Chapter Text
Chapter 21/22 (Val)
The next few days pass in a blur, everyone training for the next part of war games. Aine keeps insisting that Violet is holding back her real power, comparing her to Aurelia one time too much.
She has stopped making snide remarks about Violet and has started trying to find evidence of her real power, beginning and ending with only her lightning signet.
I’ve been working on my own signet too. It’s a form of water manipulation, just with more potential, since I can change the state of matter of the water by will.
The history professor decided to put us through a history test this week, which feels like absolute bullshit since the next part of war games is approaching rapidly. But apparently it doesn’t matter because now I’m sitting at a table in the archives, studying alongside Bodhi, Xaden, Garrick and Ridoc.
Xaden and Garrick are just here to help us and Ridoc… Well he claimed no one was going to steal his tutor and tagged along, acting like a clingy girlfriend around Garrick.
The woman I who recommended me the book I read with Aine and Codagh also appears curiously. “Studying for history? Want my help?”, she offers neutrally, giving me the same choice I gave her yesterday. Xaden looks at me with a questioning gaze and before I know what I’m doing I simply nod, inviting her to grab a chair and join us.
“Qui est-elle?”, he asks.
“Who is she?”
“Il est impoli de recourir à une autre langue en parlant de quelqu'un.” she stares at Xaden, clearly judging his lack of manners.
“It’s impolite to revert to another language while talking about someone.”
“My apologies,” Xaden returns smoothly, “I’m Xaden.”
“Lorelei.”, she answers and then she turns to me, fully ignoring him. “What’s the test about?”
“You know, the usual stuff,” I groan, “How King Tauri got onto the throne and bettered the kingdom.” It’s a stupid event in history, but that may just be because I despise that entire family line. “It’s such a shame the former line ended when the last prince drowned because of a storm trying to cross the arctile ocean over to Deverelli.”, I sigh.
“My ancestors came from Deverelli. There’s a tale my grandfather used to tell me about that prince and how he actually didn’t die. Although it’s pretty unrealistic and definitely made up, it used to be my favorite bed time story,” Lorelei smiles in reminisce, then clears her throat. “Sorry I drifted off. Exactly, King Tauri the first took over the throne 482 AU.”
We continue studying and as to be expected from a person who has been preparing theirselves for the scribes quadrant, she knows every last detail.
Xaden just stays quiet and observes. Normally, he would’ve already corrected you and pointed out your smallest mistakes, but he seems oddly content with her way of explaining. It’s exactly what Xaden wants; short, compact and to the point without missing any major information.
“You should join the riders. You’d give great situational reports,” he remarks casually and Lorelei grins a little before flicking her gaze to me and winking.
“Yeah, your best subject would definitely be Corre and Comm,” I nod along, grinning.
“What’s that?” she asks, confused.
“Correspondence and Communication, a class we have to attend. It’s mainly about how to write good reports of battle situations and stuff. You know, the usual.”, I answer.
“I’ll remember that.” She glances at me again.
I haven’t told Xaden about our little encounter in the hallway and that she hates the scribes anyway, so in a way it’s our own little secret. We resume studying.
When we finish, I’m disgustingly educated on the topic and realize I absolutely needed Lorelei’s help for this one. I thank her again but she shrugs me off. “No problem.”, she leans closer to my ear and lowers her voice, “You’ll repay me soon enough.”
I know what she’s indicating. My offer of helping her once she joins the rider’s. I whisper back, “Xaden’s a wingleader so him telling you to join is massive.”
Her eyes light up as I retreat and she nods. “Come by any time. Or outside on the fields… It’s beautiful there.”
“I don’t believe you’re allowed there, are you?”, Xaden narrows his eyes suspiciously and she lays a finger to her mouth.
“I never said anything.”, with that, she turns around and retreats.
“You’re such a moron.”, I jab at Xaden with my elbow while walking over to Bodhi, Garrick and Ridoc to tell them we’re leaving.
“I’m a strict, rule enforcing wingleader, didn’t you know?”, the corner of his mouth ticks up into a teasing smirk and I huff a laugh.
“Keep telling yourself that and maybe you’ll transform into Dain Aetos Junior. But then we’d seriously have to break up.”, I reply.
“Why? You like the bad boys?” he says the last two words in a mocking tone accompanied by an eyeroll.
