Gods, I can't wait for Threshing. It must feel amazing to bond a dragon, to fly for the first time. What will my dragon be like? Will any even want to bond with me?
-Recovered correspondence from Raya Riorson to Cadet Xaden Riorson
I sit in Eya's room on her bed, drawing, while she sits at her desk working on homework for Physics. We haven't had a lot of chances to spend time together since I started at the college so she invited me back to her room after dinner.
"Are you nervous for Threshing tomorrow?" Eya asks, glancing over her shoulder at me.
"Not really," I sigh. "Whatever happens tomorrow happens. My only goal is to survive but if I can't do that then obviously I wasn't met to be a rider."
Eya scoffs, "Please, you're probably the most rider coded marked one, even more than your brother. You always loved the idea of bonding. And you fit in here on an almost scary level."
I laugh, "It's because I'm ruthless isn't?"
"Ruthless, brutal, savage, cutthroat…" Eya trails off, a smirk on her face as she turns around to look at me properly.
"Yeah, yeah. No regrets. People have to know not to fuck with me. Though to be fair, it seems like some people still don't understand that. Maybe I just need to kill someone right in front of everyone, battle brief would do."
Eya laughs, throwing her head back, "Imagine the look on Markham's face." I start laughing too. "Oh my Gods, I kind of want you to kill someone now, maybe that Barlowe kid?"
"You don't understand how badly I want to kill him. Every time he opens his mouth it's like listening to a cat die."
Our laughter dies out, "Xaden is going to kill me for encouraging this."
"I won't tell him if you don't."
"Deal." She smiles at me, "Do you know which dragon you're going for? Any stand out at Presentation?"
"Honestly, I'm not sure. They were all beautiful, but I didn't feel a connection to any of them. What was it like for you? Did you know?"
Eya nods, "I knew once Presentation was over. Once everyone went through I just kept thinking about this emerald green dragon, it was like I couldn't think of anything else. My heart lead me to her during Threshing and she bonded me."
"Seems like it was easy."
"It was, but it's not like that for everyone, some dragons want to make it a bit more challenging so they know if you're the right fit for them. Maybe that's what your dragon is doing. Leran said I didn't need to prove myself, she knew and she called out to me right when Threshing started."
I look down at my drawing of the two feathertails, tracing over one of the wings. "It's funny, the only dragons I even feel remotely close to are the feathertails, but they don't bond. They can't hold a rider."
"Which dragon was close to the feathertails? Maybe that's yours?"
"It was a brown one," I pause, "But I don't know. Maybe my dragon just wasn't there. Maybe I'm destined to repeat a year."
Eya shakes her head, "No, you're incredible. There's definitely a dragon for you, you'll find them tomorrow." I smile at her before turning back to my drawing.
*_*_*_*_*
It's early morning on October first; Threshing is today. It doesn't matter which day of the week or the weather, Threshing is always on the same day every year. I wake up for my morning run, quietly leaving the room. Dain's waiting for me as usual, his arms crossed. "I had a feeling you lied yesterday."
I roll my eyes, he tried to convince me not to go running today since I'd be busy all day dealing with Threshing. After his persistence I told him I'd sleep in, hoping to finally get some peace and quiet on a run. "Can't blame a girl for trying." I mumble, maybe if I annoy him enough he'll stop coming with me, "Ready for our run, sweet cheeks?" I smile brightly.
Dain rolls his eyes, "Let's do this." We take off, starting off at a light jog before gradually running faster. We stay out for about 20 minutes before Dain starts talking, "Do you know what dragon you're going for today?"
I shake my head. Dain likes to talk during these runs, I've slowly started to answer his questions but it's usually short replies, just yes and no answers and I'll ignore anything else, unless I know my response will annoy him. What can I say? Dain's fun to tease. "You should go for a red one."
"Isn't yours red?" I ask.
Dain nods, "Yeah, Cath is. Reds are typically fiery, you'd fit well with one."
