"I will not die today."

—Violet Sorrengail's personal addendum to the Book of Brennan

I couldn't shake off the feeling that this wasn't going to end well as I watched Xaden circle Violet on the mat. His eyes locked onto mine, and I tensed, my instincts screaming at me to intervene. "Don't worry so much, Emberlyn," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I won't hurt her...much." The smirk that spread across his face sent a chill down my spine.

Xaden's gaze lingered on mine for a moment, as if daring me to step in, before he turned his attention back to Violet. His eyes seemed to bore into her, and I could sense her unease growing by the second. Violet's hands flexed into fists at her sides, but she didn't back down, her determination evident in the set of her jaw.

Professor Emetterio cleared his throat, oblivious to the undercurrents between Xaden and me. "Very well, let's begin. Remember, this is just a sparring exercise—"

But Xaden cut him off with a raised hand. "I think we're all aware of the rules, Professor." His tone was polite, but there was an edge to it that made my skin crawl.

Violet took a deep breath and assumed a fighting stance, her eyes fixed intently on Xaden. I could sense the tension building between them, and I knew that this was going to be a battle unlike any other.

As the sparring match began, Violet charged at Xaden with a fierce determination. But to my astonishment, Xaden simply stood still, his hands clasped over his chest, looking almost bored. My jaw clenched in outrage; how dare he display such nonchalance when my best friend was fighting for her life against him? The audacity emanating from him made me want to shatter his complacent facade.

Just as I was about to intervene, Sgaeyl's voice whispered in my ear, making me jump. "Oh no, please don't do that. If you do, I'll make sure you don't bond." I managed to stifle my reaction before anyone noticed my startle.

I hissed at Sgaeyl , trying to keep my voice low. "You need to stop doing that." She snorted in response, the sound echoing in the walls of my mind.

 "And why should I do that, pretty one? I'm just riling you up for my brother. He'll love you so hard you won't even know if it will be just the bond between dragon and rider or something so much deeper."

Her words sent a shiver down my spine as I watched Xaden and Violet continue their intense battle. The air was electric with tension, and I could sense the stakes growing higher by the minute.

As the final touches were applied to their work, Professor Emetterio nodded with a hint of satisfaction. "Well done, both of you," he commended, his voice carrying the weight of years spent in the pursuit of excellence.

Xaden rose with a languid grace, yielding the floor to Violet, who also stood, wincing slightly as she massaged her injured shoulder. Her gaze was fixed on Cade, who had been flirting shamelessly until his eyes met mine. A shiver of apprehension danced down my spine, prompted by the silent questions in his gaze. Was I skillful? Are you impressed with me? I allowed a small, knowing smile to play upon my lips. Why on earth should I be impressed by his restraint in not striking my best freind? I raised my eyebrow ever so slightly, speaking volumes without uttering a word. His dark eyes registered the rebuke, and with a curt nod, he departed the mat.

"Alright, now that we're done, this session is concluded," announced the professor, dismissing us with a wave of his hand. We were all free to go, our lessons for the day etched into our muscles and minds.

I made my way swiftly to Violet, encountering Dain halfway. A cold sensation crept up my neck, signaling that Xaden's gaze was upon us—upon either Dain or myself. It mattered not which; my sole concern was for my brother's well-being. I reached him, my eyes quickly scanning for any sign of injury, relief washing over me as I confirmed he was unscathed. The world around us could simmer in its silent battles and unspoken rivalries, but for me, there was no greater priority than the safety of those I held dear.

"Are you alright?" Dain inquired, his eyes tracing over Violet with brotherly concern. I followed his gaze, my own apprehension mirroring his. Violet offered a wry smile, her resilience shining through the discomfort. "Yes, remember I'm not a doll that can be shattered. Sure, I have weak wrists, but that's all. I'm still human," she retorted with a touch of defiance.

"You may still be fragile, Violet," I interjected gently, "but you are certainly no doll—far from it." I bestowed upon her a warm smile and took her hands in mine, a silent pledge of support and camaraderie. "Regardless, we should get some ointment for that shoulder. It won't heal properly if you let it stiffen." She nodded in agreement, the acknowledgment of her own vulnerability softening her usual stoicism.

