Page 31

Rows of dragons lined the sprawling fields.

Emerich’s sea of green was the first one to approach us. Ciaran’s midnight scales gleamed under the sun—and my heart stuttered, knowing Archer was nearby.

A few dragons circled the grounds for prey. Most lounged, waiting for their riders.

A senior student I’d never seen before made his way across the field, eyeing me down. He looked to be from an Autumn realm, bearing the same amber-colored eyes as Malachi. He wore a Serpent pin, and I assumed he was in the lead to claim the next heir.

“The pigeon fields are on the other side of the campus, Winter,” he said with a cocky grin.

A shadow flew above, and Naraic landed behind me with a growl, curling his snarled lip. He placed one claw protectively in front of my boot. “This is Skia,” I said. “My dragon. ”

The redhead jerked back, and his eyes darted between Naraic and me. From that beat of silence, I feared he knew who Naraic was. I didn’t imagine there were many white-scaled dragons in Verdonia, but he certainly was the only one at the Serpent Academy.

He scoffed, muttering as he walked toward Tydon, “That thing looks like a walking corpse.”

Archer appeared in a shadow beside Ciaran, leading her to the middle with a leather riding suit shrugged across his shoulder.

Malachi stood beside a lean, grey wyvern, and my heart sank seeing Astoria for the first time.

Horns trailed the beast’s slender neck. Her right eye was scarred, and the dragon looked like she’d survived a war and back, with patches of discolored and torn scales.

Archer threw some leathers at me. “Change,” he hissed low. “Your clothes will be shredded the moment you’re airborne.”

I glanced around, conscious of the dozens surrounding me. “In the middle of a field?”

Archer threw his arm up, and darkness swallowed me whole. I quickly shrugged off my uniform and slipped into the form-fitting leather suit and matching black jacket. Stepping out from the shadow, I adjusted to the weight of every eye turned in my direction.

Archer dropped the shield and addressed the crowd. “Normally, we don’t have riders joining us this late, but Severyn Blanche has bonded with Ciaran’s cousin, so I’ve made an exception. I hope you are all kind to her during her first session.”

Monty grinned, his gaze drifting over the leather suit that hugged every curve.

Damien’s eyes lingered on me, and I could feel his attention like a weight.

Knox mounted his dragon, a silver wyvern that could easily be a distant relative of Astoria.

Everett’s dragon was smaller, a burnt-orange scorpius-blade with piercing golden eyes .

Antonia arrived a moment later, Alaric beside her, his face pinched in a scowl. Jace followed a few steps behind, his shadow and starlight casting prisms around each leg.

Archer gestured to the crowd. “Everyone mount your dragons. Today, we’ll go over the basics and obstacle obstruction.”

A few groans rippled through the group. I knew Archer did this for me, but the intensity of the other riders’ glares still hit me hard. As I approached, Naraic bowed low, his body a crawl on the ground as I passed. I grazed my heel over a rib. “Sorry,” I whispered, struggling to lift my leg.

“Speak in your mind. We have an audience,” Naraic said through our bond.

Damien noticed my struggle. “Do you need a lift?” he asked.

Testing his abilities, I stared.

He raised a crooked brow, his lips marred by a slow smile. He placed his arms around my waist and lifted me. My leathers held Naraic’s scales more tightly than on our first flight. I balanced, wrapping my arms around his broad neck.

“Stay close to me,” Damien yelled as he approached Emerich.

Archer took the lead, and Ciaran’s black wings spread wide, staining the clouds with a smudge of darkness. Naraic clawed at the grass before beating his wings and taking off after Ciaran.

Further down the field, metal poles struck through the ground with large circular obstacles. Emerich skimmed through three of them with a twist of his wings. Naraic followed suit, ripping us through two.

“He’s fast. You should try out for the Skyfall race in a few weeks,” Damien’s voice echoed through the mulched sky.

The wind smacked my face. “What exactly is the Skyfall race?” I asked, wing-to-wing. “I don’t feel very welcome here.”

