Tempest Awakening (The Dragonne Library #1)

Chapter 19

Tess

"This girl—this human —has just bonded with a dragon."

Master Burke's words hit me like a physical blow. I stumbled back a step, my mind reeling. Bonded? With Thalon? The implications were staggering, almost too much to process. My gaze darted to the massive dragon beside me, seeking confirmation or denial.

“It's true, Tess,” Thalon's voice resonated in my mind. We are bonded now.

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. "I... I don't understand," I managed to croak out, my voice barely above a whisper. "How can this be?"

Master Burke's steely gaze bore into me, his scarred face impassive. Before he could respond, the crowd burst into a flurry of whispers and exclamations. The other applicants, momentarily stunned into silence, now surged forward.

A tall, broad-shouldered applicant near the front of the crowd took a menacing step forward, his fists clenched at his sides. "This can't be right," he growled, voice rough with barely contained fury. "Dragons don't bond with humans. It's not possible.”

I felt myself shrinking under the scrutiny, wishing I could disappear.

Master Burke's jaw clenched, his eyes sweeping over the increasingly agitated crowd. "Enough!" he bellowed, his voice cutting through the cacophony like a blade. "This day's trials are over. All applicants are to return to their quarters immediately."

A collective groan rose from the gathered hopefuls, punctuated by muttered complaints and curious glances in my direction. Slowly, reluctantly, they began to disperse.

Kane stepped forward, his face set with determination, though he carefully maintained his distance from me. "Sir," he addressed Master Burke, his voice firm, "as the son of the Lord Protector, I believe it's my duty to stay and witness these proceedings. My father would want a full report."

Mason moved closer to my side, his presence offering silent support. "And I'm staying with Tess," he added, his voice steady despite the tension in his shoulders.

Master Burke's eyes narrowed dangerously. "This is not a request, boys. It's an order."

"With all due respect, sir," Kane replied, his tone cool and measured, "this situation is unprecedented. It requires proper documentation."

“And I’m not leaving my friend alone in this,” Mason added.

A muscle twitched in Master Burke's jaw as he regarded us. After a moment of tense silence, he spoke again. "Very well. But make no mistake, this is a serious matter." His gaze shifted to me. "You, come with me. We need to discuss this... bond... in private."

As Master Burke turned to lead the way, a low, rumbling growl filled the air. We all turned to see Thalon, his massive form tense, eyes fixed on Master Burke. The message was clear—he wasn't letting me out of his sight.

Master Burke's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before he masked it. He glanced between Thalon and me, clearly reassessing the situation.

"It seems," he said slowly, "that we'll have to conduct this discussion here." He cast a meaningful look at the few remaining onlookers. "Clear the area. Now."

As the last of the spectators hurried away, the beating of powerful wings filled the air. I looked up to see several dragons descending from the sky, each bearing a rider clad in the distinctive uniform of the Dragon Rider Guild's instructors. They landed in a wide circle around us, their scales glinting in the afternoon sun.

Two figures joined us after dismounting. The first was impossibly tall and lithe, with long silver hair braided intricately down his back. Even from a distance, I could see the battle scars that marked his pale skin. His pointed ears marked him as a High Elf. Beside him, moving with a predatory grace, was a woman with an athletic build and intense eyes.

Thalon's voice resonated in my mind. “ The one with silver hair is Aelar,” he informed me silently. “ The woman is Karina Alvarez. Both are instructors here.”

The dragons shifted restlessly behind their riders, picking up on the tension in the air. Thalon's presence at my back was a comfort, but I could feel his wariness through our bond. The other dragons seemed to respond to his unease, some backing away slightly while others puffed themselves up, as if preparing for a confrontation.

Instructor Aelar broke the tense silence first, his voice as smooth and ageless as his appearance. "Master Burke," he said, inclining his head slightly. "Perhaps you could enlighten us as to the nature of this... unusual gathering?"

Instructor Alvarez’s eyes never left me as she spoke, her voice carrying the sharp edge of command. "And explain why a human woman seems to be at the center of it all?"

