Chapter 20
Tess
As Theron's words hung in the air, thick with tension, Moriyana's voice resonated in all our minds. “ Thank you, Instructor Blackwell. Now, I believe Tess and Thalon need some time to adjust to their new bond.”
I felt a wave of relief wash over me at her words, grateful for the reprieve from Theron's burning gaze. The Grand Luminary's ruby scales shimmered as she turned her attention to the gathered instructors.
“You are all dismissed. We will reconvene Monday morning to discuss the logistics of Tess's training.”
As the instructors began to disperse, I caught sight of Mason's worried expression. He hesitated, taking a step towards me before Master Burke's stern look made him pause.
"Tess?" Mason's deep voice was laced with concern. "Are you sure you're okay with all this?"
I opened my mouth to respond, but found myself unsure of what to say. Was I okay? Everything had happened so fast, and the weight of it all was only now starting to sink in.
“Tell him you're fine,” Thalon's voice echoed in my mind, confident and reassuring. “ We have each other now.”
Drawing strength from Thalon's presence, I managed a small smile. "I'm okay, Mason. Really. It's a lot to take in, but... I think this is where I'm meant to be."
Mason didn't look entirely convinced, but he nodded slowly. "If you need anything, I'm here."
As he turned to leave, I felt a sudden surge of emotion. Before I could overthink it, I rushed forward, throwing my arms around Mason's broad chest.
"Thank you," I whispered, my voice muffled against his shirt. "For everything."
For a moment, Mason seemed stunned, but then his arms wrapped around me, enveloping me in a warm, secure embrace. He held me tightly, as if afraid to let go, and I found myself melting into his touch.
I became acutely aware of Mason's strength, the solidness of his body against mine. His scent—a mix of stone and something wild—filled my senses. It was both arousing and deeply comforting. I breathed deeply, wanting more.
"Ahem," Kane's cool voice cut through the moment. "We should go, Mason. They need some time alone."
Mason's arms tightened briefly before he reluctantly released me. His eyes, when they met mine, were filled with an intensity that made my breath catch.
"Be careful," he said softly, his hand lingering on my arm for a moment before he stepped back.
As Mason and Kane walked away, I felt a confusing mix of emotions inside me. But before I could dwell on it, Thalon's voice filled my mind again, this time with a hint of mischief.
“So, little one, ready for your first flight?”
I blinked, pulled back to the present moment. "Flight? But... isn't that against the rules for applicants?"
Thalon chuckled. “ Rules are meant to be bent occasionally, especially when there's so much to explore.”
I glanced at Moriyana, expecting her to object, but the ancient dragon merely watched us with what seemed like amusement in her eyes.
“Go,” she said simply. “ Bond. Learn. You’ll be busy soon enough.”
With a powerful beat of her wings, Moriyana took to the sky, her ruby scales glinting in the sunlight as she soared towards the Library. The gust from her departure whipped my hair around my face, and I turned back to Thalon, my heart pounding.
For the first time, I really looked at him—I mean, really looked. Thalon was massive, his body easily the size of a city bus. His scales shimmered in the sunlight, shifting between the deepest obsidian and the most radiant gold I'd ever seen. It was like watching the play of light on the surface of a black opal, mesmerizing and ever-changing.
His eyes, when they met mine, were swirling pools of molten lava one moment and soothing amber the next. The intelligence in that gaze was unmistakable, as was the hint of mischief.
“Well, little one?” Thalon's voice in my mind was tinged with amusement. “ Are you going to stand there all day, or shall we fly?”
I swallowed hard, suddenly realizing the logistics of what I was about to do. "I, uh... where exactly am I supposed to sit?"
Thalon lowered his body, bringing his shoulder closer to the ground. “ Here, between my shoulder blades. There's a natural dip that should fit you perfectly.”
Taking a deep breath, I approached him. Up close, the heat radiating from his body was palpable. I placed a hand on his scales, marveling at the texture—smooth and warm, like sun-heated stone.
With trembling hands, I grabbed onto one of his spines and tried to hoist myself up. It was far from graceful; I scrabbled and slipped, my feet searching for purchase on his smooth scales. Thalon remained perfectly still, his patience seemingly endless.
“Use the ridge of my foreleg as a step,” he suggested, amusement clear in his tone.
Following his advice, I managed to clamber onto his back, settling into the dip he'd mentioned. It did fit me perfectly, as if it had been made for me. The realization sent a thrill through me—this was real. I was sitting on a dragon. My dragon.
"Oh my god," I breathed, running my hands along his scales in wonder. "We're really doing this."
“Indeed we are,” Thalon replied, and I could feel his excitement building to match my own. “ Hold on tight, Tess. Let's show you what real flying feels like.”
