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Yep, and no way I can flit up to the capital and grab a uniform. Are we going to be split over a WHS issue?
“We’ll have t
o get her doing ground drills initially, then have her get the requisite uniform,”
“Pretty sure I’m not allowed to fly beyond the grounds and the local area without permission,” I said.
“Fine, you’ll need to supply us with the gold to purchase one for you.”
Which won’t be cheap, Miazydar said.
We were thinking enough gold for lattes and a meal when we left, not income for the next three months, I replied.
“I’ve got one I use when I take passengers up that you can have,” Keel said.
“The captain has said she needs her own,” Bhechro said. Of course he did.
“Fine, I’ll sell it to her then.”
Captain Keya looked at Keel, then me and then rolled her eyes. “This farce has gone on long enough, I need to get the other students started if they’re to compete in the war games.” She and the other riders walked off, obviously not wanting to deal with me anymore. I followed on Keel’s heels when he gestured me over to where he’d stashed his gear, my face red with a weird combination of shame and anger. I balled my hands up into fists and ground my teeth as I stomped across the grass. I had expected things like pushing me down the stairs, I hadn’t expected to be taken down via administrivia.
Death by a thousand cuts, Miazydar said.
“How do you know the suit will fit? I may not have the same body type as your passengers,” I said, looking at the small green garment.
His eyes raked up my body. “You do, but the uniforms all mould to fit the wearer. You could be a foot taller or wider and it would still fit. The helmet’s a little trickier.” I stepped into the suit, surprised to feel it stretch around me, despite being made from quite a thick material. Keel looked up as I wiggled my hips into it, stopping momentarily to watch the process before shaking himself with a smile.
“So what’s this going to cost me?” I asked, scared of the answer. Fabric like this couldn’t come cheap.
“I’m sure we can come to an arrangement,” he said, getting to his feet, holding out the spare helmet.
“I’d rather know now,” I said, imagining double Battle Techniques or something just as physical to keep him amused.
He smiled, that sparkle in his green eyes well and truly back. “Fine, then a kiss.”
I frowned at this. “What? One for the helmet and one for the suit?”
“I hadn’t thought of that. I was going to ask for the one.”
I paused for a moment. The offer was too good to be true and the smile on his face said he knew it. I could either be stubborn and get kicked from this place or I could give in and get a very good deal. He didn’t realise though, how much I would’ve loved for someone wearing the same face as his to offer me what I needed in return for a kiss. I would’ve given Merlin many more than required and anything else he wanted. My eyes dropped to his mouth and his smile widened. I’d sat up night after night wondering what he’d taste like, how his lips would feel. But then I’d realised it wasn’t going to happen and disappeared through the gate. It felt odd like I was given an unsought do-over.
My eyes stuttered over the lips in front of me, my tongue flickering out to wet my now bone dry ones. I swallowed hard and moved towards him, feeling the prickle of nerves rippling up my spine. I grabbed his hand in mine, feeling his warm and dry against my now sweaty one. His eyelids dropped low and he shifted closer to me. I looked up into those bright green eyes, brought his knuckles up to my mouth and bestowed a gentle, languid kiss across them before dropping it and stepping back.
“Paid in full, yeah?” I said.
He burst out laughing, raking his hair away from his face before handing me an angular helmet, quite different looking than the one I’d worn back in the battle with the prince. That one had been open-faced and made of similar material to the suit, but this one looked more like an angular bike helmet, complete with a visor. It was a little loose, but it fit well enough for now. I tightened the chinstrap and it felt secure.
“Let’s go before the captain has a fit.”
Which is how I ended up on Miazydar’s back, suited up but barefooted, several metres up in the air. “You’re doing well,” Captain Keya said via the commlink in the helmet. “Now take that first step.”
I stood there, paralysed. I could see the university, the field, the other dragon riders, all tiny, beneath me. I was way, way outside my comfort zone, one little step and I’d be flat as a pancake on the ground below and to make it worse, Miazydar moves. I was not only standing on a relatively narrow surface way up in the air; it wasn’t stable as M circled his wings with small motions.
“What a surprise, we’ve got a frozen 'grounder pounder’. Let’s move onto the other riders. None of them are ready for war game participation and it’ll be our arses in the sling with Her Majesty if they don’t make it through.”
“Shut up Barron, you’re making it worse. Listen to me, cadet, not the naysayers. Take the first step. Take it. Your dragon is completely attuned to you, your movements. He will not allow you to fall. You’ve done the hard work, standing up on his back while he’s airborne and now you’re letting your head make the decisions. Your head can’t walk down the dragon’s spine, only your body can. Take the first step, you’ll find out one way or the other if you can do it safely or not. You stay where you are, you’ll never know.”
Her voice sounded like it was coming from far away, hollow and distorted and partially drowned out by the thunder of my heartbeat in my ears. My limbs were shaking and they wanted me to take a step? I didn’t even know if I could, to shut up the insistent Captain in my ears. I willed my fingers to move, just my little finger and nothing happened. I can’t move! I can’t move! The hysteria I’m trying to keep a lid on started to unfurl in my chest, forcing my limbs into rigidity.
