Chapter Text
If Violet would have had the choice , she would have been a scribe. But the harsh reality of it was she definitely didn’t have a choice. At twenty one years old, her mother was still making decisions for her.
After her first years as a rider, she’d nearly met Malek at least a dozen times. And she sure as gods was determined enough not to meet him anytime soon. But again, that choice wasn’t hers to make.
Second year was already providing its challenges. She’d been told she was going to be on the parapet with Rhi that morning, and her stomach had plummeted just like it had only twelve months prior.
“Something feels different this year” Rhi hopped up onto the edge of the wall, glancing over at Dain and Liam who were standing at the entrance of the death trap.
“After the attack on the college last month, i’d say everything feels different” Violet hums, smiling briefly at a brown haired first year, whose face was growing much paler by the second.
“Do you think they’ll switch everything up?” Rhi asked her, before turning to another first year and writing their name down into the scroll she had in her hands.
“They’ll have too. Less dragons are bonding, we need all the help we can get” Violet drew in a sharp breath, her mouth running dry as the memories of last month's attack haunted her.
Her palms grew sweaty, but she pushed her anxiety away and focused on getting these first years names written down. She could feel the lingering gaze of her old best friend burning into her back, but she ignored it.
“How long have we been up here?” Violet asks her dragon, feeling the midnight black shimmer of their bond fresh in her mind.
“Two hours. You should be done soon, Silver One” Tairn responds, his tone is groggy and frustrated, no doubt after being run ragged by Andarnas incessant need to find sheep to snack on.
“How is she?” Violet looked to the ground as she spoke mentally, trying to avoid all of the gazes from the terrified first years passing by.
“Just as any adolescent would be after their dreamless sleep. Hungry and irritated” Tairn huffs, causing a small smile to tug at the corners of Violets lips. She’s not seen Andarna in a month, after she’d been forced to grow once the attack had finished, she’d been asleep for weeks.
Until yesterday.
“Can I see her later?” Violet's tone is full of hope, even though she already knows the answer she’ll receive.
“If you already know the answer, don’t ask” Tairn sounds distracted, so she leaves him be and sighs. Resting her arms on the side of the wall, she looks down to find only a few more first years ascending the steps below.
“I think we’re nearly done. Just a few more” Violet shouts, earning a curt nod from Liam as he looks out over the parapet. Dain completely ignores her, which she’s thankful for.
“He’s really taken the break up to heart, then” Rhi whispers from beside Violet, trying to mask the grin on her face. Violet snorts, tipping her head back to stare up at the cloudy sky.
“We weren’t even together” Violet mutters, careful not to speak loud enough for him to hear. Dain had been giving her the cold shoulder since July, once she’d stopped sleeping with him and had decided there was nothing more between them.
He obviously hadn’t been on the same page. Hence the tension between them both.
“He needs to suck it up” Rhi says, as Liam's eyes widen once he looks over Violet's shoulders. She turns, and realises why.
Sloane Mairi smiles wide, her eyes locked upon her brother as her hair blows around her face. Her eyes are the exact same as her brothers, as is her hair colour. Violet had heard possibly everything there had been to know about the younger sister of her best friend.
Liam goes to step forward, just as a young black haired girl collapses at his feet at the mere sight of the parapet. That’s why you don’t look down before even stepping foot on the damned thing. Liam sends Violet a look, to which she nods and steps closer to his sister.
“A bit of advice before heading over, braid your hair, it keeps it out of your eyes. If the pack falls, let it. Rather it, than your life. And don’t look down, whatever you do” Violet hands the blonde girl a hair tie, which she takes with narrowed eyes and an icy glare.
“You’re Violet Sorrengail, aren’t you?” Sloane asks slowly, glancing back to her brother for a second, as he tries to wake the other girl.
“I am”
“Stay the fuck away from me” Sloane snaps, but Violet dosent even flinch. She was used to this kind of reception from anyone with a rebellion relic. She’d had plenty already.
“Sure, but I'd take the hair tie. Unless you want to fall to your death?” Violet keeps her hand extended, as she watches Sloane take it from her, scowling as she passes.
