“That’s a long way down.” Ash shuffled back.
“You’ll need the room, so you don’t go splat,” Tyrez reasoned.
“I don’t have to do this. I’m quite happy in my human form.”
Tyrez shook his head. “No one’s happy in their human form once they’ve been a Dragon.”
Ash flushed with anger, but he embraced it. Crossing his arms, he glared at Tyrez. “You can’t force me to do this.”
Tyrez elevated a dark brow, looking so handsome that Ash’s heart did a silly little flip.
“Challenge accepted.” The big Dragon flung the link between them wide open and began to change.
He wound his energy around Ash and took him along for the ride. Every pulse of pain, every writhing muscle—Tyrez flooded Ash with the experience of shifting from human to Dragon.
Ash’s body responded. It hurt like hell. His mouth opened in a silent scream as his wings burst free from his shoulders, arching over him as they spread for the very first time.
No no no no no...Ash chanted.
Tyrez was there, flooding him with soothing, warm energy.Easy there. You’re doing great. Just breathe and follow my lead. I’ll show you how.
And he did. Wove his shift into Ash’s own, every cell of the way. Until Ash crouched, gasping on the stone.
As a flippingDragon.
Not quite believing it, he spread his wings and tilted his head to examine them. He’d been this in his dreams, but the reality was so much more. With only his human as a point of reference, he’d no idea how to interpret Dragon senses.
He could see every blade of grass far below him. Every hint of a rainbow’s colors generated when they swayed. Even the small creatures scurrying through them.
And not just see—he heard too. He had no idea Dragon hearing was so acute. Despite the fact he’d been told their noses were not as good as a Dire’s—he could smell things. His mind struggled to put it all into context.
He flexed his neck, reveling in the feeling of power that coursed through him. He wasDragon.
You are beautiful.Tyrez’s mindvoice reflected awe and something more. Something much more powerful.
Men aren’t beautiful,Ash protested.
You are.
Ash scanned the enormous form beside him.I’m small.
The big Dragon snorted.Once you’ve topped up on crystal dust, you’ll be bigger.But you have enough in you to start flying lessons.
Fly? Okay, he had wings, and he’d flown in his dreams, but this was reality. He coulddie.
He’d craved death so often that the fact he now feared it startled him. Had something fundamental altered within him?
The form beside him had grown very still. And then Tyrez pushed his head up against Ash’s. It was nearly three times the size of his, but he butted him so gently.
I am glad you’ve decided to live,Tyrez’s mindvoice trembled.
Especially now that you’re determined to kill me,complained Ash.
Tyrez’s jaws dropped open in a Dragonoid laugh.Stay with me, and I’ll show you how.He launched himself off the ledge.
He didn’t release the hold he had on Ash’s mind. So the smaller Dragon was with him mentally as the turquoise body did a stomach-heaving drop before he achieved the first few powerful downsweeps of his massive wings. They drove him up and away, carrying him higher and higher. He banked, folded his wings, and dove back to the ledge. At the last moment, he backwinged, landing gracefully on the stone.
No way it’s that easy.