“I like the people who don’t have a stick up their ass,” I fire back and before he can retort, I tap at Bodhi shoulder. “We’re leaving. Have fun learning alone… Or ask Lorelei for help.”, I suggest.
“The second one,” he agrees nodding.
Xaden and I finally leave the stuffy place to stroll around for a bit, on our way back to his room, although we’re not walking particularly fast.
“Sometimes I feel like I don’t know you. I mean it’s seriously crazy; we’ve known each other for what, fifteen years now?”
“Sixteen,” Xaden supplies.
“Yes, that. And I don’t even know your favorite color.”, I interlace our fingers one by one and he squeezes my hand gently when I’m done.
“It’s-”
“Wait! Let me guess. Black? You know with the whole ‘mysterious shadow daddy vibe’ going for you AND ‘cause you’re boring sometimes,” I giggle a little and then immediately shut up because I feel way too bubbly right now.
He sighs deeply. Like an old man just overly fed up by this bullshit and who can really blame him? Though he’s really reminding me of Codagh in times like these. The temper, the grumpiness, and how he’s a softie inside, despite his consistent denial.
“Actually, it’s blue. And when am I ever boring?”, he raises a brow. “Are you not satisfied enough in bed? I suppose we can find a more… creative approach as long as it involves me worshipping every single inch of you until your throat is too hoarse to even cry my name anymore.”, he says it with a casualty that just comes natural to him, while I’m left there stuttering for words for a moment. Because while I’m the one who is teasing him all the time, he’s the one who actually makes good on his promises.
“Sounds good. And since when is it blue. Do you even own anything blue? And don’t say Sgaeyl, because I still think she owns you more than the other way around.”
Xaden runs the fingers of his free hand through his hair. “She appreciates the wording. And her scale color is only one reason.”
“What’s the other?”, I glance up at him curiously.
“Your eyes.”
These two words are all I get from him. Why does this man always just randomly reveal these types of romantic things and then just continue walking?
“Seriously, your tactfulness in what should be romantic moments needs a lot of work.”, I criticize and he shrugs.
“What do you want from me? I can make it happen.” Xaden promises. I sigh, then just internally give up. “Carry me?”, I plead, watching his reaction closely as I look up to him.
“Of all the things you could’ve asked,” he mumbles and the nods. “Fine.”
“I love you so much, you know that?”, I grin happily and jump onto his back.
“Sure.”, he chuckles. “And you call me unromantic?”
“Uh, YEAH I do.”, I nod furiously, then rest my head on his shoulder, inhaling the scent of him at his neck.
“Don’t normal people usually just stroll around, fingers intertwined and all lovey-dovey? You look like there was a medical emergency and I’m the annoyed wingleader who had to bring you to the infirmary.”, he inhales sharply when I suck at his neck softly.
“What’s more romantic than a trip to the infirmary?” I ask jokingly and he huffs in amusement. Or maybe it’s exasperation?
“A trip to the bed.”
“Agreed. Let’s do that.”, I stroke his hair and graze my teeth along the soft, tan skin on the side of his neck. He groans quietly.
“We might just if you keep this up.”, he sends a shadow for me that strokes my hair slowly. Perhaps it’s to prevent me from trying to give him an orgasm in public. It works to distract me from the smooth lines of his neck, for a short time.
We’re almost at our room now, so I can’t really be bothered about subtlety anymore. I lean forward, teeth grazing the cord of his neck and bite down—hard enough to leave a mark.
“Fuck.” His voice is a low growl vibrating against my lips.
“What? Don’t like my souvenir?” I tease him from behind, pressing closer.
A tendril of shadow wraps around my jaw, silencing me. “Seems like your mouth is full of energy today.” He slams open our door, then rapidly locks it after entering. “You can use it for other purposes than talking.”
Yes.
Please.
He crashes his mouth against mine and I open up, surrendering to his demanding tongue sweeping past my lips, tasting of mint and that addicting note of citrus. His tongue sweeps against my molars
I meet him with equal hunger, my fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt, pulling him closer. He presses me further back until the hard wood of the door kisses my spine. His hand slides up, fingers tangling in my hair, tilting my head back. He finds that sensitive spot where my neck meets my shoulder, biting down just enough to make my toes curl, then soothing the sting by lapping his tongue around the spot, sucking on it.
A moan escapes me, breathy and involuntary.
