Chapter 30

Kaan Vaegor, the Burn King, rescues Rialen from Rygun's mouth mid-flight to Gondragh. After freeing her from her bonds in the Boltanic Plains, he forces her onto his dragon to fly to Dhomm, the capital of The Burn, despite her resistance and lingering murderous intentions toward him.

Rialen awakens inside Rygun the Sabersythe's mouth, convinced she is being transported to Gondragh to be fed to hatchlings. During the flight, she sings to calm herself and mentally prepares for death. The dragon suddenly plummets and ejects her onto sand, where she crashes and vomits, only to discover Kaan Vaegor standing over her. Though she threatens to kill him, Kaan explains he extracted her to avoid leaving the Guild of Nobles unsatisfied and to prevent further bloodshed of her clan. He refuses to release her immediately, citing her infection, hunger, and lack of weapons. He demonstrates the infection by probing her festering shoulder wound, causing her pain. Kaan provides his cloak for sun protection and methodically breaks her chains and shackles, binding her wrists with rope instead. He carries her to Rygun's back and hoists them both onto the dragon's saddle. During a charged moment straddling his lap, Rialen counts down as instructed and repositions herself facing forward between his legs. Kaan lifts her into a more comfortable position flush against him and commands Rygun toward Dhomm. As they launch skyward, Rialen experiences an unexpected moment of exhilaration despite her captivity, admitting to Kaan that she is okay.