Chapter 18 #2
Her eyes searched for Kaia but caught on Dawson’s powerful frame leaning against a pillar. She hated how he could wake every damn nerve ending in her body. His gaze found hers, one dark brow lifting as though he knew she was up to something. What was he doing here? This class was for novices.
She continued scanning until she spotted Kaia’s conspiratorial grin.
Relief flooded her chest—at least her friends had her back.
Beside Kaia stood Hadrian, her arcstorm, nearly as large as Beck.
His plumage was a mosaic of grey and pale blue, like morning fog streaked with yellow.
Storm-cloud eyes watched Alaire, talons scraping the sand in restless anticipation.
Next to them, Archer stood tall beside his snowy owl, the white feathers a striking contrast to his bright red hair. He gave her an encouraging nod—Kaia must have filled him in.
A low buzz from a nearby beetle pulled her focus back. Celestials and their fliers stood in a loose formation, a reminder that she alone appeared unbonded.
Self-doubt slammed into her. All the reasons she didn’t deserve Solflara came rushing back.
“ It wasn’t your decision to make ,” Solflara stated.
“ Your comforting skills could use some work .”
“ You’re a flier and a Vallorian . You don’t require comfort . You require a backbone . Find yours .”
She rolled her shoulders, steeling her spine, and strode toward the center of the room.
When it became clear she intended to stay, the jeers began.
“Look who decided to show up without a celestial,” sneered a fae bonded to a massive brown owl, its yellow eyes tracking her steps.
“She must be desperate,” another said with a smirk.
Snickers followed. Alaire kept her head high, jaw tight. The words stung, but she wouldn’t cower.
“Face it,” someone jeered, “all you’ll ever be is nothing. Just like the rest of your kind.”
Alaire turned slowly, meeting their gaze with a burning stare. She didn’t bother to reply—her plan would speak for itself.
Movement caught her attention: Kaia stepping forward. Alaire gave a subtle shake of her head. No one could suspect Kaia had been in on this.
The old ache of unworthiness flared, whispering that failure was inevitable. The metallic tang of blood filled her mouth—she’d bitten her lip too hard. The sting grounded her, pulling her out of the spiral.
She focused on her breathing, loosening her posture as she moved to the center of the coliseum.
Professor Ross emerged from the far tunnel in a navy tweed ensemble. Everyone fell quiet once he stepped onto the sand, waiting with bated breath to see how she would be publicly embarrassed for daring to attend a class meant for bonded pairs only.
“Novice Aerendyl, it’s a pleasure to see you.” Stepping up to meet her, he dropped his voice an octave. “I hate to do this, but unfortunately, we’re about to start, and this class is for bonded pairs only…” His voice trailed off in polite dismissal.
“I understand, Professor. But in that case, I’m exactly where I need to be.”
Alaire brought her forefinger and thumb to her lips and let out a sharp, piercing whistle that echoed across the coliseum’s open expanse.
For a heart-stopping moment, nothing happened. She held her breath, letting the suspense build as they’d practiced. Doubt in the room pressed against her, thick with the weight of everyone’s suspicious stares.
She felt Solflara before she saw her—a ripple of heat brushing her back, subtle at first, like the embrace of a warm summer evening. Then it grew, a crackling shimmer of energy that sent the hairs on her arms standing on end. The air itself seemed to bend.
Solflara—her phoenix.
Gasps rippled through the crowd as every eye snapped upward. A burst of golden light split the sky, blinding and glorious. Solflara descended in a graceful, predatory sweep of wings, flames dancing along her feathers. Heat licked across the stone floor.
Alaire remained still, her gaze locked on her peers. The awe in their slack jaws and wide eyes told her everything.
The light behind her flared brighter. Solflara landed at her back, letting out a shrill cry that tore through the coliseum. Professor Ross’s lips parted in wonder.
“As you can see, Professor,” Alaire said, leaving no room for doubt, “I am bonded to a Celestial Familiar.”
His gaze flicked between her and the phoenix at her side. She could’ve sworn she saw a spark of pride in his eyes before it vanished.
Solflara planted a wing before her, a shield of fire. Alaire let the heat wash over her.
“A phoenix,” someone whispered, reverently. “I didn’t even think that was possible.”
“I can see that now,” Professor Ross replied, his voice tinged with awe. His eyes traced Solflara’s flames as if committing every detail to memory. “You are a Vallorian?”
