I know some times as a Duke I need to do things in the best interest of my people, like the arranged marriage between Xaden and Cat. But I don't think I'll ever be able to do something like that to Raya. I see how her face lights up when she's around Liam and I can't help but want her to end up with him… or at least someone like him.
-Recovered Correspondence from Duke Fen Riorson to Colonel Mairi
My dagger flies out of my hand, landing in the unbounded cadets arm. I blink. Violet isn't there anymore, she's beside me. But there's no possible way for her to have gotten there in seconds. She was just pinned across the room!
I turn to look at her, Xaden is now filling up the doorway. His eyes snap to Violet's then mine, he looks at everyone else in the room, one dead cadet, four injured. "You're all fucking dead." Xaden's eerily calm.
"Riorson!" A dagger clatters to the floor.
"You think surrendering will save you? It's against the code to attack another rider in their sleep."
"But you know he never should have bonded her!" The cadet argues, "You of all people have reason enough to want the weakling dead. We're just correcting a mistake."
"Your mother giving birth to you was a mistake. Not Tairn choosing Violet." I snap.
Without letting anyone try to defend themselves, Xaden's shadows grab them by the throat, constricting until they don't move anymore.
When the last cadet hits the floor, footsteps are heard from the hall. "Damn Xaden." Garrick says, looking at the dead cadets, "No time for questioning?"
"No need for it." Xaden says, he nods at me, "Raya killed one before I even got here." I nod at Garrick just as Bodhi enters. He also does a quick sweep of the room.
A laugh bubbles out of Violet, we all turn to look at her. I place a gentle hand on her arm, "It's the shock." I whisper to her.
Bodhi sighs, rubbing the back of his neck, "Let me guess… we're on clean up duty?"
Xaden nods, "Call in help if you need it." He turns to me, "Thanks for the help, but go back to your room. I don't want you involved any further."
I narrow my eyes, "Like hell! Violet's my friend and she was just attacked! I'm going to be there for her!"
Xaden's eyes narrow but before he can argue, Violet speaks up, "Let her stay, please." She gently grabs my arm. Xaden sighs but nods, seeing that Violet clearly needs the comfort. "I'm alive." Violet mumbles.
"Yes, you're alive." Xaden confirms. Stepping over a body and retrieving mine and Violet's daggers. Garrick and Bodhi haul out the first body.
"I didn't realize I said the out loud." Violet replies, she's shaking, glancing around her room. Xaden opens her armoire. He takes out her cloak and boots.
"Like I said, it's the shock." I tell her, gently rubbing her shoulder.
"Are you hurt? Either of you?" Xaden asks.
"I'm okay." I answer, looking at Violet.
Violet takes a shaky breath but doesn't answer, "Come on, Violence." Xaden says, folding Violet's cloak over his arm and dropping her boots to the floor, "Pull your shit together and tell me where you're hurt."
She hesitates, "It's okay, Violet. You're safe now. You can tell us." I reassure her.
Xaden's fingers lift up Violet's chin, making her look at him, "You're breathing like crap, so I'm guessing it has to do with-"
"My ribs." Violet finishes. "The one by the bed hit the side of my ribs with the sword, but I think they're just bruised."
"Must have been a dull sword." Xaden replies, cocking an eyebrow. "Unless it has something to do with why you sleep in your leather vest."
Violet's eyes glance at me, "You never told him?"
I shake my head, "Of course I didn't. It's not my secret to tell. I wasn't going to break your trust."
Her lips form a small smile before her gaze flickers back to Xaden, "It's dragon scale. Mira made it for me. It's why I've lived this long."
Xaden glances at the armor, "Ingenious, though I'd say there are multiple reasons for why you've made it this far."
I snort, "Me too. But Violet here is oblivious to her brilliance."
Violet rolls her eyes. Xaden's eyes flicker to the bruise marks on Violet's neck, he then looks towards the cadet that made them, "I should have killed him slower."
"I'm fine." Violet says.
Xaden's eyes snap towards Violet, "Never lie to me."
Violet frowns, glancing at me, before admitting, "It hurts."
"Let me see."
Violet opens then closes her mouth, "Is that a request or a demand?"
"Your pick as long as I get to see if that fucker broke your ribs." Xaden pauses, "At least let Raya take a look if you don't want me to."
Garrick and Bodhi step through the door, Masen and Ciaran behind them. "Take those two, and we'll get the last ones." Garrick tells them. They get to work, carrying the last of the bodies through the door.
"Thank you," Xaden says, he flicks his wrist and the door shuts. "Now let one of us check your ribs."
