Y/n frowned, her brow furrowing in concern. "How so?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of wariness.

At her side, Aandarna tensed up, baring her teeth in a low growl. "Don't you dare hurt her" she crooned, the sound sending a shiver down Professor Markham's spine.

Even Tairn began to tense up, his massive body coiling with energy. The air was electric with tension as the dragons prepared to defend their human.

Just as it seemed like things might escalate, the sound of wingbeats echoed through the courtyard. Y/n looked up to see Rhiannon riding on a sleek Green Daggertail dragon. Tairn made a huffing noise when Y/n's gaze fell on the dragon coming closer to her, then nodded in understanding as if sniffing her out.

"Hey, hey, it's okay," Y/n said softly, stroking Tairn's neck and then patting Aandarna's scales to calm them down. She turned to Rhiannon and asked, "Good job now - where is Violet?"

Rhiannon shrugged, her expression worried. "I don't know; I didn't see her anywhere around. We split up just after you left."

Y/n's eyes narrowed, a sense of unease settling in the pit of her stomach. Something didn't feel right. She turned to Professor Markham, who still looked shell-shocked but was slowly regaining his composure.

"Professor," she said firmly, "I think we need to find Violet - now."

Professor Markham nodded, still looking a bit dazed but determined. "I see. Go on, I'll be waiting here for you all to return."

Y/n gave him a small smile before climbing up Tairn's foreleg and settling into the saddle. She looked over at Aandarna, who was watching her with an intense gaze. "Are you good at scouting?" she asked, and the golden dragon nodded.

"Yes, I are taught that by the elders at early age. It makes my life easier when hunting prey," she said, her voice low and smooth.

Y/n hummed in approval. "Good, come on." She patted Tairn's neck and then grasped the pommel scales, feeling the familiar rush of excitement as the big black dragon rose to their height with a few powerful beats of his wings.

They were off, Rhiannon and her Green Daggertail following close behind. The wind rushed past Y/n's face as they soared over the castle walls, the sun casting long shadows across the landscape.

Aandarna took point, her keen senses scanning the ground below for any sign of Violet. Y/n leaned forward, her heart pounding in her chest as they flew over rolling hills and dense forests.

As they flew, Y/n couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. Violet was always careful, always cautious - it wasn't like her to just disappear without a trace.

But where could she be? And what could have happened to her?

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

As they flew over the rolling hills, Aandarna suddenly darted to the left, her wings beating rapidly as she homed in on a small clearing. Y/n's heart skipped a beat as she saw Violet, her dagger out and pointed at Jack Barlow and Tynan.

Y/n let her anger boil over, leaning forward in the saddle as Tairn swooped down to hover above the scene. But Y/n was already gone, plummeting down to the ground with a fierce cry of "NO!" Tairn shouted in alarm, swooping down behind her.

Y/n landed with a thud, her eyes flashing with fury as she crouched low to the ground like a cat. Her gaze locked onto Jack and Tynan, her voice snarling with menace. "Turn away from my friend."

The two boys turned, their faces pale and frightened as they took in Y/n's furious expression. "Oh really? You think you can--" Jack started to say, but his words were cut off when Tairn landed with a thud behind Y/n and bared his teeth at them.

The air was electric with tension as Y/n's dragon loomed over them, his hot breath washing over them like a wave. Jack and Tynan took a step back, their eyes fixed on Tairn's razor-sharp teeth.

Violet took advantage of the distraction to slip away from them, her eyes locked onto Y/n's face as she mouthed "thank you". Y/n nodded curtly, her gaze never leaving Jack and Tynan.

"What do you want?" she growled, her hand on the hilt of her own dagger.

The blond boy, Jack, snorted and shook himself, his eyes flashing with arrogance. "We want that," he spat, pointing at Aandarna, who was still circling them in the air. "Dead. And you, I see, are bound to her tech. Just respect one of our weakest leads blown away by one of the weakest dragons."

Tairn's growl was low and menacing, making Jack swallow hard. Y/n smirked, her hand stroking Tairn's scales as he lowered his head to stay close to her.

"Imbound with this bugger too," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You think Aandarna is weak? You think Tairn is weak?" She laughed, a cold sound that sent shivers down Jack's spine.

"You have no idea what we're capable of," she sneered. "Aandarna may not be the biggest or the strongest, but she's fast and agile. And Tairn... well, let's just say he has a few tricks up his sleeve."

