Chapter 1
Freedom.
It’s the feeling of euphoria as you soar through the air, wind whipping past your face and drawing tears to your eyes. It is pure ecstasy. Onyx’s obsidian wings bat upward as we ascend higher and higher over the ocean’s surface.
Then, we’re falling.
The wind shrieks past my ears. Just before we reach the waves, Onyx spreads his wings wide, sending us into a low, breathless glide across the water. We are climbing again. He steadies out, beating his wings in a rhythmic thud. The adrenaline rush is the sharpest thing I have felt in years.
Shivers spread up my spine as the wind continues to howl. I hold on to the heavy horns that run from Onyx’s crown down along his neck.
Then, the world begins to spin.
I lean forward as he tucks his wings to his sides, throwing us into a dizzying barrel roll. Holy shit, I think, gripping tighter. His wings straighten out with a sudden snap, the forward momentum sending me lurching.
“You could warn me, you know,” I mutter.
The smart-mouthed dragon lets out a huff and rolls his body again, turning so that his underbelly faces the open sky, leaving my back exposed to the drop toward the cliffs and ocean below. The only thing tethering me to the open air is my grip on his horns.
“Okay, okay! I’m sorry!”
In one swift, teasing motion, he flips us upright.
“You big baby,” I groan.
Before I can catch my breath, he is spinning again. This mother—
“Onyx, stop! You crazy dragon!”
Suddenly, a distant chiming cuts through the rushing air. Bells.
Mother. She rings the bells when it is time to return to the castle. The skies around us are dotted with other dragons, but the Queen despises them all, viewing them as filthy beasts. The very thought of her daughter, the future ruler of Astiriss, spending her days soaring on the back of a dragon deeply offends her.
“Onyx, I would rather not be late,” I whisper, patting his neck. “Please, deal with your emotions later.”
He lets out a final, irritated snuff of air and banks toward the citadel. As we glide over the kingdom, I watch other dragons soaring beneath us—some with riders, others flying wild.
Onyx begins to descend, though much slower than he has during his fit of rage. Sand and loose gravel fly as he lowers his massive body to the stone floor of the courtyard. It is a broad, circular training ground flanked by pillars, with wide walls perfectly sized for dragons to perch upon. He bows his head low, refusing to lift it until I have dismounted—a silent, ancient sign of respect between rider and dragon.
My boots hit the ground with a solid thud. I stroke his obsidian scales one last time before he takes off again, casting a fleeting shadow over my head as he goes to hunt in the forest or perch on the jagged coastal cliffs.
The training yard is mostly empty this time of day, leaving it entirely to myself. Rows of practice weapons line the racks along the walls. It is easily my favorite place in the entire palace.
I climb the two small steps leading to the pillared perimeter and push open the heavy wooden door. Instantly, the familiar scent of rich wood and flowers fills my nostrils as I step into the Grand Hall.
It is my least favorite spot in the castle.
Mother and father use the echoing chamber for grand balls and foreign banquets. Though, staying here alone, I can’t entirely hate it. Warm-colored lights illuminate the room, casting a soft, dancing orange glow over the walls, which are draped in the deep crimson and gold of Astiriss. But the rigid, high-society lifestyle—the heavy dresses and restricting high heels the Queen forces me to wear—always leaves me feeling empty.
I make my way across the floor, the polished stones sparkling beneath my leather boots. Ahead stand the massive main doors, stretching almost to the ceiling. I pull the heavy latch, and as the doors swing inward, the fiery colors of the setting sun ripple through the stained glass. An eclipse is beginning to fall over the kingdom.
Turning on my heel, I march toward the throne room. The distant hum of chatter grows louder as I approach the main entrance of the castle.
The foyer is a sprawling expanse, with towering pillars supporting the upper levels. At the heart of it all is a grand staircase that splits into two paths. Between them, mounted on an elegant pedestal, stands a statue of a griffin—the proud, lost symbol of Astiriss, and the only species hunted to complete extinction.
I begin to ascend the stairs, my boots clicking against the marble. The banisters are fashioned from swirling gold and delicate white detailing. Reaching the top, I turn left, navigating twisting hallways that would leave any first-time visitor utterly lost.
“Astrid! Oh, my Gods! It has been so long!”
A woman I have never seen a day in my life speed-walks toward me. Her glittering dress catches every beam of light in the hallway. She doesn’t look like the rest of the nobility here; her bright red hair is tied in a messy, carefree bun, and her attire looks more suited for a nightclub than a royal palace.
I blink, snapping out of my thoughts as she waves a hand in front of my face.
“Oh! Sorry,” I offer, forcing the most polite, practiced smile I can muster. I loathe making small talk, especially with strangers.
“I haven’t seen you since we were little! How have you been?”
Terrible.
“I’m good... I’m sorry, but who are you exactly?”
“Oh, I figured you wouldn’t remember me,” she laughs, though there is a slightly hollow ring to it. “I was in the same training classes as you when we were first learning how to ride.”
Oh.
A sudden flash of memory cuts through my mind.
“Ah! Yes, I remember you,” I say, clicking my fingers as the past comes rushing back. “Storm, right? It’s nice to finally see you again. Where is your dragon?”
She points behind me. And a huge shadow rises over the castle. I turn my body to see the big scales of a dragon peering through the window. It looks like it would be smaller than Onyx, but it is still really big.
“Holy crap,” I say with excitement in my voice. Mother prohibits others in the kingdom to have big dragons because of destruction and stuff like that. Onyx is the only one that she hasn’t...
I turn back to her, a big smile on my face at seeing a big dragon since I haven’t seen any other than Onyx. This one is a shade of blue so dark, it looks black. I can only get a glimpse of it due to the castle’s skinny windows.
Bells sound off from the top of the castle.
Shit.
“Sorry I have to go, but I will try to find you later,” if I’m not skinned alive by my dearest mother. I start to walk to the throne room, not giving the woman I still don’t know the name of another look. I can hear her say something, but it is muffled now that I am outside of the doors to the throne room. I step inside consciously, being sure not to make much noise. Mother hates noise.
“You take an awfully long time to arrive, daughter.” Father’s voice is stern but gentle as he gives me a once over.
“What happened to your dress?” Mother lets out a shocked gasp as she sees the stains and cuts in the fabric of the dress I am supposed to wear for tonight’s party, which is happening in about 45 minutes.
“Mother, I told yo—”
“And what happened to your hair? I will not have my daughter show up to the grand ball looking like this. Isabella will help you fix this.” She gestures to all of me and my father nods lightly. I haven’t noticed how bad I look until she brings it up.
“You better be in the ballroom by the time the ball starts, or no flying for a month.”
“Fine, but I am not wearing one of those big dresses that make you look like you are an upside down mushroom.”
She pins me with a look and I straighten, my back cracking in the process.
“Alright, I’m going.”