Violet swallows but nods. She doesn't specify if she wants me to look so Xaden steps closer when Violet turns her back to us. She shrugs out of her night dress, holding the material over her chest. "You'll have to-"
"I know how to handle a corset." Xaden says, he gently moves her hair over her shoulder. Xaden's fingers loosen the laces of the corset. "How the hell do you get yourself into this thing every morning?"
"I'm freakishly flexible. It's part of the whole bones-snapping, joints-tearing thing." I watch as Violet and Xaden's eyes meet.
I swallow back a laugh, "Should I leave you two alone?" Violet's eyes widen, a blush creeping up her face. Xaden glares, loosening the last lace. I hold my hands up, "Sorry, not a joking time."
Xaden shakes his head, he gently runs his finger over Violet's bruising ribs, "You have one hell of a bruise, but I don't think they're broken."
"Yeah," Violet says, "That's what I thought. Thank you for checking." Xaden laces Violet back up.
"You'll live. Turn around." She does, tugging her night dress back over her shoulders. Xaden drops to his knees, reaching for Violet's boots. It reminds me of Liam kneeling before me to put my boots back on at parapet and I can't help but smile at the thought.
"You're going to have to walk through the pain, and we have to do it fast. Can you lift it up?" Violet nods, lifting her foot. He puts her boots on for her, one after the other.
When he stands back up he looks at me then turns back to Violet, "Can Raya go back to her room now or did you want her to stay?"
Violet glances at me, she opens her mouth then closes it again. "I'll do whichever you want. I'm here for you if you need me." I say.
Violet's eyes glisten but she blinks quickly, stopping any tears from falling, "Go back to bed. I'm okay now. Or at least I will be."
I nod. I glance at Xaden, reaching out to gently squeeze his arm. "I'll see you both in the morning." I turn to walk out the door. Heading back to my room.
"Good work, Night Orchid." Nyx says. "Now get some rest."
*_*_*_*_*
The next morning at formation, Violet stands next to me, whispering. "You need to have a conversation with Aether, it's important."
I narrow my eyes in confusion but nod, "And maybe bring Garrick. He should know too." Violet continues.
"Garrick? Why does he need to know about Aether?" I ask.
"He's bonded with you because of Nyx. He needs to know about Aether, he'll find out at some point. Might as well be with you."
"Did Andarna say something last night? You went to see the dragons, right?"
Violet nods, glancing around but no one is listening to us, they're focused on Captain Fitzgibbons, "We did. & she told me some things… about feathertails. You need to know too."
I nod in understanding, "Aether? Can I come see you at lunch?" I don't specify what for, I know he knows everything that happens with me, he knows what he needs to tell me.
"Of course! Nyx will be there too!" Aether replies.
"I'll tell Chradh to tell his rider." Nyx says.
"Thank you." I reply.
Fitzgibbons reads off the last name, "We commend their souls to Malek." Six of the eight names on the list were the unbounded cadets that attacked Violet. The other two were third years, killed on a training operation near the Braevick boarder.
"I can't believe they tried to kill you while you were sleeping," Rhiannon says. She's still seething from when Violet told the squad what happened at breakfast.
"Even worse, I think I'm getting used to it." Violet replies. Captain Fitzgibbons is making some minor announcements. I don't bother paying attention.
Xaden is striding past the formation, stopping in front of Dain. "There's a change to your squad roll."
"Wingleader?" Dain asks, confusion evident in his voice. "We just absorbed four from the dissolution of the third squad."
"Yes." Xaden agrees, he turns to at Second Squad, Tail Section and I know exactly what he's doing. "Belden, we're making a roll change."
"Yes, sir." Belden nods once.
"Aetos, Vaughn Penley will be leaving your command, and you'll be gaining Liam Mairi from Tail Section." I can't help but smile.
Dain's mouth snaps shut, and he nods. The two first years switch spots, Liam nods at Xaden as he passes, standing in line behind Violet.
"I do not need a body guard," Violet snaps. I bite my lip to stop my smile from growing. Poor Violet, that is absolutely not going to work.
Xaden ignores her, focusing on Dain, "Liam is statistically the strongest first year in the quadrant."
"Actually that would technically be me." I pipe up.
Xaden sends me a quick glare before turning his attention back to Dain, "He has the fastest time up the Gauntlet, only lost one challenge, and is bonded to an exceptionally strong Red Daggertail. Any squad would be lucky to have him, and he's all yours, Aetos. You can thank me when you win the Squad battle in the spring."
"I. Do. Not. Need. A. Bodyguard." Violet repeats, louder this time.
One of the first years behind us gasps. Imogen snorts, "Good luck with that approach." I giggle, no longer able to stop myself. I quickly place my hand over my lips to quiet the sound.
