Page 249 - Fourth Wing

“You’re worthy. At least I think you are, but you apparently don’t pay

attention in class.” He chuffs and a warm puff of steam blasts the back of
my neck.

“There are forty-one unbonded riders who would kill to be standing

where you are,” Kaori continues. “And your dragons know that your bond
is at its weakest point right now, so if you fall, if you fail, there’s a good

chance your dragon might let you if it thinks the unbonded will be a better

choice.”
“Comforting,” I mutter.

Tairn makes a noise that reminds me of a scoff.

“Now, we’re going to mount, then follow a series of specific maneuvers
your dragons already know. Your orders are simple today. Stay in your

seat,” Kaori finishes. Then he turns and breaks into a sprint, racing the
dozen feet toward his dragon’s foreleg and making the vertical climb to

mount.

Just like the last obstacle on the Gauntlet.
I swallow, wishing I hadn’t eaten so much for breakfast, and turn to face

Tairn. To my left and right, other riders are doing the same mounting
maneuver. There’s no way I can pull that off normally, let alone with my

ankle still healing.

Tairn dips his shoulder and makes his leg into a ramp for me.
Defeat just about swallows me whole. I’ve bonded the biggest—and

certainly grumpiest—dragon in the quadrant, and yet he has to make

accommodations for me.
“They’re accommodations for me. I’ve seen your memories. I’m not

about to have you sticking daggers into my leg to climb up. Now let’s go.”

I snort but make the ascent, shaking my head as I navigate his spikes to
find the seat. My thighs ache from yesterday, and I wince as I get into

position, gripping the pommel of scales.
Kaori’s dragon launches into the sky.