"We still have plenty of time before curfew," I said, swiveling the chair sideways to better hide what was going on in my loose pajama pants. I pointed to her book. "What are you studying? That doesn't look like the rule book."
"Commander Ravel recommended this reading about dragons and said that the library in our lounge should have it."
"We have a library?"
She turned her chair around and pointed at the bookcases in the back of the room. "There are several copies if you want to read up on dragons ahead of the class."
I thought that the bookcases contained just casual reading material and expected the academy to have a proper library like the one in Vedona. I'd spent many pleasant evenings in that one.
Still, reading up on dragons was a good idea, and I was definitely taking one of those books to my room later. "Did you learn anything interesting?"
"I spent most of the evening studying dragon physiognomy. Did you know they have three eyelids? The third one is transparent and helps them fly through ash or smoke. It's also the reason their eyes don't dry out in the wind while we have to wear goggles to protect ours."
"Aren't those known facts in this part of the world?"
She shook her head. "We don't learn stuff like that in school in Elucia. Only riders get to learn the mysteries of dragons."
I didn't want to reiterate my previous statement about riders' elite status. "I suppose it makes sense. Dragons are creatures of the skies, while we are ground-bound. We are privileged to be allowed to join them." I used her terminology.
"Yes, we are. And did you know that their scales aren't actually solid," she continued, sounding a little breathless. "They're layered, like fish scales, but much more complex. The outer layer is what gives them their color, but underneath there are layers for insulation and impact resistance."
This was the Kailin I had come to admire during our journey up Mount Hope—passionate and intellectually curious. Her eyes bright with the joy of discovery and her cheeks lightly flushed, she was so damn sexy that it was painful to look at her.
"You were born for this," I said softly.
"For what?"
"Being a rider. You belong here."
Her expression turned serious. "Shockingly, I agree. Throughout my life, I dreaded the prospect of having the gift. I thought it would be a nightmare. But today during the flight,I felt alive, exhilarated even, and I did everything as if it was second nature to me." She smiled. "Perhaps I was a rider in my previous life."
I tilted my head. "Do Elucians believe in reincarnation?"
"Not officially because it cannot be verified, and therefore cannot be part of the official canon, but then a large part of our religion is esoteric and known only to scholars. It's all about interpreting the Precepts of Truth, with volumes upon volumes of books dedicated to discussions and examples about each one. Then there are the myths, that some claim are the real history of Elu creating Aurorys and bringing people from other worlds to live here, but science disagrees with these stories, so they also can't be part of the official canon." She chuckled. "I doubt even Saphir Fatewever knows everything there is to know about it."
I loved how animated Kailin got when she talked about things that fascinated her.
She narrowed her eyes. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Like what?"
She waved a hand at my face. "You have that goofy smile and a dreamy look in your eyes. I know Elucian theology is not responsible for that look."
"No, it is not. You are."
Our eyes met, and something shifted in the atmosphere of the lounge. The air between us seemed to grow thicker, charged with a tension that made my pulse quicken.
I was suddenly acutely aware of how alone we were in the lounge. Curfew was approaching, everyone was in their rooms, and the chances of someone interrupting us were slim.
"Kailin," I said, my voice lower than I'd intended as I reached for her hand. "We are all alone in here."
"I noticed," she whispered.
I moved without conscious thought, rising from my armchair, my book dropping to the floor and hitting it with a loud clap. I tugged on Kailin's hand, and she allowed me to pull her up, letting her own book fall to the floor as she stepped into me.
For a heartbeat, we simply stood there, close enough that I could feel the warmth of her body, see the faint dusting of freckles across her nose, and count each individual eyelash.
Then my hands were cupping her face, her fingers were gripping the front of my jacket, and our lips met in a kiss that was heat and hunger and need, long days of tension finally finding release.
