#Chasing Shadows | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

dragonridersandhighlords · 3 months ago

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Chasing Shadows | P R O L O G U E

Masterlist | CS Masterlist

Summary: Wrenley's first year at Basgiath.

Word Count: 9.6k (I blacked out while writing.. oops lmao)

Series Warnings: smut 18+ MDNI (begins in prologue) , accidental choking, violence, death, swearing, torture

Chapter Specific Warnings: p in v, no mentions of condoms or birth control (wrap it before you tap it), unintentional choking with shadows, use of safe word,

July 15, 632 AU

Conscription Day. The day every 20 year old in Navarre will enter the quadrant of their choosing to assist in the war. Well choosing if you aren’t one of the marked ones.

I've counted down the days until I was here. Not because I was excited at the possibility of death, but because my parents went here. My mom walked the exact path I'm about to. I'm a legacy, and if they think the shimmering swirls up my left arm are going to change that, they are dead wrong.

I follow behind my closest friends, Bodhi Durran and Imogen Cardulo, as we walk towards the entrance to the Riders Quadrant. I watch the people around us. Many stand alone, some whose families have no clue where they are. Others, like us, who have no family left to say goodbye to, not after the executions.

“Ready?” Bodhi asks, looking over to me.

I smile weakly. “Truthfully? No, but do I have a choice?” I look between him and Imogen as we step forward in line.

Imogen sighs loudly, shaking her head. “Nope. None whatsoever." Another step forward. 5 people ahead of us.

"What's the plan for when we get across?" Imogen questions. 4 ahead, another step.

“Find Xaden and Garrick, they’ll work it out.” I promise. Honestly? I don't know if they can figure out anything when it comes to the Riders Quadrant. None of us have seen the likes of Xaden Riorson or Garrick Tavis in exactly a year. Thanks to a long string of letters and a short string of secret ones in the last year, I never had to fully miss Xaden.

3 people ahead.

After the execution of the rebellion leaders, all the children were sent off to be fostered by those considered loyal to the crown. My cousin and I were sent to a distant relative while Xaden, who I had just started dating as the rebellion began, was sent elsewhere with many of the other children. Siblings were separated, friends lost touch. Xaden, Garrick, Bodhi, and I got lucky that our foster's were friends and let us write letters and occasionally got to see each other. I have an entire box full of letters back home that I've read a million times.

“Name?” The scribe before me is giving me the most annoyed look I’ve ever seen. Glancing up, I see Imogen and Bodhi already climbing the stairs to the parapet. A death trap of an entrance to a death trap of a quadrant. “Name?”

“Uh, Wrenley Tavis.” I spit out, signing on the empty line and quickly move to catch up with my friends. We’re silent on the way up. Not a word is spoken between us as we stick close to the wall just as Xaden had urged us to do in the last letter from him.

“Oh man, is she gonna be happy to see you.” Bodhi laughs at the top of the stairs. He gives his name and begins his turn crossing the parapet, practically running across.

Imogen laughs, muttering a “show off” as she steps up, providing her name and then following Bodhi at the same pace.

I cleared the doorway to the small platform and spotted just who Bodhi was talking to. “Garrick!” I resist every instinct in my body to jump into my cousin’s arms. It may have been a year but he is still, without a doubt, the exact same person I sent off to the same sentence.

“Hey Princess.” He offers me a warm smile, using the nickname the boys have always had for me. “Keep your eyes ahead. Don’t look down.” The advice comes in a hushed tone as the other Rider up here asks for my name. I provide it and then Garrick says, “Good luck, Candidate Tavis.” He nods, any sign of the man just happy to see his little cousin is gone. Got it. Strictly business.

I step onto the parapet and repeat exactly what I’ve spent years preparing for. Arms out for balance, heel to toe with a 5 inch gap. Pretend you’re balancing a stack of books on your head. Do. Not. Look. Down. And walk with determination. The faster you’re on, the faster you’re off. The sooner you can be in his arms, I think to myself before I’m off.

Bodhi and Imogen wait just off the foot tall drop for me, the roll-keeper nearby to document who lives. I give her my name, Bodhi and Imogen cheering in my ear at us all making it.

“Cadet Tavis,” The roll-keeper hands me a missive and dismisses us as she says, “I was directed to give this to you upon your arrival.”

Imogen immediately starts to tease me as I unfold the paper to the handwriting I’m all too familiar with.

