“Don’t look them in the eye until you know,” Mother said, wiping lint from my shoulders.

“What if I don’t know—”

“And don’t fear them; they hate weak people,” she interrupted, handing me my breakfast of eggs and toast.

Suddenly she was silent. I could feel a veil of worry cover her.

“Mother,” I said. “I’ll be fine. I promise.”

She looked up at me, tears in her eyes. In an instant, her arms were around me.

I breathed in her honey vanilla scent.

“16 is far too young, Eden. King Mor should’ve changed the law…”

“It’s too late now, besides, I’m your daughter. You were the first to pass dragon riding.”

She smiled.

I’ll make sure to come home today for her.

I walked quickly down the trail to the dragon quarters. Mother took me here when I was young, but I haven’t been back since.

Rows upon rows of dragons of all different sizes and colors lined on each side of me. Their glowing eyes pierced me, like cold metal touching my skin, I shivered

_Do not fear them_, I reminded myself.

I walked to a group of young riders like me. A girl with cherry red hair stands beside me.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life,” she whispered to me. “My father was able to ride the largest dragon, Wragner.”

I paled.

Wragner was one of the largest red dragons in the kingdom’s history, up until he was killed in a battle a few years back.

“Riders,” a low familiar voice shouted. “Today we are gathered to license our young to ride the oldest creatures of our time.” King Mal smiled as he stroked his own red dragon.

A tall figure stood beside the king. His son, Prince Kieran, looked lethally bored near his black dragon, Terrance.

“My son, Kieran, and his dragon Terrance, they will be assessing you today. May the dragons find you worthy!” King Mal laughed as he launched into the sky atop his dragon.

I felt a bit sick.

Prince Kieran led all ten of us to a small field. Several dragons grazed and spit flames in the field.

A girl screamed as a small green dragon approached her.

“Do not fear them!” Prince Kieran shouted.

But that did not stop the girl from her screams.

She ran from the dragon, goosebumps covering her pale skin.

Offended, the green dragon roared and launched himself into the air.

_“Disgraced_,” the dragon shouted.

The girl was now among the Disgraced. Never could she ride a dragon.

I forced my attention back to Prince Kieran, who was staring right at me with a look of curiosity. I quickly turned my gaze to the dragons wandering with boredom.

“Now, riders,” Prince Kieran began, “you were all schooled on the basics: how to mount, ride, and control a dragon, but now it’s time for you to show me you understand. Find your dragon, mount, ride, and control it, and you pass.”

We all scatter ourselves among the dragons.

The girl with cherry red hair immediately finds her dragon; a young golden dragon with a line of black scales that run down her chest.

“Alana!” The girl shouted with joy as she began to mount the dragon.

Immediately she took for the skies.

She passed.

I walked deeper into the field, hearing shouts of joy.

Suddenly the thought of not finding a dragon starts to eat me alive.

_Calm down_, I told myself.

With the sun casting its hot rays across the field, my eyes catch on a glimmering figure. I stepped closer.

A white iridescent dragon, large and tall, stood before me. She looked like a sparkling diamond.

“Hello, beloved,” she spoke with grace.

“You’re beautiful,” I said. No fear ran within me.

“As you are, Eden Weller,” she replied, her voice honey smooth. “My name is Asaila Nightfill, and I claim you, Eden Weller, as my sole rider.”

Asaila bowed her head, showing off her crown of diamond horns.

I smiled, but it soon vanished when a boorish purple dragon came swinging near me; almost cutting my head off with his razor sharp tail.

“Alan!” Asaila shouted with worry and fury. “Watch your tail!”

Steam puffed from her nostrils.

Alan, the purple dragon howled in laughter. “Can I have this weakling!”

Asaila, rageful, threw her tail against Alan’s purple-scaled chest, causing him to spit a cry.

“Fine. She’s yours.” He flew away.

“Don’t listen to him, beloved,” Asaila assured. “Now let’s get on with this test so you can be licensed.”

I nodded.

Prince Kieran stalked over with Terrance a step behind.

Terrance looked between Asaila and me, confusion in his golden eyes.

“Asa, my dear, please tell me you did not pick this weak—“

“Shut it,” Asaila bite back at Terrance. “Do not insult my rider.”

Prince Kieran smirked at our dragons arguing.

“Let’s see what you can do, Eden,” he said.

I took that as my que.

I ran with all my might and mounted Asaila with ease. Holding onto her horns, I signaled her to take off.

Soon my stomach felt as if it hit my heart as we surged into the warm sky. The wind kissed my cheeks as salty tears of joy fell from my eyes.

“Having wings, Eden, is truly a gift,” Asaila whispered.

She did her routine, swinging left and right, flying up and down. I held my seat.

In only a moment, we landed back near Terrance and Prince Kieran.

“Impressive,” he muttered. “One last test; control.”

I turned to Asaila and looked into her clear blue eyes. “Asaila Nightfill, who is your rider,” I said with firmness.

“Eden of Weller, my beloved rider,” she responded sweetly, with reverence and respect.

Prince Kieran approached me, a smirk on his lips. He handed me a badge.

“You passed,” he congratulated.

I stared at the badge, embroidered with a dragon and flames.

I did it. I passed.

I walked back to the congregation of students that passed.

An array of dragons spotted the field.

As I surveyed all the students I soon noticed everyone was staring at Asaila and me.

My heart dropped.

“Do not worry,” Asaila assured. “They are staring at someone who just made history.”

“What do you mean?” I whispered.

Prince Kieran mounted the stage and pointed towards me.

“Riders, today marks a day in history. Eden Weller has not only passed her test and found a dragon; Eden has found a dragon that has confirmed full loyalty to Eden.”

Everyone gasped.

It’s rare, very rare, for someone without rank or power to have a dragon loyal to them.

Dragons are their own beings, many times they switch riders when they see fit. But it seems Asaila will always claim me as her rider.

“Congratulations,” Prince Kieran repeated, smiling with warmth.