the only one of my Guards who breaks into a smile.
A tear rolls down my cheek, and I swipe it away while scanning the rest of my Guards’ faces, all of whom maintain their stony expressions.
A collective gasp drags my attention, and I gape as Minea bows to Varic, who mirrors him in dropping to one knee while lowering his head in respect.
Tears fall freely down my cheeks, as nothing and no one can steal what I feel in this moment.
Imperial Grand Dragon Master Sonya taps her staff to the ground. “Minea, son of Mirinea, has confirmed Varic is a match!”
