How the hell does Siergen snap at Hein like that and not worry about getting his face torn off?
Hein was four times his size. Bigger. Bulkier. Sharper in nearly every way.
But Siergen?
He didn’t seem to need size.
He was power.
I just had no idea what kind.
The last rays of sunlight bled across the Ascension Grounds as Kaelith and Hein spread their wings and launched into the sky. Their powerful bodies lifted effortlessly into the fading light, casting long shadows over the courtyard below.
I felt the pull in my chest, that sudden ache of distance as Kaelith’s presence stretched thin across the bond. Not gone, but quieter. Distant. Still, her parting thought lingered, fierce and full of fire.Be well, rider.
As they vanished beyond the clouds, Siergen turned to Zander, eyes glowing like coals in the dusk.
Take care of your little storm,he said, his voice echoing not just in Zander’s mind, but mine.I’ve become fond of her. If anything happens while Kaelith and Hein are gone… I will take it personally.
Zander inclined his head. “I will,” he said quietly, with all the weight of a vow.
Siergen nodded once, wings unfolding in one smooth, powerful motion. Then he took to the sky, flames licking his silhouette before he vanished into the dark.
Behind us, Major Kaler finally exhaled. A long, visible sigh like a man who’d been holding his breath under a blade. He turned toward the field?—
And then Mysan moved.
The massive red Striker growled deeply, then turned his back on the major, and squatted.
Both Zander and I froze.
And then the stench hit.
“Oh gods,” I choked, covering my nose.
Zander did the same, stumbling half a step back.
“Do dragons normally do this on the Ascension Grounds?” I asked.
“As far as I know,” he said through a cough, “this is a first.”
We both turned away just as thesquelchingsound began. I heard it. I felt it in my bones. But I refused to witness the display.
When we finally dared to look again, Mysan was airborne, his wings beating the air lazily as he disappeared into the clouds like nothing had happened.
The podium, however… was a ruin.
Collapsed under the sheer weight of the massive pile of dragon excrement. Wood splintered. Banners sagged in surrender.
“What are the chances that Major Kaler makes us clean that up?” I asked warily, still pinching my nose.
Siergen’s voice slid into my thoughts like silk dipped in fire.None. Mysan has ordered him to clean it himself. He embarrassed Mysan. I believe this is his way of returning the favor.
I bit back a laugh.
But I lost the battle the moment Teren approached from the edge of the field, pausing just long enough to stare at the steaming mess and mutter, “Well, I’ve heard of a bear shitting in the woods, but never a dragon on a podium.”
The laughter that followed rippled through the squads like a wave, rolling from Crownwatch to Thrall Squad and even into the Lowborn clusters.