"I know the dragons temperaments, you don't need to remind me." I roll my eyes, "Does that mean you think I'm fiery?"
As we see the school come back into view, we start slowing down. I see Dain look at me from the corner of my eyes, "Have you met you?"
I smirk, turning to look at him, "Are you fiery, Aetos?" This time he rolls his eyes, his eyes look far away and then a blush starts up his cheeks. My smirk widens, "What's the blush for?"
His eyes snap to mine, "What? I'm not blushing. I'm warm from the run."
"Uh huh, and Malek isn't the God of Death."
"Really considering telling one of your friends to start coming on runs with you." Dain mumbles.
I playfully roll my eyes, "You won't."
"You really think I won't?"
"It's been a couple of weeks and you haven't said anything to anyone. You even lied for me to Imogen. You won't say anything." I confidently say, walking backwards away from Dain, "See you later, squad leader."
*_*_*_*_*
Violet
The squad is sitting around the breakfast table but I refuse to eat. I'm too nervous and I know it won't do me any good. Most of the cadets eat a light breakfast except for Ridoc and Raya. They're both eating like they normally do and I don't understand how. "How are you guys eating?" I ask.
"If I die today, I at least want to eat a good meal." Ridoc replies.
Raya shrugs, "I'm not nervous."
The squad all turn to look at her, "What? How? We have a good chance of dying today, especially you with your last name." I say.
Raya shrugs once more, "And? If I die I'm greeting Malek like an old friend, then I'm going to find my dad and tell him about all the shit I've gotten into since he died."
My jaw drops, "Gods, I wish I could think like that."
Rhiannon snorts, "I've come to the conclusion that Raya's not human. There's no way someone can be this unbothered about death."
"You forget that I witnessed the death of over 100 people, one of which was my own father. Death doesn't bother me. When I say I'd great Malek like an old friend, it's because he is." The table grows silent at Raya's words.
My heart pangs, Raya's grown on me a lot since we first met, enough were I consider her a friend. She's been nothing but kind to me since Parapet even when I tried to push her away because of her last name. And despite me jumping to conclusions about her, she never did the same to me. Hearing her talk so freely about witnessing her father's death makes me see Raya differently.
She's been through so much and she's still such a good person. It makes me wonder why her father turned into a traitor. What was so important to him that he risked everything? "No need to get all quiet at my expense." Raya eyes the group, bringing a piece of bacon to her lips.
"We just don't really hear you talk about that day," Trina replies quietly.
"Well yeah, I'm not going to be jumping for joy at the fact I watched my father and everyone that fought with him get incinerated in front of me." Raya rolls her onyx eyes.
"Sorry, I didn't mean-"
"Don't worry about it." Raya brushes her off, "Changing the topic, are you guys really all that nervous?"
Sawyer is the first to reply, "I don't know how you aren't. I'm not even nervous about dying, I'd rather die than not bond again."
"I personally would rather live and bond a dragon. So yeah, I'm nervous that that won't be the outcome." I answer.
"I'm with Raya. I'm confident in myself. I'm coming back a rider today." Tynan says.
I watch as Raya rolls her eyes once more, she throws her long hair over her shoulder, "I never said I'm confident I'll bond. I think I will but no one knows how the mind of a dragon works. You can be the best in our year but if the dragon for you isn't bonding this year then you'll still end up unbonded. I'm just not nervous of whatever outcome I may have. I can die, I can be unbonded, or best case scenario I survive and bond. It doesn't matter to me, whatever happens happens."
"You'll bond," All of our heads turn as Bodhi walks up to our table, Xaden and Garrick on either side of him.
"You sure seem confident in me, cousin." Raya replies.
