Only men are allowed to become Dragon Riders.
Too bad I'm not a man.
When my twin brother dies before he can claim his place at the Drake Academy, I do the only thing I can. I cut off my hair, bind my breasts, steal his name...and take his place. If anyone discovers I'm really Aurora Lysandra instead of "Auri" Lysander, I'll lose everything?including my chance to bond with a dragon.
As if pretending to be a boy wasn't difficult enough, my Wing Leader, Ryse Skoren, keeps making my life even harder. He's the most feared Rider in the Academy, rumored to have dragon blood in his veins, and he's determined to whip me into shape. Every morning he drags me out to train before dawn. Every evening he makes sure I eat every bite of the Academy's famous Dragon Custard. He watches over me, protects me...and somehow manages to make me feel safer than I've ever felt in my life.
There's just one problem.
Ryse thinks I'm a boy...and he doesn't understand why he feels so possessive of me.
But while I'm struggling to keep my secret, something ancient is awakening beneath the mountains. The dragons are growing restless. The Madlings?nightmarish creatures thought to have vanished centuries ago?are stirring once more. And a forgotten golden egg has begun calling my name. If I answer its call, my carefully guarded secret won't be the only thing revealed...
Because some dragons were never meant to be ridden?they were born to rule.
And only a Queen can lead them out of the darkness.
