Chapter 49

Aelia

A week later, and I had passed the Celestial Glyphs Exam. I could create a glyph to temporarily heighten my senses, increase my speed and strength, and a host of other useful skills, but I was certain I would lose my ever-loving mind if I spent another second wrapped in Reign's all-consuming presence. This thing between us was spiraling, growing more uncontrollable with each minute we spent together. My focus should have been on the next trial and surviving the battle against Arcanum, but instead, I spent every waking moment trying not to think about Reign, about his scent infiltrating every inch of my chamber, about his pervasive looming presence bludgeoning through my defenses.

Worse, he'd been surprisingly tolerable temperament wise. He and Rue had become fast friends, and I wasn't sure what irritated me more, that she was suddenly infatuated with our moody professor or that he behaved so pleasantly around her.

And now with Draven's ever-present eyes on me, we hadn't found the opportunity to skulk across the river to test Reign's latest theory. The notion was completely absurd. How could I be half-Shadow Fae? I had no dark powers to speak of. Then again, I had no rais until a few months ago either…

Aelia, you must focus if you wish to survive the last two trials.Sol's voice dismissed all the wandering thoughts. Had he heard my whiney internal pining? How embarrassing. In the past few weeks, our roles had reversed. I'd gone from the maternal figure to the inept child who required handling. I couldn't explain how the tables had turned so quickly.

I forced my feet to move more swiftly as I crossed the training field to meet Reign, Pyra, and Sol. Today, we would be practicing defensive maneuvers. With all the focus on the last few trials, I'd had little time to fly. And with Sol's ever-expanding size, he'd been forced to roam farther out on his hunting expeditions to quell his insatiable hunger.

Pyra, the phoenix, eyed the towering dragon, her talons digging into the tall blades of grass kissed in morning dew. She let out a screech as I approached, her beady eyes darting between Sol and me.

"Are you sure she's up for this?" The last thing I needed was the creature spontaneously bursting into flame and taking my professor-turned-bodyguard along with her. I may have been frustrated with the male, but I was not keen to watch his fiery death either.

"She'll be fine." Reign patted the enormous bird's feathered neck, the deep crimson and sleek onyx gleaming beneath the luminous rays of the morning sun. "The question is: are you ready?"

"Of course, I am." I didn't exactly have a choice. The Skyrider Flight trial was tomorrow, and from what I'd heard from Heaton, it was yet another difficult event. Then the final one was the worst yet, the dreaded Shadows Whisper.

"Aelia, I do not mean to frighten you, but these last two trials typically have the highest death rate." Goosebumps prickled my flesh at the intensity in his tone. "You must be prepared."

I've got this, little Kin. Sol's deep, rumbling voice echoed through my mind. I've never lost a rider in the trials.

"I am," I replied, slamming my hands on my hips to glare up at my professor. I had to admit some of Sol's bravado had seeped into my bones. He was a dragon for Fae's sake. With the powerful beast as my mount, I should have no trouble besting the other first-years.

"You are familiar with the rules, then?" He cocked a dark brow.

"No… not exactly," I murmured.

"The teams will be divided in half which means there will be about forty of you up in the sky at once. It will be as close to a practice session of the battle with Arcanum that you'll have. It will be chaos. Anything goes. Even students from the same squad will not be punished for accidentally knocking out a teammate."

Wonderful. In addition to Kian and Lucian, I'd have to keep my eye out for Belmore too.

"I suggest you try not to use your rais unless absolutely necessary. I have no doubt that Draven will be watching you. He's already suspicious enough…"

"Suspicious of what, exactly, Reign?" I threw him a narrowed glare. "Why do I still feel as though there is more you are keeping from me?" Sol loomed behind me, his faint breaths whipping the hair atop my head.

Reign crept closer, completely unintimidated by my dragon, his midnight irises pinned to mine. "He is suspicious of who, or what, you really are. And I must admit, he is not the only one."

