Chapter 32

Aelia

"Oh, my goddess." I stared, awestruck, at the unearthly apparition, the collection of eggs seeming to have appeared from the ether. Hazarding a quick glance at the circle of tents surrounding us, I found the same marvel occurring across the field.

"Isn't it amazing?" Rue purred.

I scanned the assortment of hatchlings, my eyes immediately drawn to the largest one in the center. A deep emerald pattern was inked across the smooth surface, as if painted by the goddess's hand herself. It was striking. A vibrant golden aura curled around the egg, pulsing with power. Incredible. A long moment later, I continued my careful scrutiny over the remaining hatchlings. After a quick recount, I confirmed there were only fourteen eggs, but sixteen of us remained. "Wait, why are we missing two?"

The excitement in my roommate's eyes fizzled, and she slowly lifted her shoulders. "It looks like the goddess only deemed fourteen of us worthy."

Fear blasted through my heart, devouring my weary organ with razor-sharp teeth. Oh, stars, this was it, I would be returning to Feywood. My chest ached with the certainty, and for the first time since I arrived at this dreadful academy, I longed to stay. I'd made a new home for myself here, had forged friendships, and I was finally beginning to scratch the surface of my reluctant rais. I wasn't ready to leave.

Unbidden, my gaze drifted over my shoulder. A pair of endless obsidian eyes latched onto mine, and my heart performed a hasty pirouette. Blasted Shadow Fae sorcery. If Reign was so intent on keeping his distance, why in the name of all things blessed wasn't he? Forcing my traitorous gaze away, I drew in deep breaths to still my thundering pulse. At least I'd be rid of my constant dark shadow. And I'd get to see Aidan. Hopefully I'd have a chance to spend time with him before I was whirled off to spend the rest of my days as a servant to an arrogant Fae lord.

"Flare Squad," Heaton barked, forcing me free of my dismal musings. "The time has come. You shall each come forward and be claimed. May Raysa be with you."

How can one be claimed by an egg? The absurd thought flickered through my mind as our team leader droned on.

"Belmore Dawnbrook, step forward."

"I hope that snooty Fae is the one going home today," Rue whispered.

I couldn't agree more. Though he'd been slightly less terrible lately, he was the obvious choice.

The male took a wary step into the circle of shimmering gold and the entire tent vibrated with energy. The faint hum began low, crawling over my skin like a thousand wild spaider legs before intensifying to a fevered pitch. I barely restrained the urge to clap my hands over my ears, and instead, focused on the goddess's magic unfolding right before our eyes.

Even Belmore seemed nervous, the typical arrogant smirk wiped clean. He took another measured step into the circle, and the eggs began to vibrate along with the incessant hum.

"Ooh, it's happening," Rue squealed. "I wonder what he'll get… hopefully not a phoenix. I don't trust that male with a beast that can spontaneously combust."

Memories of my first flight with Reign aboard Pyra sprang to the surface. I was certain he'd been joking when he mentioned bursting into fiery flames. I wasn't sure I wanted a phoenix—but then again, beggars couldn't be too choosy.

A sharp crack resounded, jerking my attention to a medium-sized pale, yellow egg. It jumped and the fissure widened, until a tiny beak poked out. The little creature strained against the shell until it split open, revealing the squawking animal within.

"A gryphon!" Rue squealed.

The hatchling staggered toward Belmore on four wobbly furry legs, squealing its protests. The Light Fae dropped to his knees and gently stroked the creature's pink bald head. Its feathers hadn't come in yet, and to be perfectly honest, he was the ugliest little thing I'd ever seen. But judging by the proud gleam in Belmore's eyes, you would believe it to be the grandest gryphon to ever grace the sacred halls of the Conservatory.

"Aw, he's so cute," Rue crooned.

"He won't be for long," Symon interjected. "Gryphons are among the most ruthless of the hatchlings."

"Then it seems that Raysa chose well for Belmore." I ticked my head at the pair.

"Exactly." Symon eyed Belmore as he lifted the baby beast into his arms and carried him out of the tent.

"Now what?" I asked. I couldn't imagine caring for a hatchling would become part of our duties.

"The bond forms the moment we are chosen," Rue explained, "and we will begin training with our skyrider immediately."

"But how? They're babies…"

"Not for long." A smirk drifted across Symon's face. "By the power of Raysa, our mounts will be full-grown within a week."

"What? That makes no sense. Then why go through all the trouble of a hatchling? Why not give us an adult from the beginning?"

"Because that week is essential to bond with the animal," Sy replied. "A full-grown wild gryphon or phoenix would be nearly impossible to tame."

"I suppose that makes sense."

"Symon Lightspire, you are next." Heaton's deep voice sent my heart catapulting against my ribs.

"Good luck!" Rue whispered as Sy approached the gilded sphere.

* * *

An hour later and each member of Flare Squad had had their turn, except for me. Symon was chosen by a feisty hippogriff, which according to Rue fit his personality perfectly, fierce and loyal, while my roommate bonded with an adorable silver Pegasus. Veridian and Galina, two members of the squad I barely knew, had been rebuffed by the goddess. Not a single egg trembled at their turn.

A part of me felt so damned guilty, but relief had flooded my system the moment they'd trudged out of the tent empty-handed. I was safe. Raysa had deemed me worthy of a skyrider, and only the heavens knew why.

The vibrant emerald egg called to me as I lingered just beyond the luminescent orb, waiting for my name to be called. What if it had been a mistake? Perhaps this hatchling belonged to no one…

That achingly familiar presence bored into my spine, and a shadow slithered across the shell of my ear. "Get ready, princess." That smooth, deep tenor sent heat spilling down my neck, despite the fact Reign remained yards away.

"I thought you were keeping your distance," I whisper-hissed at the invasive shadow.

"I'm afraid that won't be possible anymore."

What did that mean? I cursed my luck for being forced into this academy with the most infuriating male I'd ever had the displeasure of meeting.

"Aelia Feywood, step forward." Heaton's voice tore me from the thrill of Reign's words.

I cocked my head over my shoulder and met my capricious professor's dark gaze across the field. Always watching. Always waiting. But for what? And what caused this sudden change of heart?

Shaking my head out and focusing on the enormous egg in the center of the iridescent sphere of light, I stepped inside. That hum crawled across my flesh, pops of energy assaulting every single nerve ending. Power like I'd never felt before blossomed and pulsed within the ethereal orb.

A sharp crack whipped my head toward the vibrating egg. An enormous fracture raced across the smooth surface and a high-pitched squeal rang out. Gasps echoed beyond the gilded bubble as I strained to make out the creature forcing its way out. Tiny claws curled around the eggshell and a reptilian head peered out, intense warm golden eyes locking on mine.

My breath hitched, all the air siphoning from my lungs. By the gods.

A baby dragon.