“That’s unfair, you don’t know her, Slo” Liam’s voice is colder than expected, and Violet's shoulder sag. She doesn’t want this to impact what could be their last moments together.
“Liam, it’s fine. She’s about to walk the fucking parapet, be nice” She smiles at her friend, and he looks torn whilst he glances between his sister and best friend. But he caves, standing quickly to wrap his arms around her, muttering something in her ear before he sends her over to Dain.
Funnily enough, Sloane is the last first year to walk across. And all four of them watch as she goes, although Rh isi still trying to wake the passed out girl who’s showing no signs of coming around anytime soon.
It’s silent, and she notices Liam’s knuckles turn white as he grips the stone wall. Violet throws an arm around his back, just for comfort. He leans into her touch slightly, finally releasing a long sigh of relief as he watches her reach the other side.
“Thank fuck” He whispers, smiling proudly as Dain calls down for a healer to come and collect the girl beside them. The clouds in the sky grow darker as each moment passes, and Violet isn’t sure if it’s just the weather or her mothers doing.
“She’s fine. She’s alive” Violet soothes him, just as she catches sight of Deigh landing below the tower. Liam’s red dagger tail dragon chuffs as he looks up to his rider.
Seconds later, Tairn, Fierge and Cath land beside him, waiting to fly their riders back over to the courtyard to finish Conscription day. As Violet makes her way over to her dragon, she loses herself in thought of the last time she’d been here.
And never in a million years would she have expected herself to become a lightening wielder, bonded to one of the most powerful and one of the most rarest dragons on the fucking continent.
It had taken a couple of days for everyone to settle into their new routine, especially given the amount of first years that had actually made it across the parapet this year. The halls were heaving with cadets.
“We’ve never had a meeting like this before” Sawyer yawns from beside Violet, his head resting against the wall.
“Leadership are shitting themselves, that’s why” Ridoc says over a mouth full of apple, sending a flirty look to an Infantry cadet as he passes by.
“If this is going to turn out how i think it is, a brawl is going to break out” Violet sighs, rotating her aching shoulder as she adjusts her pack. Liam sends her a knowing look, and her stomach twists. She’s right.
“What do you mean?” Rhi nudges Violet with her elbow, lowering her voice as their Wingleader passes them all. She fucking hated that Dain had gotten the position, it made it all the more awkward in formation every morning.
“Just wait and see” Violet says, her gaze skittering on the busy hall full of black and blue uniforms. Her eyes land on a group a few feet away, and her stomach sinks as she notices pink hair, and then the man standing beside her.
Xaden Riorson is deep in conversation with his friends, laughing softly at something Imogen had said, and Garrick Tavis leans over to ruffle her pink hair which earns him a solid punch to the stomach. Xaden’s cousin, Bodhi, backs away looking utterly amused.
Shed barely taken notice of the Infantry cadets throughout her first year, as Violet had been much too focused on living to see the next day. But there was no way she’d ever be able to forget that specific group of them.
“You’re staring” Liam chuckles, stepping in line of her view, his eyes watching her carefully. Violet shifts on her feet, shrugging.
“Aren’t you going to say hello?” She asks him, looking around and trying to find whatever professor is leading this meeting. But there’s no sign.
“I see them enough, i think i’ll live” Liam runs a hand through his hair, stepping to the side to lean his back on the wall beside Violet.
“Right” She clips, trying to tune into the conversation between Ridoc and Sawyer. Rhi rubs her fingers over her eyes, watching while Ridoc laughs to himself as he teaches Sawyer how to sign “sex”.
“Okay, i’m not that fucking stupid” Sawyer drops his hands, his eyes rolling as Ridoc bursts into a loud fit of laughter.
It must be contagious, because Violet and Liam both find themselves joining with him.
“Sawyer, meet me later and I'll teach you. Don’t bother with him” Violet takes pity on her friend, cocking her head to the side as he blushes and nods.
“Cadets, please seat yourselves in the gathering hall” A loud voice appears from behind them, one which she knows a little too well. The crowds depart, as her mother and Colenel Aetos make their way past them all and into the hall.
A few dozen gazes fall onto Violet, and she rolls her eyes, her head falling back against the wall.