“Fuck, I love that sound,” he groans against my skin. His teeth catch my lower lip sharp and demanding, a zap of pleasure racing straight down my spine, pooling hot in my core.
He tightens his grip, trapping me between the unyielding wood and the solid heat of his chest. “You think I’m boring?”
“Show me.”, I challenge, voice strained.
His smirk visible in my periphery before he drops onto his knees and shadows rise, wrapping around my wrists and ankles, lifting me slightly so my legs drape over his shoulders. I’m suspended, helpless, the cool, smooth texture of his shadows contrasting with the feverish heat of his hands gripping my thighs.
And gods, there’s nowhere else I’d want to be right now.
He pulls my pants down, the fabric whispering against my thighs. His hands grip my hips, spreading me wider, his eyes dark, and cocky as he looks up. I clench my thighs, desperate for any sort of friction.
“Needy,” he murmurs. And then the world dissolves into heat, pleasure and the sound of me screaming his name.
The next morning I wake up and sigh. “Fuck me.”
Xadens chest vibrates beneath me in a low chuckle. “We did it last night, darling.”
I shift on top of him and wince slightly. “That’s the issue. 90 minutes of Flight Lessons with my thighs this sore… How will I survive? Or maybe I’ll…” I trail off letting the word ‘skip’ hang in the air, unspoken. Gods, it’s tempting.
“Maybe just don’t beg for a fourth round next time,” Xaden suggests with a dark laugh.
“What’s done is done,” I shrug, “Not that I regret it. Skipping it is.”
“You are not skipping,” with a flick of his wrist, shadows lift me up like I’m weightless and flip my body around, pinning me to the mattress as Xaden meets my gaze sternly. “How did you ever become squad leader?”
“You recommended me.” I answer dryly.
“I wonder what was going on with my mind back then.” He shakes his head and sighs before I hit him with a pillow.
“You have to take responsibility for your actions, wingleader.”, I narrow my eyes to glare at him, but his face doesn’t change expression in the slightest bit.
“Now do I?”, he taps his index finger against his cheekbone in slow, measured movements, feigning deep thought. His voice is deep and magnetic when he slowly shakes his head. “Not this time, darling.”
“Shit.” I admit defeat and deflate like a popped balloon.
I feel the weight on my chest vanish and not a heartbeat later I see Xaden standing at the corner of the room. For his size, he has incredible speed, one must admit so much.
“If you collapse I promise I’ll carry you to the infirmary myself,” he mocks with an amused tone while sheathing his swords and daggers.
“Oh no please save me prince charming from the horrid sensation of sore thighs!”, I exclaim in the same tone as him, though he actually snorts.
“Get to breakfast. If you’re not quick enough, the chocolate muffins will be gone before you arrive.” With that, he leaves the room. Before the lock of the door clicks, I’m on my feet shouting after him. “Hey! You’re leaving me?”
“Wouldn’t want to miss the chance of chocolate muffins!”, he calls back and shrugs. “I’d hurry if I were you.”
What a dick.
I must’ve boosted his ego to a godly level last night.
Who cares now? Come on, I want you to get me that one fruit or whatever! Aine demands.
“Apples?” I ask aloud, since no one is here anyway besides me.
Yes.
No please or thank you.
Typical.
I groan and brush my hair, put on some clothes and sheathe not more than three daggers and one short sword before racing out the door with one shoe unbound.
Can’t you run faster? Aine criticizes and grumbles into my mind with obvious disapproval.
“Oh yeah wait let me just use my new water signet to slide across the floor!” I shoot back sarcastically before actually trying it out.
“Holy shit it works!”, I exclaim. My feet are gliding on water that I carefully place accelerating to a pace that I could never possibly have achieved with out this boost from my signet. It takes all my concentration and I nearly crash into Violet as she makes her way to the mess hall to eat as well, until I decide to train the ability later and just walk the remaining few meters.
“Sorry about that,” I rub my neck as I apologize to her.
“No problem. You don’t see something like that every day.” She visibly restrains her laughter, then waves as we part ways in the dining hall.
The first thing I look for are the apples I promised Aine. They’re almost completely gone. I reach for the last two as another hand does exactly the same, snatching them from my grip. I look up to meet the eyes of… First wings executive wingleader, great.
“I don’t think you’re getting your apples today Aine,” I sigh. I would’ve fought any other cadet for them but I could land in serious shit if I go up against Isaac Marton.
Don’t worry, I will. She reassures me a bit too overconfident.