Kane stood slightly apart, his posture rigid and his expression unreadable as he observed the unfolding scene. Mason pressed closer to my side, his proximity offering a small measure of comfort.

Master Burke cleared his throat, drawing all eyes to him. "Now," he said, his voice cutting through the tense atmosphere, "let's get to the bottom of this... unprecedented situation. Human, explain to us exactly what transpired during the Compatibility Challenge.”

Mason growled. “Her name is Tempest Whittaker.”

Master Burke's eyes narrowed at Mason's interjection, but he nodded curtly. "Very well. Ms. Whittaker, please explain what happened."

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of everyone's attention. "I... I was watching the challenge when Valen and Selena pushed me into the starting area. I didn't mean to interfere, I swear."

Instructor Alvarez interjected, her intense gaze never wavering, "And how did you end up bonded to one of our most powerful dragons?"

I took a deep breath, trying to organize my thoughts. "Thalon approached me. When our eyes met, it was like... like everything else faded away. Selena attacked me with a spell, and I just... I wanted to protect myself, and Thalon, I think he wanted to protect me too. When we touched, there was this incredible connection, and then there was this golden light..."

"Golden light?" Instructor Aelar interrupted, his ageless face betraying a flicker of intrigue. "That's consistent with ancient accounts of Soul Resonance."

I furrowed my brow, confused. "Soul Resonance? What's that?"

Kane stepped forward, his voice cool and measured. "If I may, sir. I witnessed the event. The golden light was visible to all present. It enveloped both Tess and Thalon. Though I didn’t realize it was Tess at the time."

Master Burke's scarred face remained impassive, but his eyes betrayed a hint of concern. "Soul Resonance hasn't been recorded in centuries. How can we be certain that's what occurred here?"

"I don't know what Soul Resonance is," I said, "but I can feel him now. Thalon, I mean. In my mind. We're... connected."

As the others continued to debate, I felt Thalon's presence in my mind grow stronger.

“Soul Resonance, little one,” his deep voice resonated in my thoughts, “ is an extremely rare phenomenon in dragon-rider bonding. It occurs when a dragon feels a deep, intrinsic connection to the soul of a potential rider.”

I listened, fascinated, as Thalon continued. “ Normally, dragons and riders form bonds through a Binding Spell, which requires mutual consent and involves combining elements from both parties—typically the dragon's fire and the rider's blood. It's a formal process, often followed by ceremonial rituals.”

"But that's not what happened with us, right?" I whispered, barely aware I was speaking aloud.

“Correct,” Thalon confirmed. “ Soul Resonance bonding is different. It forms spontaneously, without the need for a formal Binding Spell. When we touched, with our emotions aligned perfectly, it triggered the bond. That's why there was no need for rituals or blood exchange. That's why everyone is so shocked, Tess. Soul Resonance is so rare that it hasn't been recorded in hundreds of years. It's considered almost mythical in dragon rider lore. No one expected to see it happen... especially not with a human.”

As I processed this information, a sudden wave of insecurity washed over me. “ Thalon,” I thought, hoping he could hear me, “ are you... are you okay with this? I mean, I'm just a human. Surely you would have preferred a more powerful or experienced rider?”

I felt a wave of warmth and reassurance flow through our bond, so strong it nearly took my breath away.

“Little one,” Thalon's voice was filled with amusement and affection, “ I am more than satisfied with our bond. You are not 'just' a human. You are my rider, chosen by the very essence of who we are. Our souls resonate in perfect harmony—a connection so rare and precious that it transcends species or experience.”

His conviction was unwavering as he continued, “ Your humanity is not a weakness, Tess. It is part of what makes you uniquely suited to be my rider. Our bond will bring strengths that neither of us could have imagined alone.”

I felt a lump form in my throat, touched by the depth of Thalon's acceptance and faith in me.

"This is unprecedented," Instructor Alvarez said, drawing my attention. "A dragon forming a Soul Resonance bond with a human? It raises serious questions about the nature of our bonding process."