His muscles bunched beneath me, and I gripped tightly to the spine in front of me. My heart was racing, a giddy laugh bubbling up in my throat. This was it—a moment I'd dreamed of since I was a little girl reading dragon stories under my blanket with a flashlight.
With a powerful thrust of his wings, Thalon launched us into the sky. My stomach dropped as the ground fell away, and I couldn't help but let out a mixture of a scream and a laugh. The rush of wind whipped through my hair, and I tightened my grip on Thalon's spine.
“Relax, little one,” Thalon's voice resonated in my mind, tinged with amusement. “ I won't let you fall.”
And the amazing thing was, I could feel his intent. It wasn't just words; there was a palpable sense of protection and care flowing through our connection. I knew, with a certainty that defied explanation, that Thalon would keep me safe.
As we climbed higher, the Dragonne Library Grounds spread out beneath us like a living map. The grand castle-like library stood to the left, its luminescent stone walls gleaming in the sunlight. To our right, I could see the Dragon Rider Guild, its streamlined spires reaching towards the sky.
I gasped as we soared over the dormitories. From up here, I could see the intricate layout of the multi-wing residence, the grand dining hall at its center catching the light.
"It's beautiful," I breathed, my fear giving way to awe.
“Indeed it is,” Thalon agreed. “ But watch this.”
Suddenly, the world tilted. My stomach lurched as Thalon's wings tucked close to his body, and we plummeted. The wind screamed in my ears, drowning out my own startled cry. The lake below rushed towards us, expanding at a dizzying rate. My fingers gripped Thalon's spine, knuckles white with tension.
Just as the glassy surface of the water filled my vision, his wings snapped open. The abrupt change in direction plastered me against his back. We skimmed the lake, so close I could feel the cool mist on my face. A rainbow shimmered in the spray kicked up by Thalon's wingtips.
My terror melted into euphoria. A laugh bubbled up from my chest, carried away by the wind. We climbed again, the g-force pressing me down. The earth dropped away, becoming a patchwork of greens and browns once more.
Without warning, the horizon spun. Up became down, then up again. My heart somersaulted in my chest as Thalon executed a perfect barrel roll. For a breathless moment, I hung suspended, the earth above and sky below, before we righted ourselves.
Adrenaline surged through my veins. My breath came in short, excited gasps. Every nerve tingled.
“How did that feel?” Thalon's mental voice rippled with pride and a touch of playfulness.
"I... that was..." Words failed me. I patted his neck, feeling the powerful muscles beneath the scales. "How am I still here? That roll should have sent me plummeting!"
“Don't worry,” he assured me. “ I can sense your balance and emotions perfectly. I'll always know how to move to keep you secure.”
"That's incredible," I breathed, my heart still racing from the unexpected maneuver. "Can you really feel everything I'm feeling?"
“Yes,” Thalon confirmed. “ Your excitement, your brief moment of fear just now, and your growing confidence—I sense it all. As our bond deepens, you'll learn to sense my emotions too, though it may take some time and practice.”
We banked towards the mountain housing the dragon dens, and I found myself relaxing into the flight, trusting in Thalon's ability to keep me safe.
I marveled at how quickly I'd come to trust this magnificent creature beneath me. Just hours ago, we'd been strangers. Now, soaring through the sky, I felt safer than I ever had on the ground. Was this what it meant to be a dragon rider? This sense of belonging, of rightness?
A small part of me wondered if I was dreaming. If I'd wake up back in my old life, with no magic, no dragon, no purpose. But the wind in my hair, the warmth of Thalon's scales beneath me, the vast expanse of sky around us—it all felt too real, too vivid to be a dream.
For the first time in my life, I felt truly free.
We flew in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the beat of Thalon's wings and the rush of wind lulling me into a sense of serenity.
As we soared higher, I began to notice a change in the air. It felt thicker, more charged, as if invisible threads of energy were weaving around us. The sensation piqued my curiosity, drawing my attention away from the breathtaking views.
"Thalon, what's that glittering I'm seeing?" I asked, squinting at the phenomenon.
“Ah, you're seeing the ward,” he explained. “ It's a powerful magical barrier that protects the entire grounds. Most humans can't perceive it, but you can see it now because of our bond.”
I blinked in surprise, staring at the shimmering barrier with newfound wonder. "Our bond lets me see magic? What else can it do?"
Thalon's mental voice held a hint of amusement. “ There's much to discuss, little one. Perhaps we should find a place to talk without the distractions of flight?”
I nodded, suddenly eager to learn more. "That sounds like a good idea."
Thalon banked smoothly, angling towards a dense patch of forest below. I know just the spot, he said.
We descended in a gentle spiral, the treetops rushing up to meet us. Thalon's massive form navigated the forest canopy with surprising grace, his wings folding close as we dropped into a small clearing.
The landing was softer than I expected, Thalon's powerful legs absorbing the impact. As I slid off his back, my legs wobbled slightly, still adjusting to solid ground after the exhilaration of flight.