"He's not the only one," Xaden says, Garrick nodding in agreement. Gods, when I said the Riorson's have good genes at Presentation, I absolutely meant it. All three of them are attractive. They look very similar; it's easy to tell they're related. Xaden's feature's are sharper than his sisters and cousins. Bodhi looks the most approachable out of all three. Raya on the other hand looks intimidating, not because she looks scary but because I don't think I've ever seen someone as beautiful as her.
"Are Cuir, Chradh, and Sgaeyl telling you guys something that I should know?" Raya asks, brows knitting together.
"Well, considering Sgaeyl told me she should had waited a couple years to bond so she can get you, I'd say there's at least one dragon out there that wants you."
Ridoc splutters, "She likes Raya that much?"
"Why do you sound so surprised by that?" Raya asks, "I'm amazing."
"Sgaeyl is terrifying!" Ridoc exclaims, causing Xaden to smirk.
"Chradh likes you too, according to him he's been talking you up to the other dragons." Garrick says, eyes locked on Raya.
"Tell him I said thank you." Raya smiles.
"Cuir also has a good opinion of you." Bodhi smiles.
"Gods, how do I get all the dragons to like me?" Rhiannon asks.
"Okay, so a few bonded dragons like me?" Raya rolls her eyes, "That doesn't mean one of the unbounded dragons will want to bond with me."
The three older marked ones exchange a look before turning back to Raya, "You'll bond." They say together. Raya holds her hands up but doesn't argue.
Xaden reaches down, pressing a kiss to the top of Raya's head, "I'll see you later," He looks to the rest of us, briefly making eye contact with me, "Good luck everyone."
Bodhi wraps Raya in a one armed hug, "Love you, cuz. Good luck guys."
Garrick gives Raya a hug as well, "Good luck, Smiley." He nods at the rest of us before walking away with the others.
I sigh, "I was right, they really do love you."
Raya laughs, "I never said they didn't." She turns to look at their table, a small smile on her face, "And I love them too, even though they drive me insane sometimes."
*_*_*_*_*
Raya
We're waiting in the bowl shaped valley for Threshing to start. Ridoc is currently heaving up the contents of his stomach by a tree. My nose scrunches up in disgust as I watch him. I turn away, noticing that Liam is approaching me. "Hey, good luck today." He says, wrapping me in a hug.
I hug him back, squeezing gently, "Good luck," I whisper to him.
He rests his head on top of mine, "We'll be fine, we'll come back as bonded riders."
I nod, "We got this."
We slowly pull away from each other, he catches something over my head nodding in the direction, "I think you're friends want you." I turn to look behind me, where Rhiannon and Violet are waiting for me. "Hey," I turn back to Liam, "I love you." He says, smiling.
"I love you too, Li. I'll see you later." He nods, turning to walk back to his squad.
I walk towards Rhiannon and Violet, turning to listen to Professor Kaori, "Remember to listen here," he says, tapping his chest. "If a dragon has already selected you, they'll be calling. So pay attention to not just your surroundings but your feelings, and go with them. And if your feelings are telling you to go in the other direction… listen to that, too."
"Which one are you guys going for?" Rhiannon asks Violet and I.
"I don't know." Violet sighs.
"Yeah, me neither. I'll know when I see them." I say.
"You both memorized the cards, right?" Rhiannon questions, "So you know what's out there."
I nod as Violet answers, "Yes. I just don't feel connected to any of them. Dain tried to talk me into a brown."
"Dain lost his vote when he tried talking you into leaving." Rhiannon counters.
"He told me to go for a red." I reply. Both girls snap there heads in my direction. "What?"
"He talked to you about Threshing?" Violet asks.
"Yeah," I shrug. "What about you, Rhiannon? What dragon are you going for?"
"Hold up, when did Dain talk to you about Threshing? And why?" Violet asks, before Rhiannon can answer my question.
I roll my eyes, then reach back and start braiding my hair, "This morning before breakfast and I don't know why he talked to me about it. I was trying to ignore him."
"Where have you been going in the mornings? I've been meaning to ask." Rhiannon questions.
