Tempest Awakening (The Dragonne Library #1)

Chapter 23

Tess

The hallway narrowed as I followed Theron towards the Headmaster's office. Our shoulders nearly touched as we navigated the tight space, and I was acutely aware of every inch between us. I couldn't help but notice how his outfit perfectly blended his roles as instructor and dragon rider.

His crisp, white button-down shirt was rolled up at the sleeves, revealing toned forearms. Over it, he wore a fitted leather vest in rich, dark brown that hugged his broad shoulders and tapered at the waist, accentuating his athletic build. Dark, flexible trousers disappeared into knee-high leather boots, practical for both classroom and dragon riding. A wide belt with small pouches completed the ensemble.

The whole effect was... distractingly attractive, if I was being honest. Shaking myself out of those thoughts, I focused on the silence between us. It was deafening, filled only by the sound of our footsteps and my pounding heart.

Theron's jaw was clenched, his emerald eyes fixed straight ahead. The tension rolling off him was almost palpable, and I found myself searching for something, anything, to break this uncomfortable quiet.

"So," I ventured, my voice sounding too loud in the stillness, "I guess you drew the short straw, huh? Escorting the troublesome human and all that."

As soon as the words left my mouth, I wanted to kick myself. Why did I say that? I usually tried to fade into the background, not draw attention to myself. But something about Theron's brooding silence made me want to... poke the bear, so to speak.

Theron's steps faltered for a moment, and he turned those intense eyes on me. I almost wished I'd kept my mouth shut. Almost.

"This isn't a joke, Ms. Whittaker," he said, his low voice sending an involuntary shiver through me. "Do you even understand the gravity of your situation?"

I bristled at his tone. "I'm well aware of the challenges, Instructor Blackwell."

Where was this coming from? Normally, I'd be nodding and agreeing, trying to smooth things over. But Theron's dismissive attitude sparked something in me. A need to prove him wrong, to stand up for myself.

He scoffed, and suddenly the floodgates opened. "Are you? Dragon riding isn't some fantasy adventure. It's life and death. Your lack of magical background puts not only you but everyone around you at risk."

We rounded a corner, and I had to brush against him to avoid colliding with a passing student. I ignored the jolt that ran through me at the contact.

"I'm committed to rigorous training," I countered, lifting my chin defiantly. "I'll work twice as hard to overcome any disadvantages."

The words came out stronger than I'd intended, but I didn't regret them. There was something about arguing with Theron that made me feel more... alive. More myself.

Theron's eyes bore into mine, and I felt pinned in place by his gaze. "It's not just about hard work. You'll be under constant scrutiny as the first human rider. One mistake, one moment of weakness, and you'll destroy years of progress in human-supernatural relations."

We paused at an intersection, our bodies turning towards each other in the heat of the argument. I was acutely aware of how close we were standing, of the faint scent of pine and something distinctly masculine that I could only assume was uniquely Theron.

"Or," I said, meeting his gaze steadily despite the flutter in my stomach, "my success could open up new possibilities for cooperation and understanding."

Theron's jaw clenched. "And what makes you so sure you'll succeed? Do you truly believe you can maintain a proper bond with a dragon? Understand their needs, their nature?"

The accusation stung, but I held my ground. "My bond with Thalon is real. I feel it, even if I can't explain it."

"Feelings," Theron spat the word like a curse. "Feelings won't save you when you're thousands of feet in the air with nothing but scales and wings between you and certain death."

We resumed walking, the hallway narrowing even further. I could feel the heat radiating from Theron's body, our arms almost touching. It was... distracting.

"I know the risks," I said quietly. "But I also believe this is where I'm meant to be. I won't let fear of failure hold me back."

Theron stopped abruptly, turning to face me. In the narrow space, we were mere inches apart. My breath caught in my throat as I noticed his eyes flicker briefly to my lips before meeting my gaze again. The intensity in those emerald depths made my heart race.

"Fear of failure isn't the problem, Ms. Whittaker," he said, his voice low and husky. Was it my imagination, or did he lean in slightly closer? "It's the consequences of that failure that should terrify you."

I could feel the warmth of his breath on my skin, and for a moment, it seemed like he was fighting some internal battle. His hands clenched at his sides, as if he was resisting the urge to reach out.

Before I could respond, Theron stepped back, gesturing to a door I hadn't noticed.

"We're here," he said, his professional mask sliding back into place. "Remember, in there, every word matters. Choose them wisely."

