The Warrior King

Sixteen

The sound of dragon wings filled my ears. The force of the takeoff would have thrown me more forward had Tristan not had his heavily muscled arm around me. I sucked in a breath as the ground got further and further away. Soon the forward motion began and we sailed above the trees.

As the wind rushed against us, I realized the need for the leather armor. The air up here was much cooler and intense. With every movement of Aries’ wings, I could feel his neck muscles move under my legs, so I was grateful for the barrier to keep me from being rubbed raw.

Soon, I felt Tristan's lips by my ear.

”Breathe, ” he said loud enough for me to hear. I realized that I had been holding in the breath from when we took off. Letting the breath out, I was still rigid as a statue. ”Relax, ” Tristan said and he placed a kiss on my neck. I felt myself relax just a little as Tristan situated his arm to pull me closer to him. I got brave enough to look around. Beneath us, forests felt like blades of grass and creeks and rivers looked like puddles. I watched as Ross on the left and James on the right flanked us on their dragons. Brielle was in the same position with James as I was with Tristan, and I chuckled silently. I knew she must secretly be enjoying it.

All of a sudden Ross’s dragon shot up into the air, then rolled and went barrelling toward the ground. I gasped and watched as he disappeared into the trees, terrified at what I had just seen. Moments later, he shot back out of the forest right in front of us, causing Aries to startle just a bit. I gripped the pommel tightly and felt Tristan's arm flex around me. Aries gave a grumble and a short burst of flame hit Ross’s dragon's tail. Ross and his dragon moved back into position on our left and even from where I sat, I could see the sheepish look on his face. I finally let out my breath again.

Not too much later, my back began to ache and I started to fidget in the saddle. Tristan must have noticed because he held up his fist and then opened his hand, giving the signal to land. We had come to a lake with a large enough beach for the dragons to all land at the same time.

After we landed, Tristan dismounted first and I watched him, hoping I could do the same. I could not. My legs felt like oatmeal and I practically fell from the saddle and slid down Aries’ side. Luckily, Tristan seemed to anticipate this and caught me.

”Are you alright?” he asked, his voice and face full of concern. I nodded.

”I think my legs may have fallen asleep, ” I said sheepishly. Tristan hefted me into a more comfortable position, with one arm under my knees and the other behind his back.

”I'm sorry, I should've mentioned that would happen, ” he apologized. ”Your body isn't used to using those muscles that way.”

”My body didn't know those muscles existed, ” I said before I could stop myself. i***t, my brain hissed. You can't speak that way to the Warrior King. To my surprise, Tristan laughed, the same warm manly sound from before.

”You will get used to it. Now put your arms around my neck, ” he instructed. I did as he said and he carried me over to a spot where James was putting Brielle down as well.

”Thank you, ” she murmured softly.

”You're welcome, ” he said back and then walked back to his dragon. Tristan set me down next to Brielle and then handed both of us water canteens from his pack as well as packages of deer jerky and some apples.

”We are halfway there ladies. You've done well. I will be right over there discussing our arrival. If you need anything, just wave and I will send Shelby over, ” he explained. Brielle and I nodded and began eating. When Tristan had stepped away, Brielle sighed.

”I don't think I'm cut out to ride dragons, ” she said. ”I almost peed my pants when Ross did that trick.” She shuddered from the memory of it.

”Just one more leg and I promise, going forward, whenever possible, you will ride a horse, ” I said patting her back. She looked relieved and then made a face.

”Speaking of pee, ” she said looking around, ”I don't think James wants me to ruin his saddle.”

”Same. I don't think future queen’s are even supposed to pee, ” I said.

”I believe the correct term is ’urinate’, ” Brielle teased while lifting a hand to wave to Shelby. She caught her eye and when Shelby came over, we explained our ’situation.’ Shelby grinned and helped us up on still wobbly legs. Tristan and James made a move toward us but Shelby held out a hand to stop them. With each of us holding onto one of her arms, she led us like newborn lambs to a patch of trees. Somehow we managed to do our business without falling over and Shelby led us back to the beach.

Tristan came up to us and asked if everything was alright. I assured him we were fine, just needed to stretch our legs. He called James over to help Brielle back to their dragon and put his arm around me to steady me as we walked back to Aries. Somehow I managed to crawl back into the saddle and once Tristan was situated, we took off.

My body adjusted a little more quickly this time and I leaned into Tristan. He tightened his grip on me and I watched as the ground below went racing by. Ross flew up next to us, his dragon doing lazy circles that got tighter and tighter. It was something to see, this massive creature flying as if it took no effort.

Just as my butt was starting to fall asleep, I noticed a change in the landscape and soon a large city came into view; in the center stood a giant castle. I felt Tristan's lips at my ear again.

”Welcome home, ” he said and then gave the signal to descend.