Instructor Aelar nodded, his piercing blue eyes never leaving me. "Indeed. If a human with no formal training can achieve such a bond, what does that mean for our carefully cultivated selection process?"

As the instructors debated amongst themselves, the beating of powerful wings filled the air. All heads turned to see a magnificent dragon descending, its rust-colored scales glinting in the sunlight. My heart leapt as I recognized the dragon from the night of the car accident.

“That's Yrdren,” Thalon's voice resonated in my mind.

Which meant the rider was... My eyes moved to the figure astride Yrdren's back, confirming my suspicion.

“That's Theron Blackwell,” Thalon supplied. “ He's a Dragon Rider Instructor.”

So that was his name…

As Theron approached, I couldn't help but notice that he was just as devastatingly handsome as I remembered from that evening only a few weeks ago. His thick black hair was tousled from the flight, and his emerald green eyes seemed to pierce right through me. The way he moved, with the grace and power of a seasoned warrior, made my breath catch in my throat.

I found myself acutely aware of his presence, the way his muscular frame filled out his riding leathers, the strong line of his jaw now set in a grim expression. For a moment, I felt a wave of relief at seeing a familiar face.

"What in the name of all that's sacred is going on here?" Theron demanded, his deep voice sending an involuntary shiver down my spine. "Why was the challenge halted?"

Master Burke squared his shoulders. "Instructor Blackwell, we have an... unexpected development. It seems Ms. Whittaker here has formed a bond with Thalon during the Compatibility Challenge."

At the mention of my name, Theron's gaze snapped to me. His eyes widened in recognition, and for a split second, I saw a flicker of the kindness I remembered from that night. But it vanished as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by a storm of emotions—shock, disbelief, and then, unmistakably, anger.

"You," he said, his voice low and taut with barely contained fury. His emerald eyes blazed with an intensity that made me want to take a step back. "Of course it would be you."

I flinched. What had happened to the man who had comforted me after the accident? Why was he looking at me like I was his worst nightmare come to life?

Theron's jaw clenched as he turned back to Master Burke. "This is impossible. She's human. She shouldn't even be here, let alone bonding with one of our most powerful dragons."

"And yet," Instructor Aelar interjected, his ageless face impassive, "here we are. The question remains: what do we do now?"

As the tension in the air thickened, I felt my heart racing. The stark contrast between Theron's previous kindness and his current hostility left me reeling, and the weight of everyone's scrutiny pressed down on me like a physical force. This entire situation felt surreal, like a dream I couldn't wake up from.

I glanced at Thalon, seeking some anchor in this storm of confusion. Through our newfound bond, I could sense his steady presence, a contrast to the chaos around us. But even this connection, which felt so right and natural, was adding to my sense of being utterly out of my depth.

I tried to focus, to understand what was happening, but it all felt too big, too sudden. Questions raced through my mind—What did this bond mean? How would it change my life?

“Don't worry, little one,” Thalon's deep voice resonated in my mind. “ It will all be okay.”

His words washed over me, easing some of the tension from my shoulders. I took a deep breath, drawing strength from his confidence.

Theron's voice cut through the haze of my thoughts. "We need to report this to the Lord Protector immediately."

Kane stepped forward, his expression thoughtful. "If I may suggest, given that Ms. Whittaker is an employee of the Dragonne Library, perhaps we should first notify Moriyana. She is, after all, in charge of the library and my father’s superior."

The group fell silent, considering Kane's words. Even Theron's anger seemed to waver in the face of this logical suggestion.

Before anyone could respond, a powerful presence filled the air, accompanied by the sound of massive wings. I turned, along with everyone else, to see Moriyana, the Grand Luminary of the Dragonne Library, descending from the sky. Her deep ruby scales shimmered in the sunlight, each movement graceful despite her enormous size. As she landed, the ground trembled slightly beneath our feet.

