“Demanding little thing, aren’t you?” he muttered, but he jogged backward to make room, and all at once he was a dragon, huge and steaming. Slowly, he lumbered around so that he faced the shadows of cave’s back wall, carefully presenting her with his tail. She climbed up, not particularly worried about hurting him, and settled into a valley near the top of his spine, where she could do the most damage if something went awry. She grabbed the hump in front of her, curling her legs back on either side, the scales smooth and warm against her skin.

“I am ready!” she called.

The beast snorted and turned to face the mouth of the cave, jostling her, and a bout of nerves assailed her courage. She shook her head. It will be like flying a field sphinx, she coached herself. Just like flying Ofa. Nothing I haven’t done before.

The dragon gave a warning cry, ran, and jumped, spreading his wings. Yenni yelped as they dropped slightly, her stomach heaving, and then they were gliding on the air.

Cold wind screamed at her, drawing tears from her eyes and slapping her braids painfully against her face. It was nothing like flying a field sphinx. They were much higher up. Worst of all, she had no control. He made no response when, on instinct, she flexed her thighs and called. The dragon simply kept his wings out and rode the air.

She ducked her head and squinted, and through the gap between the dragon’s long neck and outstretched wings she caught a dizzying glimpse of the ground below. The world raced by like a living map. There were the towering buildings of Imperium Centre reaching up vainly toward them—the castle, sturdy and grand at the city’s heart; the river running alongside the metropolis; paths carving up the neat fields of barley and maize to the east; and just ahead, the sprawling academy. It was incredible to see, and despite herself a wide smile took hold of Yenni’s face. She hardly noticed when the dragon’s left shoulder bounced up and down. He began to turn.

Yenni screamed as she slipped from her perch.

She rolled and tumbled, scrabbling against the smooth scales for some kind of purchase until she caught herself in the crook of his wing. The dragon screeched, high and urgent, and leveled out. Panting, Yenni hastened back to her spot among the ridges of his spine. “I am fine,” she shouted over the singing wind.

He gave a low call that ended in a soft click, and wiggled his left shoulder dramatically. This time he turned slowly, almost laboriously, and she held tight as he angled toward the sandy pit where the test was to take place.