Page 53 of Tempest Awakening
“Stay calm, little one. I'm here.”
"Impossible," Selena hissed, her face a mask of shock and fury. "This can't be happening!" Her eyes darted between me and Thalon. The hand that had cast the spell trembled visibly.
Directly across from us, a royal blue dragon lowered its head, eyes narrowing as it studied us intently. The intensity of its gaze made me want to shrink behind Thalon.
The dragon reactions seemed to mirror those of the human crowd—awe, confusion, and wariness. I couldn't help but notice how some of the larger dragons, with battle-scarred hides and keen eyes, regarded us with what appeared to be newfound respect. They stood perfectly still, only their eyes moving as they tracked our every movement.
Through the bond, I sensed Thalon's satisfaction tinged with wariness. “We've certainly caused quite a stir,”a hint of dry amusement in his mental voice.
Before I could respond, I noticed a commotion in the crowd. Two familiar figures were pushing their way through the mass of onlookers—Kane and Mason.
Kane reached me first, his eyes wide with concern and confusion. He glanced rapidly between me and Thalon, clearly struggling to process the scene before him. "Tess!" he exclaimed, slightly out of breath. "What in the world just happened? Are you alright?"
Before I could even attempt to answer, Mason's imposing form appeared beside him. His usual stoic expression was replaced by one of barely concealed worry. Without a word, he positioned himself protectively between us and the encroaching crowd, his broad shoulders creating a barrier.
"Stand back," he growled at the onlookers.
"Tess," Kane tried again, his voice gentler this time. "Can you tell us what's going on?"
I opened my mouth to explain, but the words wouldn't come. How could I possibly describe what had just happened? The bond, the shared thoughts and emotions, the inexplicable connection I now felt with Thalon—it all seemed beyond the realm of ordinary language.
“Tell them you're unharmed,”Thalon suggested gently. “That's what matters most to them right now.”
I nodded, grateful for his guidance. "I'm okay," I managed, surprised by how steady my voice sounded. "I'm not hurt. Thalon... he protected me."
Kane's brow furrowed deeper, if that was possible. "Protected you? But how? What exactly happened between you two?"
A shadow fell over the courtyard, followed by a rush of wind that sent cloaks flapping and hair whipping. I looked up to see a sleek, copper-scaled dragon descending from the sky. Though slightly smaller than Thalon, its presence was no less commanding.
The crowd parted hastily, stumbling back as the dragon touched down with practiced precision. Its scales gleamed in the sunlight, each one a burnished shield, and its eyes, a deep amber, surveyed the scene with an intelligence that matched its rider's.
From its back, a figure dismounted in one fluid motion. The man strode forward, each step purposeful and heavy. Scars crisscrossed his face, telling tales of battles long past. Hispiercing gaze swept over the scene, lingering on the fading glow between Thalon and me.
“That's Garrick Burke, the Master of the Wing, and his dragon, Kaelon,”Thalon's voice echoed in my mind. “He's second only to the Lord Protector in authority here.”
My mouth went dry. The air itself seemed to grow heavier, pressing down on my shoulders.
"What in the name of all that's sacred is going on here?" Burke's deep voice cut through the air like a blade, causing several nearby applicants to flinch.
I could feel my heart pounding against my ribcage, each beat a thunderous roar in my ears. Sweat beaded on my palms as I glanced at Kane and Mason. Their faces were pale, but determined.
Through our newfound bond, I sensed Thalon's attempt at projecting calm. It was my own stomach that wouldn’t stop churning.
“Steady, little one. We'll face this together.”
Burke's steel-gray eyes locked onto me. I felt pinned in place, like a butterfly on display. "You. Explain. Now."
I opened my mouth, but my tongue felt like lead. How could I possibly explain something I barely understood myself?
"Sir," Kane stepped forward. "It seems there was an... incident during the compatibility test."
Burke's face hardened as he surveyed the scene. "An incident? That's quite an understatement, wouldn't you say? This girl—thishuman—has just bonded with a dragon.”
Chapter 19
Tess
"This girl—thishuman—has just bonded with a dragon."
