and took a few steps back.
‘Doing business with you is a pure pleasure,’ said Horvater cheerfully. ‘Bess belongs to you, young master; I hope he will serve you well.’ He bowed and took his leave, only to return immediately to supervising the loading.
‘So what now?’ James looked after the merchant, then at the Hunters, and finally at the beast. ‘You’re just going to try it, like that?’
‘Yes, just like that,’ he said and moved towards the creature with pitch-black fur.
Draco crossed the short distance separating him from the bess, never taking his eyes off its red eyes. The beast raised himself to a sitting position, watching the reptile’s every move intently. When the dragon stood before the creature, still not taking his gaze off its mesmerising eyes, he bowed slightly. Bess remained motionless for a moment, then returned the gesture. The beast snorted briefly, leaned in even closer and pressed its forehead against the boy’s chest. Draco felt a warmth that was more than just a sensation of temperature.
The dragon smiled radiantly, sensing the beast’s intention. He had been accepted. From now on, he was a rider. With joy, he placed his hand on bess’s head and stroked the iridescent, soft fur. It was an extraordinary sensation.
‘Your name will be Fenrir,’ Draco declared with conviction. Bess looked up at him, raised his head and began to lick the dragon’s face in a friendly manner. ‘Stop it, Fen,’ the dragon laughed.
