⚠️ Trigger Warning ⚠️

This chapter will have fighting, blood, gore, and death. Please read at your own discretion.

Chapters 8-9
(In the book)

Black clouds cover the sky, blanketing the campus in darkness and rain. I stand along the cold stone walls, watching the clouds drown the earth with its tears. The gentle hum of rain hitting the ground has me closing my eyes and breathing deeply. Something about the rain. A cold, clammy hand grips my forearm and my eyes shoot open. A pale, bloody Dain stands in front of me with tears in his eyes. "What is it?" I ask, immediately on guard and removing him from my arm. He shoves a bloody hand through his hair, leaving red streaks along his face. "It-it's Violet. She- another cadet- she-" Dain began to hyperventilate and I reared back my hand before slapping him, leaving a red mark on his face.

His head snaps to the side but it works, he finally meets my eyes with the most heartbreaking look "Violet is dead." And those three words set everything off. It's as if time itself stops. Fire and molten lava burn under my skin as I run towards her. I burst through the cadets room but stop short at the scene. Blood coats the walls and drips from Violet's top bunk bed, her dragon scale armor discarded on the floor beside her. Others try to stop me and Professor Kaori tries to physically hold me back. But my fire rages up, burning the man and any others around me. Their screams echo as I will myself to move closer. My trembling legs somehow walk towards the small, slumped body of Violet. But it wasn't just Violet in the bed...

It was Xaden too.

   A scream rips through the room as I fling myself from bed. Fire burns under my skin but the churning in my stomach outweighs the hot, searing pain. My feet hiss as they meet the cold stone, creating charred footprints along the floor. I barely make it to the bathroom, only to empty my stomach in the toilet. Black shadows surround me before I feel Xaden's cool hands on my forehead. A slight sizzle is heard as his skin comes in contact with mine. "Are you okay love?" He asks quietly, pulling my shaking body to his. The instant relief washes over me as his arms encircle my waist. I nod yes but rock back and forth as my mind replays the nightmare. Xaden, reading my thoughts, turns pale and pulls me tighter to him. "Would it make you feel better if we went to check on her?" I look at him and slightly nod my head yes.

   He softly kisses my head before picking me up in one quick motion. He walks us into our closet and helps me pick out an outfit for the day, as the sun begins to rise. I let out a sigh as my eyes watch the vibrant oranges and purples melt together; the sun finally peeking through the morning sky. Xaden hands me one of my black dragon scale armor sets and starts grabbing the matching metal cuffs that have intricate white lines drawn into it. My shoulders adorn more dragon scale armor but more jagged and sharp enough to slice someone's throat. I slip my leather pants on under the large metal armor and lace up my black boots. Instead of braiding my hair back, I just let the waves loose. Xaden runs his soft hand through my hair and I lean into his touch.

Her outfit
Imagine something else if you don't like it

He pulls me towards the door before placing a soft kiss on my lips. "Ready love?" I nod in agreement and he opens the door. I feel the spark of magic, protecting our room as we step through the threshold. The hallways are dead quiet as we make our way towards Violet's room. The only thing heard is the soft thumps from our boots and the jingle of metal. Xaden's cool hand twists with mine, both of us on edge after the nightmare. We approach the cadets room and I crack the door, only to see everyone but Violet. Without a word to Xaden, I slip into the room and quickly approach her bed. It is neatly made with a small note placed on the pillow. I pick up the paper, quickly reading it.

Rhi,

I have breakfast duty and a few things to do before then. Will meet you in class.

- V

A sigh of relief washes over me and I place the paper back unto her pillow. I slip through the door that Xaden still have open for me and pull him towards me. My body still slightly shaking at the memories of my nightmare. He presses a kiss to my head and pulls me away. "She's on breakfast duty. I want to go see her before we have to work." Xaden nods in agreement and tugs me towards the stairs. We quickly make our way to the kitchens and find Violet passing food out to the other cadets. Yet when her eye catches the cadet she's supposed to fight later, something weird shines in her eyes and she pulls a vial from her pocket. I watch as she quickly piles whatever is in the small glass bottle onto the food for the cadet. With a smile, she passes the tray to the young man and he just snatches it from her.

