Chapter 9
Nine
Shaye
Saying goodbye to Atlas is one of the hardest things I've had to do.
We've submersed ourselves in a healthy routine.
I dread sleeping in our bed without him beside me.
It's not just security he offers but a comfort I've not felt before.
Even when I was in Midori with no knowledge of everything I know now, I didn't experience the peace Atlas provides. His absence will be a chasm.
He kisses me one last time, whispering sweet affections in my ear before boarding the ship headed to Tronovia with Finn, Eris, and Ronan.
With them, Thrane is sending a group of elite Frost Elves in case Bastian or Vesper make attempts at attacking them on the journey home.
The fear I might never see them again strikes me as my nightmares resurface, but I shove those horrors out of my mind and wave as their ship drifts farther across the icy lake.
Once we can no longer see our friends, Nyx and I make our way back through the bustling city of Elowen. Somehow, in the midst of countless faces, I feel lonely.
Nyx bumps me with his shoulder, drawing my attention. "Don't be so glum, Kitarni. We'll see them in a few days."
I offer a feeble smile and nod. "I know. It just… it just feels weird watching them sail away without us."
Nyx laughs. "I'd argue we got the better deal in the travel department." He points at the bakery I beelined for when we first set foot on Elowen shores a month ago. "Breakfast? My treat."
I nod, my stomach growling the second I smell the delicious pastries waft toward us. I could use a treat right about now, especially with Nyx's first day of dragon flying later this morning.
With a blueberry tart in my possession, and Nyx devouring his chocolate scone, we make the long trek to Fendruil.
I wish I could say I've grown accustomed to the frigid temperatures, but until I've spent a few minutes soaring with Seraxes, it takes forever for me to warm up.
Nyx is the opposite. He complains of sweating the moment we approach the dragon enclosure and if my mother permitted him to forgo his new dragon leathers, he would strip to his underwear.
It's a wonder no one noticed the signs of his ancient Basilius blood before.
He might look like a Tronovian and act like a Tronovian, but his body regulation is Basilius through and through.
"Good morning!" My mother greets us the moment she spies us.
The dragons are being saddled for our training exercises and Drexel appears to be in good spirits for the first time since Armas' death. I'll take that as a good sign for Nyx who acknowledges my mother with a smile before striding directly for his mount.
I open my mouth to warn him not to be too direct, but my warnings choke in my throat when Nyx confidently and affectionately presses his palm against Drexel's snout. The dragon's demeanor brightens from the contact.
"You ready to fly, Drexel?" Nyx whispers, resting his cheek against the dragon's scales.
"Remarkable," my mother mumbles.
"What is?" I ask.
She folds her arms across her chest and motions with her chin at the new duo. "I don't recall anyone having a way with dragons like him."
"Nyx oozes charm," I chuckle. "I'm not surprised.
" A seriousness washes over me when I recall my first week of training and the countless times I fell from my seat.
Nyx can regenerate, but a fall from that height with the jagged rocks below causes my stomach to flip. "Send me up with him, just in case."
Sylvane stares at me, confused. "What?"
"Nyx might be far more athletic than I am, but in case he falls, I want him to have back up."
"He will." She smiles reassuringly. "Just not you. You are partnered with Thrane and Artax."
"Then who will watch over Nyx? You?"
"Not me." She shakes her head, her gaze drifting across the landing to my cousin Kamari.
I have seen her ride maybe once my entire stay here.
Kamari isn't what I would call a morning person.
She prefers the evening which already gives her a leg up on being Nyx's partner.
He is only up early these days because he's tasked with watching over me.
"Kamari and Nyx?" I mull over their newly assigned partnership and can't find fault, except for one thing. Kamari is young, lively, and beautiful. All lethal combinations for someone like Nyx to immediately find attractive.
"Just as Thrane watched over you when you began your training," Sylvane nods at my cousin, climbing to sit on her dragon. "Kamari will make sure Syrinx catches Nyx when he falls."
Nyx somehow manages to tune into our conversation when Kamari is mentioned and smirks. He winks at my cousin, "She'll be there to catch me if I fall."
My mother smiles and my heart drops to the pit of my stomach. "Every rider falls, Harland."
Nyx shrugs, patting Drexel. "We'll see."
"Cockiness won't get you far with Frost Dragons.
" Thrane appears beside me, crossing his arms over his broad chest. Amusement is wiped clean from his face.
I wasn't sure if he would be in attendance for Nyx's first flight since his kingly duties have had him occupied most days and some nights.
But then again, with how these two bicker, I'm not surprised Thrane carved out time in his busy schedule to watch Nyx fall.
"I see hypocrisy rises early this morning, Your Worship." Nyx mock bows. If it bothers Thrane, he doesn't show it.
Kamari barks out a high-pitched laugh once again drawing my attention.
Her bright smile is infectious and without realizing it, I'm grinning too.
We look similar, except Kamari is taller than me by a few inches like the other Frost Elves.
She has a friendly face and a smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose that resemble stars in the night sky.
Most Basilius riders – Thrane mostly – have stern faces, but hers is soft and inviting.
She's a year or two my junior, but I have a feeling if we get the chance to get to know one another better, we'd be instant friends.
Thrane flashes Kamari a narrow-eyed glare. "You find his poor attempts at humor amusing, Kamari?"
