Crown of Flames and Ash (Courts of Aetheria #2)

Chapter 25

Chapter Twenty-Five

A elia

The whipping winds lashed dark hair across my face as Sol drew lazy circles just above the Conservatory. Both Symon and Rue flew a few yards below us aboard their mounts, Griff and Windy. Neither the hippogriff nor the Pegasus were able to fly quite as high as my dragon, but we still attempted an occasional joy ride together.

It was only in quiet moments like these that I felt truly free.

The week of training flew by in a flurry of clashing rais and nox , with a dash of broadswords and a sprinkle of mid-air combat. My body was battered and my ego bruised, but I felt more confident in my abilities than ever before. With nightly clandestine visits to the Shadow Court with my mentor, my rais was blooming.

Reign was more convinced than ever that nox was the key to unblocking my hidden potential. If only we could escape Draven’s watchful eye long enough to visit a Spellbinder in Mysthallia, he was certain we could discover the truth of my origins. I had yet to confess what I’d learned from Aidan upon my visit home, and I had no intention of ever doing so.

Sol angled his wings and slowed their gentle flaps to glide alongside the others, drawing me from my internal musings. Griff and Windy finally seemed at ease beside my giant golden beast. It had taken months, but their fears of ending up between Sol’s razor-sharp teeth were finally assuaged.

“I’m so nervous about tomorrow,” Rue squealed over the winds.

Tomorrow was the official start to the Umbral Trials, though our first competition would not take place until the following day. According to Reign, tomorrow was more about the pomp and circumstance. There was even a grand banquet and ball scheduled for the evening. We would finally meet the headmaster of Arcanum, along with all the Shadow Fae first-years. Though we’d already encountered them in battle at the end of last term, we had never been formally introduced.

With the exception of Ruhl, of course. But no one knew of our encounter upon dragonback at the end of term battle, and especially not of the one on the deserted isle. A whisper of fear crawled up my spine as those cold, dark eyes flitted to the forefront of my mind. For half-brothers, the heirs of the Umbral Court shared a striking resemblance. And something else too… That unnamable quality that had immediately drawn me to Reign, somehow tethered me to Ruhl.

“You have nothing to worry about,” Symon replied, returning my thoughts to the present. “We will slaughter those Shadow Fae.”

“Like at the final term battle?” I blurted.

“That was different.” Sy’s light brows furrowed. “Those cheating bastards had an unfair advantage because they attacked days early. This time, we will be prepared.”

“I hope you’re right.”

Rue pointed across the endless blue toward the mountains in the north. “Is that Reign?”

I pivoted to follow her line of sight, and sure enough, my mentor appeared atop Pyra with a blonde female pressed to his back. That surge of jealousy I’d experienced before filled my chest, like a tidal wave breaking across the shore.

“And who is that with him?” Sy squinted, holding his hand above his brow to shield his eyes from the sun’s brilliant rays.

“It must be his new acquisition.” I prayed my voice came out steadier than it felt.

Rue’s eyes widened as her head swiveled back and forth between me and the approaching phoenix.

“Finally, a new female.” Symon’s smile stretched from pointy-ear to pointy-ear.

“You’ve already tired of the entire student body?” I bit out, harsher than intended, but the tangle of emotions twisting my gut had put me in a foul mood.

“There can never be too many bodies, my little round-eared friend.”

“You’re absolutely hopeless.”

He shrugged, that mischievous grin only growing wider.

I watched, held utterly captive, as Reign neared, his head cocked back to deliver an occasional word to his new acquisition. What was he telling her? Would he wish the gods be with her as he’d said to me upon my arrival at the Veil of Judgement? Would the female survive?

A multitude of questions peppered my thoughts as Reign soared by without so much as a passing glance in my direction.

“Oh yes, she’s gorgeous,” Symon purred as they zipped past us.

“Symon!” Rue reprimanded.

“What?” His oblivious gaze bounced between us before understanding finally dawned on the unaware male. “Oh, but she’s nothing compared to you, Aelia. Clearly, not competition. And I’m not simply saying that because of your ears.” He shot me a wink, but I could barely manage a smile in return.