The clearing was peaceful, a perfect circle of lush grass surrounded by towering redwoods. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The air was cool and fresh, filled with the scent of pine and wildflowers.
Thalon settled himself on the grass, curling his tail around to create a natural seating area for me. I sat down, leaning back against his warm scales, marveling at how comfortable it felt.
“Now,” Thalon's voice resonated in my mind, “ what would you like to know?”
I took a deep breath, organizing my thoughts. There was so much I wanted to ask, so much I needed to understand. "Everything," I said finally, a smile tugging at my lips. "Tell me everything."
Thalon's rumbling chuckle vibrated through his body. “ That might take a while, little one. Let's start with the basics, shall we? First, I should properly introduce myself. My full name is Thalasiandor, but you may continue to call me Thalon.”
"Thalasiandor," I repeated softly, savoring the sound of it. "It's beautiful."
“Thank you, little one. But I must ask you to keep my full name private,” Thalon added, a sense of seriousness flowing through our bond. “ We dragons don't share our full names with just anyone. It's a sign of deep trust and connection.”
I nodded, feeling the weight of this confidence. "I understand. I'm honored that you've shared it with me, Thalon. I promise I'll keep it to myself."
“I know you will,” Thalon replied, warmth coloring his mental voice. “ Now, as I was saying, my name means 'Balancer of Light and Shadow' in the ancient dragon tongue. I am... special, even among dragons. My abilities span both light and shadow magic, which is quite rare.”
As he spoke, I felt a wave of emotion wash over me—pride, yes, but also a touch of loneliness and the weight of great responsibility. It took me a moment to realize these weren't my own feelings.
"Thalon," I gasped, "I think I can feel what you're feeling. Is that normal?"
“Ah, you're experiencing the empathic overlap,” Thalon said, his mental voice warm with approval. “ It's a part of our bond. With time, you'll learn to distinguish my emotions from your own more clearly.”
I took a deep breath, trying to sort through the tangle of emotions. "It's... intense. But amazing. I've never felt anything like it."
“And what about you, Tess?” Thalon asked gently. “ Tell me about yourself.”
I hesitated, unsure where to begin. "Well, I... I grew up in Sacramento. My family... we're not close. I've always felt like an outsider, like I didn't quite fit in anywhere. Until now, that is."
As I spoke, I felt a soothing warmth emanating from Thalon. It gave me the courage to continue.
"I've always loved dragons," I admitted. "Even before the Unveiling, when most people thought they were just myths. I used to dream about flying with dragons, but I never imagined it could actually happen."
“And yet, here we are,” Thalon said, amusement tinging his mental voice. “ You're adapting remarkably well to our bond and to dragon magic. It's quite extraordinary.”
I smiled, feeling a surge of pride at his words. "Thank you. I'm surprised myself at how... natural it all feels. Is that because of our Soul Resonance?"
“Partly,” Thalon replied. His head tilted slightly, his molten lava eyes narrowing as if trying to perceive something just beyond sight. “ But there's something else…”
Suddenly, his nostrils flared, and I felt a wave of curiosity and excitement flood through our bond. Thalon's gaze fixed on my chest, right where the invisible pendant rested.
“Tess,” he said, his mental voice tinged with wonder, “ there's a faint scent of ancient magic about you. Like embers and stardust. And I can feel... a pulse. A rhythm that's not quite in sync with your heartbeat.”
I blinked in surprise, my hand instinctively moving to my chest. "Really? I... I think that might be the pendant the Library gave me. But how can you sense it? It's invisible."
“Dragon senses are quite keen,” Thalon explained, a hint of pride coloring his thoughts. “ Especially when it comes to magic. Would you mind showing it to me?”
Curiously, I reached up to my neck, feeling for the invisible pendant. With a gentle tug, it materialized in my hand—a raw, uncut fire opal set in delicate silver filigree. As soon as it left my skin, it blazed to life, radiating heat and sending fiery tendrils around my wrist.
Thalon's eyes widened, the molten lava in them swirling faster. I felt a surge of recognition through our bond. “ By the ancient skies,” he breathed. “ That's the Draconis Heart.”
A jolt of anxiety shot through me, and I instinctively closed my fist around the pendant. Ciaran's words echoed in my mind: "Keep this to yourself, Tess. It's not something to be shared lightly."
I bit my lip, conflicted. Thalon must have sensed my unease because his mental voice softened. “ What's wrong, little one?”
"I... I was told to keep this a secret," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "Someone told me it wasn't something to be shared lightly."
Thalon's head tilted slightly, a wave of understanding flowing through our bond. “ That person was wise to advise caution. The Draconis Heart is indeed a powerful secret.”
I nodded, still uncertain. But as I looked into Thalon's eyes, feeling the depth of our connection, I realized something. We were bonded now, our souls resonating as one. If I couldn't trust Thalon, who could I trust?