Xaden walks past Dain, standing directly in front of Violet. "You do, though, as we both learned last night. And I can't be everywhere you are. But Liam here-" he points at my best friend, "he's a first year, so he can be in every class, at every challenge, and I even had him assigned to library duty, so I hope you get used to him, Sorrengail."
"Raya was already there for me, and you're overstepping." Violet snaps.
"You haven't begun to see me overstepping. And good thing Raya was there. Now you have two of the top cadets in your year watching your back." His voice drops, "Any threat against you is a threat against me, and as we've already established, I have more important things to do than sleep on your floor."
Violet's face heats, "He is not sleeping in my room."
"Of course not," Xaden agrees, smirking, "I had him moved into the one next to yours. Wouldn't want to overstep." He turns around, walking to the front of the formation.
"Fucking mated dragons." Dain mutters, keeping his eyes forward.
Once Fitzgibbons finishes his announcements, he steps to the side allowing Commandment Panchek to step towards the dais.
"What's going on with Panchek?" Rhiannon asks.
"Not sure." Violet says. But I do, it's about her. There's no way Xaden was going to let this just slide.
"It has to be something big if he's fumbling with the Codex up there," Rhiannon says.
"Quiet." Dain snaps. He glances over his shoulder, looking at us for the first time. He does a double take, noticing the marks on Violet, "Vi?"
"I'm fine." Violet reassures. Dain continues to stare, "Squad Leader Aetos, people are staring." She waits for him to react but he doesn't, "Dain!"
He blinks, clearing his throat, "Is that what Riorson meant by last night?" Violet nods. "I didn't know. Why didn't you tell me?"
"I'm fine." Violet says again, "Later." She nods towards the dais, causing Dain to turn back around.
"It has been brought to my attention as your commandant that a breach of the Codex has occurred." Panchek starts. "As you know, breaches of our most sacred laws are not to be tolerated. This matter will be addressed here and now. Will the accuser please step forward."
"Someone's in trouble," Rhiannon whispers, "Think Ridoc finally got caught in Tyvon Varen's bed?"
I snort as Ridoc answers, "That's hardly against the Codex."
"He's the executive officer for second wing," Violet says, sending Ridoc a pointed look.
"And?" I say, "It's still not against the Codex. I say get it, Ridoc."
Violet sighs, "I miss sex."
I hum, a smirk on my face, "I know someone who might be interested."
Ridoc talks before Violet can ask who, "If you're looking for a little fun, I'm happy to oblige-" He winks, brushing his hair off his forehead.
"I miss good sex." Violet counters. "Besides, apparently your spoken for."
"We're not exclusive," Ridoc says, "It's like Rhiannon and what's-her-name…"
"Tara," Rhiannon replies.
"Will you all shut the hell up?" Dain scolds.
I bite my lip to stop my smile, I love pushing Dain's buttons. "Of course you do. Never one for authority." Nyx chortles.
"I can't help that it's funny when he gets angry."
Xaden is walking up towards the dais, "This is about me." Violet whispers. Dain glances back at her with confusion.
"Early this morning," Xaden begins, "A rider in my wing was brutally, illegally attacked in her sleep with the intent of murder by a group primarily composed of unboundeds."
Murmurs fill the air, "As we all know, this is a violation of Article Three, Section Two of the Dragon Rider's Codex and, in addition to being dishonorable, is a capital offense."
"Having been alerted by my dragon, I interrupted the attack along with two other Fourth Wing riders." He pauses, dipping his chin toward Garrick and Bodhi, who step up beside him on the dais. "My sister, Raya, another Fourth Wing rider, was also alerted of the attack by her dragons, she made it to the room first killing one of the attackers."
There's a brief pause before Xaden continues, "As it was a matter of life or death, I personally executed the other five would-be murderers, as witnessed by Flame Section Leader Garrick Tavis and Tail Section Executive Officer Bodhi Durran."
"All Tyrs. How convenient," Nadine, a new addition to the squad, sneers. I roll my eyes, but continue to face forward.
"But the attack was orchestrated by a rider who fled the scene before I arrived," Xaden's voice raises, "A rider who had access to the map of where all first years are assigned to sleep, and that rider must be brought to swift justice."
Another pause, "I call you to answer for your crime against Cadet Sorrengail," Xaden's gaze shifts to the center of the formation, "Wingleader Amber Mavis."
"What the hell?" Dain asks.
"She's a Tyr, too, Nadine," Ridoc says over his shoulder, "Or are you only biased against marked ones?"
Nadine keeps her mouth shut. Dain shakes his head, "Amber would never. A Wingleader would never." He turns to completely face Violet, "Get up there and tell everyone that he's lying, Violet."
"But he's not." Violet replies.