Tairn rumbled in agreement, his eyes fixed on Jack and Tynan with an unblinking stare. Violet took a step forward, her dagger still clutched in her hand.

"You boys should really learn to pick your battles better," Y/n said, her voice dripping with disdain. "You're no match for us."

The air was thick with tension as the two groups faced off against each other. It was clear that only one side would walk away from this confrontation unscathed.

I then let out a low, measured breath, the sound barely audible over the pounding of my heart. "But I won't kill you, I'm not merciless," I whispered, my voice laced with a hint of warning. My gaze locked onto Tynan's, my eyes flashing with a fierce intensity.

With a swift, precise motion, I flicked my wrist, and the dagger flew forward, its silver blade glinting in the fading light of day. It embedded itself in Tynan's shoulder with a soft thud, and he let out a pained yelp as he grabbed at the hilt. But I raised a finger, halting him.

"Ah-ah, I wouldn't do that," I cautioned, my voice dripping with menace. "It's poisoned, so if you rag it out, the poison will drip onto the grassy sand. Who knows? It'll hurt your friend." My gaze slid to Jack, who looked pale and shaken by this point. His eyes darted between me and Tynan, his face etched with worry.

"Now leave," I commanded, my tone firm but controlled. "And I'll spare your pathetic little lives." Jack and Tynan shared a weighted look before turning to bolt off into the trees. I let out a low chuckle as they disappeared from view.

I turned to Violet, concern etched on my face. "You're unhurt, right?" I asked softly. She nodded silently in response.

Aandarna landed between us with a soft thud of her massive wings beating against the air. She nuzzled Violet gently before settling beside her mistress. Violet reached out to pat Aandarna's scaly head affectionately.

Just then, a shadow crossed over us like an omen of fate itself had descended upon us. A flash of navy blue scales caught my attention as Xaden's dragon - that majestic blue scorpion-tailed beast - landed in the clearing with Xaden astride her shoulders like some mythical warrior king.

His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine like two icy stars shining bright in the night sky. His expression was unreadable as he surveyed the scene before him - taking in Violet and Aandarna standing together like sentinels guarding their own private realm - before finally settling back on me once more.

"Well played," he said finally in that deep voice that sent shivers down my spine whenever he spoke those words to me alone in private moments we shared together during our late-night training sessions at Fourth Wing Academy...

As I nodded in greeting, a warm smile spread across my face. "It's great to see you, Xaden," I said, my voice low and sincere. "But why are you here?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

Next to me, Tairn hummed a gentle melody, the soft vibrations of his throat singing in harmony with the rustling of the leaves in the nearby trees.

Xaden's companion, a statuesque beauty with a shimmering blue scorpion tail that seemed to glow in the fading light, flashed a radiant smile. Her golden eyes sparkled like polished amber as she turned them towards me. "Hello to you too, Tairn," she said, her voice husky and confident.

Her gaze then shifted to me, and her smile deepened. "We meet again, my beauty," she purred, her words dripping with an air of mystery. "My name is Sgaeyl." Her full lips curved upwards as she extended a manicured hand adorned with intricate silver rings.

"It's nice to meet the one who will take my brother's heart," she added, her eyes glinting with amusement.

I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I winked at her playful jab. Lowering my head in mock humility, I murmured a sheepish "Uhh... thank you." The sound of Tairn's gentle chuckle beside me was like music to my ears.

As he leaned in, his warm breath whispered against my skin like a summer breeze on a sultry day, sending shivers down my spine. His tongue darted out, tracing a gentle path under the curve of my neck, and I let out a startled yelp as the sensation sent ripples of pleasure through me. The touch was like silk on silk, soft and luxurious, leaving me breathless.

Andarna's dramatic eye-roll was accompanied by an audible sigh, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she snapped, "Oh please, spare us the sappy display. Stop giving her sloppy licks and being all lovey-dovey with her. We all know you'll end up taking her," she said, her words crackling with energy like a sparkler on a dark night. The air seemed to vibrate with tension as she spoke, the sound waves reverberating through the space between us.

I choked on nothing, my face flushing a deep crimson as if I'd been caught in a compromising position. Xaden's snort of amusement was like the sudden burst of laughter from a hidden spring, while Violet's cough was like the gentle clearing of throat after a sweet melody.