“Fucking great” She huffs, pushing herself off the wall with her foot, and making her way past the riders and infantry ahead of her to get through the doors.
There’s a clear divide once everyone is seated, and it’s not missed upon anyone. Including her mother and Dains father, who just shakes his head at them all.
“This should be fun” Ridoc smirks, sinking lower in his chair to slouch, as he messes with a dagger almost as if he’s trying to come across intimidating.
Just as Violet goes to say something, her mothers gaze falls onto Ridoc, sending a frosty look his way. Everyone in the hall turns to look, but he doesn’t even look phased.
“Sit the fuck up” Violet hisses, snatching the dagger out of his hands and sheathing it back into his flight leathers where it should be. Ridoc’s shoulders shake softly, but once he sees the look on Violet's face he gives in. Finally sitting up straight and focusing on the front of the room.
“Thank you, Cadet Sorrengail” Her mother speaks, as she steps forward on the dais and looks over all two hundred of them seated before her.
“You’re lucky she didn’t come up here” Liam whispers, glancing at herself and Ridoc.
“She can’t do shit, she needs me as a rider” He responds, causing Violet’s body to tense up, knowing he’s right. They need all the numbers they can get.
“We’ve called you all here today, to discuss the future of your time here at Basgiath” General Sorrengail starts, and it’s times like this where Violet doesn't even recognise her mother, as she fits right into her role.
All second and third year riders and infantry are seated within the room, a look of dread clear on their faces, almost as if everyone knows exactly what’s about to leave their General's mouth.
“As you are all more than aware, you both are our strongest quadrants. Riders, whilst you're an asset to us in the air, Infantry are just as important to us on the ground. And after the attack from the Promiel fliers at our college this year, we need to set up a strong unit” General Sorrengail steps back, offering the way to Colonel Aetos for him to take over. Violet rubs her clammy hands on her leather trousers.
“We won’t hide the truth, we are at war with Promiel. King Tecarus is fighting for something within this college, and we aren’t sure what he wants. We need to be prepared. Gryphons can fly and they’re just as fast on the ground, we will need both units fighting against them on all fronts” He pauses, looking over at every single one of the students, dark circles under his eyes.
“Shit” Sawyer whispers, shaking his head as he sighs deeply.
“So, going forward, both riders and infantry will be working together-” Every single person in the room erupts, as they cut off Colonel Aetos and chaos breaks out.
Violet gasps, unable to see much from the riders sitting around her all standing up to shout and protest at the suggestion. She looks to her friends, who are sitting completely frozen in their seats, mouths fallen agape in shock.
“Cadets! Sit down and listen” General Melgren’s voice bellows throughout the hall, and every single head turns back to face him standing at the top of the stairs, his eyes wide with fury.
Silence falls quicker than Violet had ever known before, and everyone sits back down in their seats, avoiding his gaze. Violet rests her head on one hand, as she leans her elbow on the arm of her chair.
For a brief second, Violet’s gaze catches onto onyx eyes across the room. Xaden is staring right at her, his eyes narrowed with curiosity. She doesn't dare to move, as she lifts her chin and her eyebrows.
Her heart slows, and she has no idea why the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. His jaw clenches, as he watches her carefully.
But he does nothing, turning away and facing the front once more.
“You will be working together, and it’s an order. You’ll all be assigned to certain groups. Wings, squads, sections, those are still in place but they’re not as vital as they once were. Of course you’ll still be working with first years to help, but this is our priority now, and it’s yours too” Colonel Aetos’s tone is much more cold now, obviously he’d lost his patience with them all. And as much as she hates him, Violet can’t really blame him.
“We’ve worked hard to put you all into groups to train, based on your knowledge, power and who we think you’ll work well with. There’s no exceptions here, you will be going ahead with this. Don’t like who you’ve been paired with? Suck it up. This is war, Cadets” Violet’s mother projects her voice throughout the hall, and there’s not a single sigh of protest from anyone. You could practically hear a pin drop.
“Did you know this was going to happen?” Violet asks Tairn, and by the absent look upon her friend’s faces, she’s pretty sure they’re all asking their own dragons the same thing.