There was something about Theron that brought out a side of me I barely recognized—someone who stood her ground, who wasn't afraid to speak up. It was unsettling, but also... empowering.

Theron opened the door to the office, and I stepped inside, my heart pounding. The room was a perfect blend of grandeur and warmth—rich, dark wood paneling contrasted with soft, cream-colored walls. Bookshelves lined one side, filled with ancient tomes and modern texts alike. The other wall featured large windows that offered a breathtaking view of the dragon training grounds. At the center of it all stood the Headmaster.

Theron cleared his throat. "Headmaster Northfall, may I present Tempest Whittaker, our new... unique applicant." His voice held a note of tension I couldn't quite decipher. "Ms. Whittaker, this is Headmaster Isolde Northfall.”

She exuded an aura of elegance and authority that made me want to stand a little straighter. Her striking features were framed by long, silvery hair that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight streaming through the windows. When her eyes met mine, I saw a flash of curiosity and... was that approval?

I stepped forward, trying to channel some of that newfound confidence. "It's an honor to meet you, Headmaster," I said, hoping my voice didn't betray my nerves.

"Indeed, Ms. Whittaker," she said, her voice melodious yet commanding. "Welcome. I trust Instructor Blackwell has made you feel at home?"

I glanced at Theron, remembering our heated exchange in the hallway. "He's been... informative," I managed.

A hint of a smile played at Isolde's lips. "I'm sure he has." She gestured to the chairs in front of her desk. "Please, have a seat. We're just waiting on—"

The door burst open, cutting her off. A tall, imposing figure strode in, his very presence seeming to suck the warmth from the room. Lord Protector Silvius Ellesar. His piercing blue eyes swept over us, lingering on me with barely concealed disdain.

"Well, well," he said, his voice dripping with condescension, "our little human experiment has made it through her first day without causing a catastrophe. How... quaint."

I felt my cheeks burn, but before I could respond, Isolde spoke up.

"Lord Protector," she said, her tone respectful but with an undercurrent of steel, "thank you for joining us. We were just about to begin discussing Ms. Whittaker's unique situation."

Silvius waved a hand dismissively. "Yes, yes, the human who somehow bonded with a dragon. Quite the predicament you've landed us in, isn't it, Isolde dear?"

I watched as Isolde's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "It's certainly unprecedented," she agreed, "but also an incredible opportunity. As Moriyana pointed out when she recommended Ms. Whittaker join the applicants—"

"Ah, yes," Silvius interrupted, settling into a chair with regal grace. "The Grand Luminary's... progressive decision. Tell me, child," he turned those icy blue eyes on me, "did you find the big words in class too difficult to understand? Or perhaps you're still trying to grasp the concept of magic altogether?"

I felt a surge of anger, remembering my earlier conversation with Theron. Instead of shrinking away, I met Silvius's gaze. "Actually, Lord Protector," I said, surprised by the steadiness in my voice, "I found today's class on Core Magic fascinating, even if I struggled with the practical aspects. As for the ethics, I'm looking forward to those discussions. After all, considering the implications of our actions is crucial in any field, magical or otherwise, don't you think?"

I couldn't believe I'd just said that to the Lord Protector. Where had that come from? But I held my ground, waiting for his response.

Silvius's eyebrows shot up. "Well, well," he drawled, "it seems our little human has some spark after all."

Before I could respond, Headmaster Northfall stepped in. "Indeed, Lord Protector. Ms. Whittaker's unique perspective could prove invaluable to our program." Her voice was smooth, diplomatic, but I sensed an undercurrent of steel. "Now, shall we discuss the matter at hand?"

"Yes, let's," Silvius said, leaning back in his chair. "I'm curious to hear how you plan to justify this... unprecedented situation, Isolde dear."

I watched as Headmaster Northfall's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly at the patronizing tone. "As you're aware," she began, "Moriyana herself recommended Ms. Whittaker join the applicants after her dragon bonding. It's an extraordinary opportunity—"

"Extraordinary risk, you mean," Silvius cut in. "A human, untrained and unprepared, suddenly thrust into our world? It's reckless at best, dangerous at worst."

I felt Theron shift beside me, and when I glanced at him, I saw a muscle working in his jaw. Was he angry at Silvius's words, or did he agree?

Headmaster Northfall remained calm. "Which is precisely why Ms. Whittaker will undergo the same rigorous training as any other applicant. Her bond with the dragon Thalon is a fact we cannot ignore, Lord Protector."