She nodded, lifting her chin. “I am.”
“Phoenixes, I’ve heard, are magnificent creatures. Please, take your place with the other fliers”—his gaze returned to Alaire—“and congratulations.”
To his credit, he only gave her an approving nod, maintaining composure in stark contrast to her peers.
Murmurs surged behind her. Snippets reached her ears: “How is that possible?” and “A phoenix bonded to her ? What an insult! This must be an illusion.” Their venom coiled around her like a viper.
“ I should burn the lot to smithereens ,” Solfara said.
“ Tempting , but we need to be cool and calculated . Not my strongest attribute , but we’ll work on it .”
Alaire didn’t hide the satisfied grin she hoped everyone noticed.
As she strode toward Kaia, she glanced at the column where Dawson had been watching from the shadows, eager to see his reaction. But he was gone.
Something splintered inside her. She looked away, refusing to give him more space in her mind.
“ Say the word , and I’ll incinerate him .”
She chuckled under her breath. “ I may take you up on that . For now , we need him . But afterward , he’s fair game .”
Joining the others at the dome’s edge, Alaire caught Kole’s gaze and flashed him her best shit-eating grin. A human bonded to a phoenix.
His cheeks burned as bright as Solflara’s flames, fists clenching, polished charm nowhere to be found. “You bonded with a creature! How is that even possible?”
Alaire arched a brow, a smirk tugging at her lips. “It’s amazing what talent and destiny can do,” she drawled. “Don’t worry. Maybe one day you’ll be chosen by something greater than your ego.”
His cheeks swelled like a puffer fish. “You’re lying! I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re using dark magic. First a human at the academy, next you’re bonded to a phoenix. Bullshit!” Kole snarled.
“Is that an allegation you’re willing to bring before the Consortium? Willing to put yourself on the line with irrefutable proof that I somehow cheated the system?” Alaire challenged.
“Fuck you,” he spat, stomping toward her.
“Fuck you!” She glared, stepping out from behind Solflara’s wing, more than ready for the fight.
Before she could take another step, smoke curled from the top of Kole’s head. Alaire whipped her gaze to Solflara. “ Did you just burn off his hair ?”
“ That’s the least of what I’ll do if he takes one more step toward you .” Solflara’s eyes narrowed, another ball of flame kindling in her throat.
Kole paled and retreated to his owl.
“Enough.” Professor Ross’s voice cut through the air as he strode back into the arena, Headmaster Carth at his side.
The headmaster curled a finger at Alaire, beckoning her forward. When their gazes met, his pupils were blown wide, tie loosened.
“Alaire Aerendyl, please explain how you’ve come to be bonded with a phoenix—a creature thought lost to Elithian.”
Her shoulders stiffened. “Why am I the only one who has to justify my bond?”
“Because you did not enter this academy with a celestial,” he answered firmly. “It’s unheard of—impossible—for one to imprint on a human.”
Alaire lifted her chin. “Are you accusing me of lying?”
Solflara stepped forward, releasing a stream of fire that scorched the sand a mere pace from the headmaster’s feet—a clear warning.
“Or are you accusing her of making the wrong choice?” Alaire asked, glancing at her phoenix.
“Neither,” he said quickly, gaze darting between them. “But you must understand this is unprecedented.”
“On that,” she replied coolly, “we agree.”
“Thank you,” he said, though his eyes lingered warily on Solflara.
They’d anticipated it would play out this way. Her resolve was now as unyielding as the flames of House Ashfyre—power that belonged to her.
Kaia’s expression was a mix of pride and concern as she buried one hand in Hadrian’s mane and gripped Archer’s hand with the other.
“My name is Alaire Eloire Vallorian, heir to House Ashfyre and ruler of Aurelia. And this is Solflara.”
The Heir of Light. Wielder of Flame.
She paused, letting her words settle. Around her faces shifted—shock, dismay, anger, disbelief. Skepticism burned in their eyes, the kind of doubt that would follow her for the rest of her life.
Whispers spread through the rotunda like wildfire.
Kaia silenced some with sharp looks, while others leaned in, murmuring louder.
From the back, a voice called, “Phoenixes don’t bond with imposters,” drawing nervous laughter from a cluster of students.
Archer’s jaw tightened. Others shifted, glancing at the headmaster.
From across the room, Kole shouted, “You’re just going to believe her? That’s it?”