“The Empyrean were made aware. We have agreed with the decision” He answers, and something within Violet's stomach sinks. This truly is going to happen, they’re at war.
“Are you happy with it?” She’s hesitant to ask, but she goes ahead and does so anyway. He’s nothing but truthful with her.
“If it creates a better chance of saving our lives, then yes” He’s so certain in his answer, which offers her some glimmer of hope. But it’s not just the college who have cadets here, there’s four or more outposts in the area full of trained riders. Including her sister.
Violet swallows hard, before shoving her arm up into the air, catching her mother’s attention. Lilith Sorrengail’s brows rise, as she stands straighter.
“We didn’t say there was any room for questions, Cadet” Her mother snaps, and it takes everything in Violet not to visibly flinch at the tone for everyone to see.
“I’m not going to argue with the decision. I just have a genuine question to ask” She fires back, and by the look on her mothers face, she didn’t expect it.
“Why is it always my daughter?” She sighs, loud enough for everyone in the room to hear. Anger and heat flare within Violet, and she has to grit her teeth not to snap. “What is your question, Cadet Sorrengail?”
“What about the riders and infantry based at the outposts? Will they be doing the same? Are they safe?” Violet forces her voice not to shake, as her hands curl into fists and her lips draw blood from where she’s bit them.
“Yes, they will all be informed and will be returning here in rotating groups to train also. The outposts will not be left unguarded. And please, don’t let your personal feelings towards certain riders be the only reason for your curiosity” Her mother snaps, and Violet does not miss the sounds of gasps across the room as people look between them both.
Liam’s hand appears on her wrist, trying to ground her. But she can’t stop herself, she’s past the point of no return and she’ll be damned if she lets her mother speak to her that way. In front of everyone.
“Oh, you mean your own daughter? My sister? I do apologise for the concern, since it’s clear you have none” The words are out of her mouth before she can stop them, her body is shaking and the power flooding from Tairn is hitting her at a brutal force.
“Holy fucking shit” Ridoc whispers, looking at Violet with awe and pride.
“Leave the room, otherwise you’re going to scorch your mother, Silver One” Tairn demands through the bond, trying to regulate her emotions. Saving her from making a mistake and possibly a death sentence if she continues.
“She’s awful”
“I am aware of her flaws, but i will not lose you because of her” Tairn’s voice is full of disappointment, and Violet knows it’s not directed at her.
“I won’t tolerate you speaking that way to your General. Apologise or suffer the consequences, Sorrengail” Colonel Aetos shouts, and she notices how a few people flinch at the pitch of his voice. But she stays rooted to her seat, her eyes still focused on her mother who’s completely void of anything.
“I’m not going to apologise for something i’m not sorry for” Violet responds, and in a heartbeat she’s already up out of her seat, grabbing her pack and making her way down the row of people to the stairs.
“Sit back down!” Colonel Aetos yells, but her back is facing him and she’s already making her way up the stairs to the doors. Her breathing hitches when she sees General Melgren standing there, his eyes on her with every step.
“If any of you follow her i’ll be sure to punish you too” She hears from Aetos once more, his words most likely aimed at her friends, as she reaches the door and glances up to the leader of the college.
He opens the door for her, gesturing to make her way through. She gulps, keeping her head high and her shoulders square.
Her heart is hammering against her ribs, and it only quickens when she realises General Melgren has followed her out into the hall. His silver hair blows a little with the breeze following the closed door.
“I understand your question and concern, Violet. But you should have expressed them in a private setting” His words linger in the air around them, she looks up to face him fully. He gives nothing away, no inkling on if he truly does understand.
“I know, that I apologise for. I didn’t mean to cause a scene, General” Violet refuses to give herself up to him, she cannot break yet. He nods his head, walking towards the stairs that lead down to the rotunda.
“You won’t be punished, I'll deal with Colonel Aetos. You’re an asset, Violet, you’re more important than you think you are” He calls over his shoulder, walking away from her and down the stairs. He’s too far gone for her to respond and ask what he means.
“Fuck” She whispers to herself, leaning against the railing of the stairs opposite the doors to the gathering hall. She hadn’t meant to let her anger get the best of her, but her mother had a tendency to bring out the worst in her.