Silvius's eyes narrowed. "Can't we? I propose we make this... bond conditional on her passing the applicant training. If she fails, the bond is broken."

The room went silent. I felt like all the air had been sucked out of my lungs. Break my bond with Thalon? The very thought made me feel physically ill.

"That's not possible," Theron spoke up suddenly, his voice tight with barely controlled emotion. "A dragon's choice has always been honored. Always."

Silvius turned his icy gaze on Theron. "Ah yes, Instructor Blackwell. I'd almost forgotten you were here. Tell me, how does it feel to be reduced to babysitting our little experiment here?"

I saw Theron's hands clench into fists at his sides, but his face remained impassive. "I follow the Grand Luminary’s orders, Lord Protector. As we all should."

Headmaster Northfall cleared her throat, drawing attention back to herself. "While I appreciate your concern, Lord Protector, breaking a dragon bond is not only unprecedented but potentially dangerous. However," she added, as Silvius opened his mouth to argue, "I do agree that we must consider the precedent we're setting."

She turned to me, her eyes softening slightly. "Ms. Whittaker, you must understand the gravity of your position. The Guild Trial in October will be crucial. It's designed as the first step in narrowing down our applicants. Only seventy percent of participants move forward in the process."

My mouth went dry. Only seventy percent would move on? That meant thirty percent failed. And I was starting with zero magical experience. The odds weren't exactly in my favor.

Silvius leaned forward, a glint in his eye. "I think I'll oversee the organization of this year's trial. To ensure it's... appropriately challenging for all applicants."

The emphasis he placed on "all" made it clear who he was really targeting. I fought to keep my face neutral, even as my stomach churned with anxiety.

Headmaster Northfall's expression remained carefully neutral, but I caught a flicker of something—concern? frustration?—in her eyes before she smoothed it away. "Of course, Lord Protector. Your expertise will undoubtedly be valuable in crafting this year's trial."

Her tone was respectful, but I sensed an undercurrent of tension. It was clear she didn't agree with Silvius's decision, but she had no choice but to accept it.

Silvius smiled, a cold, satisfied expression that sent a shiver down my spine. "Excellent. We'll ensure that only the truly worthy move forward in the process. After all, we can't lower our standards for... special cases."

His gaze flickered to me, and I felt the weight of his disdain. It was clear that in his eyes, I was anything but worthy.

Headmaster Northfall cleared her throat, clearly trying to steer the conversation in a more positive direction. "Speaking of preparation, we have a solution in place to ensure Ms. Whittaker is adequately prepared for the trial and beyond."

She glanced at Theron, who stiffened almost imperceptibly. "As you're aware, Master Burke has assigned Instructor Blackwell as Ms. Whittaker's mentor. His expertise will be invaluable in helping her catch up on the magical knowledge she's missed growing up as a human."

I nodded, remembering Master Burke's decision. Despite knowing about the arrangement, I still felt a flutter of nervousness in my stomach. Theron's face was an impassive mask, but the tension in his jaw was unmistakable.

Silvius's eyebrows shot up, and then a slow, amused smile spread across his face. "Instructor Blackwell as a mentor? How... fitting." He chuckled, a sound devoid of any real mirth. "After all, it was this very human who was responsible for your suspension from active Rider duty just a few weeks ago, wasn't it, Blackwell?"

I felt my cheeks burn. The incident on the highway—when I'd stepped in to save that homeless man—had gotten Theron suspended? I hadn't realized the full consequences of my actions that day.

Theron's voice was tight when he responded. "The situation was complex, Lord Protector. Ms. Whittaker's actions were... unexpected."

Silvius waved a hand dismissively. "Of course, of course. Water under the bridge now, I'm sure." But the gleam in his eyes told me he was enjoying this far too much. "I think this mentorship is an excellent idea. After all, who better to teach our little human the ropes than someone who's experienced firsthand the... complications she can cause?"

The implication was clear: Silvius thought Theron resented me, and he was counting on that resentment to make my journey even harder.

Headmaster Northfall's eyes darted between Theron and me, a small crease of concern forming between her brows. "Instructor Blackwell is one of our finest. I'm sure he'll provide Ms. Whittaker with the guidance she needs, regardless of past events."

