ROAR

50

The next couple of days flew by, last minute preparations consuming every minute. When Aria woke the morning of the equinox, she blinked away the sleep in her eyes, fully in disbelief that the day— this day—was already upon them.

Luka still held her against him, his strong arms wrapped around her waist. She desperately wished she could have stayed there like that all day. For the rest of her life, really. But she was needed on the training field where she would be meeting the group of fae who would be trying—one last, fateful time—to create a storm.

If they didn't succeed, they didn't really have another secret weapon. So they had to succeed. There was no other option.

She pried herself from Luka's grasp slowly, hoping not to wake him, and slipped into her leathers before giving him a light kiss on the forehead and clicking the door shut behind her. Despite knowing she should probably eat something, she couldn't bring herself to visit the dining hall. The thought only brought on a wave of nausea.

They never did hear from Vera whether or not they should expect her attendance at the staged party. The silence meant she might ambush them before they were ready—which is why the grounds were already vibrant and bustling, squads stationed along every wall of the Academy. A couple of dragon sentinels also camped along the river border, ready to fly back at a moment's notice, in an effort to give the Academy a small bit of warning if Vera was spotted.

On the other hand, Vera's silence could have meant she picked up on their trap and might not visit them at all. Which also meant she could be planning to strike elsewhere. Aria had prayed every day that wasn't the case, that Vera hadn't read too much into their invitation and only saw it as an opportunity instead.

As she neared their meeting place, she noticed that the only person who beat her to the field was her father, who stood admiring the view of the sunrise on the horizon. A light pink spread through the hopeful sky like rouged cheeks. To her surprise, Arach pulled her into a tight hug when she approached.

"I don't tell you enough how proud I am of you," he said, his face buried in her hair. She breathed him in, her mind drifting back to the times as a child when he used to wrap her up in his arms and swing her around. "I only hope I can regain your pride in me. I wish I could take back all the things I regret."

Aria pulled back, searching her father's face. When had those faint wrinkles appeared on the corners of his eyes? Or the few gray hairs that dotted his long, red beard? Arach wasn't old by any means, middle-aged at best. But it was clear he was no longer the young king he once was, nearly a century of rule tainting his youthful appearance. She wasn't sure what had overcome him to say these things. But she wouldn't question him.

"You will," Aria gave him a placating grin. She still hadn't quite forgiven her parents for all their misgivings, but she would get there. And so would they. "You already are. "

"I love you, kid. Even if I don't say it enough."

"I know," she squeezed his hand before Professor Embris walked up, followed quickly by the rest of the group—much larger than when they'd started these training sessions, consisting of almost twenty other Zephyrian fae now.

Jil addressed them all with a nod. "Shall we begin?"

After two short weeks, they'd adjusted and iterated their movements over and over again. The majority of the fae began pulling air from the warm beaches into the mainland and sent it north and upward into the sky. The remaining few brought north wind down to meet the strong, southern gusts in a wall. They did that for what seemed like hours until the sun beat down on them, forming beads of sweat along their brows.

But finally, the skies began to darken. Clouds gathered in the sky far north of them, slowly forming into puffs. Aria nearly cried at the sight, but it wasn't a guarantee. They had done their best, and now all they could do was wait. And hope it was enough.

***

While the Zephyrian fae worked the air around the Academy, staff finished setting up the decor and food for the fake party, and then settled into the vaults under the Academy for safe keeping.

Luka, Evelyn, Clem, and Hyla met with some of the other captains to confirm final stations at the party, and Joyen accompanied Shara around the grounds for a final walkthrough.

Throughout the day, there was a nervous energy vibrating through the Academy, the halls thrumming like a beehive. But now, as Aria stood against the wall of the great hall—where she'd danced, carefree, just a few nights ago—the room was filled with a deafening silence .

She met Taren's eyes across the room. She hadn't seen her friend since the real party, hadn't even had time to tell them of the incredible night she'd shared with Luka and Evelyn. Hadn't had time to squeeze them tightly for what might be the final time.

They smiled at her reassuringly, but it only made the ache in Aria's chest heavier. She glanced toward the ornate ceiling, fighting back the moisture that gathered in her eyes.

Her leathers itched against her skin, but she hadn't bothered to feign ignorance in a gown. Some of the others, though, wore their fighting attire under their formal attire. Joyen was one of them, her long and puffy sleeves hiding the tight-fitting armor against her body. Aria stood beside her mother on the dais as they waited for the sun to set, signaling the official start of the Equinox Ball.

Aria had expected one of the sentinels to appear at any moment, alerting them of Vera's impending arrival. But the skies became dark outside the windows and yet a pin drop could still be heard in the hall. So they continued to wait. And wait.

The single musician in the corner seemed almost comedic, playing for an audience that didn't deign to dance. Rolling thunder sounded lightly outside.

Wait , she thought. Thunder . Her heart palpitated wildly. Did that mean…? "It's working," she whispered to herself, unable to keep her smile from spreading. Her father peered around Joyen to meet her eyes, Aria's gleeful expression mirrored on his face. It was still too soon to celebrate, but it was something.

That small feeling of victory deflated quickly, though, when the shattering roar of a dragon echoed above them, reverberating through the room and shaking the ceiling.

Shara's voice cut through the murmurs of the crowd.

"She's coming."