CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
“T ODAY'S THE DAY, RAV! Wake up!” Nero shouts down the bond, causing me to jolt up, searching the room in alert.
“ A little less excitement please. It’s too early for that, ” I yawn, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed.
He glides down off his perch, landing on the bed beside me. “ But Rav, after today we leave. We’re free from here. ”
“ Once we escape, ” I say dryly. The past week we’ve been formulating a plan. Rozen has decided to go for the Dragon Rider's faction, while Melissandre and Lennox are opting for gryphons. Ember is choosing the Berserkers and little ol’ me is going for Infantry, rumored to be the easiest to pass with the least amounts of deaths. I’m confident that we’re all making it through today. I refuse to think otherwise. Losing any of them… Well, we aren’t thinking that way.
He clucks. “ Semantics. ”
I know Gregor and Bren are joining Lennox and Mel, and I’ve been avoiding thinking or even dealing with Bracken. Everyone, excluding the two males, have been giving him the cold shoulder, but thankfully he hasn’t approached me since last week after I lost my composure and almost exposed everything. Although it doesn’t stop the way he smiles at me, like he’s come up with a plan to fix everything. It gives me the creeps.
Carefully, I pack away my meager belongings, leaving the uniforms and first year gear hanging in the cupboard, before taking the necessary clothing to bring downstairs to get changed. Most change here, unbothered by the others in the room, but I never have, always opting to run down the stairs, which is exactly what I do again today, with Ember and Melissandre joining me.
Before I know it I’m back in the room and the squad chambers look exactly how I remember them when we arrived: fresh bedding made and ready for new recruits, all personal artifacts packed away, empty, bare. We were told to pack all our personal items because after today, we’re either dead or moving to the West Tower to begin our second year. But the six of us won’t be coming back.
I made sure last night to grab my stash of food from the area below the castle, which the five of us split between our packs, and Lennox managed to scrounge up some weapons that won’t be missed from the armory. Nothing too fancy, just a few blades that are easily concealed within our packs.
With a glance over at Lennox, he nods. This is our moment to get our packs hidden away in the stairwell of the tunnel leading under the castle. Mel and I are going to make a cubby and hide them within the stone wall to grab during our escape tonight. The plan is to leave through the tunnels and use Rozen’s dragon and the gryphons to aid us. Hopefully we’ll be long gone before anyone notices we’re missing. But not before I grab what’s behind that cursed door—the source of that evil magick.
We follow the crowd of first years into the grand hall until Roz and I wrap an illusion around our group, making it seem like we were never there in the first place as we rush over to the officers’ quarters.
We wait, plastered against the wall, as a couple lingering officers amble past, most likely preparing for what’s to come after breakfast. When they pass, we slip behind the door and gather in the ancient stairwell.
“Okay ladies, this is all on you,” Lennox chirps, nodding at his sister and me.
We place our hands on the wall convincing the stone to carve out a place wide enough to hold our packs. The moment we pull our hands away, we all toss them in before hiding them behind a thin layer of stone: thin enough that with a strong enough hit, the wall will shatter and anyone of us could get through it.
“Perfect. You all remember the plan?” I ask as nerves begin to set in.
Rozen grins, wrapping his arm around Ember’s shoulder. “After we finish the trials, Ember, Rav and I will come back here, gather our stuff and grab the creepy dark thing below the castle and then head down into the dragons’ den through the lower tunnels, where I will take them for the ride of their lives—” She elbows him in the ribs, which causes him to grin harder after gasping for air. “The Twins will sneak out to the stables to get their gryphons, and we will all meet up at the base of the northern part of the Dreki Mountains, where we will ride hard and fast as far from here as we can get—to the northwestern part of the Gratandi Mountains—where we will come up with our next plan.”
“Exactly. Okay, before we head to the dining hall, I just want to thank you all for not letting me pull away and for keeping my secrets.” Guilt threatens to smother me for not telling them the rest, but it’s better that way—forgotten in the past where it belongs. Like most of my memories. “You all better get out of today alive or so help me I’ll come after the fates just to ream you out.”
They chuckle, and even Ember cracks a smile at that one.
“That means you too, Ravina. Go kick some Infantry butt,” Melissandre sings as she pulls us in for a quick hug.
Nodding to Rozen, we pull the Szellemi magick over us. “Let’s get back before we’re missed.”
Nero holds his head against my temple. “ Everything is going to be fine ,” he soothes my frazzled nerves.
And I can only hope he’s right.
THE LAST TIME the first years were standing in the courtyard like this was during the second trial, and today is much like then. Tension and anticipation are bittersweet as they saturate the mountain air.
My squad stands at attention, the fourth group in line from the front as we await Major General Rune’s orders. This was supposed to have started immediately after breakfast, but there seems to be some sort of delay.