I swallowed hard, trying to process all of this. Theron was my mentor, yes, but now I understood the weight of our shared history. The man who'd been so cold to me, who clearly had reasons to dislike me, was responsible for my magical education. And now Silvius was practically gloating about it?

I glanced at Theron, hoping to gauge his reaction, but his face remained unreadable. Whatever he was feeling about this arrangement, he was keeping it tightly under wraps.

Silvius stood, his movement smooth and deliberate. "Well, I believe we've covered everything of importance. Isolde, do keep me informed of our little experiment's progress." His eyes flickered to me, cold and assessing. "I'll be watching with great interest."

With a nod to Headmaster Northfall and a dismissive glance at Theron and me, he strode out of the office. The door closed behind him with a soft click that seemed to echo in the sudden silence.

As soon as Silvius left, it was as if a weight had been lifted from the room. Headmaster Northfall's shoulders relaxed slightly, and even Theron seemed to breathe a little easier.

"Well," Headmaster Northfall said, her tone noticeably warmer, "now that that's settled, let's go over some of the more practical matters, shall we?" She smiled at me, and for the first time since I'd entered her office, it reached her eyes.

"Ms. Whittaker—may I call you Tess?" At my nod, she continued, "Tess, there are a few key rules at the academy that you should be aware of. First and foremost, safety is our primary concern. This applies not only to physical safety during training but also to magical safety. You must never attempt any magical working without proper supervision, understood?"

I nodded, thinking back to my disastrous attempt at accessing Core Magic earlier. "Absolutely, Headmaster."

"Good," she said. "Secondly, respect for your fellow students, instructors, and of course, the dragons, is paramount. We're a diverse community here, and mutual respect is what keeps us functioning smoothly."

As she spoke, I couldn't help but think of Silvius and his blatant disrespect. I wondered if he considered himself above these rules.

"And finally," Headmaster Northfall's tone became a touch more serious, "we have a strict fraternization policy. Romantic relationships between instructors and students are absolutely forbidden. Between students, while not forbidden, are strongly discouraged, especially during the application phase."

I felt heat rise to my cheeks, suddenly very aware of Theron's presence beside me. I didn't dare look at him. But it wasn't just Theron my mind jumped to. Unbidden, images of Mason's strong arms and Kane's piercing gaze flashed through my thoughts.

“Well, well,” Thalon's voice suddenly echoed in my mind. “ It seems my rider has quite the appreciation for the male form. Interesting.”

I nearly choked, my face burning even hotter. What? Thalon could see those thoughts? Oh god.

“Don't fret, little one,” he continued, clearly enjoying my embarrassment. “ Your secrets are safe with me. Though I must say, your taste is... intriguing.”

I quickly pushed the images away, mortified. What was I thinking? As if any of them would be interested in plain, ordinary me. They were all gorgeous, powerful supernatural beings, and I was just... well, human.

“Don't sell yourself short,” Thalon chimed in, his tone softening. “ You're more special than you realize.”

"This policy exists to maintain a professional learning environment and to prevent any conflicts of interest," Headmaster Northfall explained, oblivious to my internal conversation. "I trust you understand the importance of this?"

"Yes, Headmaster," I managed, hoping my voice sounded steadier than I felt.

Headmaster Northfall nodded, seemingly satisfied. "Excellent. Do you have any questions about these rules or any other aspects of life at the academy?"

As I opened my mouth to respond, I realized that I had about a million questions, but I wasn't sure where to even begin. My mind was still reeling from Thalon's unexpected commentary on my thoughts.

"I... I can't think of any questions at the moment, Headmaster," I managed to say.

“Don't worry,” Thalon assured me. “ I'll answer any questions I can. Though perhaps not about your romantic prospects,” he added with a mental chuckle.

"Very well," Headmaster Northfall said with a smile. "You're both dismissed. Instructor Blackwell, please ensure Ms. Whittaker knows where to go for your session tomorrow."

As we left the office, Theron turned to me, his emerald eyes intense. "Eleven o’clock sharp, Ms. Whittaker. Don't be late."

"Y-yes, sir," I stammered, cursing my body's reaction to his authoritative tone.

Theron's expression softened slightly. "Go get some lunch, Ms. Whittaker. You'll need your strength for tomorrow's session."

I nodded, not trusting my voice, and headed towards the dining hall. As I walked, my mind kept replaying Theron's words. Why did he have to sound so... so...

“Dominant?” Thalon supplied, his mental voice amused. “ Trust your instincts, little one. They're sharper than you think.”