I’m still holding on to one of the apples which brings us into a weird position, his arms over crossed, me leaning forward enough that if anyone were to touch me from behind, I would fall flat onto my face.
I’m near to giving up when a shadow falls over me and I slowly crane my neck around to spot who’s there.
“I suggest you give her the apples.” Xaden says in a tone that doesn’t sound like a kind suggestion at all and much more like a threat to break Isaac’s jaw if he doesn’t.
“She can have one.” He tries to compromise but Xaden’s icy glare pins him down as the shadows snatch both of the apples. He lunges forward, then thinks better of it and shakes his head.
“Chill, dude. I don’t want stress.”, he raises his hands in defeat and stroll back to his table with empty hands.
No one wants to be enemy with Xaden Riorson, despite how much they might despise him, he’s too powerful. Watching out for threats at every shady corner, living in constant fear of his title as a wingleader, being careful to avoid Sgaeyl at any times. Everyone does the latter anyway, because Sgaeyl is known to be ruthless.
She is, but secretly she has a soft spot for me. Or at least I hope so.
“Sgaeyl still loves me, right?”, I ask Xaden and he scoffs.
“She said, and I quote: ‘I tolerate you, because you saved my riders life and because you’re a delusional maniac who won’t take no for an answer.’”, Xaden chuckles a little. “Come on, my favorite delusional maniac, let’s go eat.”
I cackle at Sgaeyls words, then halt. “I can’t go eat with no food on the plate.”
“What are these apples then?”, he raises a scarred eyebrow and I shrug nonchalantly.
“They’re for Aine. Do you really think she would’ve alarmed Sgaeyl for something as trivial as my meal?”, I take my plate from him and get to the breakfast counter, where Sorrengail awaits me.
“Oh no, I don’t want my food from you.”, I shake my head frantically. “I might end up getting poisoned.”
Her face falls imperceptibly, I just pick it up slightly. So I get to fight her today then? Interesting.
Apparently Emmeterio is keen on getting that one killed. What do I care?
Tairn’s riders death could result in your mates death but whatever, Aine comments.
“Fine, poison me and finish it.”, I order. “Hurry or I’ll rethink. You won’t win our match either way.”
She shrugs, then sprinkles a suspicious looking white power onto my scrambled eggs right in front of me. “You’re confident.”
“I have reason to be. Do you mind giving me some extra poison? I want to feed it to Bodhi.”, I ask her and she looks alarmed.
“Don’t look so shocked. The idiot put itching powder into my shampoo and my scalp had an allergic reaction. It’s time for payback.”, I grin as she nods reluctantly and puts extra powder onto the left section of the egg.
“I could kiss you right now Sorrengail!”, my eyes gleam and I snatch my train, stack some actually eatable food onto it and race to the table where Bodhi, Soleil, Garrick and Xaden are sitting.
On the table are some strawberries—a rare sight for Basgiath meals—so I quickly eat a few, letting the sweet taste fill my mouth. Who know when I’ll ever get to taste them again?
I look up to meet Bodhi’s more than slightly offended gaze and shrug and turn to my own meal.
I dig into the scrambled eggs and groan. “Delicious! Bodhi, you want some?”
“Don’t have to ask me twice!” he exclaims and takes exactly the part where Sorrengail put extra much. Garrick glances at us and steals a piece for himself, then quickly swallowing it.
“No! Garrick, please don’t tell me you just ate that.” I put my hands in front of my face and take a deep breath.
“I did. Why?” he asks with irritation in his voice.
“Uh… No reason.”, I answer quickly and look away, “Nobody else gets anything!” I make a point of rapidly swallowing the entire mass of scrambled eggs.
“What was in there?”, Garrick asks again.
“Might’ve been Sorrengails poison… Just maybe…”, I trail off and avoid eye contact.
“Then why did you just eat the entire thing?”, Xaden asks, his voice is too calm for him to truly feel that way. He’s pissed.
“Yeah, I don’t know. I wanted to give Sorrengail a sliver of a chance for our match later?”
“How do you know that you two will have a match later? What’s your secret?”, Bodhi’s voice gets louder and I have to cackle.
“Sorrengail only poisons the people she has matches with. It’s too obvious.” I reply, then lean my head on Xaden’s shoulder. “I’m feeling a little dizzy.”
