Page 54 of Taught By the Dragon
She looked so bloody young, but he suspected if any dragon-shifter had waited twenty-plus years to see their first dragon up close and watch them take off, they would act the same way. It was always like that with Percy—so young and yet so old at the same time.
He did a few more twirls and dives before descending slowly, until he was about five feet from the ground. Taking off had been difficult, but landing was just as much so.
Slowly, oh so slowly, he lowered himself until his good leg touched the ground first. Then he awkwardly placed his fake foot down. For a second, he thought he’d have a good landing. But once he put all his weight on his legs, something snapped, and he tumbled to the side.
* * *
Percy knewshe probably looked like an idiot with her mouth open, making all kinds of excited sounds, but she didn’t bloody care. Watching a dragon takeoff was surreal. The power it took, the coordination, and the pure strength, amazed her.
And to think, maybe one day, she could do the same.
She watched Bronx’s every move, loving how quickly he could turn, twirl, or pull up from the ground. It was clear he was skilled, and it made sense—if he’d had to rescue someone from a forest fire or a high ridge, he would need to make tight turns and the like.
Violet’s voice finally brought her back down to earth. “This is the first time he’s flown in over a year. And look at him—it’s as if he never stopped.” She wiped her eyes. “I’m so bloody happy right now. Because for a while there, I worried he’d never try flying again.”
“Why?”
“He never gave specifics, just that no one wanted to see a crippled dragon trying to stay in the air.”
The words stoked a lick of anger inside her. “I think he’s beautiful, just the way he is.”
Violet stared at her, but Percy kept her gaze on Bronx. Eventually, the teenager whispered, “I know my dad’s supposed to be helping you, but I think you two are helping each other.”
Her cheeks heated. “Don’t be bloody ridiculous. I’m the burden, end of story.”
Before Violet could reply, Bronx lowered himself slowly to the ground, until he was a few feet above it. Percy barely paid attention to the glowing light inside her head. Instead, she held her breath as his good foot touched the ground, followed by the other one.
For a beat, she thought everything would be fine. Then Bronx toppled over, somehow gracefully tumbling to his back, his wings outstretched to the side.
Without missing a beat, she rushed over to him and stopped near his head. His eyes were closed, and a fission of fear raced through her.
Then she watched his chest rise, and then again, before opening his eyes. His large slitted pupil fixed on her.
She touched a hand to his snout. “Are you okay?”
He bobbed his head, still staring at her. As she stroked his smooth, slightly warm scales, she said, “Maybe we should get the doctor anyway, just to make sure.”
Violet shouted, “I already called! Dr. Sid will be here soon.”
Bronx grunted and rolled to his side. Slowly, he tried to right himself but couldn’t.
It was then she noticed the small tear in his wing membrane. She growled, “Stop being so bloody stubborn. If I can tell you’re injured, then who the fuck knows what you’re hiding.”
If dragons could roll their eyes, she was pretty sure Bronx had just given her the equivalent.
She grabbed his snout and patted the sides lightly. “You don’t have to pretend with me. Honesty, remember? We both agreed to that.”
He stared at her, and she wished he could talk. Or maybe she didn’t. All she knew was that she couldn’t take her gaze from his.
Only when Dr. Sid cleared her throat and spoke did she jump back. “I need to check him over, Percy.”
Percy put her hands behind her back and retreated to where Violet stood with another doctor she’d seen a few times—Dr. Gregor Innes, who was Dr. Sid’s mate.
Percy crossed her arms over her chest and asked, “Shouldn’t you be helping Dr. Sid?”
Dr. Innes raised his brows. “Should I, lass?”
Waving a hand toward Bronx, she replied, “He has a cut on his wing. And since he’s massive, it’ll probably take more than one person to fix it.”
