From Storms to Thrones (Part 1)

Chapter 23: Between Life, Death, and Flames

The Cannibal, feeding off my fury, became a missile in the air, streaking directly toward Vhagar with terrifying intent. The wind whipped in my ears, the force of our speed nearly unbearable, but all I could hear were the pained cries coming from Syrax.

"Hold on!" the Cannibal bellowed into my mind, and I suddenly realized what he was about to do.

I grabbed the pommels and braced myself, just as the Cannibal rammed into the side of Vhagar with the force of a battering ram. The impact was like a thunderclap, the sky itself shuddering from the collision. The force of the blow jerked me forward violently, and I felt the leather straps at my back and left side snap. I was hurled over the side of the saddle, the world tilting violently as I saw nothing but open air and the distant ground far below. For a split second, I was certain I was going to fall to my death, plummeting from the sky.

But then, with a bone-jarring jolt, the last buckle at my hip caught, slamming me back against the Cannibal with brutal force. I hung there, dangling precariously from his side, the wind roaring in my ears as I clung desperately to the remaining strap.

The Cannibal snarled, the sound reverberating through my mind, and a pained, mighty cry echoed through the air. I forced myself to look up, to see what was happening, and what I saw filled me with a twisted sense of triumph.

The Cannibal had latched his jaws into Vhagar's back, his teeth sinking deep into the ancient dragon's flesh. Vhagar roared in pain, thrashing wildly as she tried to shake him off, but the Cannibal held fast, his grip unyielding. Blood spilled into the sky, dark and thick, as the two dragons locked in a deadly struggle.

But Syrax—Rhaenyra—I had to know if she was safe. My heart pounded in my chest, a frantic drumbeat against my ribs as I craned my neck, desperate to see through the swirling chaos of battle. The sky was a storm of fire and fury, and all I wanted was a glimpse of the golden dragon, of the woman who meant more to me than I had ever realized.

There! 

I saw her, battered but alive, Syrax spiraling downward, flames licking at her wings, but still in the air, still fighting. Relief flooded through me, a momentary breath of hope in the midst of the storm. But it was short-lived—this battle was far from over, and Vhagar was far from defeated.

Vhagar's roar of pain cut through the chaos like a knife, drawing my eyes back to the battle. The Cannibal had his jaws locked onto Vhagar's back, his teeth sinking deep into the ancient dragon's flesh. Vhagar thrashed wildly, trying to angle her massive head around to snap at the Cannibal, but her sheer size worked against her. She couldn't reach him. My heart leapt with a mix of shock and exhilaration.

"She's too big! She can't reach us!" I shouted, the realization hitting me like a bolt of lightning.

The Cannibal, sensing the advantage, pulled back his jaws and bit down even harder, his teeth grinding against Vhagar's ancient scales. Vhagar let out another agonized cry, her body jerking violently in the sky. I was thrown around like a rag doll, as the force of the battle tossed me about. The sky spun wildly around me, my world reduced to a blur of flames, claws, and smoke.

Finally, I managed to grab hold of the rope ladder, steadying myself against the Cannibal's side. But as I turned to face Vhagar, my breath caught in my throat. Aemond was staring right at me from his perch on Vhagar's back, his one good eye narrowing as if trying to figure out who I was. The intensity of his gaze sent a shiver down my spine.

"Dracarys, Vhagar!" Aemond's voice rang out, commanding and cold.

I didn't know much High Valyrian, but I knew that word. My eyes went wide with horror as Vhagar angled her massive head toward me, her jaws opening wide. I saw the glow of fire building in the back of her throat—a deadly inferno aimed directly at me.