Even Wing One seems tense at the turn of events. My gaze keeps pulling to them, specifically the three males, and they keep watching me. It’s nerve-wracking, like they see me . I don’t know what changed. Maybe Jesper—Sergeant Verlice—told them about my scars, and the attack. Maybe they pity me. Craven especially has never thought highly of me. ‘Weak. Pathetic.’ They will never know the strength I truly have hidden under my skin. None of them will. So I watch back, knowing it doesn’t matter, because after today, I’ll never see them again.
Suddenly Rune’s voice carries out over the company of soldiers waiting. “Today marks a very special day: the day you’re given your final trial to earn your place within the Damorleian ranks.” He pauses, his gaze swiveling around the crowd. “Today we are honored by having the Lords of Damorleia join us for the first time since Phixmery began recruiting for the war against Vathia!”
At that moment, three imposing males stride out of the castle’s front doors, and instantly I can see the likeness to each of their sons. Lord Verlice has the same tone of dark, silky skin, but where his son has laugh lines and gorgeous green eyes, this face is cruel. His pale blue eyes are hard and calculating as they scan us.
Killian’s father is even easier to pick out, if not for the same towering burly size as his son, then for the eerily matching red gaze and braids of dark hair. One would say they’re a spitting image of each other; if not for the scars littering his son’s face, they could pass as twins.
And finally, Lord Craven. His black, void-like eyes are set on his son, seething in disappointment. The long, pale brown strands of his hair wash out his already pale features, and it’s then I realize that my Sergeant most certainly has received his heart-stopping looks from his mother. His domineering personality makes sense though, if this is who raised him.
Rune’s commanding voice knocks me out of my assessment of the Lords. “Today they’ll be observing the trials, assessing that our training methods are up to par with their expectations.” His voice hardens on the word but his meaning is clear: do not make him look bad.
The three males who run Damorleia in the late Queen’s stead glower at us, daring us to move one toe out of line. The pressure of their stares is startling. The sheer power they wield sifts around us, searching for any form of weakness.
“As follows, your name will be called within ten minutes of each of your potential future faction members. You will be led to a location here on the mountain. If you survive your trial, you will join that faction. Let me be very clear: your faction choices are locked in and cannot be changed. Any attempt to run will face a death penalty and you will die a traitor. Good luck to you all. You’ll need it,” he finishes.
Moments later, the first five names are called.
So it begins.
One by one, I watch the training yard empty. Rozen gets called first, then Mel, and Ember, leaving Lennox, Gregor, Bracken and I as the only members of our squad left.
The sun is high in the sky when they call Bracken’s name. He grins and winks at me before bounding off towards the male who called him, who then leads him outside the battlements.
I’ve realized none of the trials are taking place within these walls. Rune and the Lords vanished not long after the names began to get called, taking their sons with them. A pang of anger for them hits me square in the chest. It’s obvious their fathers aren’t decent males. And for some reason I’m worried about what has happened to them before they came here.
“ Are you doing okay? ” Nero asks, breaking his silent sentry position on my shoulder.
I don’t dare move, even with my body cramping from holding this position all morning. “ Fine, I just really don’t like those males, the Lords. I feel like I know them. Something doesn’t sit right with me .”
He shuffles on my shoulder. “ Trust your gut. Hopefully by the time the day is done, we never have to see them again .”
I mentally nod. Nero is right. After today it won’t matter. We just need to get through our trial and then it’s done. I can go back to keeping my promise. Even as I say the words though, something uncomfortable shifts in my mind as a thought crosses it. I’ve kept that promise for so long… would she be mad if I tried to do something about it? To try to fix what is happening here in Damorleia?
Unfortunately I don’t get the chance to think about it because my name is called. I take a centering breath, and like the walk to the gallows, I follow the captain who came to fetch me for my trial.
AS WE APPROACH a massive opening in the cliff wall, a sinking feeling in my gut threatens to consume me. The feeling is confirmed when a resounding, ear-shattering roar comes from within the darkened cavern.
“Captain,” I stutter out. “Which trial is this?” I ask, needing to hear the words.
His brows narrow in confusion as he glances between me and the cave. “The Dragon Trials.” He motions to the five guards standing near the entrance and they position themselves behind me. “Are you running?” He asks, a grin growing on his face as I feel a blade press into the base of my spine.
My head shakes vehemently. “No Sir. I’m just making sure. I just thought I signed up for another trial…my mistake.” My stomach tightens and bile builds. The acidic taste coating my tongue and making saliva pool in my mouth as I try to hold back the vomit that is threatening to spew from my mouth.
He sighs and the blade is removed. “Fine. The trial is simple. Enter the cave and walk until you’re either chosen, or dead. Good luck, Cadet.” He eyes me with disdain. “You’re going to need it.”
