At least Aufidius had turned away from Ajax and that damned nuisance of a beast. Hyperia did not want to spill blood. She would be penalized and she could not accept that, not now. Not after all she’d accomplished. Instead, she leaned into the wind, narrowing her eyes as she gazed over Aufidius’s golden shoulder. The little dot of Vespir and Karina grew in size as they came into sight of the mainland.

“You didn’t have to attack the boy like that,” she whispered, almost certain Aufidius couldn’t hear her through the rush of the wind. “I ordered you to move on. There is no honor in attacking a defeated creature.”

Beneath her, Aufidius growled. He shook her to her bones, and she clung to his saddle, half-certain he’d chuck her into the ocean if she disrespected him again.

What a monster. How proud she was to ride such a beast.

If that servant had any common sense, she’d let the Hydra pass without incident. Hyperia had a grudging respect for Vespir’s attempt at taking the lead. She’d been clever enough to understand that she could accomplish nothing at the dracomachia. She’d tried to win this Race, Hyperia would give her that. The servant girl had tried her best.

But Vespir’s best would never be Hyperia’s.

As Aufidius came up on Karina’s tail, Hyperia felt his sides growing hotter beneath her legs. Her pulse stalled. No. No, he didn’t need to fire upon them.

“Aufidius. Stop!” she cried.

But of course, her dragon would not be ruled.

Hyperia cried out as Vespir glanced over her shoulder at the coming onslaught. Vespir’s eyes widened, the wind ruffling her black hair. The servant shouted something at her own mount, and Karina dove out of the way as Aufidius unleashed a fireball. It did not strike the girl, and Hyperia closed her eyes in relief as they surpassed Vespir, taking the lead.

Hyperia would win now, and Vespir would take second place. That was admirable, after all. Not a win, not worthy of a crown, but enough that Vespir would meet her death with pride.

A noble death was all that people like Vespir could hope for, and, Hyperia thought as Aufidius winged his way toward Dragonspire and victory, it was something that she would happily grant the servant girl when the time came.