Professor Ross cut in, his voice edged with steel. “From the way Solflara’s looking at us, I’d say she’d have no problem roasting your bones until the flesh melts off for doubting her flier. We all know celestials choose their bonded.”
“And yet,” Kole snapped, gesturing toward Alaire, “there’s no proof she is who she claims to be. All we have is the word of a human and a phoenix that doesn’t speak. What if it’s a trick?” His eyes narrowed, daring someone to challenge him.
A few students muttered their agreement.
Alaire stepped forward, her gaze hard. “I don’t need to explain myself to you, Kole.”
He opened his mouth to retort, but Headmaster Carth raised a hand, silencing him with a look. “You’d do well to observe before speaking out of turn, novice.” Turning to Alaire, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes, he said, “Please continue. Let’s hear the full story, Ms. Vallorian.”
“I am half-human, half-fae—the last of the Vallorian line.”
A crease formed between the headmaster’s brows. “I thought Queen Elara, King Brock, her heir, and the entire royal family perished when Aurelia fell.”
“That’s what the world was told. I was raised human, with no knowledge of who or what I was.” Her thoughts lingered on whoever ensured the world believed House Ashfyre’s line was extinguished during Starfall. She rolled her shoulders back and pressed on.
“Let me make one thing clear.” Her voice hardened.
“I’m not here to ask for your belief or support.
I don’t need it. It is well known that only a Vallorian can bond with a phoenix—just as with the other six original bloodlines.
But if you require a more credible witness, Headmaster, you can ask Prince Dawson Knox.
Surely, you’ll have no trouble trusting his word. ”
Her challenge hung in the air. Headmaster Carth folded his arms but said nothing.
“And if we do?” Kole muttered.
Her gaze snapped to him. “Then find the courage to say it to my face. And this time, Kole, I’ll show you just how creative I can be with pain. I’ve had years of firsthand experience to draw from.” The threat lingered between them.
“I’m here to claim what’s mine by birthright, blood, and fire—as proof that I am bonded to a celestial,” she declared, her voice unwavering.
Professor Ross broke the silence. “A phoenix bond is undeniable,” he said carefully. “You’ve interrupted a lesson to make your point. Now can we?—”
Her eyes blazed. “I’ll complete my education at Aeris Academy as an equal to my peers.” Her gaze locked on Professor Ross. “I’m not here to play games. After all, I’m an heir in name only. But if you cannot accept my terms, I will take my belongings and phoenix with me.”
The deal she’d struck with Professor Ross in the bowels of Grimstone was now null and void. She would remain at Aeris Academy on her own terms. Everything had changed the moment she bonded to Solflara.
“You’re asking for acceptance, but you’ve given us no room for conversation,” Headmaster Carth pointed out. “That doesn’t strike me as fair, Ms. Vallorian.”
Solflara uttered a low, resonant cry, daring anyone to challenge her. Alaire drew strength from her celestial’s unshakable confidence.
“I’m not asking for your acceptance,” she replied sharply. “I’m stating my terms. Solflara and I are here by choice, not obligation.”
There was nothing left in Aurelia—everything had burned to ash during Starfall. She belonged nowhere, but she wouldn’t let them see how that cut her. Together, she and Solflara would make their own home.
Alaire met the headmaster’s eyes. “‘True power,’” she quoted from his opening address to the novices, “‘derives from the courage to confront one’s vulnerability—to strip back the facade and reveal the raw, unvarnished truth of one’s soul.’ This is me stripping back the facade.a.”
Stillness stretched across the coliseum.
She waited. She knew he would accept her terms. The words had been chosen to give her freedom without appearing to seize too much power.
This display wasn’t theatrics—it was insurance.
With witnesses, the Consortium couldn’t deny what they’d seen.
Behind closed doors, they could’ve found ways to undermine her. Here, she’d forced their hand.
Headmaster Carth would have a phoenix at his academy, and Elithian would gain one of the most powerful weapons in the war against the vampires… at least for now.
At last, he nodded, his jaw set. “It is an honor to have you amongst our fliers.” He turned to Solflara, eyes filled with wonder. “And welcome to Aeris Academy, Solflara.”
Kaia slowly exhaled, tension draining from her stance. Archer slumped against his owl. Professor Ross clapped sharply.
“Now,” he said briskly, “let’s resume the lesson, shall we? Unless anyone else has a royal proclamation to make?”
Nervous chuckles rippled through the class as students refocused.
“ He should have addressed you as Your Royal Majesty .”