A slave's escape

"Astrid! How did you do that?" Tamara shouts with her eyes still closed. She opened them when they fell on Aine's back, but she closed them again when she realized she was flying through the clouds.

"Long story." Astrid answers. She wants to tell Tamara everything, but right now... the feeling of freedom she has as the wind caresses her hair at the top of the world. It's addictive.

She remembers the faces of the concubines when she jumped over the balcony, pulling everyone after her. The shocks, the relief. They were scared to hurt the princess. They hoped Tamara wouldn't oppose when they realized they were wrong, they panicked. When Astrid jumped, they must have thought she decided to kill herself and take everyone that could stand witness against them with her. No blood on their hands, no one remaining to accuse them.

Until they saw the dragon. The shadow of Aine's huge body swiped through the sky so fast, that no one was able to comprehend what was happening. When they finally did,