"It's impossible." Dain argues.
"I was there Dain."
"Wingleaders are beyond reproach-"
Violet cuts him off, "Then why are you so quick to call our own wingleader a liar?"
Amber steps forward, "I have committed no such crime!"
"Of course she would try and deny it." I whisper.
"See?" Dain says, ignoring my comment and pointing at Mavis. "Put a stop to this right now, Violet."
"She was with them in my room." Violet states.
"That's impossible." Dain continues to argue, he steps forward, lifting his hands.
My eyes flare in anger, I step in between him and Violet, "That is you best friend. Don't you dare disrespect her by trying to force her to share her memories." I hiss, quiet enough that only Dain and Violet hear my words.
Dain blinks, his hands dropping back to his sides, "How do you-?"
I don't allow him to finish the question, "It doesn't matter, get away from her. Because if you try to touch her without her permission it will be me you'll have to get through and I can promise you, you will not want to deal with me when I'm angry, Squad Leader."
Dain's jaw clenches, behind him Xaden speaks once more, "Wingleaders, we need a quorum." Dain look over his shoulder at the dais where the rest of the wingleaders gather. Dain moves away from Violet and I, shoulders tensed.
Wing beats are heard above us as the wingleaders gather to talk. One by one each of the wingleaders dragons land on the wall, Tairn is with them and so is Panchek's Green Clubtail.
"Shit's about to get real," Sawyer says. He breaks formation to stand at Violet's side.
"You can stop this all right now, Violet." Dain says, "I don't know what you saw last night, but it wasn't Amber. She cares too much about the rules to break them."
I shake my head, Dain needs to shut his fucking mouth before I shut it for him. "Don't do anything rash, he'll know the truth soon enough." Nyx says.
"You're using this to get your revenge on my family!" Amber yells at Xaden. I roll my eyes. "For not supporting your father's rebellion!"
My jaw ticks, but I give no other reaction. In a matter of minutes she'll be dead, she's just just talking out of her ass to try and save herself. Xaden doesn't acknowledge her, he continues his conversation with the other wingleaders.
A scene flashes before my eyes, Amber making eye contact with Violet then dashing out of her room once she realizes she's caught. "That spineless wretch," Rhiannon seethes. Everyone in the quadrant saw what Amber did last night.
Dain pales, "Believe me now?" Violet asks him, "You're supposed to be my oldest friend, Dain. My best friend. There's a reason I didn't tell you."
He staggers backwards like he was slapped. "The wingleaders have formed a quorum and are in unanimous agreement," Xaden says, he's flanked by Nyra and Septon, "We find you guilty, Amber Mavis."
"No!" She shouts, "It is no crime to rid the quadrant of the weakest rider! I did it to protect the integrity of the wings!" She paces, looking for anyone to help.
As a whole, the formation moves back, away from the wingleader. "And as is our law, your sentence will be carried out by fire," Nyra states.
"No!" Amber looks at her dragon, "Claidh!"
Her Orange Daggertail snarls at the other dragons. Tairn swivels his head, snapping at the smaller dragon, causing Claidh to cower.
I hear Violet whisper, "Please don't." I instinctively grab her hand. I don't feel bad for Amber, she deserves to die after what she did, but I understand that Violet needs comfort in this moment, so I'll provide that to the best of my ability. She turns to Xaden, begging, "Please give her a chance."
Xaden holds her gaze but doesn't say anything. "Claidh," Amber whimpers, looking at her dragon. The formation splits down the middle, leaving Amber standing on her own.
Tairn leans low, extending his neck and head. He opens his mouth wide, flames erupt from his mouth. Claidh screams, everyone's hands fly to their ears, trying to block out the sound of the Orange dragon mourning.
*_*_*_*_*
After morning classes when the rest of the squad starts heading towards the dining hall, I break off from the group, heading towards the flight field. "Where are you going?" Liam calls after me.
I look back, seeing the squad watching me. "I'm meeting Garrick. We need to speak with our dragons."
"Will you make it back for lunch?" Sawyer asks.
I shrug, "I don't know how long it's going to take. Don't worry about me though, skipping one meal isn't a big deal."
"I'll sneak something out for you if you don't make it."
I smile, "Thanks." I turn, walking away from the group, "Garrick is meeting me, right?" I ask my dragons, but before they respond I see the tall rider waiting in the courtyard.
"Smiley." Garrick greets, he wraps an arm around my shoulders when I get closer, "So why do we need to talk with our dragons? Chradh wouldn't tell me anything."
"Beats me. Violet said that Andarna told her and Xaden something about feathertails last night. Said I should talk to Aether about it and bring you."
Garrick shakes his head, "I can't believe they stooped that low. Attacking her in her sleep."