"I've been running. Dain's bumped into me a few times when I'm heading out." I choose not to give them too much information, I don't want a bunch of questions, especially not right now.
Thankfully, Rhiannon changes the topic back to Threshing, answering my previous question, "I'm thinking about that green. The one closest to me when they got all up close and personal with you."
"Still can't believe they did that." I mumble, the girls told me about the two dragons that approached Violet at Presentation, because Violet's corset is made of her sister's dragons scales. I was surprised that Violet trusted me with that information but I'm happy she's realizing that I'm not a bad person.
"Well, it didn't eat you, so that's a promising start." Violet replies, smiling.
Rhiannon and I smile back, "I think so, too." She says, interlocking her arms with Violet and me.
We turn back to Kaori, "If you go in groups, you're more likely to be incinerated than bonded," Kaori argues with someone closer to the front, "The scribes have run the statistics. You're better off on your own."
"And what if we aren't chosen by dinner?" A cadet with a beard asks.
"If you're not chosen be nightfall, there's a problem," Kaori frowns, "You'll be brought out by a professor or senior leadership, so don't give up and think we've forgotten about you." He checks his pocket watch, "Remember to spread out and use every foot of this valley to your advantage. It's nine, which means they should be flying in any minute now. The only other words I have for you are good luck." He nods, eyes sweeping over the field of cadets. Then he leaves, marching up a hill and disappearing from sight.
"Be careful," Rhiannon says pulling me then Violet into a hug.
"You too." Violet says back, before pulling me into a hug.
"We got this guys, I'll see you both later." I smile.
"Don't die," Ridoc orders looking over our group.
"See you soon, good luck." Sawyer says, hugging me. Then we separate, the squad moving in different directions.
*_*_*_*_*
It's been a couple of hours since Threshing has started. I've come across a couple of oranges, three brown, and a green, none were my dragons. I've seen some dragon's launch into the sky with cadets, now riders, on their backs. I watched one cadet fall right off their dragons back. I've also seen plenty plumes of smoke rise from within the forest.
I feel like I'm wandering around aimlessly but I refuse to give up. I reach into my small pack, getting out my canteen of water. I've been lucky to avoid other cadets as well. I just know plenty of people here want to kill me and I really don't want to deal with that bullshit at the moment.
I just hope my friends are still alive, and hopefully bonded by now or will bond soon. As I continue walking, I see Violet rush past. I stop to let her get away but watch as her foot catches on a branch that was hidden by leaves and she careens forward, falling over.
I run towards her, "Vi!"
Her head whips towards me, "Shh!" She puts a finger to her lips.
I nod, helping her up, "Are you alright?" I whisper.
"I think it's just a sprain." She moves her ankle slowly, "I gotta keep moving though."
"You're dragon?" I ask.
She shakes her head, "Tynan, Oren, and Jack are heading towards the two feathertails. They want to kill them." She starts walking before I can say anything.
"Fuck that, I'll help." I walk beside her, there's no way I'm letting her do this by herself. If they bump into each other that's three against one, and let's be real here, Violet's not the best fighter.
We come to a clearing where the silver and gold feathertails sit, "You have to get out of here!" Violet hisses. "They're going to kill you if you don't leave." The dragons turn, watching us.
"Yes, you two! Leave, please!" I exclaim.
They blink, exchanging looks between each other, "Go! Run! Fly!" Violet shoos them away. The branches rustle from opposite us and Jack, Tynan, and Oren step into the clearing. The two feathertails turning their heads to look at the trio.
"Fuck." I say, eyes narrowing into a glare.
"We'll make it painless," Jack says, causing me to roll my eyes.
"Scorch them!" Violet tries once more.
"They aren't going to kill them. Maybe feathertails can't." I say. "We're going to have to do something. Feel free to leave if you want, but I also know that you're not a coward so I expect we'll be fighting side-by-side."
