"It occurs to me to point out," says Sherial, looking at Shell Bell, "that a warning to me about my Bondmate's possible corruption would be misplaced as a practical effort. The dragon is subordinate to the will of the Bonded. I and my magic are available to Lissa regardless of my personal choice."

"But Lissa is a nice Bondmate and she listens to you," says Tianthonet, shoulder-bumping Sherial again. "Because she's nice. There haven't been any Bonded who pushed their dragons around like that almost since Bisochim."