I scoff, "Honestly, I'm not surprised. There's so many people in this godsforsaken college that would do anything to bond, especially a dragon as powerful as Tairn."
"I'm just happy it wasn't you." Garrick cringes, "That sounds like I don't care that it was Violet which isn't true…"
I smile, "It's okay, Gar. I know what you meant." We're just approaching the flight field, the three dragons standing next to each other. Aether bounds forward, I run towards him, stepping out from under Garrick's arm.
Aether and I meet in the middle, he nudges me with his head, making a sound like a purr. "Hi, baby." I say, giving him a kiss on his nose.
"Hi Raya!" He replies, keeping his head nuzzled against me. Nyx and Chradh approach from behind Aether. Garrick walks closer as well.
"So, what's so important about feathertails?" I ask, looking between Aether and Nyx.
Aether looks at Nyx, they exchange words between each other before Aether turns back to me, "I'll start with the least important… Andarna and I are twins."
"Andarna and you are twins… that makes sense I guess? I mean I figured you guys were about the same age anyways." I shrug.
"That can't be the only reason they wanted to talk with us." Garrick says, brows knitted together.
Nyx growls, low and deep. "Pretty sure that means patience." I smirk at him.
Garrick holds his hands out, "Sorry."
"Feathertails are adolescents." Nyx says.
My mouth opens in shock, "He's a baby?" Garrick asks. My head snaps to him. Chradh must have told him.
"Not a baby." Aether replies. "Just young. I'm two."
I turn towards Garrick, he's waiting for a response, "He said he's two."
A new male voice enters my head, its deep, almost like a growl, "Dragons age differently from humans. We age faster. Though feathertails usually don't bond."
I open and close my mouth, "Did Chradh just talk to me?"
I ask Garrick but Chradh is the one who replies, "Yes, child. Just like Nyx can talk with Garrick."
Garrick shrugs, "It's part of the mated bonds, why we're connected too." I nod.
"So if feathertails usually don't bond, how come Aether and Andarna did?" I ask.
"And why don't they usually bond?" Garrick adds.
"Andarna and I trusted you and Violet. We know that you would never do anything to hurt us. You would never abuse our power." Aether says.
I look towards Garrick who is waiting for an answer, so I repeat what Aether said. "What do you mean your power? It's different from adult dragons?"
"Yes. I can give you my power directly. The power usually goes away once we reach adulthood but when we're feathertails, if we bond, we can easily be drained of that power."
Once again I repeat what was said to Garrick, "So it's different than a signet?" Garrick questions.
"A signet is the magic manifested through our power together, as dragon and rider." Nyx says.
"As a feathertail, there is no signet. It's just pure magic given directly to the rider." Chradh adds.
"Which is why feathertails can be easily drained if they bond." I state.
"But I know you would never do that. I trust you." Aether says, resting his head on his paws.
"Of course I wouldn't." I confirm.
"You both let a baby-" Aether shows his teeth, "Sorry. A two year old, bond?" Garrick asks, disbelief clear on his face.
"You act like Aether and Andarna are ours." Nyx snaps, "They're parents died, they're orphans. No one controls the twins, even though sometimes we wish we could."
"The most we do is guide them. They listen when they want." Chradh says.
"So what's yours and Andarna's power? I'm guessing Andarna used hers last night. There was this moment…" I trail off shaking my head, not sure how to describe it.
"It's not my place to tell you Andarna's but I can reverse time." Aether holds his head up with pride.
"Reverse time?" I ask in shock.
"Yes. Just about 5 minutes previously."
"Oh. No big deal then." I say casually, trying to wrap my head around this power. Garrick looks confused so I tell him what he said. "Gods, no wonder feathertails usually don't bond. If the higher ups found out about this…" I shake my head.
"That's why you both can't tell anyone. Don't even talk to Violet and Xaden about this. They already know what they need too. No need to discuss it more." Nyx warns, swiveling her head to look between me and Garrick. We both nod. "We'll see you later, you're going to be late for class."
Aether gently nudges me one more time, then backs away, launching himself into the air. Nyx and Chradh follow.
"Well that was a lot." Garrick mumbles, he throws his arm back over my shoulders, "Let's go, Smiley."
*_*_*_*_*
During dinner the whole squad sat together, bombarding Liam with questions. "Do you have any embarrassing stories of Raya when she was younger?" Ridoc asks, grinning.
I roll my eyes, "Can't have embarrassing stories when I never get embarrassed."
Liam smiles, "Exactly. Nothing phases Raya."
"Well you must have some interesting stories." Violet says.
Liam and I exchange a look, "Raya loves dancing and singing, the amount of times I've walked in on her having dance parties in her room." He shakes his head, a small smile on his face.
