Page 58 of Veiled

“Typical.” Josh sighs. “But you’ll be alright, you’ve always been able to find a way to shut him up. And if not, then you can sic Matt on him too.”

“You know he’s wanted that forever.”

“Yeah, but you never let us have any fun,” he teases as he leans back to bump me.

“He’s just not worth it,” I sigh contentedly, before leaning my head against his back and falling into a comfortable quiet as we take in the views for a while.

“We’re probably close to the end of class. You ready to land?”

“If we have to…”

“Don’t worry, you’ll be back up here on your own dragon soon enough. Until then, maybe we can plan a little beach party, and I’ll let you ride Deimos out here with me for it.”

“Say no more, I’m convinced.”

“Alright. He’ll descend in a minute. Make sure to hold onto me again. Preferably, a little looser than when we took off.”

Deimos’s wings angle downward, his body dipping slightly as he prepares to descend. I brace myself, not quite sure how smooth the landing will be.

Josh notices me stiffen, his tone softening. “Hey, don’t worry, landing’s not as scary as it seems.”

I give him a tight smile, trying to convince myself. “I trust you.”

Deimos slows his flapping, and I can tell he’s taking in the other dragons and their riders on the field. We glide down, slow and steady, the ground drawing nearer with every beat of his wings.

Then, as if by magic, we touch down as soft as a feather.

Deimos’s claws dig into the ground as his body lowers once again for my convenience.

Josh slides off first, then offers out a hand to help me down. I take it, stepping carefully onto solid ground, my legs feeling a little wobbly after the flight.

“You okay?” Josh asks, arms braced out beside me as I steady myself.

“Yeah, just—a little shaky.” I laugh, brushing off the feeling. “That was intense.”

“It’ll get easier the more you do it,” he says reassuringly.

“Thank you so much for bringing me on your flight and keeping me safe today, Deimos. If you can try to keep this one out of trouble for me,” I flick my eyes to Josh, “I’d really appreciate it. He’s a good friend.”

Josh chuckles, shaking his head, “Not cool, D.” Then, turning to me, “He said he might like you more than me. Apparently, you’re better looking and sweeter, so now he’s questioning his decision to bond me now that he knows what he could have had.”

“Wow, he really is a charmer. You'd better behave yourself then, or Deimos and I might fly off into the sunset together,” I tease before giving Josh a hug and starting my walk back to the barracks.

“Why am I not surprised? He’s barely had time to unpack, and you’re already throwing yourself at the new guy.” Aiden’s voice cuts through the air, sharp and cold. “What, trying to get him to fuck you before he hears your reputation and bolts?”

I hadn’t even noticed him out on the field, but I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Turning to look at him, his glare feels like it could burn straight through me. He’s practically vibrating in anger.

“It’s not—”

Aiden cuts me off with a harsh laugh. “You really are everything Lucas says you are.”

Slap.

My open hand cracks across his face so hard my palm stings from the impact.

His eyes narrow, but an evil grin breaks across his face, “Oh, I forgot that’s how you like it.”

“You’re such an asshole,” I say, spinning to walk away when he grabs my arm and whips me back around to face him.