   I elbow Xaden and he nods, seeing exactly was I saw too. He pulls me from the room and towards the training grounds, his cold hand wrapped around my waist. "What was that?" He whispered. I shrug, replaying the memory over and over again in my mind. "I don't know but if I had to guess? I think poison or something that would give her an advantage as she's so small. But she doesn't need to do that now that I'm here. I was going to trade her opponent to someone more suited for her size, but now I want to see how things transpire." He nods his head in agreement and pulls me to the mat with a smile. "Want to train?" He asks with a smirk.

   I shrug my shoulders then remove my metal armor, leaving me in my fighting leathers. The tight fabric forms to my very curve like a second skin and Xaden is completely distracted. "You're going to lose if you can't stop staring" I taunt, throwing a punch at his shoulder and making contact. He sucks in a breath and rubs the spot where my fist just collided. "Already beating me up huh? Careful, I'll have to punish you later if you can't behave" he says with a smirk. My cheeks turn a dark red and a fire ignites in my stomach. He gets down into a fighting position and I smirk, doing the same. We begin throwing punches at each other, not hard enough to hurt but enough to train. We dance around each other, both covered with sweat and smirks on our faces. Both of us are the top fighters here and I know neither of us would win. The cadets begin filing in and watching in awe.

    We still throw punch after punch, neither connecting with the other. Both of us knows each others moves, having trained together for years now. The crowd gets louder around us and I catch the time on the sundial. Time to finish this. I let a smirk take over my face as I swiftly drop my leg and sweep Xaden's feet from underneath him, easily taking down his tall figure. Effortlessly, I pin his hands above his head and slide a dagger to his throat. I move my face closer to his, both of our chests heaving in air and gently kiss his lips. "I win" I taunt before getting up and holding my hand out to him. He quickly takes it and places a kiss on my cheek before whispering in my ear. "We can settle this tonight" he rasps as my cheeks turn scarlet and he steps down from the ring with a smirk. I face the crowd of cadets, my smile completely gone "okay cadets. It's time for your first training session with me."

   Training the cadets was easier than expected. They listen to me and show improvement immediately. Each fight was different but none turned lethal with me here. Just goes to show you, sometimes all you need is woman's touch. Said like a true Queen my little umbra. Thank you Vita. Of course Mistress. Moros says to kick ass. I let out a small chuckle, my heart swelling with pride at my dragons. My family.

Xaden, Imogen, Bodhi, and Garrick all watch from the sidelines, itching to get in the ring again too. Everything was going so well. Until Violet's opponent dropped into a puddle of their own vomit. I narrow my eyes at her and she nervously picks at her nails, looking anywhere but me. Rhiannon and Laci both narrow their eyes on heras well, sensing something off. "Well Violet. You have a choice now. You can either go against me or Wingleader Riorson. Your choice."

I command with a smirk. Her face pales and she glances back at her friends. Rhiannon and Laci both give me death glares. I can practically feel the heat of their stares. While Liam holds Danika's hand and whispers something that makes her relax. He then turns back to me with a thumbs up. "Sorrengail, I'd pick Riorson. He's a worse fighter than Cardulo!" Liam yells. I flip him both of my middle fingers making him cackle loudly but having the adverse effect on the cadets. They all look around confused, especially Rhiannon, Laci, Tara, Ridoc, and Dain. Danika just smiles up at me, making a warm feeling spread through my chest. I clear my throat and peel my eyes away from her, back to Violet.