“It’s a dragon race through every trail and realm. You get your portrait on the wall of legacies, not to mention points at the Serpent Bid. And about the red-head. Forget him. He’s only pissed Malachi will claim his leader spot at the bid.”

“Do I dare ask what a Serpent Bid is?”

“Yeah, the Serpents bid on who they want to earn the title. It also sorts the lead of each sector. Some say the more bids you get, the more likely you’ll become a Serpent. It’s bartering across the land—think of it like a lottery.”

We went through another hoop. “That sounds barbaric—” Naraic took a sharp right turn, narrowly swinging me off. I caught my breath, finishing my sentence, “So, the Serpents choose the heir?”

“Not exactly. The Serpents bid on the leading six for the final trial.” Damien grinned, pointing to the horizon. “Follow me.”

Naraic grunted, and I tightened my thighs in assurance as we followed Damien over the sprawling mossed peaks.

Naraic flattened his wings as we dove over the mountain and flew above the sea.

The grey water seemed to stretch forever, and I felt small on this island, knowing Winter brewed in Frozen Valleys and Summer’s belch was a hot wince compared to me.

Naraic clawed the water with a single nail, misting my boots. “It’s breathtaking,” I said. The whooshed flame in my guts simmered, still tingling in my clenched fingers.

“Wait until we’re no longer in the academy, and you have your entire life to fly anywhere in Verdonia. When I looked at you, I knew you weren’t a griffin rider.”

“And dragon riders have a certain look to them?” I asked.

“You are a natural rider. Most first-years wouldn’t dare fly this far from the fields. Your mind is… chaotically the most peaceful thoughts I’ve ever heard.”

“How can something be chaotic and peaceful?”

“You never gave up when most would.”

I stared off distantly, unsure how to respond to that .

Naraic was in my head again . “Do I have permission to show off? I can do a backflip.”

“I don’t think I can hold on.”

“We have lots of time to practice before the Skyfall race.”

“Did you… want to do the race?” Naraic veered left, back to the field.

“I never got the chance before.”

My heart strummed a half-beat in my chest. “ Okay, we can do it. But let’s avoid flips until I can get on you without help.”

“Fine.”

Naraic looped through three obstacles, up and down. My stomach whirled before he descended, carefully coming to a gallop before Ciaran. “I said no flips,” I seethed at Naraic.

“It was only a test. Now the Lynch won’t think you’re weak.”

Archer nodded, shielding a flat hand over his eyes from the sun. “Good job, Blanche.” His voice hinted with humor. “But it’s not very formal to be lifted onto your dragon. Perhaps Damien Lynch should keep his hands to himself.”

I ignored the last part, wiping my brow. “How do I sign up for the Skyfall race?”

Archer pursed his lips together, and that humor dimmed. “No,” he said.

“I wasn’t asking for permission,” I scoffed.

“Your dragon is far too weak for the Skyfall competition.”

Ciaran huffed. “I think Ciaran would disagree.”

He eyed Ciaran down. “I told you she was not ready.”

“But I am ready. I just need some training, and Skia wants to,” I hissed. “You said I’m a natural rider.”

“As your Serpent, I forbid you.” He crossed his arms over his broad chest, and we began a staring game. Eyes of silver held me hostage—until shouting started across the field.

Archer brushed past me, his words causing my throat to tighten. “Someone has fallen. ”

A split second of fear came when I turned around to see the auburn hair of the male ly, stilled, as his legs jutted in an unnatural direction.

Everett.

Knox approached the bloodied figure. Then, a distant wail sounded.

I couldn’t stop the all-consuming grief.

I ran toward Knox, ripping his thrashing hands away from Everett’s broken body.

Death, as slow and quick as it could be, knew no bounds, knew how to shake the mountains, and within a second could seize the hearts of not one, but any who bear witness.

Damien widened his eyes and pressed his finger against Everett’s pulse. “He lost his balance and fell.”

Monty shook his head. “Always a shame when an experienced rider falls. One less to claim the title.” He swayed his eyes over the surrounding Day students, including Knox.

