“No,” Thaelyn said quickly. Then, under her breath, “Not against the dummies.”
Feyra bolted upright so fast she hit her head on the bottom of Vaeryn’s bunk. “You did not!”
“I didn’t say anything!” Thaelyn protested, laughing despite herself.
“Shesodid,” Vaeryn crowed. “That is the sound of a woman who has been thoroughly and gloriously ruined. Look at that glow.That’s not just morning light. That’s post-something cosmic happened radiance.”
Thaelyn buried her face in the pillow again, muffling, “It was amazing.”
That did it. The three girls shrieked in perfect unison, an unholy blend of glee, horror, and victorious triumph.
Feyra launched a pillow missile across the room. “Give us details before I explode! Did he go slow and loving, or was it more ‘drag me across the battlefield and make me forget my name’kind of energy?”
Thaelyn peeked up with a dazed, almost dreamy smile that startled even her. “It was– intense. Like something ancient inside us had finally snapped free. We couldn’t stop or get enough.”
The mood shifted like a flicker of flame snuffed by wind. Iri’s smile faded, her eyes narrowing with quiet understanding. “So it wasn’t just lust.”
Thaelyn nodded slowly. “No. It’s more. There was heat, yes, but underneath it, there’s a pulse deep inside my chest, as a hunger echoed through us. Like beingclaimedby something older.”
Feyra's teasing grin vanished. “The dragons.”
Thaelyn whispered, her fingers tracing the hem of her sleeve. “Nyxariel speaks of the old bond between them, the Prime Bond. She says it can happen between the riders.”
“Are you afraid that continuing to be with him may turn into a prime bond?” Iri asked, tone suddenly serious.
“No,” Thaelyn said immediately. “I trust him. Even when he’s maddening or arrogant, we would know or talk about it before it happened. He did tell me I was it for him.”
Chapter
Forty
The morning sun spilled molten gold across the flight field, casting long shadows over the frost-laced grass as a crisp breeze ruffled the training flags. Dozens of dragons perched along the outer ridgelines, tails swishing, wings flexing as the first years assembled on the gravel-banked field. The older cadets stood to one side, clad in leather gear scuffed by battle and trimmed with the white insignia of second-year rank. The atmosphere hummed with expectancy, just another flight training day, but something in the air hinted at change.
Garric and Rory were on the field again to help out the first and second-year cadets. Thorne strode toward the line of dragons dressed in his flying leathers. Brynnek and Darian walked at his flank, both relaxed. Behind them, Mirra snorted. Her sleek red form cast a warm glow over Sorren and Vaeryn as they did preflight checks. Rowan stood a short distance away with Tarken, who growled low at anyone who got too close, as usual.
Commander Dareth stood near the center of the field, arms folded across his broad chest. His black-and-silver uniform was crisp against the morning light. His eyes scanned the cadets sharply as Professor Caelira conversed with several instructors near the edge of the landing stones. As Thorne passed him, he didn’t stop. But under his breath, barely audible except to one man, he murmured, “Uncle, I want to report that I broke Article Six, Section Nine of the Cadet Rules last night.”
Commander Dareth arched a brow. He paused, then a faint curve at the corner of his mouth uplifted. He reached out, clapped a hand over Thorne’s shoulder, and leaned in just slightly. “You’re not subtle, nephew. I figured as much the moment she walked in this morning. She wouldn’t look any of the officers in the eye.”
Thorne gave a single dry chuckle, his chin tipping upward.
Commander Dareth’s grip lingered. “You can't be her direct training instructor and also share her bed. So, that moves things up a bit. I was going to announce this next week; you’ve earned it. I suppose now is as good a time as any.”
He turned, striding with commanding purpose to the center of the gravel clearing, where the cadets had begun lining up in formation. His voice carried with all the sharp edge of a commanding officer who’d stared down siege walls and beast-ridden skies.
“Attention, all cadets!”
Boots snapped together. Conversations silenced. Commander Dareth’s cape stirred behind him as he surveyed the line.
“Before we begin the flight drills, I have announcements.” He paused, letting the anticipation settle into a focused stillness. “By order of the Asgar Training Academy Command, effective immediately, the following promotions are confirmed.” He paced once, then turned toward the group. “Garric Winters of Keldrin Hold, you’ve displayed tactical prowess, discipline, and unwavering loyalty in both flight and combat. As of this morning, you are promoted to Colonel of Dragon Forces.”
A brief moment passed before the stunned silence erupted into claps and cheers from the second years. Garric blinked, visibly surprised, before nodding with quiet humility.
Commander Dareth raised a hand to silence the field again. “Thorne Dareth of the King’s House Dareth. For exemplary leadership, mastery in flight, and distinguished combat performance in patrol and field operations, you are hereby promoted to Lieutenant of Dragon Forces, and relieved of your position as primary instructor for First-Year Cadet Thaelyn Marren.”
Several heads swiveled to Thaelyn, who stood midway down thefront line beside Iri and Feyra, her face frozen in a blink of startled surprise. Thorne didn’t look at her, but he felt her gaze burn down his side like wildfire.
“And finally,” Commander Dareth continued, “Brynnek Duran of Stonegrave Hollow. For tactical command ability and coordination in both air and ground response under fire, you are now Squad Leader of the Dragon Riders Division.”