"Is she any good?" Quinn asks.
"Yes," Violet and Rhiannon answer in unison.
"Well, she's good at singing, we don't know about the dancing." Violet adds.
"How do you know that?" Sawyer asks.
"She sings in the shower." Rhiannon shrugs.
"I perform in the shower, thank you very much." I correct.
"She's good at dancing too, she was required to learn ballroom dancing when she was younger." Imogen says.
The group turns to look at me, "You were?" Violet questions.
I nod, "I was in line to be a duchess. I had to learn all types of etiquette, dances, how to play instruments. I hated the etiquette classes but the dancing and instruments were fun."
"She always said she was born to be a rider not a lady." Liam adds, laughing.
"Liam is a good dancer too. I used to beg him to be my dance partner during lessons. I hated working with the other kids when he wasn't there."
"I hated it, the only reason I started doing them was because when we were 10 and the lessons started Raya threatened me."
"I did not threaten you!" I roll my eyes.
"You held a dagger to my throat!"
I smile, "I did, didn't I?"
Liam rolls his eyes, "Yeah, you did. But honestly, I probably would had done it anyways. I'll do anything if it means making you happy."
I lean over to kiss his cheek, "You're so sweet."
Imogen smirks, "They were also each others first kiss."
I laugh, nodding, "I think we were eleven."
"I'm sure she's improved since then though." Liam jokes, winking.
"I mean, I have nothing to compare it too, but I'd say she's a pretty great kisser." Sawyer shrugs.
Everyone at the table, besides Rhiannon turns in shock, "What? You two? You kissed Sawyer?" Ridoc asks, "You kissed Raya?"
I snort, "We've done more than just kiss."
"Way more." Sawyer confirms, smirking.
"How long has this been going on?" Violet asks.
Sawyer and I look at each other, "Um, like the first week here?"
Sawyer nods, "Yeah, it was before challenges started."
"Wait." Liam looks at me, "He was the one, the night you were late." He doesn't elaborate further but I know he's talking about the night of the first meeting between the marked ones. I nod in response.
"Why do they both get to kiss you?" Ridoc asks.
I laugh, startled by the question, "What do you mean?"
"I'm right here, Raya."
I smile, "First, Liam and I haven't kissed since we were kids. And second I usually go for older guys."
"What about girls?" Rhiannon asks, jokingly blowing me a kiss.
"Are you asking me to kiss you? Because the answer is yes." I smirk.
"I mean…" Rhiannon trails off.
"Back to me." Ridoc says, "Will you kiss me?"
Sawyer snorts, "Don't sound too desperate, Ridoc."
"I am desperate and I'm not afraid to admit it. Have you seen Raya?"
"Thank you." I smile.
"I've seen a lot of Raya, many times." Sawyer confirms.
"How many times?" Liam asks, drawing the attention to him, "Just out of curiosity."
"5? 6?"
"Multiple rounds each of those times." I nod.
"She does this thing with her tongue." Sawyer whistles. Imogen laughs, shaking her head.
"I wanna know what you do with your tongue. Your room or mine? We can leave right now." Ridoc says.
"I'm not sleeping you with Ridoc." I laugh.
"I'm good though, Raya. Probably better than Sawyer."
"I take offense to that." Sawyer replies, pursing his lips.
"Okay, Ridoc. Convince me." I say.
"Does it have to be with words?" Ridoc asks, eyebrows knitting together.
I smirk, "You just want to kiss me."
"Yes, but I know it will convince you so it's a win-win."
I nod, "Okay then, Ridoc. Lay one on me." Without any hesitation Ridoc grabs the back of my neck, pressing his lips to mine.
"Gross." I hear someone mutter. Pretty sure it was Violet. Ridoc slips his tongue in my mouth, deepening the kiss.
I hear Imogen whisper, "Oh shit."
There's a cough behind us. Then a deep voice calls out, "Gamlyn!" Ridoc and I separate, turning to see Xaden with his arms crossed and Garrick standing beside him, "If I ever see you make out with my sister again, I'll cut your tongue out of your mouth and feed it to Sgaeyl."
Ridoc's eyes widen, gulping, "Noted."
I laugh, "You can't scare off every guy, Xaden." I roll my eyes, looking across the table at Imogen and Quinn.
"I can try." Xaden's glare flickers to me. "Don't kiss people in front of me. We've already talked about this."
I smirk, remembering our conversation. Instead of acknowledging the previous conversation, I decide to tease Xaden, "Only if you promise not to kiss in front of me once you finally grow the balls to confess your feelings for a certain sil"-
Xaden's glare hardens as he cuts me off, "You may be my sister but I will hurt you."
