Namely, when Honoria had first arrived and had wanted to do nothing more than cry, her cousins had done their best to tease her and irritate her, all to help her forget her pain.
Her dragon huffed. I'm still not convinced that was the reason.
Asher's voice cut into her thoughts. "Right, then if we're to work together, maybe you should help me catch up with information about Bram and the other leaders. I don't want my lack of knowledge to be the reason we fail."
"I can do that, but you're going to teach me those flight maneuvers you did earlier in return."
The corner of his mouth ticked up. "If you think you can manage them, that is. I can't have you crashing into the ground."
She raised an eyebrow. "I can handle it, and then some. I have a few tricks of my own."
"Good, then it means I won't have to go easy on you."
Honoria was about to throw down a challenge, but the voice of Shane Farhall filled the air. "What's this I heard about you two teaming up and cheating?"
Taking a deep breath, she turned around at the same time Asher did. Hoping to avoid any sort of confrontation, she spoke before Asher could. "It's not cheating, Shane. You have the same chance as anyone else, and can compete with a partner."
Shane scowled. "If Skyhunter has two leaders, it'll broadcast to the world how we're weak. Especially since every other clan on the planet has only one person in charge."
Asher grunted. "And you've talked with every other clan in the world? Last I heard, the clans in New Zealand and Peru were refusing to talk to anyone at all. They could be having mass orgies every day there, and we'd never know it."
Honoria couldn't help but add, "Unless it's truly everyone participating in the orgies, then it might show up on the satellite images."
Asher snorted, but Shane took a step closer and growled. "You're not bloody funny, bitch. Stop trying to be like the wankers in the north and in Scotland. Humor is a sign of weakness, as it usually means the person in question can't fight properly."
"And you know this how?" she drawled.
Shane took a step toward her, but Asher stepped in the way and shoved him back. "No fighting, unless you want to be thrown out of the trials."
"If it means she's out too, then it might just be worth it," Shane spat.
Her dragon sighed. Does he think he's being macho or something?
Maybe. Remember, Marcus was our leader for a good chunk of his life. And under that dragonman, fear and a projection of strength were all that mattered.
Her beast grunted. Let me have a go. I bet he's a coward when it comes to an actual fight.
Asher crossed his arms over his chest, but still stayed in front of Honoria. She was tempted to step in front of him and handle Shane herself. But if they were to work together, she needed to admit Asher would be better in certain situations. It was clear Shane didn't respect females. Asher could probably get him to walk away easier than she could, and without her being tossed out of the contest, too.
Asher spoke up. "In previous trials, leader candidates have been kept apart and in seclusion for the entire duration, unless they were competing in an event. Either leave us alone, or I'll request it from the DDA. That means fixed quarters, no freedom to practice in the skies, and no chance to visit that girlfriend of yours, either."
"Asher," she whispered.
Her beast said, After being imprisoned for so long and to be willing to temporarily lose his freedom again speaks volumes about his character. It makes me want him again. Many times. He would be a fine mate.
Shane's reply prevented her from saying anything to her dragon. "No one wants to risk being tossed into a cell and never being let out again. Everyone would hate you and see it as a sign that you're just like your uncle."
Asher shrugged. "Either agree to leave us alone or I'll call the DDA human right now."
For a few beats, Shane just kept glaring at Asher. But when he turned half away, Honoria knew Shane would back down. The male gave him the double-finger salute and said, "Fuck you, King. You'll lose anyway. I'll team up with another male, and then you'll understand how working with a female puts you at a huge disadvantage."
The male walked away, his fingers clenched into fists. Her dragon shook her head. Once we win, remind me to challenge him to a series of flight maneuvers. Then he'll see how much of a burden we are.
Leave it, dragon. My guess is that Shane will flee Skyhunter if he loses. And he will lose.
Someone's confident.
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