"Good morning!" My mother greets us the moment she spies us.
The dragons are being saddled for our training exercises and Drexel appears to be in good spirits for the first time since Armas' death. I'll take that as a good sign for Nyx who acknowledges my mother with a smile before striding directly for his mount.
I open my mouth to warn him not to be too direct, but my warnings choke in my throat when Nyx confidently and affectionately presses his palm against Drexel's snout. The dragon's demeanor brightens from the contact.
"You ready to fly, Drexel?" Nyx whispers, resting his cheek against the dragon's scales.
"Remarkable," my mother mumbles.
"What is?" I ask.
She folds her arms across her chest and motions with her chin at the new duo. "I don't recall anyone having a way with dragons like him."
"Nyx oozes charm," I chuckle. "I'm not surprised." A seriousness washes over me when I recall my first week of training and the countless times I fell from my seat. Nyx can regenerate, but a fall from that height with the jagged rocks below causes my stomach to flip. "Send me up with him, just in case."
Sylvane stares at me, confused. "What?"
"Nyx might be far more athletic than I am, but in case he falls, I want him to have back up."
"He will." She smiles reassuringly. "Just not you. You are partnered with Thrane and Artax."
"Then who will watch over Nyx? You?"
"Not me." She shakes her head, her gaze drifting across the landing to my cousin Kamari. I have seen her ride maybe once my entire stay here. Kamari isn't what I would call a morning person. She prefers the evening which already gives her a leg up on being Nyx's partner. He is only up early these days because he's tasked with watching over me.
"Kamari and Nyx?" I mull over their newly assigned partnership and can't find fault, except for one thing. Kamari is young, lively, and beautiful. All lethal combinations for someone like Nyx to immediately find attractive.
"Just as Thrane watched over you when you began your training," Sylvane nods at my cousin, climbing to sit on her dragon. "Kamari will make sure Syrinx catches Nyx when he falls."
Nyx somehow manages to tune into our conversation when Kamari is mentioned and smirks. He winks at my cousin, "She'll be there to catch meifI fall."
My mother smiles and my heart drops to the pit of my stomach. "Every rider falls, Harland."
Nyx shrugs, patting Drexel. "We'll see."
"Cockiness won't get you far with Frost Dragons." Thrane appears beside me, crossing his arms over his broad chest. Amusement is wiped clean from his face. I wasn't sure if he would be in attendance for Nyx's first flight since his kingly duties have had him occupied most days and some nights. But then again, with how these two bicker, I'm not surprised Thrane carved out time in his busy schedule to watch Nyx fall.
"I see hypocrisy rises early this morning, Your Worship." Nyx mock bows. If it bothers Thrane, he doesn't show it.
Kamari barks out a high-pitched laugh once again drawing my attention. Her bright smile is infectious and without realizing it, I'm grinning too. We look similar, except Kamari is taller than me by a few inches like the other Frost Elves. She has a friendly face and a smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose that resemble stars in the night sky. Most Basilius riders – Thrane mostly – have stern faces, but hers is soft and inviting. She's a year or two my junior, but I have a feeling if we get the chance to get to know one another better, we'd be instant friends.
Thrane flashes Kamari a narrow-eyed glare. "You find his poor attempts at humor amusing, Kamari?"
"I think I will like having a partner after all." She giggles, winking at Nyx who seems taken aback in the best way. My suspicions are confirmed. These two will be trouble.
Thrane rolls his eyes, refocusing on Nyx. "Show us your skills then, Nicodemus."
Nyx blanches, his eyes darting to me in accusation. My mouth drops and I shake my head, denying having any involvement in my cousin knowing his given name. I'm just as surprised as he is by the reach Thrane has in procuring information.
"Is there a problem?" Thrane asks, a coy smile tugging the corners of his lips.
Nyx frowns. "No one calls me that. Not even my own mother who gave me the name."
Thrane grins. "Then this will prove to be a delightful morning."
"Mount your dragon, Harland." My mother steps forward, the instructor in full swing.
Nyx reluctantly tears his gaze from Thrane and inhales sharply, building up his confidence. He runs and darts up Drexel's side with lightning speed. He sits on his back and grins at the others triumphantly only for Drexel to lift up onto his back legs and unseat Nyx.