“You shouldn’t have eaten something you knew was poisoned,” Xaden mumbles to me but makes no move to shove me away.
At the same time, Soleil rubs her nose bridge. “Now that you say it… There is a weird pattern of people who get paired with Sorrengail to randomly end up sick.”
“Exactly my point… Ouchhh, this shit is strong.” I wince a little and then look at Bodhi and Garrick apologetically. “Just so you know Garrick, I never planned for you to eat this so don’t blame me.”
“What about me, huh?” Bodhi raises his eyebrows at me, his voice a pitch too high.
“That was intentional, trust me,” Xaden responds and I give an agreeing mumble which is muffled because I have my hands tightly wrapped around my stomach, my body hunched over, and my head resting on Xaden's lower arm.
Bodhi’s stomach grumbles loudly and he groans. “What the fuck did Sorrengail put in there?”
“The actual question is: Why is it already working?” Soleil muses, entirely unbothered by the whole mess. “If what Val told us is correct, which I’m inclined to believe, then normally Sorrengail’s matched partners only feel slightly sick a little time before the match and the effect unfolds during it.”
Good question indeed. I mentally go through all the poisons I know and which of those could even exist near Basgiath.
Not Fonilee Berries, not mushrooms, …
Wait. Mushrooms? If I remember correctly there is one called the ‘Greenface Mushroom’. When I first found out about it, Bodhi and I laughed our asses off because of its name. But now that I feel my stomach churning and my vomit rising, I know exactly why this name was chosen. I meet Bodhis eyes and he does indeed have a tint of green in his complexion.
We can’t hold it back.
We’re giggling even as every released laugh makes the nausea worse. “Greenface Mushroom,” he gasps between laughs and our shared laughter echoes across the table again while Xaden and Garrick look fed up and Soleil looks pleased.
When understanding finally dawns on Garrick, his expression looks pained and he drags a hand across his face like that will just erase the slowly settling green tint on his skin.
Our laughter is slowly fading as the pain intensifies, but I can still manage as long as I don't open my mouth.Bodhi, on the other hand, looks like he's about to burst from the pain.
“Aine! Tell Sgaeyl and Xaden that Greenface Mushrooms react with Strawberries which makes their effect set in faster than it usually would, would you please?”
Done. The wingleader is not amused.
“Figured.”
“Yeah because he’s a killjoy,” Cyn comments dryly.
More like a kill the pain. I agree that the idea of consuming poison on purpose is stupid.
“Right,” I drawl, “That’s why you advise me to smoke Churam every time you and Codagh have a little…fun.”
Totally different situation.
“If you say so…” I leave the obvious statement hanging in the room and vanish from our conversation to return to another.
“Go to the infirmary. All three of you,” Xaden all but commands us and we nod weekly, Garrick still sending me glares like it’s my fault he took a bit of my food without asking.
I sway a little, the poisons effect fully unfolding. My vision is distorted and everything starts moving so I just close my eyes fully. They’re a liability like this.
My body curls up in a heave against my will and I try to fight it but the poison I took is too strong.
“Garrick, stop glaring at my girl like she committed a war crime.” Xaden’s voice rumbles deeply from somewhere above me. I’m only half conscious now, my eyelids closed when I feel a strong hand sliding around my waist, gripping me firmly as he effortlessly picks me up and starts carrying me away.
“I want that special treatment too! Ey cousin, you have your shadows, you can handle two people!”, Bodhi calls after us and Xaden replies that Soleil can help him if she wants, then just continues walking.
Xaden doesn’t need to tell anyone to make some space for him to step through, I hear the cadets frantically scurrying away. Pathetic.
I crank open one eye lid, just enough to see Violet Sorrengails horrified expression. She probably assumed she calculated the timing just right.
It wouldn’t have been this early or strong had I not eaten those damned strawberries.
“Xaden, I beg you to hurry up. I’m about to vomit.”, I inform him and I notice his pace getting even quicker than before.
“I’m trying.” He says.
“Well it’s your uniform that will get dirty, not mine. Maybe you would’ve been better off transporting Bodhi.”, I return honestly before instinctively clamping a hand on my mouth when vile rises up again.
“I don’t want Bodhi’s vomit on me either. Besides, I can just drop you before the contents of your stomach hit me.”
I’m about to shake my head, then think better of it. “And here I was feeling bad for you.”