Taking a deep breath, I slowly opened my hand, revealing the glowing pendant once more. "The Library gave it to me, but I don't know much about it. Can you tell me more?"
Thalon's eyes focused intently on the pendant. “ The Draconis Heart is a legendary artifact, Tess. It contains the essence of an ancient dragon, though the specifics of its creation and full capabilities are largely unknown to me.”
I felt a ripple of excitement through our bond as he continued, “ What I do know is that it hasn't been seen in hundreds of years. Its appearance now, with you, is significant.”
"Do you think it's been helping me?" I asked, looking down at the gleaming opal.
“Almost certainly”, Thalon replied. “ It's likely been aiding your acclimation to our bond and to dragon magic. The ease with which you've adapted is remarkable, even in this brief amount of time.”
I nodded, feeling a newfound appreciation for the pendant. "Is there a way to learn more about it?"
“I'll see what I can discover,” Thalon promised. “ There may be ancient texts or knowledgeable beings who can shed more light on its history and powers. For now, though, I think it's best if you continue to keep it secret from others.”
As I slipped the pendant back around my neck, watching it fade from view, I suddenly realized how low the sun had sunk in the sky. The forest around us was bathed in golden light, long shadows stretching across the clearing.
"Oh!" I exclaimed, startled by how much time had passed. "It's getting late. We should probably head back, shouldn't we?"
Thalon's mental chuckle warmed me. “ Indeed, little one. Time does seem to fly when one is discussing ancient magical artifacts and the depths of a dragon bond.”
As I stood up, brushing grass from my clothes, I felt excited and nervous about returning to the Dragonne Library. So much had changed in just one afternoon.
Thalon must have sensed my conflicting emotions because he gently nudged me with his snout. “ Remember, Tess, whatever comes next, we face it together.”
I smiled, resting my hand on his scales. "Together," I agreed.
???
The sandwich plate clattered softly as I set it aside, my stomach finally satisfied after the day's exhilarating events. I sank into the plush armchair by the window, my muscles aching pleasantly from the unexpected flight. Whiskey, sensing my need for comfort, leapt onto my lap with a soft meow.
"Hey there, buddy," I murmured, scratching behind his ears. His familiar purr vibrated against my chest, grounding me in the midst of my new reality.
My gaze drifted to the ornate wooden table where a crisp piece of parchment lay, its edges gilded with gold. My new schedule. I'd found it waiting for me when I returned, along with the delicious sandwich that could only have been made by Twiggle, the brownie I'd befriended.
The memory of Thalon dropping me off at the training grounds just an hour ago felt like a dream. His scales had shimmered in the fading sunlight as he'd taken off towards the dragon housing.
With a deep breath, I reached for the schedule, Whiskey adjusting on my lap to accommodate the movement. My eyes scanned the meticulously written lines:
Monday/Wednesday:
0600—Physical Conditioning and Team Dynamics with Instructor Alvarez
0800—Breakfast
0900—Magic Integration and Ethics with Instructor Hawthorne
1100—Supernatural Studies: Origins and Histories with Melaina
1300—Lunch
1400—Crisis Management Strategies with Aelar
1600—Personal Study Time
1800—Dinner
Tuesday/Thursday:
0600—Physical Conditioning and Team Dynamics with Instructor Alvarez
0800—Breakfast
0900—Contemporary Supernatural Affairs and The Unveiling with Dante
1100—One-on-One Training with Instructor Blackwell
1300—Lunch
1400—Dragonne Library Duties
1800—Dinner
Friday:
0800—Breakfast
0900—Compatibility Challenge
1300—Lunch
1400—Dragonne Library Duties
1800—Dinner
My heart raced as I read through the list again. Each class title seemed to carry the weight of expectations I wasn't sure I could meet. Physical conditioning first thing in the morning? One-on-one sessions with Theron, who clearly despised me? And the Compatibility Challenge every Friday—what exactly did that entail?
Whiskey nudged my hand, demanding more pets. I obliged absently, my mind whirling with questions and doubts. Just this morning, I had been a simple librarian, and now... now I was supposed to be a dragon rider in training.
I glanced around my room, taking in the cozy furnishings that had felt so welcoming just yesterday. Now they seemed to belong to a different life, one I'd left behind the moment Thalon and I had bonded.
"This is a lot, isn’t it?" I whispered, burying my face in his soft fur.
The cat merely purred in response, oblivious to the monumental changes happening around us.
Monday would bring challenges I couldn't even imagine. Would I be able to keep up with the other applicants? Would I make a fool of myself in front of the instructors? And how would I face Theron's hostility?
With a sigh, I gently moved Whiskey and stood up, preparing for bed. As I slipped under the covers, one thought echoed in my mind…
Was I truly ready for what Monday would bring?