"And you're certain there is nothing else you haven't told me?"

His lips pressed into a thin line, his shadows swirling so quickly around his form I could barely discern his aura. "Nothing concrete."

"Reign…"

His hands closed around mine, tugging them away from my hips. "You told me once you trusted me. Is that still true?"

I nibbled on my lower lip as I considered my response. I trusted him with my life, and yet I was certain he was keeping secrets from me. "I trust that you will keep me safe."

"Then that will have to do for now." The hint of a smile played across his lips. "Come now, mount that big dragon of yours."

Sol chuffed happily behind me and dropped to his belly. The earth rumbled beneath my boots and Pyra released a sharp screech, her wings fluttering nervously. "Sorry, girl," I murmured before I crawled up Sol's nubby leg, carefully avoiding all the jagged spikes. By the time I reached his back, my breaths were coming in ragged pants.

Perhaps, I did need a bit more practice with my dragon before the final battle. I'd allowed myself to become complacent along our joy rides simply because of what he was.

"Just follow my lead," Reign called out from below.

I couldn't help the hint of satisfaction as I towered over my professor and his much smaller mount. It may have been petty, but it was all I had.

Pyra's dark wings glistened beneath the harsh rays of the sun, bathing the feathered beast in a golden glow. She darted across the campus, twisting and turning, until it appeared as if flames flickered across her form. What she lacked in size, she more than made up for in speed. I could see why Reign chose her upon his arrival at the Conservatory.

Gods, there were still so many questions. Though I spent nearly every moment with my professor, I couldn't say I'd learned much of anything about him. What had he done to be banished? Why had he accepted this role at the Conservatory? I'd attempted on more than one occasion to pry the information out, but I'd been met with nothing but narrowed glares and tight lips.

Sol banked left hard, trying to keep up with Pyra, and I nearly slipped off his shoulder. My fingers locked around the wing bones that served as makeshift hand holds. Squeezing my thighs, my muscles burned with the exertion of keeping myself in place, but somehow, I stayed on.

Damn it, Aelia, focus. Gritting my teeth, I resolved to have my questions answered tonight in the privacy of my chamber. It was the least Reign owed me after all the lies.

As Pyra shot off ahead of us, I turned my thoughts back to the flight, to the shimmery blue stretched before us, and the feel of the powerful dragon beneath me. Sol leisurely flapped his enormous wings as the phoenix flew toward the border with the Shadow Court. Was Phantom close by watching Reign? Sol claimed he always knew of my whereabouts, was that always the case? I wondered if my dragon would ever have the opportunity to fly with Phantom.

I'd rather spend an eternity in solitude than be forced to associate with that ill-tempered female. Just like that, Sol's voice invaded my thoughts.

Wait a second, you know Phantom?

Of course, I do. There are very few dragons left. I make it a point to know the survivors.

But wait, how did you meet her? When you were out hunting?

No, I have yet to cross her in this lifetime. But I've had the displeasure of being acquainted with her for very many years.

Clearly, there was something to this story I was missing.

So why the animosity in your tone?

Sol veered to the right, the tempered flapping of his wings growing more agitated as he soared past the Conservatory grounds and banked so that he flew right over Pyra. I do not wish to discuss our past, Aelia. I have been more than discreet when it comes to your mental pining.

Heat flushed my face and a rush of shame blossomed low in my belly. Oh, Raysa, he'd heard me. How much did he know?

Everything, little Kin. I know everything.

Well, that's Fae-freaking-tastic.

Do not fear, Aelia. Your secret is safe with me. But Reign on the other hand…

What?

Plumes of smoke drifted from his wide nostrils, and a grunt rolled through his throat, vibrating the sleek scales beneath my thighs.

Please, Sol, tell me what you know.

It's not what I know, but rather a feeling. I only want you to be cautious around the Shadow Fae. He, much like his cold-hearted mount, are not to be trusted.