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"No." I know. Dragon Riders only. Caelen travels with ground command. Good. I know. I ask anyway.

"You're being annoying." He says.

"Genetics."

"Unfortunately." I finish the blade. Hand it back. He inspects. "Good."

"Obviously."

He leans into me. Shoulder. I let him. Just for a second. Then push him away. "You're sweaty."

"So are you."

"I'm prettier."

"Debatable." Rhyven's word. My chest tightens. Barely. Caelen notices. Maybe. Doesn't say. Good brother.

At noon, he's called away. Of course.

"Eirea." He turns before leaving.

"What." He looks like he wants to say something.

Doesn't. "Later." He says.

"Later." I hate that word today.

At one, I try eating lunch. Better. Half. Progress.

At two, I clean my weapons. At two thirty, they're clean. At two thirty-five, I clean them again.

Nyra takes the cloth from my hand. "No."

I look at her. "They could be cleaner."

"They are reflecting your face."

"Unfortunate."

Cassian sits on my desk. "Cards?"

"No."

"Walk?"

"No."

"Fight?"

"No."

"Heart?" I stare at him. He nods. "Right."

At three, I lie down. Do not sleep. At three twelve, I get up. At four, the Academy begins final deployment inspections. We hear the horns. One. Two. Three.

Not alarms. Signals. Equipment. Formation. Medical clearance. I know every one now. That was probably a mistake.

At five, I see Rhyven again. From a distance. Always from a distance. He's crossing the western courtyard with Mara beside him. She has a clipboard. He has three packs. Why three? I don't know. He looks tired. Not stopping. Never stopping. He turns his head.