“You carried yourself well. We are proud” Tairn expresses to her, and the use of the word ‘we’ makes her heart clench.
“Andarna?”
“Hello, Violet” Her dragons light voice floods through her mind, and for the first time in weeks she feels whole. A breath of relief falls from her lips, and her hands clutch the wood of the railing.
“I’ve missed you, are you doing alright?” Violet asks her younger dragon, not even attempting to fight the wide smile on her lips.
“Of course, it’s not as if I disappeared. I’ve always been here” Andarna’s voice has an edge to it, one Violet had never heard before. She turns to lean over the wooden railing, bending her body at the waist to look down at the floor twenty feet below.
“I know you have” Violet faintly heard her mumble something about hunting sheep, before she closes the bond and flies out of range.
“You’ll get used to her tone. It’s not personal. Me and Sgaeyl have been taking the brunt so far” Tairn reassures her, and Violet doesn’t miss the way admiration floods through her as her dragon mentions his mate.
Him and Sgaeyl, the unbonded blue dagger tail, have been mates for decades. Violet had seen her plenty of times, and she had a feeling she wasn’t very fond of Violet. At least not yet anyway.
“I wouldn’t hold your breath, either” Tairn chuffs, followed by what Violet would class as a low laugh. She smirks, shaking her head, just as the sound of the doors behind her push open.
She doesn't move from her position, unable to face anyone after what had just happened. But her hips began to ache from being bent over, and she craned her neck to look over her shoulder for her friends.
Liam came into view first, but she didn’t see Rhi, Ridoc or Sawyer with him. Instead he was surrounded by infantry. Xaden, Garrick, Imogen and Bodhi were talking to him, the five of them stopped a few feet away from her.
She caught the gaze of the pink haired cadet, who had only ever looked at her with nothing but hatred before. However this time, there was a hint of an approving grin tugging at her lips as she stared at Violet.
She wasn’t quite sure what to do, so she offered her a small smile in return. Liam then caught sight of her, his face falling with ease, as he sped over to her. His arms pulled her up so she was standing, and then he laughed.
“Why are you laughing?” Violet drew back her head, not expecting this from her best friend. But he shrugged, and slung an arm across her shoulders.
“You were fucking great in there. I don’t think I've ever been so proud” Liam ruffles her hair, messing up her braid. Violet tried to push him off her, as she ducked under his arm and out of his grip.
The pair of them are laughing by the time they stand back up straight, and all four gazes of his friends are on them both. Rhi, Ridoc and Sawyer rush over to them, total amusement in their faces as they stop beside infantry.
“I’ve never loved you more” Rhiannon smirks, standing beside Violet and Liam. She snorts, rolling her eyes.
“I barely did anything” Violet steps back, lifting her pack off the floor where she’d left it and swinging it over her back.
“I have to say, you shocked us, Sorrengail” Garrick Tavis grins, watching Violet carefully where he’s stood beside Xaden with his arms crossed.
She goes to speak, but the doors are slammed open, hitting the wall with force. Everyone turns around, their eyes wide and focused on a red faced Colonel Aetos who’s barrelling for Violet.
“Someone needs to keep her under control!” He roars, pointing a finger straight at her as he pushes past Ridoc and Sawyer. The pair of them are instantly tense with anger, but they don’t dare move closer.
“I’m sorry? I’d be careful how you talk to me, i think you're forgetting whose daughter i am” Violet looks up at the Colonel, but he’s cut off when Liam steps closer, he’s considerably taller than Aetos.
“No one controls her. And i hate to say it, but there’s no taming Violet” His voice is harsh, which only makes Aetos’s face even redder. For a second, Violet sees a flash of Dain, and her stomach sours.
“I would stand down, if i was you Mairi” Aetos inches closer to Liam, and Violet’s heart hammers. Rhi grabs onto her arm, but she ignores it and puts herself between the two of them.
“Back the fuck up, Colonel. I’ve already spoken with Melgren, so I think you should too. Wouldn’t want to cause another scene now, would we?” Violet hisses, still aware of the crowd that surrounds them. Silence follows her words, and finally, he takes a step away.