"There's no way I'm leaving you to deal with this by yourself." Violet takes a breath, then steps in the clearing, I'm close on her heels, "You can't do this!" She calls out to the trio.
"Oh, look," Jack sneers. "We can take out all three of the weakest links at the same time. Plus a traitor."
I snort, "That's cute, that you think you can kill me." Violet and I stand in between the three guys and two dragons.
"I've been waiting a long time for this Sorrengail," Jack says, ignoring my comment.
"If you can fly, now would be a good time." Violet calls over her shoulder.
"You can't kill a dragon." I snap.
"Yes, we can." Jack shrugs. Oren looks a bit uncertain though, Violet must notice as well because she turns to him.
"You can't. It goes against everything we believe in!" She says.
"You really think a dragon will bond with someone who killed one of their own?" I ask, I'm completely bullshitting though, since I actually don't know if they would care.
"Letting something so weak so incapable of fighting, live is against our beliefs!" Jack shouts back.
"Just because something is smaller, doesn't mean it's weaker." I reply, glaring.
"If you want to do this, you have to go through us." Violet says, raising her chin. She raises her daggers, flipping one to pinch the tip. I pull out my short sword and a dagger.
"I don't really consider that a problem," Jack sneers.
They raise their swords, just as we are about to start fighting, a voice calls out from across the field to my right, "I would strongly recommend you rethink your actions." I know that voice, I don't bother turning to look, keeping my attention on the enemies before us. Xaden is here, and he's pissed.
"And if we don't want to rethink our actions?" Jack shouts, glancing over his shoulder. There's a brief pause, "There's nothing you can do, right? Wingleader?
"It's not me you should worry about today," Xaden responds, I see Sgaeyl tilt her head from the corner of my eye.
"You're really going to do this?" Violet asks Tynan, "Attack two squadmates."
"Squads don't mean shit today," Tynan snarls, eyeing me.
"Oh, no need to be jealous that I wouldn't sleep with you," I say, he been bitter ever since I turned him down at Presentation, "Walk away now and at least you have a better chance of living to see another day."
Tynan snarls, "I'm going to kill you myself, Riorson."
I scoff, "Please do try."
Violet ignores Tynan and I; instead she chooses to talk to the two dragons once more, "So that's a no on the flying?" The dragons chuff in response, "Great. Well, if you can back us up with your claws, we'd really appreciate it."
They each chuff again causing Violet and I to turn slightly, we look down seeing they have no claws, just paws. Violet and I exchange a look, I mumble quietly, "See, I don't think they can kill."
"Oh, fucking hell." Violet replies. We turn back to look at the guys, Jack roars a battle cry and sprints towards Violet.
Violet throws her dagger, it lands in the shoulder of his sword arm, "Couldn't have gone for the neck?" I question as Jack cries out. Oren and Tynan run at us, Oren moving towards Violet and Tynan towards me.
I quickly slash at Tynan, blocking his strike with my sword. I move quick, pushing him away from Violet and the dragons. "She's destroyed my shoulder!" Jack shouts, clutching the wound, "I can't move it!"
I push Tynan back more, cutting his thigh, "That's the thing about having weak joints," Violet replies, "You know exactly where to strike."
"Kill them!" Jack orders, then runs away, still clutching his shoulder.
"Come back here, coward!" I yell, I maneuver around Tynan, ending up behind him, then sink my sword through his abdomen. There's a gross squelching sound as I pull the blade back out, Tynan sinks to his knees, falling to the ground. He takes one last breath, then stops moving.
"Behind you!" Xaden calls out, I turn quick, but it's Violet that Oren is attacking. She turns around, deflecting his blow.
"You can't interfere!" Oren screams.
"No, but I can narrate." Xaden replies.
I move to close the distance, to kill Oren just like I did Tynan since Violet clearly won't take a killing shot, but before I do Violet manages to knock Oren unconscious.
We each take a breath, making sure the other is okay. Then I watch as a huge black dragon lands behind Violet, a few seconds later I hear another dragon land behind me. My eyes widen, I slowly look over my shoulder, seeing the white dragon that Kaori showed us. "Holy shit." I mumble, turning to look back at Violet and the black dragon.
"Is she an enemy, Night Orchid?" A silky voice asks. What the fuck. My head, whips around to look at the white dragon again.
"No." I say quickly.
I notice Violet eyeing the black dragon, "I can't kill an unconscious man," She says, looking at Oren and shaking her head.
I scoff, "I can. Move."
The white dragon makes a huffing noise, almost like a laugh, "One of the many reasons why I'm choosing you," She says, her voice sounding in my head.
"No, Raya," Violet scolds, "You can't."
"Oh yeah? Watch me." I reply, Violet steps in between me and the unconscious Oren. "Seriously? He almost just killed you and you're protecting him?" Out of the corner of my eye I see a flash of blue as Xaden and Sgaeyl take off.
"He can't harm us."
"Right now." I pause when Violet glares at me, "Fine, but when he tries to kill one of us later, I have every right to say I told you so."
She huffs, "Fine."
Violet starts talking to the black dragon, or at least I assume she does since I can't actually hear the black dragon speaking. "You're friend will be fine, but you're right. Maybe we should wait for them to leave so you can kill the enemy at her feet."
"Gladly. At least someone understands me." I say to the dragon. I see a twinkle in her eyes, and if dragons could smile, I swear she would be.
"You can speak to me in your thoughts, Raya, no need to speak everything aloud."
My head tilts, "So you can just hear everything I think."
"Yes, Night Orchid. There will be no secret you can hide from me." That's kind of terrifying… My dragon chuffs, blowing out warm steam.
I turn back around as I hear a shuffling behind me. The gold and silver dragons bend their legs then launch into the sky. "Oh, so they can fly." I say, watching them leave.
The black dragon inclines it's front leg, Violet gulps then looks at me, "I'll see you in a bit." I nod. She crawls up the dragons front leg, taking a seat on his back. Once she's seated, the black dragon stands to his full height then pushes off the ground, flying over the trees.
"Will you kill him now?" The white dragon asks.
"Don't need to tell me twice," I reply, walking towards the unconscious Oren. I slip a dagger out, plunging it into his neck. Might as well make his death merciful, it's the least I can do since Violet was so against it.
"Good, now come." I turn back to the dragon and smile. I slip my dagger back into the sheath at my thigh then run as fast as I can to climb up her front leg. I grab onto her shoulder, pulling myself up the rest of the way. I move so I'm at her shoulder blades, and grab onto the pommel. I squeeze my thighs and hold on tight, waiting for her to start flying.
"My name is Nyxarainum, daughter of Nyzrailim and Chaliache, descended from the cunning Dubhmadinn line." She pauses as she launches into the air, "You may call me Nyx."
"Nyxarainum," I whisper, testing the name.
Nyx hums, "Your pronunciation isn't too bad, but it could use a little work."
Nyx flies fast, she pivots and dives, testing my ability to hold on. I see another cadet fall in the distance, I can't help but hope it wasn't one of my friends. "This is amazing!" I laugh, closing my eyes and breathing in the cold air. "Is it true you're the only one of your kind?"
"Not technically," Nyx answers, "I am currently the only white dragon but I'm part of the black den."
"What do you mean?"
"It's rare, but on occasion dragons end up with…" She trails off as she takes a sharp left turn, "Abnormalities. Some grow to be blind, others deaf, one has even grown without wings. Those dragons can never bond, they stay in the Vale for their whole lives because that's where they are safest. I'm albino. I was supposed to be black by my abnormality made me loose my pigmentation."
"But this abnormality doesn't affect your ability to survive outside the Vale so you're free to bond." I finish for her.
"Correct, Night Orchid."