There is the soft but unmistakable chuckle of Xadens voice echoing in my head before silence takes the reign again and I can pick up nothing but Xaden’s heavy steps and firm grip on my waist.
“Here we are.”, Xaden announces and his steps come to a halt in the infirmary.
When I open my eyes again, I’m lying in an infirmary bed and Xaden is gone, probably off to classes. Instead of him, I spot Bodhi two beds down. When a healer notices I’m awake, she hurries over.
“You’ve had some mild food poisoning. You should not eat the Greenface Mushroom, you got that? And especially not—”
“In combination with strawberries, I know.” I cut her off and she sighs.
“Just stay away from any type of mushroom. Otherwise, your free to go. You might feel a little dizzy but that are just the aftereffects.”, she advises and I nod obediently before slipping out of bed.
My vision is indeed a little blurry every time I move too much. Sorrengail has an advantage in our match after all.
“I hope I don’t see you back here again soon.” The healer gives me a stern glance. “I Know you too well for my liking.”
I grin at her. “Just say you dislike me. I’ll send you in Violet Sorrengail if you want to treat her instead.” I offer and she lets out a weary sigh like everyone eventually does who has to deal with me.
“Please give her a wound that’s easy to treat.” She orders and I nod.
“Sure. Just for you, my favorite mystery healer.”, at that, she has to laugh.
“Fine. It’s Ame—”
Bodhi lets out a shrill shriek before she can finish and I curse him out.
“I have to go. Maybe I’ll tell you my name next time,” she winks at me and then disappears. Fuck Bodhi, I was just about to learn her name. She refused to tell me for some reason every other time I asked her.
I was initially feeling guilty about the mushroom incident but that miserable little shit absolutely deserved it.
Well then, it’s almost time for the sparring match.
Actually, you’re late. Aine informs me.
Whatever, better late than never. I use my water signet and use the speed acceleration from this morning.
I’m in the sparring gym in less than a minute, just when Emmeterio calls out: “Violet Sorrengail… and Valerie Thorne.” He shares an almost empathetic look with Sorrengail but I pat him on the shoulder like we’re buddies.
“Don’t worry, professor. I got poisoned this morning so I’ll go easy on her.”, I pat him on the back and he shoves me an armlength away.
“Great. Begin,” he says and I could swear there’s a hint of relief in his voice but it’s subtle enough it might as well be a figment of my imagination. As a professor who has seen way too much bullshit he just completely ignores the poisoning part of the sentence and pretends not to notice Violet flushing red in embarrassment.
“Thorne is one of the best fighters this quadrant has, influenced by poison or not.”, Emmeterio announces and promptly pulls all the attention of the non-fighting cadets onto us as they curiously gather around our mat.
They know one of us is about to learn that you can’t cheat your way through a fight the hard way, and it won’t be me.
Emmeterio announces the start of the fight and Sorrengail starts slowly circling me. I stay rooted to the spot, waiting for her to attack. Moving to much will pose the minor inconvenience of a blurry vision to me and even though that won’t help Sorrengail much, it’s still annoying for me.
Violet lunges.
It’s a textbook feint, her left shoulder dipping to draw my guard up, while her right fist aims for my ribs. It’s fast. For anyone else, it would be a blur.
For me, it’s a slow-motion dance.
The move is something for beginners and I bet it’s one of those that Rhiannon has been relentlessly drilling into her. It might’ve worked against a first year, but against me? Not a chance.
I don’t even step back. I sidestep, just an inch, letting her momentum carry her past me. As she swings, I reach out, my hand catching her wrist. Her eyes widen, surprised by the ease of it.
“Too predictable,” I murmur, my voice low enough that only she can hear.
Before she can pull back, I twist her arm, using her own strength against her. I guide her forward, flipping her over my hip. She hits the mat with a heavy thud, the wind knocked out of her.
The crowd doesn’t gasp. Everyone who knows me and my reputation is just enjoying the show and the fact that a Sorrengail of all people is getting defeated with an infuriating ease.
Sawyer stands on the side, shouting encouraging words at Violet. Her confidence might be a little shaken, but it hasn’t evaporated. Not yet at least.
Sorrengail is smart. She knows that once you loose control of your emotions, you’ve already lost.
Violet scrambles up, her face flushing, not with anger, no.
Determination is written across her face plainly enough that I’d see it from three mats away.
“Oh no! Is the big bad Sorrengail out to kill me?” I mock her as she pulls out a dagger.
