Not training. No instruction.Trial by combat.
I stared ahead, jaw clenched, and tried not to let my knees buckle. Tried not to look for Kaelith across the skies.
Because if she didn’t come?—
I would be facing this alone.
Major Ledor stepped forward, his boots echoing on the stone with each deliberate step. The wind caught the edge of his crimson-lined cloak as he stood at the center of the Ascension Grounds, hands clasped behind his back like a man delivering a eulogy.
His voice was calm—too calm.
“The duel will be held in two parts,” he announced, gaze sweeping over the assembled riders. “First, an aerial trial. You and your dragon will engage using all sanctioned airborne and magical abilities.”
My heart pounded so hard I could barely hear him.
“You will be judged by your ability to outmaneuver, survive, and counter. The aerial portion ends only when one of you is forced to land… or falls. The aerial portion will take place over the ocean.”
Zander stiffened beside Remy, his fists clenched at his sides. I could feel the tension rolling off him like thunder before the strike.
Major Ledor’s eyes cut to me next, unblinking. “Following the flight, you will dismount. If you are still standing, you will face your opponent in physical combat.”
I swallowed hard.
Two trials.
One designed to break me before I even touched the ground.
“If you struggle in the air,” the major added, his voice sharp, “you’ll be too exhausted to fight. That is the point. This is not training. This is not a show. There are few rules in this duel.”
His gaze narrowed like he could see right through me.
“Simply survive.”
My fingers curled into fists.
Simply survive.
But with Kaelith still silent… and Perin anchored…
Survival felt like a luxury I hadn’t earned.
Kaelith.
Nothing.
The name echoed in my head like a prayer thrown into a storm—no answer, no warmth, just the cold stretch of silence that had followed me for days. My magic stirred restlessly beneath my skin, wild and anchorless. I clenched my jaw and stepped into the center of the Ascension Grounds.
The wind shifted.
A ripple of murmurs spread through the watching squads as the air shimmered with heat, then Kaelith broke through the clouds like a falling star, her massive purple wings carving the sky in wide, angry arcs.
She landed hard, stone scraping beneath her talons.
My heart stuttered. She didn’t look at me. Didn’tspeakto me. But she had come.
That was all I had to hold on to.
Perin’s red Swift, Coldrath soared above us seconds later. The dragon was smaller than Kaelith, sleeker, wings designed for speed and short bursts of precision flight. He circled once, then landed with grace, talons scraping the stone as if marking his territory.
