“Shit,” Zander muttered beside me.
Before I could even ask what the hell was happening, Kaelithroared. Not loud. Not deep. But scathing. She reared back and breathed fire directly into Hein’s face.
He took it like a soldier.
The flames washed over his scales and sizzled out harmlessly, but that wasn’t the point. It wasn’t about injury. It was dominance.
Hein’s wings flared wide, and he let out a guttural snarl, deep and vibrating through the soles of my boots. Kaelith responded with a hiss, her tail slicing the air behind her like a blade ready to sever something precious.
The squads scattered. Cadets dove for cover as the massive dragons began circling each other—Kaelith with her measured, predatory steps and Hein with that tight, calculated pacing that said he knew exactly how dangerous she was. Their scales brushed once, then again, sparks igniting where they touched.
What is happening?I asked, trying to get through to Kaelith, but her mind was locked tight, coiled and simmering with energy.
“They’re fighting,” I breathed aloud, disbelieving. “But they’re already mated.”
Zander crossed his arms, watching with a grimace as Kaelith snapped her wings and Hein responded by lunging just enough to make her flinch.
“And married couples don’t fight?” he shot back with a humorless edge. “They’ve both been through hell. This is just... post-bond dominance.”
“This is just?”
He shrugged. “She’s evolving and probably wants more control. Hein… isn’t great at sharing.”
Kaelith bared her fangs and let out a deafening screech, fire swirling in her throat again as she lunged?—
—and Hein bowed his head, finally conceding.
Her fire sputtered out. She loomed over him, tail lashing once before swatting his jaw with a warning, then turned and prowled away.
Hein didn’t follow immediately.
He just watched her walk, quiet, as the tension left his broad shoulders one slow breath at a time.
Zander exhaled beside me. “Well. At least we’re not the only ones with issues.”
Kaelith prowled away like she owned the ground, her wings still half-spread, her scales catching the late sun like polished amethyst set aflame. Hein remained crouched for a moment longer, chest still, eyes unreadable. Then, he turned to follow her—more a sentinel than a mate now.
“Why didn’t he do more?” I asked quietly, my voice barely above the hush that had fallen over the grounds.
Zander sighed beside me, arms crossed over his chest. “He can’t. If he uses his size or strength against her, she’ll fight him to the death. That’s how dragon mating works, at least as best as I understand it. Hein tries to explain, but... it’s complicated.”
My brows lifted.To the death?
Zander continued, his voice certain. “Females get the final say. Always. A male has to win her, keep her happy, protect her—withoutmaking her feel like she’s lesser. It’s about dominance, but also respect. With Kaelith, it’s harder.”
“Because she’s changed,” I murmured.
“Because she’s powerful,” he echoed. “Hein might be stronger in combat, but her magic... it’s evolved. She’s possibly the most powerful dragon alive now.”
I glanced back at Kaelith, who now stood regally near the edge of the field, her tail coiled with unsettling precision. “Does Hein know what her new magic actually is? What the changes mean?”
Zander shook his head. “No. Not even close. And it’s driving him insane.”
Before I could ask more, the thud of boots on packed earth caught my attention. I turned, and found Major Ledor approaching, his eyes locked on me with unreadable purpose.
“Cadet Rebec,” he said evenly. “A word.”
I glanced at Zander, his eyes narrowed in concern as he watched Major Ledor approach.Don’t follow,I whispered through the bond.It’s fine.He gave me the smallest nod, but his jaw ticked.
