I tuned them out, turning with my back to them and watching the sky for the dark dragon.
"Are you coming over tonight?" I heard Codric murmur behind me.
"I'll be there," Shovia whispered back. "Don't fall asleep this time."
My mind immediately jumped to the possibilities their rendezvous presented. I could ask Codric to keep Shovia in our room overnight, which I was sure both of them would love to do.
It was a great opportunity to continue with Kailin what we had started the evening before.
The thought sent a surge of blood down to my groin, and I was thankful for the discretion provided by the thick material of the uniform.
Naturally, I would let Kailin set the boundaries, but even if all she was ready for was to be held through the night, it would be enough. I'd take any morsel she was willing to give and be thankful for it.
I didn't think that Kailin had a lot of experience, and unlike Shovia, she was reserved and hesitant. Still, the few kisses we'd shared hinted at the fire burning inside of her, and I couldn't wait to get burned by it.
It would be exquisite.
"You're looking pleased with yourself," Codric murmured. "Did you have a good flight lesson?"
"Excellent." I smiled at him. "My instructor told me that I was progressing faster than most."
Codric grimaced. "Of course, he did. You always do."
"That's because I always give it all I have."
He clapped me on my back. "Yes, you do. My super overachieving cousin, who always needed to prove himself to his four older brothers."
"You have only brothers?" Shovia asked.
I nodded.
"No sisters?"
I shook my head. "The only reason I was born at all was that my mother wanted a girl and kept trying. If her second child were a daughter, she wouldn't have had the rest of us."
Shovia nodded sagely. "I've heard that many Elurians choose to have just one child and sometimes none. What's the deal with that?"
I shrugged. "People enjoy their easy lifestyle, and kids are a lot of work."
"Yeah, but your population is shrinking. The mighty Elurian Federation will be ripe for conquest by the backwater Sitorian Union."
Wasn't it amazing that even a small-town girl like Shovia recognized the danger for what it was while my father and brothers didn't?
I groaned. "Tell me something I don't know."
"People." Codric lifted a hand. "We can talk politics on the way down to the mess hall. The five minutes are up, and my stomach is growling."
I wanted to remind him that this wasn't about politics, but the very survival of our people, but we'd had this discussion many times before, so he knew my stance on the issue.
Casting another glance at the clear sky, I nodded. "Let's go."
As we took the stairs down, Shovia, Codric, and Morek chatted about their flight experience while my thoughts wandered to Kailin and what was keeping her and Ravel.
Hopefully, nothing bad had happened.
I'd never heard about the Shedun attacking the Citadel, which would have been stupid and suicidal even for them, but there was a first time for everything, and my stomach churned with worry.
In the mess hall we collected our dinner trays and sat at our usual table, but I barely touched my food, frequently glancing toward the entrance.