    Her eyes frantically bounce in between Xaden and I, before they once again settle on me. "I would prefer neither but if I have to chose, I pick you" her voice doesn't waver as she stares into my eyes. Good girl. "As you wish, cadet Sorrengail." I begin to remove my daggers and place them with Xaden. Dain approaches the mat with Violet's friends. "Don't you think she's a bit too small for you to go against?" Dain asks with a nervous smile. I raise an eyebrow at him "are you calling Violet weak, Aetos?" Violet shoots him a glare while watching me from the corner of her eye. He shakes his head no rapidly. "No! Just that she's quite smaller than you.." he trials off. I scoff at him "are you calling me fat then?" His eyes widen and he stutters out a reply "I- no- but- what I mean is- that-"

I cut him off with a harsh glare "gods above spit it out Aetos." Violet giggles and I swear the sound is like heaven itself. Dain just stares open mouthed. I roll my eyes  "I'm her teacher and commander. Unless you want to demoted from squad leader, I advise you to shut the fuck up and sit down." He immediately backs away and sits on one of the benches that trail along the training room. Laci growls at me, taking a seat beside Dain and dragging Danika with her. Danika still watches me with a smile and even throws up her wand in a small wave. I quickly wave back with a bright smile, before turning it into a smirk as I meet Laci's eyes. She huffs before crossing her arms in a pout. Rhiannon giggles beside her, further pissing her off.

   I smirk at Dain "good dog." Then turn towards Violet, who is trying to conceal her laughter. I quickly get down in fighting position and she immediately does the same, wiping the smile from her face. "Now remember cadets, just because your opponent has more experience or is older, doesn't mean they will win. You can outsmart anyone as long as you concentrate and use your brain" I shout as Violet and I circle each other. She strikes first and I easily dodge. We continue this for a few minutes as I allow her to show me her moves. I throw a few punches, barely connecting with her and it only pisses her off more. She continues to throw punches wildly, having enough, I decided to sweep her feet from underneath her and grab a dagger from her leathers.

   My face is close to hers as our chests heave and my eyes take in her soft face. "Do you yield?" I ask. She screams pushing me off of her and flings a dagger at me. I smirk, easily catching the sharp metal in between my fingers, right before it impaled my forehead. I narrow my eyes at her and snarl out "Sorrengail, what have I said about killing? Keep your shots in the lower extremities!" She nods throwing another dagger that I kick back towards her with my dragon metal boot. She growls before racing towards me and taking me down, onto the mat. I let out a chuckle as she tries to hold a dagger to my throat. I quickly flip us over and use her hand to push her own dagger towards her throat. "I win, yield Violet" I whisper with a smile.

   Her eyes pierce mine and something screams in my mind to kiss her. Her soft lips that hang in a frown at the moment. She sighs before huskily yelling 'yield'. I glance down at her lips one more time before I lift myself off of her and hold my hand out. She ignores my hand and gets herself up, quickly going towards her friends. Liam gives me a thumbs up but the others just shoot daggers my way. What the fuck did I do other than help her? I think they think you're just taunting her love. I hang my head in shame and leave the ring, my heart sinking in my chest. I glance back at Laci and she's staring at me with so much hatred that I'm surprised I haven't dropped dead. My lip trembles a bit before I straighten my back and turn away "wing leader Cardulo and Tavis will finish your training." I turn to my sister and she nods in agreement. Xaden grabs my things and wraps his arm around me. "It's okay love. How about we go for a ride before dinner?" He asks, gently tugging on my wild curls.

I give him a small smile and nod yes, before I begin to run towards the dragon pit. "Race you there!" I yell, laughing loudly. Xaden chuckles before chasing after me, barely grabbing onto me before I'm able to get out of his grasp again. My body tingles from his touch and I shriek, trying to get away from him. I giggle wildly as he chases after me, feeling light and warm. The sinking feeling in my chest all but disappearing with each breath around Xaden. He finally latches onto my waist and swings me around, kissing my cheeks. I let out a squeal, reveling in his touch, in this feeling. The warmth that radiates through him and I. The feeling of love so strong and intoxicating that I could die of starvation without it. The soft sparks of our love fill my chest, clouding it in such sweet serenity. And a feeling I haven't felt in so long.

The feeling of home

Authors note: another chapter! So next chapter.. I'm thinking some smut. How do we feel about that?

• What did you think of this chapter?

• How do we like Laci now?

• What do you think Liam said to Danika to make her so nice to Kali?

• Do you think Violet's group will try to talk to Kali and Xaden more now? Or more on guard?

• And finally, what would y'all like to see in the future?

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