Rhiannon's laughter was like rich velvet draping itself over us, warm and luxurious. "That dragon has some claws," she said, her eyes sparkling like diamonds in the sunlight as she gazed at Andarna.

I sighed heavily, rubbing the bridge of my nose in exasperation as if trying to massage away the tension. The air seemed to vibrate with unspoken emotions, but I knew we needed to move on before things got out of hand. "She sure does," I agreed wryly, my voice laced with resignation. "Now let's get back to the Academy – Professor Markham will be wondering where we are."

As we mounted our dragoons, the leather creaking beneath us, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. We walked back to the hilltop, the sun casting a warm glow over the landscape, where Professor Marham was waiting for us. But my heart skipped a beat as I saw someone else standing beside him – someone who made my breath catch in my throat.

I gasped and almost tumbled out of the saddle, my fingers tightening around the reins as I struggled to regain my balance. Tairn grunted in concern, "Be careful, I don't want to lose you," his voice low and husky.

I shook my head, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks as I apologized. My gaze drifted over to Violet, who was now riding Adarna since she hadn't yet acquired her own dragon. Next year, I know she'll do it, I thought to myself, a silent promise of encouragement.

Tairn plopped down onto the grassy hillside, followed by the rest of our group. Professor Marham turned to us with a warm smile, his eyes twinkling behind his spectacles. "Ah, you're back! Good timing – and your fiancé is here," he said, nodding towards the tall, lean figure of Aemond Targaryen.

My heart fluttered at the sight of him – those piercing blue eyes seemed to see right through me. "Aemond," I breathed his name like a prayer as I dismounted Tairn's sleek body. The dragon growled softly at the big green dragon standing behind Aemond's white-haired form.

Aemond smiled and opened his arms wide, inviting me into their embrace. As I stepped into them, his breath whispered against my hair like a summer breeze as he stroked it gently. "My beautiful sun," he murmured low in my ear before pulling me into a tender hug. "Finally bonded, I see," he added with a hint of pride in his voice.

"I am," I said, my voice barely above a whisper as I felt Tairn's claws wrap around my flight leash. Suddenly, he yanked me back, and I let out a startled shriek as I was lifted off the ground. My feet dangled in mid-air, my heart racing with excitement and a hint of fear.

Behind Aemond, Vhagar's deep growl rumbled like thunder on a stormy night. "Let my soul human go," she commanded Tairn, her voice like the crackle of electricity. Tairn exhaled a stream of hot smoke that wreathed around us, and then released his grip on me. But instead of setting me down gently, he deposited me between his front legs, where I landed with a soft thud.

Andarna hurried over to me, her scales glinting like polished silver in the sunlight. She nudged me gently with her snout before turning her head to regard Aemond with an unblinking stare.

Aemond's frown deepened, his brow furrowing in concern as he took in the scene before him. "Two dragons, my sun?" he asked, his voice laced with skepticism.

I nodded vigorously, still trying to catch my breath from the sudden jolt. "Yes, two dragons," I confirmed, my voice steady now. The air was thick with tension as the three dragons – Tairn, Andarna, and Vhagar – formed a semi-circle around us, their eyes fixed intently on Aemond and me. It was as if they were waiting for something – or someone – to make the next move.

The prince sighed, his shoulders sagging beneath his fine white tunic, and rubbed his forehead as if trying to ward off a headache. "What will our family think when we return to Dragonstone with three dragons? Two is enough, my sun, my darling doll. You know that. What will my sister say? What will your father..." He trailed off, his voice laced with exasperation.

But before he could continue, Xaden cut him off with a firm tone. "Whatever is going on can wait. It can't be more important than this." With a fluid motion, he strode up to stand beside Tairn, his eyes flashing with a fierce intensity as he gazed at Vhagar. The air seemed to vibrate with tension as the two dragons faced off, their growls rumbling like thunder in the distance.

Tairn's scales bristled, his wings half-unfurling from his back as he let out a low warning growl. Vhagar responded in kind, her massive body tensing as she prepared to defend her territory – or her rider. The ground beneath our feet seemed to tremble with the weight of their unspoken challenge.

Aemond's eyes darted between Xaden and me, a mixture of frustration and concern etched on his face. But I knew that for now, at least, the drama unfolding before us took precedence over any family drama or protocol. The fate of our little group hung in the balance, suspended between the fiery breath of these two magnificent creatures.