I smirk, "Love you too, Xade." Garrick and Liam both shake with laughter. "Honestly at this rate, I should just kiss everyone in the squad." I glance around the table at everyone, "Who wants to be next?"
Imogen smirks, "Honestly, I wouldn't mind a kiss."
The whole table snaps there gazes in her direction but Imogen continues to look at me. "What?" Xaden snaps.
"I mean, she looks like she'd be a good kisser. And bonus points because it will piss you off."
"You'll seriously kiss me, Gen?" I ask, mouth parting in shock.
She nods, "Absol-" I don't give her a chance to finish, I launch myself over the table grabbing the back of her head and pulling her in to a heated kiss. Imogen smiles against my lips.
I can't see the faces of the rest of the squad but I know they're looking on in shock. "Okay, enough!" Xaden says, pulling me away from the pink-haired girl.
Imogen laughs, running her thumb over her bottom lip, "I was right, you are a good kisser." She winks.
"Well now I really want that kiss." Rhiannon says from down the table.
"No more kissing my sister in front of me." Xaden glares, "Do whatever you want when I'm not here but I'll murder the next person who kisses her in front of me, I swear to Malek."
I smirk, "He's just bitter because he still hasn't kissed So-" A shadow quickly wraps around my mouth, stopping me from saying more.
"If I release you will you behave?" Xaden glares. His onyx eyes meeting mine.
My eyes twinkle with mischief but I nod in agreement. His shadow slowly falls away from my mouth, "I won't tease you anymore and no more kissing my squad members in front of you." I turn towards Rhiannon, "I'll meet you at your room later, we can kiss then." Rhiannon laughs, nodding.
*_*_*_*_*
A week later the squad heads to battle brief, "I want to be like the cool kids," Rhiannon says, watching as first years from second and third wing file out of the stairwell coming from Professor Carr's classroom.
"We will," Violet reassures. She links her arm with Rhiannon's.
"You may be cool, but you will never be as cool as I am!" Ridoc says, slinging his arms over the two girls.
I roll my eyes as Violet explains, "She's talking about everyone who's already channeling." She pauses, rearranging the books in her arms, "Though at least if we're not channeling, we're not stressed about manifesting a signet before the magic kills us."
I groan, "Don't remind me. I still haven't manifested a signet. I'm a ticking time bomb!"
Liam's blue eyes twinkle, "Remind me not to stand too close to you." I stick my tongue out at him.
"Oh, I thought we were discussing how I owned that physics test." Ridoc grins, "Definitely the highest score in the class."
Rhiannon rolls her eyes, "Please. I scored five points higher than you."
"We stopped counting your grades months ago." He leans forward slightly, "Your grades in that class make it unfair for the rest of us." He looks towards Liam, "Wait. What did you get, Mairi?"
Liam smirks, "Not getting into the middle of this."
Violet laughs as we break apart , entering the bottleneck. A cadet steps into our path, "Sorry about that Riorson, Sorrengail."
I ignore him, unconcerned, but Violet replies, "Nothing to be sorry about!" She turns back towards us, "I'm never going to get used to that."
"I like it. People should be afraid of me." I reply, a bright smile on my face.
Liam snorts, "Of course you would be happy with people being terrified of you."
I hum, "I like being scary. I think more people should be afraid of me."
Violet snorts, "I'm pretty sure most of the quadrant is afraid of you."
"Gods, I hope so." We all enter the battle brief classroom. Riders file in, finding their seats. With the amount of deaths that have occurred in the quadrant, there's plenty of seats available for everyone to sit, unlike the beginning of the year.
I sit next to Liam, Violet on his other side. "Riorson just got here." Liam says. He's working on a new dragon carving, he gave me the carvings of Nyx and Aether last week. They're sitting in my room on my desk.
"Figured." Violet says. She keeps her gaze forward but holds up her middle finger in Xaden's general direction.
Liam snorts, grinning, a dimple flashes, "And now he's glaring. Tell me, is it fun pissing off the most powerful rider in the quadrant?"
"You could try it yourself and find out." She suggests.
I laugh, "Oh, pissing off Xaden is so much fun. But you know who's even more fun to piss off? Aetos. I want to laugh every single time he gets annoyed with me." I look at Liam. "You should try it sometime."
"That's going to be a no from me. For both pissing off your brother and Aetos."
I shrug, "Your loss. I'm having a great time."
"I swear, you'd think there were assassination attempts on me during every class with the way he makes you shadow me." Violet says, shaking her head.
"In his defense, people are fond of trying to kill you." Rhiannon replies.
"One time!" Violet argues, "It happened one time, Rhi!"
"Right, and what do you call that whole thing with Tynan?"
