There was no negotiating peace with people who glorified death and destruction and wanted the total annihilation of dragons and Elucians so they could move to Eluria, conquer it, and subjugate its people to achieve complete dominion over Aurorys. As long as we stood between the Sitorian ambitions and the fertile grounds of our neighbors, the Elurians could keep living in their comfortable illusion of safety.
As we continued our flight, Ravel guided me through progressively more complex maneuvers—banking turns, gentle climbs and dives, even a slow spiral that made my stomach flutter but didn't trigger the panic I'd feared. Throughout it all, Onyx maintained a running commentary in my mind, while fortifying me with a steady stream of his warmth and strength.
"You're a natural flier,"he told me after I successfully guided him through a series of sharp maneuvers."Your brother has the same instincts."
"You know Dylon?"I asked.
"All dragons know all riders,"Onyx declared.
Ravel shifted behind me. "As I told you, the dragons' favorite pastime is gossip. They also like to boast about their riders, so I wouldn't trust everything that Jagura says about Dylon."
"If you say so,"Onyx said.
We soared over a mountain ridge, and I gasped at the beauty of the valley that opened up below, a verdant expanse bisected by a ribbon of silver that was the Veren River. From this height, the settlements along its banks looked like children's toys.
"The Shimmering Valley," Ravel commented. "One of the most fertile regions in all of Elucia."
"It's incredible to see it from up here." I was awed by the perspective, suddenly realizing that I was thousands of feet in the air, with nothing between me and the distant ground but dragon scales and rushing wind, and yet I felt calm. Exhilarated, even.
“Thank you, Onyx,” I thought to the dragon who made this possible. “I couldn't have done this without you. You helped me overcome my fear of heights and flying.”
"I've done nothing, Little Warrior. You conquered your fears yourself. I merely provided the opportunity."
"We've taken longer than everyone," Ravel said. "The others are likely to be done by now, and we don't have time to work on your blocking, but don't worry. We'll work on it next time."
With the initial panic and the subsequent exhilaration of the flight drills, I'd completely forgotten that we were supposed to practice mental blocking.
By the time we turned back toward the academy, I felt transformed. The fear that had defined so much of my life hadn't disappeared entirely, but it had been put in its proper place, no longer an insurmountable barrier but merely a caution to be respected and managed.
The Citadel came into view, the immense stone structure clinging to the mountainside like a natural extension of the rock face. The roof where we'd departed was empty now, save for the solitary figure of Major Harlow.
Onyx descended toward the roof with fluid grace, his massive wings spreading to slow our approach. I braced for the landing, but it was smoother than I'd expected, more like stepping from one level to another than the bone-jarring impact I'd feared.
Major Harlow waited for us to dismount. "Commander Ravel, Cadet Strom," he greeted us. "I trust the training flight was uneventful?"
"It went very well," Ravel said. "Cadet Strom shows similar talent to that of her older brother."
I felt a flush of pride at his words.
"Good," Harlow nodded. "The other cadets have already departed for the mess hall. Dinner service has begun."
"Thank you, Major." I wasn't sure what to do next.
Was I supposed to rush to the dining hall or say goodbye to Commander Ravel and Onyx and wait for them to dismiss me?
"Farewell for now, Little Warrior,"Onyx's voice rumbled in my mind."I'm looking forward to our next flight together."
"Me too,"I said."Thank you for the flight."I bowed to him and Ravel respectfully, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks when I remembered our frank talk about our mutual attraction.
"Tomorrow, we will work on your mental shields," Ravel said as Major Harlow departed. "You've had enough excitement for one day."
59
ALAR
"Cadets may engage privately and discreetly with one another, but only within their rank. Regulations exist to ensure that personal allowances never come at the expense of proper conduct or unit cohesion."
—Dragon Flight Academy