A hand shoves me towards the cave and I nearly face-plant, causing Nero to squawk in distress. “ How did this happen, Ravina? I watched you sign up for Infantry. This isn’t part of the plan .”
“ I know that. But there’s nothing I can do. They’ll kill me if I even deviate from the path. You should take off, sit in a tree and wait for me to come out .” I pet him, trying to not let any more weakness show in front of the males following me to the mouth of the cave.
He bites my earlobe hard. “ That’s for trying to send me away. You will need me in there. Now this may not be the plan, but you’re a fates-damn Gallalaus Fae, last of your bloodline. Now get your ass in there and kick some dragon butt ,” he yells.
I nod. He’s right. If anyone can survive this, I can. Let’s just hope neither one of us are delusional or remember that the beasts in there will want to kill us.
I step through the cavern entrance, and for a few steps it’s eerily quiet other than the odd sounds of screaming in the distance ringing through the cave. I swallow. The plopping of dripping water and ground-shaking thuds echo ominously as I climb down the massive ledge, Nero guiding my way so I don’t slip as his vision is much better than mine.
As I drop to the ground, a massive green serpentine eye opens and I nearly scream. You’re not prey, don’t run. You’re not prey, don’t run.
The beast rises to its full height and roars so loudly I cover my ears. Time to go! I spin and hightail it through the cavern, dodging over boulders until I turn a corner. Touching the stone, I lean up against the wall and wrap it around me, hopefully hiding my scent from the massive black dragon on my trail. But after waiting several moments and hearing no earth-shaking steps following, I cautiously create a hole to peek out of.
Nothing.
What am I doing? I’m going to get myself killed and this is not how I want to die, for fate’s sake. When I’m out of here, I’m going to demand to see the lists. Someone must have forged my name last minute, because I triple checked and then Nero did too before I even wrote my name down. Someone wants me dead—that much is obvious—and I can think of two females off the top of my head who are at the top of that list.
Hesitantly, I remove my stone covering and cautiously make my way through the cave when a plan begins to form. I just need to find the passage from the den to under the castle. I’ll hide there until the others come and then we all leave. The guards will think I was dead anyway. It’s perfect.
With renewed energy I begin my search, but with every minute I’m in here and there’s no dragon to be seen, the higher my hair stands on end.
Suddenly, hands grab me, spinning me and covering my mouth. My eyes widen in surprise and then my gut drops anger as I realize it’s Bracken.
I shove him off me. “What the hell do you want?” That’s when I realize he doesn’t look surprised to see me. He looks excited. “You!” I hiss, baring my teeth at him.
“Ravina, just hear me out. All the dragons went deeper into the cave for some reason, but you have so much power. More than Craven. You would have been wasted in Infantry! I did you and all of Damorleia a favor!” He bellows back, getting in my face. “You owe me.”
“I owe you nothing!” I yell, striking the metal on my belt to summon a flame.
He laughs, stealing it from me. “Fuck, I like it when you’re pissed,” he sneers before grabbing my face and forcing his mouth on mine.
His lips are wet as they move on my firm mouth. Disgust wars with the wrath within me as my muscles flare to life with magick. I aim for his crotch and my aim is true when I feel something pop behind the weight of my strike.
The screams of his cry rent through the air as he drops to the ground and I stand over him, grinning with pure malice at the audacity of the male before me.
“Nero. Fetch,” I growl.
Nero doesn’t wait a moment, his anger matching mine as he swoops down, plucking a sharp stone off the cave floor, attacking Bracken’s face and expertly dodging his weak attempts to stop him. His screams worsen as blood spurts with every precise cut my raven friend makes. It’s only moments later when Nero soars back onto my shoulder with his prize: a perfectly intact, pale blue eyeball.
Bracken’s hand is covered with blood as he simultaneously holds both of his injuries, writhing on the floor screaming.
“Let that be a reminder. I’ve warned you. I was even nice to you when everyone told me not to be. Never again will I ignore that feeling in my gut or my friends. I hope you rot down here,” I seethe.
I ignore his pleas, like he ignored every boundary I set. Like he ignored my choice for the faction I chose.
Wordlessly, I grab a small fist-sized stone and carve it out, and pull water from the earth to fill it. Nero drops the eyeball into the liquid and I seal the stone shut, placing it in my pocket until I can figure out how to preserve it for him, knowing he’s going to want to keep it.
“ Rav… ” he starts.
I shake my head, holding back tears. “ No, not now. We need to get out of here .”
We fall into a silence and that’s when I realize Bracken was right. Where in fate’s name are all the dragons? With all the racket we’ve made, I was almost positive I’d be running from the beasts.
Feeling uneasy, I push through my nerves, blocking out what just happened and whose eye is currently sitting in my pocket. I wander down large cavern after cavern, deepening into the dragon’s keep until I come to an opening so impossibly large that I can’t see where it ends.
