The Arena novel Chapter 48

While Zephyr and Kaylani were healing me, Avani told me I should give Kenna time with Cedric. I watched her when he was looking over her body, and she seems as fascinated with him as he is with her.

When the others left, Kenna begged me to stay so she could spend more time with Cedric. How can I refuse her? He’s her father. And even though he doesn’t know it, he is still being wonderful with her.

“Let’s find a place that doesn’t smell of burnt flesh and a bloody battle,” I say.

I turn, looking at Cedric. For once, he waits me out. I sigh. I don’t offer to carry people on my back. I’m not a pack animal, and in truth, the only people I’ve ever had on my back are Ishir and Kenna. Ishir respects me as a dragon, and it was necessary. And obviously, I would carry Kenna anywhere. But this is different. Cedric thinks he’s claimed me. He hasn’t, but a person who claims a dragon becomes their rider. If he ever figured out how to truly claim me, he would forever be allowed to ride me, and no one else, including Ishir, would ever be allowed on my back again without his permission. His, not mine.

When a dragon is claimed, we give ourselves completely to our mate. It’s why the claiming process is so much more than a simple bite during sex. For a dragon to give themselves to someone, the person has to fight for it; they have to earn the right to be a dragon’s rider. The hope is that if someone works that hard to claim their dragon, they will respect the bond that forges between them. It’s not always the case. Some people just want the power that a dragon gives them. But when the bond is forged with love and respect, the dragon and their rider become a nearly indestructible force of nature.

“I will carry you, Cedric, if you’d like to fly,” I tell him.

“Thanks, Red.” I have to chuckle at that.

I move farther away from them and shift, turning to look at Cedric. He takes his time, coming to stroke his hand down the side of my body. “You’re stunning,” he says as if mesmerized by my scales and dragon’s hide.

“Goddess, I’m such an idiot,” he whispers to himself as he turns and hops up on my wing, walking up to my back. While Ishir always seems to feel unsteady on my wing and back, Cedric feels like he was made to be there. Whether it’s his confidence or just that, by Lycan standards, I’m his mate, he moves over my dragon body like it was meant to be his. And maybe it is, someday.

When he settles on my back, I turn and look at him. Flying for the first time can be scary for earth-bound creatures. Or, if you’re Ishir, it’s scary every time.

“Ready when you are beautiful,” he says, reaching his hands around one of the ridges on my back.

I extend my wings, hunching down on my legs before leaping upward and pushing my wings into the first downward swing, catching the air and lifting up into the sky. Kenna is a second behind us.

I fly upward, feeling Cedric’s hands gripping the ridge tightly, but unlike Ishir, I can feel Cedric’s excitement. When I level out, Kenna comes up beside us, and I hear Cedric’s whoop of excitement. Kenna calls out to him, expressing her own excitement. It’s contagious, and before I consciously realize what I’m doing, I’m sending out my own call of excitement.

I feel Cedric’s hands gently stroking my body beside him. He’s released the ridge on my back, trusting me not to drop him, and he’s taking advantage of this opportunity to touch me. My scales ripple at his touch, and I hear him chuckle.

“Where are we going, Momma?”

“See that mountain in the distance? I thought we’d check it out, see if it’s safe to stay there for the night.”

When we land, Cedric slides off my back, again making it look like he was meant to be a dragon’s rider. I shift back, looking around.

“Stay here, I’ll check it out,” he says. I frown at him as he takes off to check the area. We’re on the top of a mountain, and I didn’t sense any predators, so I’m not sure what he’s checking for.

He’s back quickly. “There’s a cave around on the other side, and I can smell water close by.”