“A wise decision, young fae,” Moriyana's voice resonated in all our minds. “ I believe I'm already informed of the situation .” Her eyes, ancient and wise, swept over the group before settling on Thalon and me. I felt a wave of relief at her familiar presence, remembering how she had welcomed me to the library not so long ago.

Suddenly, Moriyana's gaze sharpened, focusing on Master Burke. “ Master Burke, what of the applicants who pushed Tempest into this situation? Selena and Valen, I believe?”

Master Burke's eyes widened slightly, a look of chagrin crossing his face. "You're right, Grand Luminary. I apologize for the oversight." He squared his shoulders, his voice firm as he continued, "I will send someone to locate and detain them immediately after we conclude this discussion. Their actions will be thoroughly investigated and addressed."

Moriyana's mental voice held a note of approval. “ Very good. See that you do. Now, let us return to the matter at hand. It seems Tempest has formed a Soul Resonance bond.”

Master Burke stepped forward, his scarred face set in a frown. "Grand Luminary," he began, his tone respectful but firm, "this is unprecedented. We can't simply allow anyone to become a dragon rider without going through the proper tests and training. There are protocols in place for a reason."

Instructor Alvarez let out a short, sharp laugh. "Well, obviously you can," she said, gesturing towards Thalon and me with a wave of her hand. "It just happened right in front of us."

I could feel the tension in the air, thick enough to cut with a knife. Thalon's reassuring presence in my mind was the only thing keeping me from fidgeting under the intense scrutiny of everyone present.

Moriyana's mental voice held a note of amusement when she responded. “ Indeed, Instructor Alvarez. However, I understand the political implications of this situation.” Her gaze swept over the group once more. “ Many supernatural beings will not take kindly to a human bonding with a dragon, especially one as powerful as Thalon.”

I swallowed hard, the reality of my situation sinking in. This wasn't just about me and Thalon; it was about the entire supernatural world and its delicate balance of power.

Kane cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. His face was composed, but I could see a glimmer of something—determination, perhaps—in his eyes. "What if Ms. Whittaker joins the applicants?" he proposed. "That way, she can prove she deserves the bond."

A murmur ran through the group. I held my breath, watching as Moriyana considered the suggestion. Her eyes seemed to glow as she mulled it over.

“An excellent suggestion, young Kane. Starting tomorrow, Tempest will begin training with the applicants,” Moriyana's voice echoed in our minds. “ However, I propose an addition. Tempest will continue her duties at the library, focusing solely on the Oral History project. Her regular librarian duties will be suspended for now.”

I felt a wave of relief wash over me. At least I wouldn't be losing my job over this unexpected turn of events. The Oral History project was something I was passionate about, and the thought of continuing it alongside this new adventure sent a thrill through me.

“Given that Tempest is behind the other applicants,” Moriyana continued, her mental voice thoughtful, “ I suggest assigning her a primary instructor to supplement her training.”

Master Burke nodded, stroking his chin. "Instructor Blackwell would be the best choice," he said after a moment of consideration. "As he's only been an instructor for three weeks, he doesn't yet have a full roster of official duties. He's mainly been assisting with Aelar's classes."

Instructor Aelar nodded in confirmation. "Indeed. Theron has been a valuable asset in my Crisis Management Strategies course, but he could certainly take on this additional responsibility."

Theron's head snapped up, his emerald eyes flashing with barely contained fury. "Me?" he said, his voice low and dangerous. "You want me to train her?"

"You're qualified," Master Burke stated firmly, his tone brooking no argument. The look he gave Theron was pointed, filled with unspoken meaning. "And your current schedule allows for this arrangement."

I watched as Theron's jaw clenched, his gaze flicking between me and Master Burke. The anger radiating from him was palpable, his earlier hostility towards me clearly amplified by this new development.

Theron's posture remained rigid, his eyes blazing with defiance. But even he couldn't outright refuse the Grand Luminary or deny the weight of his sworn duty. "As you wish," he ground out.

I swallowed hard. The man who seemed to despise me would now be my primary instructor. This was going to be... challenging, to say the least.