"So why now? After all this time, why bond with me?" My eyes narrow in confusion. Kaori told us she's never bonded before, he didn't even know that she was technically a black dragon because there was no way to communicate with her before. "And why do you call me Night Orchid?"
"You're brilliant, Raya Riorson. Smart, loyal, strong, kind, and much more. Sgaeyl talks highly of you, the only other person alive she talks that highly of is your brother and my mate has also been making sure I was aware of you."
"Your mate?" I didn't realize she was mated, or dragons were this into gossiping.
Nyx chortles, the field with bonded cadets coming into view, "We know how to keep secrets very well, we won't gossip about things that matter, but things like this? Yes, we talk about it, it makes the bonding process a lot easier. And I call you Night Orchid because that's one of the meanings of your name. Plus Night Orchid's are very beautiful but deadly, much like you." I noticed she avoided my question about her mate. "I'll tell you soon." She lands on the field, right behind Violet and the black dragon. "First, go tell the roll keeper we've bonded."
I climb down Nyx's front leg, landing with a soft thud. The silver and gold dragons are nearby, safe. I smile at them, glad that Violet and I helped. "You two really should had flown away quicker." I say to them, shaking my head. The silver dragon snakes its head towards me, chuffs twice, then pulls back.
I look towards Violet who is limping towards the dais. Running to catch up, I lightly grab her arm, startling her, "Sorry. Are you okay?" I interlock our arms, "I can't believe you bonded him, that's amazing!"
Violet and I glance around us, watching as everyone that's currently on the field gape at the two huge dragons and the two smaller feathertails. Everyone's gazes jump back and forth between the four dragons and us, walking away from them.
"I'm alright, just some minor pain but nothing I can't live with. And yeah, his name's Tairn. I'm finding it hard to believe he'd want to bond with me." Violet says back.
I roll my eyes, "Please, you're brilliant, Sorrengail. Of course he'd see that."
Violet looks over her shoulder, towards her dragon, then looks back at me, "He says I should listen to you. But enough about me, you bonded the white dragon." She smiles.
I smile back, "Nyx. She's a black dragon too, just albino which is why she appears white."
"Interesting," Violet replies, we make it to the row of cadets waiting to tell the roll keeper their dragon's name. I let Violet in front of me, the girl in front finishes and Violet steps forward. I look on as General Melgren, General Sorrengail, and Commandment Pancheck all gape at Tairn and Nyx. They then look towards Violet and I, clearly not believing that we were the ones to bond them.
"Assholes." I can't help but roll my eyes.
"I can't argue with that, Night Orchid." Nyx says. Kaori jumps up from his seat, eyeing the two dragons in fascination. Violet glances at the roll keeper then says Tairns full name.
I look up, noticing General Melgren glaring at me. I raise my chin, refusing to turn away first. I hear a surprised, "Both dragons?" Causing me to turn back towards Violet. Then I see Violet nod.
"What just happened?" I ask Nyx.
"Violet bonded Tairn and Andarna, the little gold one."
My head whips around, looking at Nyx and the small silver dragon that stays close to her, the voices of the arguing generals mesh into one, "Wait. No."
"What do you mean no," A new voice, male, says to me, "We'll be great together." If dragons can pout, I know he would be.
"I just," I pause, "If they're freaking out about Sorrengail bonding two dragons they're going to loose their fucking minds when they find out a Riorson has."
"Good," The silver dragon replies. My jaw drops. I quickly close my mouth turning back around to the dais, the redhead roll keeper waves me forward, needing to continue her job, even with the generals still arguing. Violet already limped off, towards the medical tent with Kaori.
"Raya Riorson," She smiles, though it looks strained, "Please state the name of the dragon who has chosen you for the record."
I nod, "Nyxarainum."
"Aetherion, Aether for short." The little silver dragon tells me.
I gulp, "And Aetherion."
The roll keepers mouth drops open, "You also bonded two dragons?"
I raise my chin, "I did." I was right, the generals are even more pissed off now.