"I think I will like having a partner after all." She giggles, winking at Nyx who seems taken aback in the best way. My suspicions are confirmed. These two will be trouble.
Thrane rolls his eyes, refocusing on Nyx. "Show us your skills then, Nicodemus."
Nyx blanches, his eyes darting to me in accusation. My mouth drops and I shake my head, denying having any involvement in my cousin knowing his given name. I'm just as surprised as he is by the reach Thrane has in procuring information.
"Is there a problem?" Thrane asks, a coy smile tugging the corners of his lips.
Nyx frowns. "No one calls me that. Not even my own mother who gave me the name."
Thrane grins. "Then this will prove to be a delightful morning."
"Mount your dragon, Harland." My mother steps forward, the instructor in full swing.
Nyx reluctantly tears his gaze from Thrane and inhales sharply, building up his confidence. He runs and darts up Drexel's side with lightning speed. He sits on his back and grins at the others triumphantly only for Drexel to lift up onto his back legs and unseat Nyx.
Thrane laughs. A full-blown laugh. I've never heard him sound so happy before.
I tsk at him as I walk by, making my way to offer Nyx a hand to stand up. He rubs his ass, staring at Drexel in bewilderment.
When he looks down at me, he frowns. "Why are you smiling, Kitarni?"
I shrug, fighting the grin begging to stretch further across my face. "It's nice to see you struggle. I was beginning to think you were perfect."
Nyx squints and brushes the snow from his leathers. "I thought Drexel wanted me to be his rider. Why toss me off?"
Sliding between him and Drexel, I square my shoulders to Nyx's and say lowly, "Maybe Thrane has a point, Nyx."
He holds up a hand in protest. "It's too early for a defeatist mindset."
"I'm serious," I inch closer to him, so the others won't overhear. "Maybe a little humility will go a long way with Drexel." Nyx opens his mouth to argue but stops when I say, "Remember who his previous rider was."
Realization sparks in his face. I give him a minute to process whatever he's thinking before tapping my boot atop his.
"You ready to try again?"
Nyx bobs his head. He's carrying himself differently already. He still walks with confidence, but his reverence for Drexel is evident with how he soaks him in.
Everyone waits as Nyx gathers himself at the end of the landing area, preparing to mount Drexel for the second time.
For a moment, I fear Nyx lost the courage to try again, but then he sprints for the beast and once again easily finds his seat.
I should know better than to doubt Nyx's drive and resilience.
This time, instead of flashing a haughty grin our way, or goading Thrane into another verbal sparring session, Nyx leans forward and lays his chest against Drexel's back.
He puts his leathered glove against his white scales and whispers something none of us can hear.
Drexel blinks slowly, as if processing everything his new rider is telling him.
My breathing is shallow as I witness their bond forming. There's a lot of trust that goes into riding a dragon. This experience will be good for Nyx. And Drexel.
"Are you ready to fly?" My mother's voice slices through whatever moment the duo is having.
Nyx sits up straight and nods with a humble smile. "I think we're ready." He glances at Kamari, watching him with keen interest. "As long as my partner is ready to catch me when I fall."
Kamari strokes Syrinx. "What are we waiting for?" Without hesitation, Syrinx spears upward, spinning as they break through the clouds.
I observe Nyx suck in a deep breath before Drexel follows suit. My heart lurches as I watch my best friend's grip tightens on Drexel. So far so good, Nyx is holding fast to his seat. Pride blooms in my chest, warm and confident.
Nyx's hair whips around when Drexel tapers off into an even position. He laughs, tossing his arms wide as the chilly wind and snowflakes dance around him.
"He's doing it!" I clap, though I know he can't hear my praise. "He's flying on a dragon!" A tear slips down my cheek. I've never been prouder of someone before.
But my confidence is short lived when Drexel banks left, and Nyx loses his footing and slips. His body falls at lightning speed toward the rocks below.
"Nyx!" I scream, contemplating if one of my shields could reach him in time and could withstand the brunt of the blow.
But before I can truly process my thoughts, Kamari and Syrinx dive for him.
The Frost Elf presses her chest against Syrinx's back, spearing toward Nyx with ease and determination.
With expert aim, the dragon reaches for Nyx with her clawed foot and snatches him with ample time to spare.
I exhale, my nerves on high alert. Thrane's hand clamps down on my shoulder, startling me. "Have faith in your kin."
"I didn't – "
"You did doubt," he interrupts, but there's a softness in his voice that soothes my anxiety. "It's natural to doubt."
"But?"
He smiles, releasing his hold on me and clasping his hands behind his back. His gaze is transfixed on Nyx being returned to the landing area. "We will always be there to save our own."
"Do you consider Nyx one of us?" I quirk a brow, very interested in how he's going to answer.
Once Nyx's feet touch solid ground, Thrane tilts his head just enough to meet my gaze. "What a silly question, Aurelia. Of course he is one of us."
He slow-claps as Nyx approaches, just as he had for me when I first began my training. Knowing Thrane better, I'm realizing the act is his way of showing endearment.
"A successful first day," Thrane proclaims, echoing the words he'd offered me after he caught me from my first fall. "Would you not agree, Aurelia?"
His smile warms me, and the cold suddenly doesn't seem so bitter. I return his grin and nod. "A successful first day."