“Sometimes you’re a real bitch.” She replies and I can figuratively see her internally shouting a mantra. ‘Keep your cool!’ Or something like that. It’s so… Violet, that I almost laugh aloud.
“It should be in my name by now.” I agree and smirk when she tries to throw the exact same combo from earlier.
“Pathetic,” I spit out, “You’re expected to learn from your mistakes.” I send her crashing down again with more force than necessary and when she looks up she must see that my expression turned icy, because I spot a genuine flash of fear behind those hazel eyes.
“Come on, don’t be so harsh on her!” Liam tells me from the side of the mat with pleading eyes.
“She needs to learn. I’m teaching her. I know you’ve been trying, but she doesn’t need to be babied. She needs to evolve. Now shut up and be thankful for my help,” I scold him harshly and his head droops, then turns to Xaden for help while I effortlessly dodge Sorrengails next attack without looking.
Xaden stands at the corner of the gym and makes no move to interfere so Liam knows he lost the argument and just sends an apologetic glance to Sorrengail. She nods weakly in understanding and I roll my eyes. How can anyone be this dramatic?
“Come on Sorrengail, I don’t bite. Except in bed.”, I taunt her and the last comment earns me a little laugh from the audience that we gathered and a exasperated look from Xaden as I wink at him.
‘Behind you’ he mouths and I duck, pulling Sorrengails arm that was just trying for a punch towards me over my shoulder and then use her own momentum against her, slamming her onto the mat once more. My vision is blurry and I barely see anything as I crouch down to her.
I feel the feint shift in the air before Sorrengail pulls out another dagger and palms it. She tries nicking my shoulder, leaving her entire torso exposed.
I catch her hand mid attack, vision still bad enough for me to rely purely on other instincts. “What do you think you’re doing? The only reason you’re still alive is because your death would inevitably cause the one of the man I love. Otherwise, I would’ve gutted you already.”
She tries to punch me with the other hand but before she does that, I swiftly take her dagger and hold both of her hands in a steady grip.
“Look, I’m trying to help you, believe me or not,” I start as my vision clears slowly but surely. “By going for my shoulder, you’re exposing your entire torso. Had you been any other first year, I would’ve used the opportunity and mercilessly swiped up my own dagger here.” I point at her kidney. “Your intestines would’ve spilled out and boom you’re nothing more than a name on the death roll.”
Her face pales a little as I continue. “Easier options, especially for someone your size, is going for the ribs, or maybe the kidney. Both were in your reach. Both fatal wounds. Remember that riders don’t show mercy. And you’re one now, so hesitation means death.”
“You all listening could take a piece of that same advice,” Emmeterio grumbles halfheartedly. “Squad leader Thorne is absolutely right.”
I kick away the dagger I swiped from Violet and pull out another one, placing it in her hand. “Let’s try that again, shall we?”
She attacks before I even finish speaking, going for the throat this time.
“Bold, I like it.” I grin a little while dodging backwards. I stand up and offer her a hand. If she takes it, may the gods help us remove that naïve nature. She extends her hand and her fingers grab mine.
I smoothly help her rise up just to make her spine meet the mat once more. “No one is your friend on this mat. Everyone is your enemy.” I remind her and shake my head in disappointment. “I thought you were smarter than this but apparently I gave you too much credit.”
The humiliation must’ve finally gotten to her because I feel it snap inside her. “I hate you.”
“You’re nothing special.” I reply expressionlessly. “keep your opinions to yourself, especially if the one your insulting is holding a knife to your throat.”
“But you’re not—”
“You really think I wouldn’t notice?”, I catch her hand midair, stealing her dagger and deflecting a fatal blow to my back.
Then I use her own blade against her and let the steel nick the soft skin of her neck. “It could’ve worked against Ridoc if you attacked his left side. He always leaves it open.”, I inform her and her a an indignant shout coming from Ridoc.
“Keep it up and try wounding your enemy fatally. Stop. Avoiding. Death blows.” With every word, my gaze turns more icy and the air turns colder until she finally taps onto the mat twice.
“Match over! Winner: Valerie Thorne!” Emmeterio announces and the riders get back to their own mats one by one, until only our squad remains.
“Enjoyed the show?”, I ask Xaden when I slowly step back into his corner for some privacy.
“I will unfortunately always enjoy seeing you dominate the match on the mat.”, he responds in a low tone and I pinch his side.