He looks over to Xaden and the rest of them, scowling as if they’re nothing but dirt on his shoe. It wouldn’t take a fool to guess why, their rebellion relics are more than visible on their exposed skin around their uniforms.
“Watch your back, Sorrengail” Aetos spits, taking a step to the side and walking away. But his eyes are still glaring into her skin, she’s seen the look before. She knows when someone wants her dead.
“I sure will. Good day, now” She smiles sweetly, waving at him as he finally turns and storms down the hall to his office. As soon as he’s gone, she lets go of the breath she’d been holding.
“Fuck me, you’re crazy” Imogen resorts, staring back at Violet with the same look she’d given her previously. Liam rolls his shoulders, glancing at Rhiannon warily.
“I saw that look, Liam. What is it?” Violet asks, looking at him and Rhi as they glance at Ridoc and Sawyer who are funnily enough in conversation with Bodhi.
“You don’t want to mess with him, Vi” Rhi’s eyes are full of worry, and it doesn't exactly bode well with Violet.
“Well then, I'll keep out of his way. Did they tell you which infantry squad we’ve been paired with?” Violet asks, looking at Liam who grins, stepping around her and throwing an arm around Garrick’s neck.
“You’re looking at us, Violence”
Now, there’s the voice she hadn’t heard in years. He sounds so different, which is a given since she’d not seen him in three years. And she absolutely loathed the way he’d used that nickname for her, when she’d told him to never use it again.
Xaden smirks, obviously knowing what kind of effect he had on her. He stepped closer, Liam and Garrick following him as he walked.
Violet's pulse jumped, and she inched closer to Rhiannon who looked just as confused as the rest of them did.
“Sorry what? We’ve got these guys?” Violet’s voice is considerably higher, as she points straight to Xaden. If he takes one more step closer to her, he will be close enough to touch her. And she couldn’t think of anything worse.
“Yeah, and Quinn. But she’s disappeared off somewhere” Liam looks around, before his eyes land on Imogen, silently asking her where on earth her best friend could be.
“I have no idea, Mairi” Imogen smiles, almost as if she knows about the crush Liam has had on Quinn for the last two years. It makes him blush, and Violet sends him a pitiful look.
“Great. I look forward to it” No one misses the sarcasm practically dripping from Violet's words. Ridoc calls Rhiannon over to them, including her in the conversation which Bodhi seems to be rather enjoying.
“Don’t leave me” Violet grabs Rhi’s hand, whispering to her as she tries to leave. Her friend laughs under her breath, glancing over to Xaden lingering beside Garrick, and he’s still definitely staring at her.
“You’ll live, you’ve been with worse men” Rhi teased.
“I’ve not been with him” Violet argues, keeping a strong hold on Rhiannon who’s trying to wrench her arm free.
“We’ll then you’ll be fine, won’t you” She winks, finally freeing her arm and waltzing over to Ridoc who’s talking animatedly with his arms. Violet looks around, finding all of them all distracted by some kind of conversation. Great, she can leave.
Turning on her heel, she makes way to the stairs, until a six foot four man towers over her, blocking her way. She slides to a stop, just before she barges right into him. Although once she sees who it is, she wouldn’t be opposed to knocking him down.
“Hello, Xaden” Violet bites out, avoiding his onyx eyes as they wander over the entirety of her body. She flushes, wishing she could remove her flight jacket as her pricks with uncomfortable heat.
“Long time no see, Sorrengail” He quirks, leaning his body against the railings just as she had done earlier. He’s changed, and it’s almost like she doesnt recognise him.
Violet inhales sharply, keeping her face composed as her hands hold onto the strap of her pack which was doing her shoulder absolutely no good.
“Yeah. One would say three years is a long time”
“Sure is. You’ve changed” He points out, which causes Violet to snort, looking down at her body. She knew she’d changed, her body had been filled out with muscle and a nice tan from flying under the sun this summer.
“Well, I'm not eighteen anymore. I’d say you’ve changed too, but you still sound rather arrogant” She teases, tilting her head to the side as her eyes narrow slightly. Xaden lifts one eyebrow, running his tongue along his teeth.