"Threshing. And he went after Raya, not me."
"That's true." I mumble in agreement.
"Fine Oren, but while we're on the matter, a lot of people are fond of trying to kill you too, Raya." Rhiannon states.
I shrug, "It comes with the last name, plus no one's succeeded. I think the only first year who has killed more people than me is Barlowe."
"Speaking of Barlowe," Rhiannon turns her attention back to Violet, "What about his constant threats?"
"She has a point there," Sawyer chimes in.
"They're just threats. The only time I've actually been targeted was at night, and it's not like Liam here is sleeping in my bedroom."
"I mean, I'm not opposed-" Liam begins.
"Don't even start." Violet's head whips in his direction, "You are a shameless flirt."
"You have no idea." I mumble, a small smile on my face.
"Thank you." Liam grins, going back to his carving.
"It wasn't a compliment." Violet scolds.
"Don't mind her, she's just sexually frustrated. Makes a girl crabby." Rhiannon jokes, writing the date on her empty page.
"That has nothing to do with it!" Violet says, exasperated.
"And yet you're not denying it." Rhiannon smiles sweetly.
"I'm sorry I don't make the cut," Liam says. "But I'm sure Riorson would be fine with my reviewing a couple of candidates, especially if it means you'll stop flipping him off in front of his entire wing."
"Or maybe Riorson would help you out." I smirk.
Liam's eyes widen and Violet whips her head to me, "What?" She asks, her cheeks are red.
"I was talking about me. I'd gladly help you out and bonus because you know I won't try and kill you."
"Is Liam still going to have to review you? I mean how exactly would you go about that? What would you be scoring?" Rhiannon grins, raising an eyebrow, "This I have to hear."
"I mean… I wouldn't say no to reviewing you." Liam says, looking at me.
My eyes flicker over his body. I'm not blind, Liam's hot. "Hmm… Can't say I'd mind either." I wink.
Violet bursts out laughing, "Thanks for the offer, both of you. But I'm good. I'll make sure to run any potential liaisons by you, Liam."
"I mean, you could watch," Rhiannon continues, "Just to be sure she's fully covered. You know, so no one… sticks it to her."
I giggle, watching as Liam's face turns red. "Oh, are we telling dick jokes now?" Ridoc asks from my other side, "Because my entire life has led up to this very moment."
Sawyer laughs, causing Liam to mutter under his breath, "Fuck me." He talks a little louder, "I'm just saying that since you're protected at night now-" we all laugh harder.
"Wait." Violet stops, "what do you mean I'm protected at night? Because you're next door?" Violet's smile vanishes, "Please tell me he's not making you sleep in the hallway or something obnoxious."
"No. Of course not. He warded your door the morning after the attack." His expression changes, "I'm guessing he didn't tell you?"
"He what?"
"He warded your door," Liam says quieter, "So only you can open it."
"He did it to mine too, he's very protective." I say, doodling on my paper.
"But if he's the one who warded it, he can get in, too, right?" Violet asks.
"Well, yeah." Liam shrugs, "But it's not like Riorson is going to kill you."
"Right. You see, I'm still adjusting to that little change of heart." She fumbles her quill, dropping it to the ground as Professor Markham and Professor Devera get their things ready for class to begin.
"If we can get started?" Markham calls out, quieting the students. Just as the words leave his mouth, a sharp pain causes me to reach for my head.
Markham says something else but I'm focused on rubbing my forehead, trying to get the pain to stop. Markham is making an announcement but all I can focus on is the massive headache that is forming.
The cadets around me break into cheers. Liam nudges me, "Are you okay?"
I nod, "Just a headache." I drop my hand, trying to focus on anything except the pounding in my skull.
Then I hear Violet's voice, "Surely he didn't say that." I blink, unsure what she's talking about. Markham is currently talking about a previous battle, apparently the front lines were quiet today, which I think is bullshit considering they haven't been quiet since the beginning of the school year.
But again, I don't focus too much on what's happening around me, the headache is getting worse. "An entire village of Navarrians was ransacked last night along the border and supplies looted." Again I hear Violet's voice.
I feel a mental block slam into my skull, "Talk to me, Night Orchid." Nyx says.
"What?" I ask.
"Talk to me, continue to talk to me throughout the whole class. I don't care what you miss. This lesson isn't important. Talk to me and don't stop. And when the class ends, get back to your room as quickly as possible."
So I do. Nyx blocks her powers, stopping me from channeling. She only allows me to talk with her and Aether who pops into the conversation right after Nyx's initial statement. The headache went away as quickly as it came. Throughout the lesson I focus on nothing but Nyx, Aether, and the doodles on the paper in front of me.