“No need to act cool. Just admit you’re attracted,” Imogen’s voice joins in on the conversation.
Xaden clenches his jaw, clearly not amused by the fact of Imogen’s arrival. “Fuck off.”
Imogen doesn’t flinch. If anything, a smirk tugs at her lips. She’s the type of person who thrives on Xadens stoicism, treating his glare like a challenge rather than a warning. “Ouch, rude.” She crosses her arms, leaning back against the wall, clearly enjoying every second that Xaden’s expression darkens.
“But he’s right Val, you were brutal. Very… efficient.” She comments and I roll my eyes.
“We both know you just enjoyed watching someone put Sorrengail onto her ass without her being able to pull the Xaden card.”, I shoot back and she grins unapologetically.
“You know me so well.” She drawls, the tugs at my arm. “Let’s get dinner, I’m starving.”
“I hate you, Imogen.” Xaden scowls at her.
“Oh no! I totally forgot you can’t come with us because you have to observe your wing. What a tragedy!” she mocks him.
He slowly turns his head around to her, any hint of a joke gone from his eyes as the gold flecks promise her murder. Shadows detach themselves from the walls, slithering across the stone floor like hungry serpents, wrapping around Imogen’s ankles and creeping up her calves. They don’t squeeze yet, but the threat is palpable.
Imogen doesn’t even look down. She just keeps grinning, though her eyes narrow slightly, assessing the danger. She knows Xaden. She knows that when the gold in his eyes flares like that, words are just a formality. Although Xaden wouldn’t kill her, because she’s a marked one and he secretly cares for her, that doesn’t mean he won’t hurt her a little on his bad days, especially when provocated.
The riders quadrant is a place of violence, so it is to be expected of everyone.
“Careful, Wingleader,” she says, her voice dropping to a whisper, barely audible over the fading echoes of the other riders’ chatter. “Crush me, and Val will have one friend less. And we both know how much you hate her being sad.”
The shadows pause.
Xaden’s jaw tightens, the muscle feathering in his cheek. He holds her gaze for a long, agonizing second, the air between them crackling with unspoken violence. Then, with a slow, deliberate exhale, he releases her. The shadows retreat, sliding back into the corners of the room as if they were never there.
“Get out of my sight, Imogen,” he says, his voice dangerously low. “Before I decide that your death would be a minor inconvenience rather than a tragedy.”
Imogen laughs, a bright, shrill sound that cuts through the tension. “Feisty. I like it.” She turns to me, winking. “See you at the mess hall, Val. Try not to let him eat you alive.”
With a final, mocking salute to Xaden, she saunters away, disappearing into the crowd of departing cadets.
The moment she’s gone, the mask slips. Xaden’s shoulders drop, the tension bleeding out of his frame. He turns to me, and the icy glare is replaced by a look of exasperated affection.
“That kid. Always trying to steal you from me.”, he complains and I snort.
“Were you really that worried I’d leave you?” I turn around to him fully and raise a brow in disbelief. He takes my hand and grips it steadily.
“No. I wouldn’t have let you.”, he responds.
“Be honest.”
“A little. Garrick and Bodhi are in the infirmary and you usually go with her to eat whenever she asks.”, he immediately clenches his jaw after speaking and then he murmurs a soft “Forget it.”
I start laughing brightly. Xaden looks a little like an abandoned puppy and I can’t resist stroking his hair. “Sometimes I feel like you’re a little overwhelmed and annoyed by me after a time. Everyone is, it’s normal. So I just leave you be with your cousin and friends for an hour or two. Who would’ve thought you’re this attached to me?”, I explain.
He looks at me, astonished. "Sometimes you do things I don't approve of, and sometimes we disagree, but that doesn't mean I want to be anywhere but by your side. I feel better with you, I can be who I am without having to prove anything. I would never get annoyed with you, or even overwhelmed. You’re perfect. I you want to spend time with your friends and without me I will respect that but I want you to know you are and will always be welcome to keep me company."
I absentmindedly draw little circles onto his hand with my thumb. “You’re weird.”
“I’ll take it as a compliment.” Xaden kisses me onto the forehead.
“Yeah, it’s supposed to be one.” I smile and he smiles back and then we just resume to a comfortable silence, watching fights and sometimes criticizing them.
A little while later, we stroll into the dining hall together and I can’t stop smiling.