Together, we exited the training hall, our departure shadowed by the lingering gaze of Xaden. His eyes were like twin sentinels upon my back, their weight unmistakable yet inconsequential to the task at hand. Our footsteps echoed in the vastness of the corridor beyond, each step carrying us away from the trials of the day and towards the solace of recovery that awaited Violet's injured shoulder—a small victory in our ongoing journey of growth and fortitude.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

Rhiannon, Violet, and I were nestled in our respective nooks, the air around us filled with the easy cadence of our conversation. "Let me guess," Rhiannon interjected with a playful lilt, "Xaden has a thing for Emberlyn." I called out with a mock-indignant tone, "Hey!" She chuckled, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "So what? It's pretty obvious." Her smile was infectious, and Violet joined in, her laughter a soft melody despite the pain in her shoulder. I had applied a generous amount of aloe vera salve to it earlier, and it would heal within a day or two if she refrained from overexerting herself.

"She's right," Violet conceded, her gaze dancing between us with an almost mischievous glint. "You are Xaden's weakness, after all." I couldn't help but chuckle at the thought. "Yeah, sure."

"It's true, and you know it," Sgaeyl chimed in unexpectedly from the corner where she had been quietly observing. I had to suppress a startled reaction at her sudden intrusion into my thoughts. "You have to stop sneaking into my mind when I least expect it," I whispered back to her with a hint of exasperation. She hummed a laugh in response. "You won't be prepared for my brother when he bonds with you if I don't train you first. I can also train you to shield your thoughts properly, but we need to do it face-to-face for that to happen. How about tomorrow? We could go out together—Xaden will have to come along too since he doesn't trust you alone with me." My laughter bubbled up at the absurdity of it all. "What can I do against a fully grown dragon?" Sgaeyl hummed again in acknowledgment of my point. "Fair enough."

The sound of Rhiannon's voice snapped me back to reality as she called out, "Hey Ember, wake up!" Startled by their stares which seemed to question my sanity—or perhaps their own—I blinked in confusion at Rhiannon and Violet who were now looking at me as if I had grown an extra head. "What? What is it?" I asked defensively as their grins widened into full-blown smiles of amusement .

Violet struggled to contain her laughter before finally erupting into giggles and shaking her head as if trying to clear away an absurd vision only she could see . "Oh , you just zoned out there for a moment," she teased through fits of laughter while Rhiannon added fuel to the fire with her own infectious chuckles .

"Sorry," Violet said between laughs before finally composing herself enough ask seriously this time: "We were just wondering... do you like Dain or Xaden?" The question hung in the air like an unexpected gust on an otherwise still day—a gentle reminder that even amidst our camaraderie and shared experiences lay mysteries yet untangled by time or circumstance; questions whose answers lay hidden beneath layers not easily peeled away by mere words alone.

My eyelids fluttered in a moment of surprise at the directness of their inquiry. "I've actually never thought about it," I admitted slowly, my voice carrying a hint of bewilderment. Violet arched an eyebrow, her expression a blend of skepticism and curiosity. "Really? Then why do I see both of them following you around all day? Or let me think... what about the fact that Xaden is always watching you, all the time?" A snort of laughter escaped me, a feeble attempt to deflect the weight of her words. "Dain does it too, and remember, Xaden is our wing leader; he has to stay close."

"No, he's our squadron leader," Rhiannon corrected me, her leg casually slung over the edge of the cushions she lounged upon. I sighed, a sound that seemed to encapsulate the complexity of my feelings on the matter. "Oh, I don't know, alright? I've never thought about it."

The room fell into a contemplative silence, the playful banter giving way to a more introspective atmosphere. It was as if the walls themselves held their breath, waiting for the ripples of my internal conflict to settle into a discernible pattern. Violet's gaze softened, her earlier teasing replaced by a gentle understanding. "It's alright, Ember," she said, her voice a soothing balm to my flustered thoughts. "You don't have to figure it all out right now. We're here for you, no matter what."

Rhiannon nodded in agreement, her eyes reflecting the same unspoken promise of support. "Yeah, Ember. It's not like there's a rush. We've got plenty of time to sort all this out." Her words were like a warm embrace, wrapping around me with the comfort of shared sisterhood.

I offered them both a grateful smile, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease ever so slightly. "Thanks, both of you," I said sincerely. "It's just... complicated."

Violet chuckled softly, her head tilting to one side as she considered my words. "Life's complicated, Ember. But that's what makes it interesting, don't you think?" Her question hung in the air, a gentle reminder that within the tapestry of our experiences, the threads of love and friendship were interwoven with the challenges we faced, creating a pattern as unique and beautiful as the individuals who formed it.

As the conversation drifted to lighter topics, I found myself lost in thought, pondering the intricate dance of emotions that seemed to accompany any mention of Dain or Xaden. But for now, nestled within the sanctuary of our shared space, I allowed myself to simply be—a young woman surrounded by the strength and warmth of her closest friends, ready to face whatever the future might hold.