"A plaything, I see," Aemond asked, his piercing blue eyes boring into mine like a winter frost. "I didn't take you for the type. I would've bought a slave if I knew you were into those things." He furrowed his brow, his expression a mix of disdain and disappointment.

He paused, his gaze drifting to Xaden, who stood tall beside Tairn, his eyes flashing with a fierce loyalty. "He's too handsome, though," Aemond added, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Really."

My anger flared like a wildfire at the Targaryen's condescending tone. "Stop," I snapped, my voice low and venomous. I raised my chin, my heart pounding in my chest as I faced Aemond down. I was fed up with the Targaryens treating us Valeryons like peasants – inferior people who were only worthy of their notice because of our dragons.

Aemond blinked, his one eye trained on me as if he'd never seen me before. "My sun?" he asked, his voice laced with caution.

I took a step closer to him, my eyes blazing with defiance. "I'm done taking orders from you or your family," I declared, my voice steady and firm. "I'm my own person. My father wouldn't care if I bonded two dragons – in fact, he would be proud."

The air seemed to vibrate with tension as the dragons watched us, their ears perked up and their eyes fixed intently on the drama unfolding before them. Xaden's hand brushed against mine, a subtle show of support that gave me the courage to stand up to Aemond's arrogance.

For a moment, we locked eyes – Aemond and I – our wills clashing like thunderheads on a stormy night. Then, slowly, he nodded once – twice – before turning away to gaze out at the horizon. The silence that followed was heavy with unspoken words and unresolved tensions.

"I see that, princess," Aemond said, his voice tinged with a hint of apology. "And I'm sorry I shouldn't have been so harsh against you. But we are Targaryens, dear, not sheep." He sighed, his chest rising and falling beneath his fine white tunic as he patted Vhagar's scales when she lowered her giant head towards him.

The dragon's eyes gleamed like polished rubies in the sunlight as she nuzzled Aemond's hand, her scales rustling softly against each other. The air was heavy with the scent of smoke and leather, a reminder of the dragons' presence.

"We must leave," Aemond continued, his gaze drifting towards the horizon. "You can come back to this place later in the month. We'll make sure to send word when it's safe for you to return." His voice was firm but polite, a subtle reminder that he was still a prince of House Targaryen.

I nodded curtly, my heart still simmering with resentment towards Aemond's earlier condescension. But I knew better than to push my luck – not when I had two dragons watching over me and a fragile truce hanging in the balance.

As Aemond turned to mount Vhagar, Xaden stepped forward to stand beside me. His hand brushed against mine once more, a gentle reassurance that he was there for me no matter what. Together, we watched as Aemond and Vhagar took to the skies, their departure marked by a burst of wind and a faint roar that echoed across the landscape.

The silence that followed was palpable, heavy with unspoken words and unresolved tensions. But for now, at least, we had achieved a fragile peace – one that would last until our next encounter with the Targaryens.

I nodded at Aemond, then turned to Tairn, my eyes locking onto his. "What he said was true, though - Aranda cannot come with us. Can she stay with your sister?" I asked, my voice laced with a hint of pleading.

Tairn's expression was torn, his brow furrowed in concern as he glanced between me and his daughter. I understood the weight of his decision - choosing between his child and his newly bonded rider was a difficult one.

"She will be fine," he said finally, his voice firm but gentle. He nudged his sister with his hip, and Sgayel smiled up at him before turning her attention to me. Her eyes sparkled like polished gemstones as she licked Tairn under the chin, then lowered her great head to nuzzle me.

Her scales felt cool against my skin as she touched her muzzle to my forehead. "Be strong, pretty one," she seemed to say, her words echoing in my mind.

I felt a lump form in my throat as I reached out to stroke Sgayel's scales, the gesture a silent thank you for her kindness. Aranda would be safe with Tairn's sister - I knew that much. But it was hard to let go of the little girl who had become like a sister to me during our time together.

As I stood there, surrounded by the dragons and their riders, I felt a sense of determination wash over me. I would return for Aranda - and for Xaden, who stood silently beside me like a pillar of strength. Together, we would face whatever challenges lay ahead and emerge victorious.

The dragons seemed to sense my resolve, their eyes gleaming with approval as they watched us depart. As we walked away from the clearing, I felt their presence lingering behind us like a promise - a reminder that we were not alone in this fight against the Targaryens.