Chapter twelve- Lessons begin
Morning arrived like a punishment. Cold light spilled through the narrow dormitory window, slicing across Liora's face and dragging her out of a restless, fractured sleep.
Her body felt heavy, her mind fogged from hours of tossing and turning.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Ashwing's golden gaze staring at her through the roost bars—confused, trembling, betrayed.
She had left him alone for the first time in his life, and the guilt clung to her like a second skin.
Seris was already awake. The noble girl stood before the mirror, fastening the last clasp of her immaculate uniform.
Her hair was braided in a perfect crown, not a strand out of place.
She didn't acknowledge Liora—not with a glance, not with a word.
She simply turned, lifted her chin, and swept out of the room with the quiet confidence of someone who had never once been told she didn't belong.
Liora sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes. Her chest ached. She needed Ashwing. She dressed quickly, fingers fumbling with the buckles of her uniform. She didn't bother with breakfast. She didn't bother with brushing her hair properly. She didn't bother with anything except getting to him.
The halls were already alive with movement. Students streamed toward the training grounds in clusters—laughing, whispering, glancing at her with thinly veiled curiosity or open disdain.
"There she is," someone muttered.
"The commoner," another whispered.
"She won't last long."
Liora kept walking. Her heart hammered faster with every step toward the roost.
Ashwing saw her before she even reached the gate. His cry tore through the air—sharp, desperate, echoing off the stone walls. He shoved his head between the bars, wings flaring, tail lashing the ground. Liora rushed to him, pressing her forehead to his snout.
"I'm here," she whispered, her voice cracking. "I'm here."
Ashwing trembled beneath her hands. He nudged her shoulder, her cheek, her chest—frantic, as if checking she was real. His breath came in short, distressed bursts.
"I'm sorry," she murmured. "I didn't want to leave you."
He rumbled, low and wounded.
Liora stroked his neck. "I'll try to come back every night. I promise."
A voice cut through the moment like a blade. "You won't."
Liora turned sharply. An instructor stood behind her—tall, severe, her uniform crisp and unforgiving.
"Dragons are not permitted inside the student dormitories," she said. "You will sleep in your assigned room from now on."
"But he—" Liora began.
"No exceptions."
Ashwing growled, baring his teeth.
"Control your dragon, student," the instructor said.
Liora placed a hand on Ashwing's snout. "It's okay," she whispered.
The training field was a vast expanse of packed earth surrounded by towering stone walls. Dragons circled overhead, their shadows sweeping across the ground like moving storms. Students gathered in neat rows, grouped by year and rank. Liora stood alone at the edge of the field.
Seris stood with a cluster of noble girls, whispering behind their hands. When Liora approached, they fell silent—not out of respect, but out of calculation.
Then the air shifted. A gust of wind swept across the field, sending dust swirling. Heads turned.
Helion descended first—a massive gold dragon whose scales shimmered like sunlight on water. His wings beat with quiet power, each movement precise and deliberate. He landed with a soft thud. Aiden dismounted with effortless grace, blond hair catching the morning light.
"He's even hotter up close," one girl whispered.
"Do you think he'll take a partner this year?"
"He helped the commoner girl during the Trial."
Liora's cheeks warmed.
Then she heard it.
"He is both hot and royal"
Liora's breath caught. Royal?
Before she could process it, another roar split the air. Raxar descended like a falling star, wings slicing through the sky with terrifying force. His scales were a darker gold—molten, almost bronze. He landed hard, the ground trembling beneath him.
Kael dismounted in one fluid motion. He was taller than Aiden, more muscular, his hair short and neat, his eyes cold and assessing.
"Kael looks furious today," someone whispered.
"He always looks furious."
"Two heirs in the same class... it's insane."
Liora blinked. "Heirs?" she couldn't control her couriosity and asked.
A girl beside her smirked. "You didn't know? Aiden's father is the King's brother. Kael's mother was the King's sister."
"They're both nephews of the King," another added. "Both competing for the throne."
Liora stared at them, stunned. "They're... against each other? For the throne?"
"Of course," the girl said. "Everyone knows that."
Liora felt dizzy. She had spoken to them like they were normal students. She had stood beside them. She had looked them in the eyes. And they were royal.
Thalen's voice boomed across the field. "Pair with your dragons. We begin with mounted coordination."
Liora mounted Ashwing, her hands trembling slightly. "Ready?" she whispered.
Ashwing rumbled.
"Begin," Thalen commanded.
Ashwing launched into the air with a powerful sweep of his wings. Liora gasped as the ground dropped away. The wind tore past her face, but Ashwing's movements were smooth—instinctive, almost effortless.
"She's never trained before," someone said below.
"How is she doing that?"
Liora didn't know. Ashwing simply listened.
After aerial drills, Thalen ordered ground coordination. Raxar tore through the obstacle course with terrifying speed, Kael guiding him with clipped, precise commands. Helion followed, smooth and elegant, Aiden's voice steady.
Then it was Liora's turn.
Ashwing surged forward. They clipped a flag. Students snickered.
Liora tried again. Ashwing adjusted.
A shadow fell over them.
Kael stopped beside her, eyes on her hands. "You're holding those wrong."
Liora blinked. "What?"
He reached out and adjusted her grip with quick, precise movements. "If you don't fix it, you'll lose control in a dive."
"I didn't ask for your advice," she said.
"Then ignore it," Kael replied, already walking away.
Liora stared after him, cheeks burning. "Why does he always sound like he hates me?"
Ashwing huffed softly.
Thalen raised his voice. "Final drill. Ground?to?air transition. Timing is everything."
Liora's stomach twisted. This was advanced.
Kael and Aiden stepped into position. Raxar crouched low. Helion stood tall.
"Begin."
Raxar exploded forward, launching upward in a perfect vertical climb. Helion followed, smooth and controlled.
Then it was Liora's turn.
"Go," she whispered.
Ashwing sprinted forward. She mistimed the command.
"Now—!"
Too late.
Ashwing leapt at the wrong angle. His wings flared unevenly.
A voice cut through the wind. "Earlier."
Liora's head snapped toward Kael. He stood at the edge of the field, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
"Give the command earlier," he said. "He's faster than you think."
"I'm trying," she said through clenched teeth.
"Try before you jump."
It sounded like an insult.
She tried again—earlier this time—and Ashwing launched upward in a clean, powerful ascent.
Liora looked toward Kael, expecting mockery.
He wasn't even looking at her anymore.
Training ended. Students dispersed. Kael walked away without a glance. Aiden hesitated, then followed.
Liora stood alone with Ashwing, her heart pounding. She had survived her first lesson.