His scorpius-blade cried a mournful hum, her head slumping over Everett’s body. I dragged Knox away from Everett. “It’s okay, Knox. Everything will be okay,” I shushed, wrapping my arms around his neck.

Someone behind us said, “Who will be the new Day student leader?”

Knox paled, his chin trembling as he faced me. “You don’t understand, Sev. I—I cared about him… I wanted more time! I deserved more time.”

My throat tightened, tears streaming down my cheeks. I had no words of comfort. “I’m sorry, Knox.”

He shoved my reaching hand away. “I want to be alone.”

Archer threw a shield of shadow around Everett’s body, his eyes slightly glazed as he commanded, “Class is over. Get back to your dorms. Now.”

The crowd of riders began to disappear back to the castle, whispering amongst themselves. Even Monty didn’t stay for his own student .

Antonia’s fingers twitched as she stood pale-faced toward Archer. “Sir…”

A shadow shoved her across the field. “Antonia, leave.”

Damien motioned with two fingers as he called my name.

I crept through the shield of shadows as Damien spoke to Archer. “Should we send a letter home to his parents?” I asked, trying my best not to throw up as I stared at the blood-soaked fields. Everett’s neck was broken, and his arms were pinned unnaturally back.

Damien glanced at Archer, hesitating. “I don’t think that will be necessary.”

“He deserves a proper burial,” I cried. “He deserves to be mourned!”

Damien crouched, his voice lowering. “Myla was dead on the beach. You brought a dead dragon back from the grave after two years. You can save him.”

Archer clenched his jaw. “You can’t be serious. It’s… unnatural.”

I shook my head. “I can’t… I’m not doing that.”

Damien huffed. “Your mother played God during her time here. Perhaps this is nature correcting itself by giving the daughter of death herself the ability to heal. There’s only one way to find out.” His eyes traced the caked blood crusted on Everett’s ear, his parted blue lips, and his golden eyes.

He gripped my wrist, dragging me down. “Sev. Let’s try. Knox won’t recover from this. I read his mind.”

I nodded as I sank to my heels. “What if it doesn’t work?” I whispered.

“Then he’s dead,” said Damien.

I pressed my hands against the grit of Everett’s cheeks like I’d done with Myla. Knox lost his brother. I didn’t want him to lose the idea of love. I wanted Knox to be happy .

We all waited, hovering around Everett as if we’d see that first thump of his chest. I fell back, staring at Damien. “My mother’s quell may have been dark and willed death, but I am not the light.”

Everett heaved forward, his palm flat across his chest. “Holy shit.” The color drained back into his cheeks as he ran a hand through his blood- and dirt-caked hair. “What happened?”

“You fell off Iridis,” said Archer, placing his palm on Everett’s chest. “You broke a few bones—it’s best not to make sudden movements until the healer can look at you.”

Archer met my gaze. Fear—or something—stared back, but I couldn’t miss the hint of disgust in his curled lips as he helped Everett up.

Wind slashed through the shield of shadow, and in stepped Malachi. “Don’t worry, I’ll take him to the infirmary,” she said. “Sev, make sure you’re home tonight. We have a lot to discuss.”

Damien helped me off the ground, brushing a flake of blood off my thumb. “You are the light, Severyn.”

I nodded. Ropes of flame withered around my guts. I saw Archer’s slight curl of his outstretched fingers as shadows simmered my burn. He seemed to be the only one aware of the nausea roiling inside me.

Archer whispered, “Not a word of this to anyone, not even Knox. Malachi can listen through the wind, so there’s no point in keeping it from her.”

I leaned against Damien. “They’re going to strip me of my quell,” I cried. “Professor Cain suspects something dark in me.”

Archer rolled his shoulders. “Just lay low for now. Training for Skyfall will only draw unwanted attention to you. If the professor suspected your forbidden quell, he would have told the headmaster by now. The healers are a bandage compared to you.”

My head began to whirl. “I need sleep.”

Damien exhaled. “I’ll walk you home.”