Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 127722 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 639(@200wpm)___ 511(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127722 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 639(@200wpm)___ 511(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
Ivory, something is happening.
I looked up to see three carriages leave the path and hit the grass as they approached us. Six enormous horses led the carriages, so the cargo in the rear must be heavy. They came to a standstill feet away, and then Elora hopped down from one of the carriages.
“Your armor must be ready.” I got to my feet and dusted off my breeches.
I hope it’s not too heavy.
“We’ll see.”
The men began to pull out the pieces, working together to bring the enormous plates across the grass toward the dragons. They looked heavy, but they couldn’t be that unwieldy if the men could actually move them.
Elora set down the first piece. “I know they prefer you when it comes to proximity, but I really should be the one to do this. I just want to make sure everything is on right and secured before they test it out.”
I turned to Pyre. “Is that okay?”
I suppose.
I gave her the go-ahead.
Elora didn’t make small talk with me and barely looked at me, but she didn’t seem hostile either, so that was a win.
It took a long time for Elora to fit each piece, even with the help of the men. She attached the breastplate, the metal rings that covered different parts of the neck while allowing for movement, attached the braces to the arms and legs, and then carefully installed the armor that went over the top of the wing. “This isn’t tough armor like everything else, but it’s so light that you should be able to fly. I can’t attach it to the underpart of your wing. Otherwise, you won’t be able to get off the ground.” She worked to put everything together, and by the time she was done, Pyre looked like a whole different dragon.
The armor was black and matte, having no shine whatsoever. There were hints of red in the joints of the plates, made of a softer material that allowed for movement. The bolt and pins in the armor were pronounced and thick, and that added to the aesthetic.
Pyre moved his wings a bit and tried to take a look at himself. How do I look?
“Uh, badass.”
Really? Me?
“Yes, you. I wish you could see yourself.”
Storm came next, and once all the armor was attached, Pyre could get a good look. Wow. That is badass.
“See? Now you think you can fly?”
We shall see. Pyre opened his wings and gave a hard flap as he pushed himself off the earth.
“Be careful.”
He got off the ground and continued to flap, but he lost his height a couple times, as if he didn’t know how to flap his wings with the new weight. But he kept trying, and soon, he got the hang of it. He soared through the sky, a behemoth of teeth, fire, and wings.
Storm took off and joined him, and then they started to play fight in the sky.
Everyone was mesmerized.
“Elora, you nailed it.”
With her arms crossed over her chest and her head tilted back, she watched. “Yeah…I think I did.”
“On your first try, too.”
“What can I say?” She brushed off her shoulder and gave me a smile. “I’m that good.”
Did she just smile at me?
She looked up at the sky again, the pride in her eyes. “I’ve made a lot of great things…but nothing as special as this.”
We were led to the grand table near the sea of windows.
Queen Rolfe was already there at the head of the table, in her black dress with sleeves, a chain necklace across her front that attached her cape to her garment. With feathers woven in her hair and dark makeup around her eyes, she looked wild and authoritative at the same time.
Commander Dawson was to her left. Ian was on the other side of him, dressed in a similar fashion.
I knew the seat to the queen’s right was reserved for her right-hand man, Huntley.
Huntley took that seat, so I sat in the chair beside him, unsure if I was even allowed the join the table.
With her hands together on the table, Queen Rolfe held her silence as she considered her opening words. “The dragons are ready for the siege, and I think we are as well. I suggest we depart at sunrise. With the dragons at our disposal, we don’t need an army, not when we’re catching them by surprise. Two dozen soldiers should be plenty to secure the castle. There will be no resistance from the civilians, not when we’re the rightful rulers, and not when we have two dragons that can burn their town to splinters.”
My heart was beating so fast, picturing the attack on the place I once considered home.
“The soldiers and I will take the tunnel to the top, and you’ll meet us in the woods. At sunrise, we’ll take Delacroix. That way, they can see the full glory of the dragons that serve us.”