Chapter 21
Chapter twenty-one
Annalise
Walking across to the riding field with Matt, I can’t help but feel confident in the track choices I’ll be submitting, and not submitting, in a few days.
After yesterday’s rifle and pistol drills in Vanguard class, I felt like I’d gotten the loudest, most effective therapy ever. And now here I am, walking out to get my first experience of riding a freaking dragon.
Sure, I’ll be paired with a Bravo rider, just holding on and letting them do the work, but never in a million years would I have thought I’d even get to see a dragon up close. Getting the chance to ride one? Never!
Bravo Company will select their final tracks next month, so there are only a couple of classes left with enough Bravo riders to fly with our class.
Instructor Lorenson gives us all a quick rundown of the rules for the day: don’t piss off the dragons, and don’t give the Bravo recruits any reason to knock us off the dragons. Then we’re released to find a flying partner.
“You ready for this?” I ask Sasha, who had walked over early with some recruits from her Combat class, while Matt waited for me.
“Absolutely not.”
“But you did great with them last time.”
“You. Have. Got. To. Be. Kidding. Me,” Matt snorts out, shaking his head as he looks over me, and toward the dragons.
Confused how someone could already be doing something that bad with a dragon, I follow his gaze and freeze.
…and then break out into a full-out sprint, barely giving my target time to prepare to catch me, as I leap into his arms.
“I thought you were on the infantry front line! What are you doing here?”
It takes Josh a second before he realizes who almost tackled him before he beams down at me, “Me? You never even mentioned wanting to join the Military! What the hell are you doing here?”
I slide off of him as he gives Matt a friendly nod before turning his attention back to me.
“Mine is kind of a long story that I’ll have to fill you in on later. Now, spill. How are you here? When did you get here?”
“Checked in yesterday,” he replies casually. “My commander on the line thought mine and Deimos's skills would be better perfected at Scion than learning at the Clowess border.”
It’s only then that I notice the magnificent silvered-grey dragon standing next to Josh. “Wait, he’s your bonded? I have so many questions.”
“Alright, riders, once you are settled in on your dragons, you can take off. Bravo recruits, I want Charlie Company recruits alive when you bring them back,” Lorenson bellows out.
Returning to our conversation, Josh smirks. “Yeah, that makes two of us. But for now, I think we should probably mount up. If you trust riding with me, that is.”
“That’s my cue to find a free dragon rider.” Not waiting for a reply, Matt heads down the field.
“If you kill me, I’m siccing Mattey on you.”
His voice is laced with sarcasm, “I’m trembling. Now, stay still and remember to breathe.”
I can see the mental conversation passing between Josh and Deimos before Deimos lies down flat for Josh to lift me onto his back.
“Hold onto his scales between your legs.”
As soon as I have a solid grip, he stands back up, and Josh runs up his front leg and takes his place in front of me.
“I could have gotten up on my own, ya’ know?” I say, my pride making me reluctant to admit I wasn’t sure I would’ve managed without help.
Josh smiles back at me, “I’m sure you could have, but Deimos is a gentleman and insisted. Now, snuggle up close, he’s still working on his take-offs without throwing me.”
“What? Seriously?”
“Nah, but he is incredibly fast, so you really should hold on.”
My stomach does a little flip, and I tighten my grip on Josh’s waist, ready for whatever comes next. The wind picks up, and Deimos gives a soft rumble, almost like he’s waiting for the go-ahead from Josh. When it comes, we take off in one smooth motion.
My breath catches as the ground drops away beneath us. I hold onto Josh, hoping this ride won’t end with me splattered across the hard ground.
After a quick ascent, we level out, and I manage to get in my first full breath since take-off. Scion looks like a tiny toy castle below us as we fly North and the greenery of the forests gives way to sandy beaches and water as blue as the sky on a clear summer’s day.
I haven’t been to the beach since Mom was still around.
“This is…I’m just…speechless. In awe. There aren’t enough words for this.”
“Yeah,” Josh says in understanding. “You’re doing better than I did. I almost pissed myself on my first ride.”
“If I were with anyone else, I probably would have too,” I admit.
“Aww, you still trust me.” Then his mockingly sweet voice turns mischievous, “Now, hold tight and don’t close your eyes.”
I don’t have time to ask any questions.
Deimos dives down the edge of the cliff that drops off into the ocean at breakneck speed. The wind whips through my hair, and the mist from the crashing waves below splashes against my face.
I can’t contain the screams and laughter that bubble out of me, even as we level out again.
“This is incredible. I don’t think I ever want to land.” I tell Josh, my smile still spread from ear to ear.
“I’m guessing this means you’re planning on picking riding as one of your tracks?”
“Definitely,” I reply without hesitation.
“Let me guess—Spell Casting for your other?”
“Ha! Definitely not. Vanguard, but I need to work on my hand-to-hand, or I won't make it.”
“No offense, but the busted lip and purple eye kinda gave that away. Why isn’t Matt helping you?”
“Oh, he will be. You know me, had to try to figure it out on my own first.”
I’m pretty sure I hear him mumble something about stubborn women under his breath, but I can’t be sure.
“Have you seen Lucas yet?” I ask, knowing their rivalry may have died when they graduated, but the disdain remains in full force.
“Yeah, you should have seen the look on his face when I walked into Strategy. Fucking priceless.” He chuckles, clearly proud of himself.
“Ugh, I wish I could have seen that!”
“He still have a stick up his ass about you?”
“Oh yeah. And now he has a new band of goons helping him.”