Dragons upon dragons, all colors and sizes, fill the space: red, blue, black, white… but the one that catches my eye is a deep purple one sitting atop a massive stone platform, staring at me with large, yellow eyes.
None of the beasts move as they wait to see what I do.
Nero freezes. “ Um Ravina… that’s a lot of teeth and talons… ”
“ Uh-huh .”
“ What are we going to do ?” he asks hesitantly, his words edged with panic.
The ground shakes behind me and the same black dragon from earlier blocks my way out. The meaning is clear: I must move forward.
I gulp, forcing my nerves to be calm. How bad could death by dragon be? “ You with me ?” I ask my feathered companion.
“ Always, Rav. You never need to ask .”
With one shaky step after another, I wade between the dragons, none of them moving a muscle as they watch me. I continue up to the giant raised stone landing that I saw the purple one on and when I go to walk around it, I’m grabbed by a pair of talons and Nero takes flight. Within moments I’m dropped on the dias in front of the violet one, with scales so dark that only in certain light can you see the deep, majestic shade.
The beast lowers its head, and it’s right then I’m not afraid any longer. I know from my bond with Nero that he’s close by, but I’m sure even he can sense the magick thrumming in the air like a war drum. I am mesmerized by the sense of right I feel as the dragon and I lock eyes. It brings its wickedly sharp, curved talon up, and my body knows what to do. I raise my hand, palm up.
As its talon connects and draws blood, I gasp as an electric current of pure power rushes beneath my skin. A bond snaps into place, just like the bond I felt with Nero all those years ago.
“ Hello, lost one. My name is Vasari of the royal dragon bloodline. My mother was your mother’s bonded dragon as I’m now yours. I’ve been waiting for you ,” she says, her voice rich and deep, almost otherworldly sounding.
I blink at her and then down at the silver scars covering the palm of my hand. “ You’ve been waiting for me ?”
She dips her massive head. “ Yes. I’ll explain after we take our bonding flight ,” she laughs. “ Shall we? ”
She stretches her long, muscular leg out and uses her long head to gesture to her back.
“ Nero ?” I squeak.
He flies onto my shoulder, pride streaming through him. “ I’m right here. Go on, I’ll follow. Imagine that! I get to take to the skies with my fae .” He pauses and then adds, “ Don’t lose my eyeball. It’s my first one !”
A nervous chuckle escapes me as I slowly climb up Vasari’s leg, up onto the soft spot between her shoulder blades, gripping one of the thick spikes along her spine.
“ Are you ready ?” she asks.
“ As ready as I’ll ever be ,” I reply, shocked at the turn of events that today has taken.
She lets out a deafening roar, along with the hundreds of dragons surrounding us. The mountain shakes with the force of it. She takes a running leap off the platform and her wings catch her as she glides to the opening, running through the tunnels in a fraction of the time it took me to walk it. She leaps again and this time she doesn’t touch the ground, her massive powerful wings carrying us up towards the opening at the top of the mountain.
Nero flies excitedly around me as I scream my lungs out.
“ You should close your mouth unless you’re planning on catching bugs ,” he teases. “ Although, they are a great source of protein .”
“ The feathered rat is correct ,” Vasari states as she breaks through the peak, and I barely hear Nero’s complaint over the sight. It’s exhilarating and terrifying. Absolutely breathtaking.
My knuckles are white as I grip her spike, my thighs straining from the pressure of staying on. That’s when I notice she’s heading straight to Phixmery where most of year one is waiting post-trials with their new factions and bonded beasts.
Shit. I’m riding a fates-damned purple dragon and the implications of what this means for the realm of Damorleia hits me.
Fuck.
“ Relax Lost One, I know what I’m doing. It’s about time we are made known again ,” Visari growls as she beats her powerful wings.
Other dragons are pouring out from the castle behind us, landing around the Phixmery War Academy for fates know what. Visari keeps her leisurely pace and I’m not sure if it’s so I don’t fall off and die, or if she’s making a statement.
She chuffs and it vibrates through my body. “ Why can’t it be both? ” she asks as she lands on top of the battlement wall, which cracks under her enormous presence.
“Well I’m glad you’re not trying to kill us with flying…” I mutter as I peer over her back, staring down into the courtyard below where everyone who made it through The Choosing is staring wide-eyed at me. Even the Lords’ jaws are slightly slacked. Something tells me escaping is going to be a bit harder than I expected.
A terrifying roar sounds and my head snaps up, diverting my gaze from the training yard below to the skies in front of me where a massive white dragon soars towards us with unfathomable speed, with a rider perched on his back. I know it’s him because this beast is the exact one from my dreams—there’s no mistaking it.
My dream dragon is real.
And then everything goes to shit.