“Guess I deserve that. How’s Dain?” Xaden knows he’s got her, and Violet winces a little. But she covers it, biting her cheeks as she shrugs.
“I wouldn’t know. How’s Cat?” She fires back, but he gives off nothing as his arms cross over his chest. Violet forces herself to keep her eyes on his face, refusing to crack under the weight of his gaze.
“Wouldn’t know. I’m sure she sends her love” Xaden grins, stepping close enough that she can smell him. Her heart cracks, the broken piece of her that she thought had mended rips open once more.
“Mmh. Well, I'm sure Dain will absolutely love seeing you again. Infantry seems to be treating you very well, by the looks of it” Her eyes focus on the patch on the side of his navy blue shirt. Squad Leader.
“Sure is, though it doesn't really matter now, does it?” His words have a double meaning that she’s not stupid enough to miss. Her mouth is dry, and she can’t bring herself to take her eyes off him.
“It does matter, Riorson”
“Not really. It’s nice to see you though. Been great catching up with the infamous Violet Sorrengail” He steps away, taking a part of her with him. She snaps her head in his direction, reaching forward and wrapping her fingers around his wrist.
He stops, turning to smirk down at her. His eyes are focused on where their skin meets, and Violet realises, before she rips her hand back as if he’d burnt her. Why on earth she does this to herself, she’ll never know.
“Infamous? What’s that supposed to mean” Her voice is rushed, and he lifts his arms in the air, stretching as he looks around. Their friends are still talking between themselves, but Liam casts the odd glance over every now and then.
“People talk”
“Oh yeah, people talk. But about what?” She demands, the tips of her boots hit against his own, and she has to tip her head back just to look up at him due to the close proximity.
“Come on, Violence. You think no one seriously spread word of the Generals daughter beating the odds, and bonding the most powerful dragon on the continent. And not just him, buti a feathertail too? Not to mention you wield fucking lightning” Xaden looks at her as if she’d gone mad, and her chest heaves with a sigh. Stepping away, she scrunches up her face and shrugs.
“He’s not the most powerful” She mumbles, well aware that Xaden can hear her.
“You insult me, Silver One” Tairn speaks to her. She fights the twitch of her lips that threaten to curl into a smile. She wouldn’t give Xaden the satisfaction of thinking it was for him.
“I’m sorry. You are in my eyes” She replies, hearing a low grumble through her mind.
“Please, do not insult me further with fake flattery” Tairn huffs, before the bond dims and she fights the roll of her eyes. Xaden is watching her closely, deep in thought.
“It still baffles me that you can all do that” He shakes his head slowly, running a hand through his dark hair. Violet stumbles.
“Do what?”
“Talk with your dragons, I think it’s great. How come you ended up here, Sorrengail?” He asks, overstepping the mark enough that it catches her completely off guard. She knows what he means though, and her cheeks hollow as she sucks them in.
“You know my mother. I’d be wasted in the scribe quadrant, I wouldn't develop a deadly signet in the infantry quadrant. I’m completely at her disposal here” She looks around, the dim lights of the college’s mage lights flicker a little as she lets her power flow through her.
“Yeah, I know. We were still surprised when you didn’t arrive in infantry like you’d planned though. What did Mira and Brennan say?” Xaden asks carefully, and Violet can’t stop the shock washing over her face as he mentions her siblings. She forgets how much of her life she’d actually spent with him before she started here.
“I think you already know the answer to that. Mira failed to convince mom otherwise and Brennan left, though you know exactly where he is don’t you?” Violet watches as he looks away from her, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his trousers. It was no secret that after the General sent her youngest to her death, that her son abandoned them all and fled for Tyrrendor.
Where Xaden is in line to be the Duke.
“I’ve not been back there in years, Violet. See you around” Xaden cuts off their conversation completely, turning around with his back to her and walking straight down the hall towards the infantry quadrant.
She sighs, gritting her teeth as she looks back over to Liam who’s already watching her. He nods, and Violet takes it as her moment to leave whilst she can. Anger was surging up her spine, and her body seemed to move her toward the flight field before her mind could process it