“Typical.” Josh sighs. “But you’ll be alright, you’ve always been able to find a way to shut him up. And if not, then you can sic Matt on him too.”
“You know he’s wanted that forever.”
“Yeah, but you never let us have any fun,” he teases as he leans back to bump me.
“He’s just not worth it,” I sigh contentedly, before leaning my head against his back and falling into a comfortable quiet as we take in the views for a while.
“We’re probably close to the end of class. You ready to land?”
“If we have to…”
“Don’t worry, you’ll be back up here on your own dragon soon enough. Until then, maybe we can plan a little beach party, and I’ll let you ride Deimos out here with me for it.”
“Say no more, I’m convinced.”
“Alright. He’ll descend in a minute. Make sure to hold onto me again. Preferably, a little looser than when we took off.”
Deimos’s wings angle downward, his body dipping slightly as he prepares to descend. I brace myself, not quite sure how smooth the landing will be.
Josh notices me stiffen, his tone softening. “Hey, don’t worry, landing’s not as scary as it seems.”
I give him a tight smile, trying to convince myself. “I trust you.”
Deimos slows his flapping, and I can tell he’s taking in the other dragons and their riders on the field. We glide down, slow and steady, the ground drawing nearer with every beat of his wings.
Then, as if by magic, we touch down as soft as a feather.
Deimos’s claws dig into the ground as his body lowers once again for my convenience.
Josh slides off first, then offers out a hand to help me down. I take it, stepping carefully onto solid ground, my legs feeling a little wobbly after the flight.
“You okay?” Josh asks, arms braced out beside me as I steady myself.
“Yeah, just—a little shaky.” I laugh, brushing off the feeling. “That was intense.”
“It’ll get easier the more you do it,” he says reassuringly.
“Thank you so much for bringing me on your flight and keeping me safe today, Deimos. If you can try to keep this one out of trouble for me,” I flick my eyes to Josh, “I’d really appreciate it. He’s a good friend.”
Josh chuckles, shaking his head, “Not cool, D.” Then, turning to me, “He said he might like you more than me. Apparently, you’re better looking and sweeter, so now he’s questioning his decision to bond me now that he knows what he could have had.”
“Wow, he really is a charmer. You'd better behave yourself then, or Deimos and I might fly off into the sunset together,” I tease before giving Josh a hug and starting my walk back to the barracks.
“Why am I not surprised? He’s barely had time to unpack, and you’re already throwing yourself at the new guy.” Aiden’s voice cuts through the air, sharp and cold. “What, trying to get him to fuck you before he hears your reputation and bolts?”
I hadn’t even noticed him out on the field, but I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Turning to look at him, his glare feels like it could burn straight through me. He’s practically vibrating in anger.
“It’s not—”
Aiden cuts me off with a harsh laugh. “You really are everything Lucas says you are.”
Slap.
My open hand cracks across his face so hard my palm stings from the impact.
His eyes narrow, but an evil grin breaks across his face, “Oh, I forgot that’s how you like it.”
“You’re such an asshole,” I say, spinning to walk away when he grabs my arm and whips me back around to face him.
Don’t freak out, stay present. Don’t freak out, this isn’t him.
“You want to see me be an asshole?” He starts to pull me into him, and I think he’s going to try to kiss me.
I seethe, ripping my arm from his grasp. “Don’t. Fucking. Touch. Me.”
“Already made that mistake once,” he retorts before walking away, leaving me fuming at his audacity.
The dining hall is packed when Matt and I lead Josh to our table and introduce him to Antonio, Sasha, and James.
“Okay! What are we thinking for this weekend?”
“Sleep. I need to catch up on sleep before my body revolts.” I say, trying to stifle a yawn.
“Nooo,” Sasha protests, shaking her head. “It’s our first full weekend off. We have to plan something fun!”
“Sleep can be fun.” Josh jokes, grinning.
Sasha swivels her head between Matt, Josh, and me. “So, Josh, you’re a G-rated teddy bear for Lee, too? Or are you guys getting back together?”
“I’ll let you two have this one,” Matt chokes, barely containing his amusement.
“What the hell is a G-rated teddy bear?” Josh laughs. “And getting back together, what kind of stories are you making up about me, Lee?”
“Matt told her our Homecoming story,” I explain. “But no, Sasha, that was a one-time thing. We’ve just stayed friends over the years.”
“Unfortunately, one kiss was all it took before I started batting for the other team. It was that bad.” Josh adds.
“Oh shut up! There were a few girlfriends between our kiss and when you came out,” I counter.
“Semantics.” Josh shrugs, still grinning.
Antonio is watching the interaction, shaking his head, “Guess Lucas didn’t hear the news if Aiden’s losing his shit thinking there’s something between you two.”
“He never could get over their little show,” Matt adds with a smirk.
“Or was it that post-game selfie she posted senior year in my jersey?” Matt’s face scrunches in confusion. “You know, the one she took when I was changing my shirt by my truck in the background?” Josh teases.
Sasha’s jaw drops. “Oh my gosh, Lee! No, you didn’t.”
“Damn, I forgot about that! Our girl has never been good at letting him have the last word,” Matt says with a hint of pride, and I shrug.
“No, she isn’t! But Josh, I love playing wing-woman, so tell me your type, and when we go out this weekend, we can manhunt together!” Sasha says, getting us back on track for weekend plans.
“Manhunting, huh? I thought you might be a bit preoccupied.” Antonio asks with a quirked eyebrow.
Knew it!