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The kingdom of Navarre had been at war for years, and although today’s battle was won, the war was far from over. For now, the dragons and their riders were back safely in Montserrat, a military outpost.
Coming back from battle, dragons of various colours and sizes, with their tired but triumphant riders, started landing inside the walls of the outpost.
Lucy Chen, perched on the back of her dragon, landed easily on her feet with practiced maneuvers.
‘Go get some rest Maegen, that was a tough one.’ Lucy communicated with her green Daggertail dragon using their mind connection.
‘You too, little sunshine.’ Maegen replied. Lucy sighed, she was feeling anything but bright with all her muscles aching from riding and fighting since daybreak. Despite her fatigue, she looked up and gave her dragon a small smile. ‘Thanks.’
Lucy started walking forward, debating on whether to nap or see a healer in the infirmary as she felt dried blood on her left shoulder.
Her dragon took off behind her, flying up in the sky, but not without a final whisper. ‘And for both our sakes, please put your shields up if you’re planning on sleeping with Bradford again.’
Lucy paused abruptly, lips tightening. Most dragons were regal, just her luck that hers liked to tease her. ‘I told you it was a one time thing.’ (Or two. Or three. Or four. Dammit, no one was counting!!)
‘Doesn’t look like it, he’s on his way to you now.’ Maegen replied before disappearing in the clouds.
Lucy resisted the urge to scan for Tim amidst a growing crowd of lively riders, most were animatedly relieved that they didn’t lose anyone today.
But of course, Lucy didn’t have to search for him. Lieutenant Timothy Bradford always found her. Plus, it was hard to miss his dragon, one of the largest in the outpost, a blue Daggertail - almost incandescent and matching his eyes. She had no business thinking about his eyes.
Tim was approaching her. With his confident steps, he was just a few strides away. Lucy considered turning the other way but she was rescued by Lieutenant Mira Sorrengail.
“Head to the infirmary Lucy, I saw the nasty hit you got from one of the gryphon fliers. Doesn’t look too bad, but I have a feeling we’ll get called again soon so it’s better to have it healed faster.”
“I will, thanks.” Lucy reached out and squeezed Mira’s arm in thanks. The two had developed a closer friendship over the last year. Although Mira led them brutally in battle, she was warm and friendly otherwise. Some had hinted that it was because Lucy, at 5 feet 3, was one the smallest in their unit and everyone’s little sister.
Mira also added with a wink, “Plus, it’ll give you a good excuse to avoid Tim. We are avoiding him this week, right?”
Lucy would growl if she wasn’t so highly trained at keeping her emotions in check. She said in a low voice instead. “Yes, not just this week, but all weeks.”
“I don’t know, he looks pretty determined.” Mira noted.
She looked next to Lucy where Timothy Bradford was now standing. In a more serious tone, Mira addressed him before walking away, “Good work out there, Lt. Bradford. I’ll see you both at debrief in an hour.”
Lucy had no choice but acknowledge him as well. “Hi. Uh yes, good work, Sir. I’m just on my way …”
Tim rolled his eyes as he gently guided her good shoulder so she could face him. “Please stop avoiding me for one minute so I can look at you.”
Lucy knew he meant looking at her injured shoulder. But the way he said it made her think of him above her. Looking down. Seeing all of her. She had to close her eyes to avoid a whimper. Lucy really wasn’t doing herself any favour by thinking about that night.
Lucy felt Tim’s gaze, heated now as he surely could decipher what she was thinking. Tim checked the range of motion, and inspected the start of a hell of a bruise. Lucy forced herself to breath and stay grounded.
Tim’s touch was gentle but purposeful. She heard whispers that he had a second signet, a power channelled through his dragon, but she didn’t know what it was. His primary signet though was well known: Tim was a locator and could find anything given enough time. He rose up the ranks quickly because his signet was a valuable skill in battle, giving their military an advantage whether locating a person of interest, or a valuable target in enemy territory.
“Tell the healer that the Corarohumeral ligament is the one that needs tending.”
Lucy blinked in surprise. “You found exactly where I’m injured.”
Tim smirked. “Lucy, I can find the exact spot of any hidden mark on your body.”
Lucy swallowed, and short of running, she stepped away as shivers of awareness run through her. “I have to go.”
Tim nodded. “See you later.” He said in a statement of promise.
Lucy contemplated her dilemna while she was at infirmary and during their debrief. Every ounce of her wanted what Tim was offering. Facing battle almost every day, the dragon riders took pleasure any way they could knowing that nothing was certain in this life.
But if Tim found out her secret, and he would - it was just a matter of time, then she didn’t want to think about what that would mean. To her and to the others. She had no choice. Being with him so intimately made it hard not to open up.
She strengthened her resolve to proceed as planned and avoid him.
Debrief was in a large oval room with white walls and various simulators and projectors surrounding it. Over fifty riders were in attendance as the commander outlined the strategic points that led to victory that day. It wasn’t long before the debrief was done, and her fellow riders were emptying the room. Nyla Harper and Angela Lopez, two of her best friends, were in deep debate about which bar to visit that night. Lucy was about to weigh in when she … felt Tim’s nudge from across the room. He was still at the front where all the team leads were gathered.
Freshly showered, Tim had changed into a clean set of uniform. The dark leather fabric outlined strength and confidence and self-assurance.
And he had every right to stand there like that.
Angela tried to get her attention. “You coming, Luce? We’re driving out of the compound and going to Shalebt tonight.”
Although her mind disagreed, she said, “I’m kinda tired, I’ll stay in tonight.”
After saying their goodbyes, Lucy headed out to the gardens that led to various hiking and running trails where they trained cardio during the day.
It was a cool fall evening, and the sun had set behind the tall evergreens.
It was easy to spot Tim. He had his hands in his pockets and was leaning against a tree. Her feet knew exactly where to take her.
“You came.” He observed with a smile.
It was hard not to smile back. “Like you had any doubts”.
“No doubts.” He admitted. “But sometimes you go out of your way to surprise me.” He caught her bottom lip with his teeth as he closed the distance between them. He followed that with a softer kiss as he traced the line up her sides. Reaching her face, he cupped it to deepen the kiss.
Lucy sighed and shifted even closer to Tim, wrapping her arms around his lower back, feeling his warmth and kissing him back with everything she got.
Just one more night.
…
Thank you for reading. I hope I tagged it correctly with credit to “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros