Chapter 25

25

ARIA

T he summons to the dining hall came as a welcome distraction from the swirling thoughts that had plagued me since my encounter with Ossian. My fingers unconsciously traced the spot on my neck where his fangs had pierced my skin, the memory sending a shiver down my spine. I quickly pushed the thought aside, focusing instead on the task at hand.

As we filed into the vast room, our dragons fluttering and swooping overhead, I couldn't help but take delight in their playful energy and grace. The dining hall, usually a place of quiet conversation and clinking cutlery, had been transformed into a vibrant space. The air was filled with the soft whoosh of wings and the occasional chirp or trill from our draconic companions.

My own dragon clung to my shoulder, its purple eyes taking in the scene. Unlike the others, who seemed eager to join in the aerial acrobatics, mine seemed content to observe from its perch. Was its reserved nature a sign of intelligence, or something else entirely?

The other dragons tumbled through the air, playing what looked like an aerial version of tag. Their scales shimmered in the warm light of the hall, creating a dazzling display of colors. I watched as Chris's earth-toned dragon swooped and dived, its movements surprisingly graceful for a creature associated with the ground.

"Look," Chris whispered as he appeared beside me, his voice filled with wonder. He pointed to a series of platforms suspended near the ceiling. "Feeding stations for the dragons."

I followed his gaze, noticing the fresh meat laid out on each platform. So that's what they would be eating. I had wondered about that. The sight of raw meat made my stomach turn slightly, but I supposed it made sense. They were predators, after all.

His closeness to me made the guilt rise up instantly, and my stomach churned.

"I guess we won't have to worry about feeding them ourselves," I murmured, more to myself than to Chris.

He nodded, a small smile playing at his lips. "Good thing, too. I'm not sure I'm ready to hand-feed a dragon just yet."

His comment made me laugh, but it was banished away by the instant hit of insane guilt.

I needed to tell him. He'd made it clear what he wanted from me, but I was the one unsure, and now…

I swallowed, the sickness churning in my gut. I hated confrontation like this. I'd been on the receiving end of a cheating partner, and here I was, having gone and done just that.

I was everything I hated.

And yet, something argued within me. That what I'd done hadn't been wrong. We'd also never defined what we were, never had an exclusivity agreement of sorts.

What was I going to do?

At the head of the room stood Elowen and Eirian, waiting for us all to settle. There was a tension in Eirian's stance that I hadn't noticed before, a weight to his presence. His eyes scanned the crowd, and for a brief moment, our gazes met. I felt a flutter in my chest that I quickly pushed aside, chalking it up to nerves about what was to come. Or maybe my feelings and emotions were just a horrible mess these days.

As I sat in my seat, I found my gaze locking with Ossian's across the room, and my breath caught. He was staring at me, Valeria grinning as she noticed my gaze.

Heat touched my cheeks, and I yanked my gaze away, hating the way my heart was fluttering like a hummingbird.

I'd left so quickly, I'd not had to chance to hear whatever he was going to say. Was he going to try to pull me aside? Was the moment just a feeding, or was it something more?

It had certainly felt like something more. Chris's hand found mine, and a nervous chill coursed through me as the tension knotted in my stomach.

Lydia seemed to notice my unease as she arched a brow but didn't say anything.

Thankfully, Elowen came to my rescue.

"Welcome," she began, her voice carrying easily over the excited chatter of people and dragons alike. "We have much to discuss about the path forward."

The room fell silent, all eyes turning to the two Dracarians standing before us. The table they usually sat at with other Dracarians was empty, and I wondered where they all were. Even the dragons seemed to sense the importance of the moment, settling onto shoulders or nearby perches.

Eirian stepped forward, his presence commanding attention without effort. "Your training will continue," he announced, "but with a new focus. You will be working alongside your dragons, learning to guide and direct their abilities."

A murmur of excitement rippled through the crowd. Beside me, Zephyr grinned, his silver dragon performing a delighted loop-de-loop above his head.

"To facilitate this," Eirian continued, his voice cutting through the excited whispers, "we will be altering your living quarters to better accommodate your dragons. Each room will be equipped with a water station, and your dragons will join you here for meals each day."

I glanced at my dragon, wondering how it would adapt to living in my room. It had been one thing to have it with me for a night, but permanently? The thought was both exciting and daunting.

Elowen took over, her tone serious. "The training area will be released from the Keep's magic, allowing your dragons to use their breath abilities. It is crucial that you learn to guide them in this. The prophecy spoke of riders, and it seems that role has fallen to you."

A laugh cut through the room, sharp and disbelieving. I turned to see one of the others, a tall man with a mop of brown hair, shaking his head. "Riders? How is that possible? They're barely bigger than house-cats!"

His dragon, a russet-colored creature, chirped indignantly at the comparison.

Elowen's expression remained calm, but I saw a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. "We don't know how quickly they will grow," she admitted. "But we must have faith in the old magic. It has brought us this far."

Her words hung in the air, a reminder of how much was unknown, how much we were relying on prophecy and ancient magic. I felt a weight settle in my stomach. We were meant to save two worlds, and we were pinning our hopes on creatures that, at the moment, could probably fit in a large handbag.

As we made our way to the training area for our first session with the dragons after food, I couldn't shake the sense of nervous anticipation mixed with the ever-growing guilt as Chris remained by my side. My dragon, still perched on my shoulder, seemed to pick up on my mood, nuzzling against my cheek with a soft chirp.

"It's okay," I murmured, reaching up to stroke its scales.

Maybe its strength could help me come clean to Chris. Did I need to end things with him? What did my moment with Ossian mean? Was it just what he'd said, some feeding thing? Or was it something more? Did he have feelings for me as well?

I was just beyond grateful he hadn't tried to approach me yet. I prayed it stayed that way while I figured all of this out. Hell, maybe I needed to talk to him and see what the deal was before talking to Chris. What it had been, if anything.

I shoved down my messy thoughts as we reached the training area, which had been transformed since our last visit. The space now featured various obstacles and targets in the air, presumably for the dragons to practice their abilities. The air felt different too, charged with a kind of energy that made the hair on my arms stand on end.

"Alright, everyone," Eirian called out once we had assembled, several other Dracarians littered around the area watchfully. "Let's see what your dragons can do. Focus on connecting with them, guiding them to use their abilities."

All around me, people began encouraging their dragons. Chris's earth dragon stomped its foot, causing a small mound of dirt to rise from the ground. Lydia's water dragon spat a perfect sphere of water into the air, where it hovered like a suspended raindrop.

I turned to my own dragon, which had fluttered down to stand before me. "Okay," I said softly, trying to project confidence I didn't feel. "Let's give this a try. Can you show me what you can do?"

The dragon tilted its head, regarding me with those deep purple eyes, but did nothing. I felt a flicker of frustration, quickly followed by worry. Was I doing something wrong?

"Come on," I urged, trying to project encouragement. "I know you can do something amazing."

Still nothing. The frustration grew as I watched the other dragons performing increasingly impressive feats and maneuvering through the obstacles set out for them in the air.

I found Ossian across the room, his dragon spewing flames tinged with black, but his gaze caught mine, and a smile touched his lips, making my stomach flip.

No, I needed to focus on my dragon and this impending battle, not my stupid feelings.

Lydia, noticing my struggle, came over with her dragon, her face etched with concern. "Having trouble?" she asked gently. "You seem off, is it just all of this?"

I nodded, trying to keep the disappointment from my voice. "It won't do anything. I don't know if I'm not explaining it right, or..." I wanted to focus on one issue at a time, and explaining my dramas with the two men was not something I felt up to doing right now.

"Maybe seeing another dragon might help," she suggested kindly. "Show Aria's dragon what you can do," she instructed her own.

The water dragon turned to mine, creating another floating sphere of water. My dragon watched with what looked like polite interest, but made no move to mimic the display.

As the training session wore on, I couldn't help but notice that some of the dragons seemed to be growing before our very eyes. This hadn't gone unnoticed by Eirian, who was walking through the group, talking with those whose dragons seemed to have grown most, a smile now on his face.

The other Dracarians looked just as eager about this change, and Zephyr was grinning as he pointed out the obvious change in his dragon to us.

"Look, it's grown," he stated as he kneeled down. "This little one is now up to my knee. Maybe our bonding and working together helps them grow?"

"Maybe, mine is bigger too," Lydia said as she stroked the chin of hers, who was standing beside Zephyr's, having accepted his silvery dragon as a friend apparently.

Chris's dragon now stood the tallest, the size of a dog easily. And all three of their dragons seemed to have developed a friendship, much like their people. The sight filled me with a mixture of awe and envy. Why wasn't my dragon changing? And why was it so intent on remaining at my side and not interacting with the others?

Suddenly, Zephyr let out a startled yelp, stumbling backward. His dragon immediately moved closer to him, staring at him with its head cocked.

"Are you okay?" I asked as Lydia rushed over to him first, her dragon right beside her.

Zephyr blinked rapidly, looking between his dragon and the rest of us as we crowded around him. His face was a mixture of shock and wonder. "I... I heard a voice. In my head."

"You heard a voice?" Eirian appeared by us, his voice causing a hush to fall over the training area, everyone seeming to listen in.

Zephyr swallowed hard, his eyes never leaving his dragon. "It... it said its name. Aether." He looked at his dragon in wonder. "You can talk? Mentally?"

The silver dragon bobbed its head, letting out a trill that sounded suspiciously like laughter.

Before anyone could react, another voice cried out. "Mine too! I can hear mine!"

Soon, more and more people were reporting the same phenomenon. Dragons were communicating with their bonded people, sharing names and thoughts. The training area was filled with excited voices and draconic chirps.

This was insane, telepathy with our dragons? Even Lydia was a laughing mess as her dragon, Selis, seemed to be communing with her.

Eirian was barking out questions, asking about ancient magic, but it seemed the dragons were stating that their memories were returning slowly, that they were still growing. At least, that's what their people relayed.

I turned to my own dragon, hope and desperation warring in my chest. "Can you speak to me?" I asked softly, kneeling down to be at eye level with it.

Those purple eyes met mine, filled with an intelligence I couldn't deny, but no words came. My dragon, the smallest of the group now, remained silent. I felt a lump form in my throat. Why wasn't it speaking to me? Was there something wrong with our bond?

Eirian's voice cut through the excited chatter. "I think that's enough for today. We need to discuss these developments. Please return to your quarters. We'll resume training tomorrow."

As we filed out of the training area, Chris fell into step beside me. The excitement of the session had pushed aside the unease I felt, at least temporarily.

"That was incredible," he said, his earth dragon now large enough to walk at his side rather than ride on his shoulder. "Did you hear anything from yours?"

I shook my head, trying to keep the disappointment from my voice. "No, nothing. It didn't even try to use any abilities."

Chris frowned, glancing at my still-tiny dragon. "I'm sure it'll come in time. They're all developing differently."

"What does it sound like? What's their name?" I asked.

"This is Traymor, and he sounds like a young man actually, it's weird. I half expected a childlike voice," he shared.

"Yes, same here with Aether, although Selis is a female, right?" Zephyr checked, and Lydia nodded. Most of the dragons were now walking with their people, a little too large to be flying around, although a few were just small enough to still perch on shoulders.

I vaguely wondered how the dining hall would change to accommodate this.

We paused in the communal area, and I looked at my dragon on my shoulder.

"Well, I think I want to go sit with Aether and chat," Zephyr said as he smiled warmly at the dragon at his side. "I know you're still remembering who you once were, but this is fascinating."

Aether bobbed his head, and Zephyr laughed at something he must have said mentally.

"Same here," Lydia said as she gave me a quick hug goodbye.

"I'll walk you to your room," Chris said softly once they headed off, slipping his hand into mine once more.

I tried to keep from trembling, and then I spotted Ossian entering the communal area, and our eyes locked.

He nodded at me, and I wondered what it meant, if he wanted to talk, or something else, but then he was slipping into his hall with his dragon at his heel.

I needed to talk to him, but I also didn't want to run off on Chris.

"It's okay, go speak with Traymor, I'm sure it's exciting to chat with him," I said with a forced smile.

"I will, after," Chris said, his brow furrowing softly. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah," I lied as I turned for my hall, and he followed after me as my heart hammered.

What was I going to say or do? I'd just wait for him to say his goodbye, wait a while, then go see Ossian and figure all of this out.

Yes, that seemed like the best idea.

My dragon nuzzled my cheek, as if it sensed my unease.

We reached my door, and I turned to bid Chris goodnight, my stomach churning. But before I could speak, he leaned in and kissed me. It was passionate, urgent, filled with an intensity that took my breath away. For a moment, I lost myself in the kiss, the warmth of his body against mine a comfort after the frustrations of the day.

When we broke apart, his eyes were dark with emotion. "Aria," he said, his voice husky. "I want you. I know we've had a lot going on, but I need you again, I want to feel you. I won't mark you until you're ready… but…"

I stepped back, the sickness hitting me full force once more as the unease swam in my stomach.

"Um, it's awkward with the dragons, I think," I mumbled quickly, suddenly realizing my own dragon had witnessed what had happened with Ossian. Could the dragons communicate with one another? Crap, would Traymor know? Would mine or Ossian's dragon have said anything?

No, no one had said they were communicating amongst one another.

"Right, well Traymor said he can chill in the bathroom, he'll take yours with him," Chris assured me as he ran his hand down my arm. I couldn't help the way I shied from his touch, and his hand paused.

"Don't you feel it?" His expression dropped, his eyes searching mine desperately.

"I... I did feel something," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "But Chris, I can't… Not now."

Confusion and hurt warred in his eyes, but he kept his voice low and steady. "Why not? I won't mark you, Aria. If it's just unease, then okay… but you've been off all day…"

He had sensed it. Of course he had.

The guilt that had been simmering since my encounter with Ossian boiled over. I couldn't keep lying to him. He deserved the truth, even if it hurt us both.

"I... something happened. With Ossian."

"Oh." He frowned, and then understanding dawned on his face, followed quickly by pain and anger. "Oh."

Without a word, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing alone in the hallway as Traymor hurried after him, casting me an odd glance over his shoulder before they disappeared around the corner.

I stumbled into my room, tears already falling as my chest tightened. My dragon chirped in distress, flying to land beside me as I collapsed onto the bed.

"I messed up," I sobbed, burying my face in my pillow. "I messed everything up."

My dragon nudged my hand, its scales cool against my skin. I turned to look at it, seeing concern in those purple eyes. Even now, when it couldn't or wouldn't communicate with me, I felt a connection to this small creature.

"What am I supposed to do now?" I asked, not really expecting an answer. "None of this makes sense. I didn't come here looking for romance. Hell, I didn't get a say in any of this…"

I trailed off, the enormity of the situation crashing down on me. I was in a magical realm, bonded to a dragon that wouldn't or couldn't communicate with me, caught between two men who stirred feelings in me I didn't fully understand.

"I can't deny that I feel something for Ossian," I admitted to my silent dragon. "But I shouldn't have let things go that far. And Chris... he's been nothing but kind and supportive. He wants me and made that clear, he thinks we're destined or something. That we have a bond. He doesn't deserve this."

My dragon chirped softly, curling up against my side. Its presence was comforting, even if it couldn't offer any solutions to my dilemma.

As I lay there, tears drying on my cheeks, my mind ran wild. The dragons were growing and changing rapidly, developing abilities we could barely comprehend. The Void loomed on the horizon, a threat we still didn't fully understand.

And here I was, tangled up in a web of emotions I never saw coming, caught up in some mess with two men.

"Some chosen one I turned out to be," I muttered, stroking my dragon's scales. "I can't even figure out my own heart. How am I meant to help you save the world? Become a dragon rider or something? It's crazy."

I needed to figure out this mess with Ossian, that was my first step, then I'd figure it out.

One step at a time.