Good gods, what had gotten into me?

Only the gods know, Aelia . Sol’s voice interrupted my mental musings. He’d been remarkably quiet today. In fact, not only today, but ever since that flight with Phantom a couple weeks ago.

I am not jealous.

I never said you were.

How’s Phantom ? It was an underhanded attack, and I knew it well. Still, the thought escaped.

Plumes of silver smoke drifted from his nostrils as he snorted beneath me. I wouldn’t know. I have not spoken to her .

I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked .

It’s fine, Aelia. I have had many decades to sort through her betrayal. I only hope it does not take quite so long for you to do the same with Reign .

Ouch. I deserved that.

“Come on, let’s go meet the professor’s new acquisition.” Symon pointed toward the Hall of Glory. “She made it through the Veil!”

I should have been happy for the female, but instead, I found myself wishing the opposite were true. Raysa, what was happening to me? How could I wish death upon this stranger?

Shall we ? Sol’s question lingered in my mind for a long minute before I finally answered.

Yes, I suppose we should get it over with .

Sol angled us toward the lush earth below, and with each measured flap of his wings, my anxiety grew. As if my bonded dragon could feel my apprehension, which he likely could, he moved so slowly we were the last to arrive. By the time Sol’s talons hit the ground, Rue and Symon were already chatting with the new initiate.

I begrudgingly slid down Sol’s extended leg, moving toward the foursome where they hovered around the sparkling fountain at a sluggish pace.

Be nice . Sol’s chuckle vibrated across my skull.

Just wait until the next time we see Phantom .

Slamming down the link on our mental connection before he had a chance to reply, I donned my sweetest smile as I approached.

“Oh, here’s Aelia!” Rue reached for me, pulling me into the semi-circle inspecting our new colleague. “This is Liora Brighton, Reign’s newest acquisition.”

The tall blonde with a cute bob cocked a light brow when her scrutinizing gaze caught on my rounded ear.

“I am his acquisition and mentee,” I added, my tone laced with a sliver of spite. I didn’t miss the twitch in Reign’s mouth at my outburst.

“Oh, I didn’t know they allowed Kin to attend the Conservatory.”

I drew back the corner of my tunic, displaying the Light symbol upon my chest. “I bear the mark of Raysa, hand drawn by the goddess herself upon my twentieth birthday. Can you say the same?”

The female’s cheeks rosied, matching the soft pink of her lips, and I despised the fact that it only made the stunning Fae more attractive. “No, I’m afraid not. I was born with my mark, along with my pointed ears.” She ran her finger across the silver and gold circlets running up to the sharp tip.

Reign cleared his throat. “Now that you’ve all met, I must escort Miss Brighton to her dormitory.”

“Must you, right now?” I blurted. “I was hoping to go over some defensive flight exercises prior to tomorrow.” I motioned over my shoulder at Sol who still stood on the flight field.

“Perhaps later, Miss Ravenwood.” Miss Ravenwood ? He dipped his head and led Liora up the steps of the hall as a flush of fury pummeled my insides at the abrupt dismissal.

Was I being childish? Perhaps. Did I care in that moment? Not one bit. “Very well, I’ll wait for you in my chambers, then,” I called out.

Reign spun at me, his eyes wide and a hint of crimson kissing his cheeks. Liora mirrored his movements, watching the exchange eagerly. Even Rue and Sy had gone silent. Again, my mentor cleared his throat, a hitch in the awkward sound. “I will meet you at the flight field after supper. I will need a few hours to get Liora settled, much as I did with you on your first day.” With that, he scurried up the steps, his shadows snaking across his form, like a big coward, before I could counter.

“Whoa, Aelia, down girl.” Symon nudged me with his shoulder. “Will you be pissing on your mentor next?”

The heat of embarrassment crawled across my face until I was certain I was as red as the stain on Rue’s lips.

“Oh, leave her alone, Sy.” My roommate curled an arm around my shoulders and steered me toward the stone pathway to the Hall of Elysia. I was in no mood to eat, but anything was better than standing here in shame.