I’m proud of you Little Bird! Let me show you just how much? Head to the right of the parapet. Up the stairs to the second floor, 5th room on the left. -X

“Oh we’ve definitely lost her.” Bodhi pokes at my cheeks that I’m sure are red.

“I’ll see you at formation.” Tucking the missive into my pocket, I start following the directions. Two flights of stairs, through the door, fifth room on the left. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. My smile only brightens as I stop at the door. Gods, he’s right here.

I reach up and before my knuckles can touch the wood, the swings open and I’m tugged through and pinned to the back of the door. Deep onyx eyes, the specks of gold I have long since memorized, watch me with such longing that I’m sure is mimicked in my own blue orbs.

“Xaden.” I manage to whisper before his lips meet mine.

“A year,” he heaves, pulling from the kiss before taking over my sense again, “is way too fucking long.” There’s a rumble from deep within him at his words that only drags a moan from between my lips as he moves his assault to my jaw and down. “I watched you cross. I’ve never been so terrified and yet so turned on in my life.

“Gods, have I missed you.” I breathe as he locks onto the sweet spot on my neck, the one he knows will drive me wild. A battle of will ignites between us as we rush to strip each other as quickly as possible. Between heated kisses and tripping over our discarded clothes, we manage to get down to our undergarments before we reach the bed.

“I will never get over how gorgeous you are.” I can feel his breathing catching as I reach up to pull my hair from the tie holding it away from my face. I slide across the sheets, beckoning him to follow.

“If you don’t have me seeing stars in the next five min–” I can’t even get my weightless threat out before his lips are back on mine.

“We both know I’ll have you seeing stars in less than two, my love.” He flashes my favorite version of his smile when he pulls away, the one reserved just for me. He runs a teasing finger over my clothed slit. “Which should I use first, Love? My fingers?” The moan he pulls from me is anything but quiet, my whimpers a plea. “My tongue?” He rips my underwear from me, exposing my lower half to his prowling eyes. “Or my cock?” He growls, shifting on the bed to press himself against my soaked core.

“Please.” I have no control over myself. It's just pure need that drives the noises I’m making from me.

“Who am I kidding? I never need to ask, you’re always so needy for the same thing.” There’s a wicked glint in his eyes, the truth of his statement is not lost on me. Given a choice, I always reach for the same pleasure only his cock can provide me.

“Please, Xay.” I moan as he grinds into me, the pleasure from his movement cascades over me.

“Anything for you,” he promises, his voice barely over a whisper and then I feel him. All of him, bare and gliding across my folds. “Fuck, Wren. I’ve missed you so much.” He mutters before sliding in all the way into me.

My screams are raw and unrestricted with each of his thrusts, pulling me further towards my release. “Oh gods, Xaden, please…” He doesn’t respond as his speed increases, burying his face into the crook of my neck. I didn’t even notice I had closed my eyes until I opened them and found black tendrils of smoke whispering around the room and up my body. “Xay…” My plea over the strange whisps floating over me comes out as a breathy moan with another snap of his hips.

“You’re squeezing me like a fucking vice, Wren. Come for me.”

I want to, gods do I want to, but the closer those tendrils come to my neck, the weight that settles around my throat, the farther my release feels.

“Xa–” The smoke tightens, cutting his name off in the throat. I open my mouth to release another plea but nothing comes out, darkness creeping in on the edges of my vision. I try to push him back, so he can at least see it but he doesn’t move. I gasp what little air I can as the smoke just barely releases its hold. Before the hold can tighten again I gasp, “Ven–” I blink and Xaden’s on the other side of the room, eyes wide and gasping for air like I had hit him.

“Xay?”

“You should go back to formation.” I watch those tendrils retreat from the bed and towards Xaden before disappearing completely.

“Talk to me, please.” I cautiously move towards him, tugging the blanket off the bed to cover myself.

Xaden’s already taking steps away from me until he’s leaving against the desk. “I lost control. I lost complete control and you had to use–”

“But I’m okay.” I quickly tell him. The pure fear in his eyes tells me it’s not the first time he’s lost control like that. “No marks, see?” Are there marks? I don’t know! It doesn’t hurt so I’m going out on a limb here. “We have the word for a reason, darling.”

I catch his gaze landing on my neck and then back to the floor. “I just need a minute, I’ll see you out there.”

I nod silently and redress, watching as he doesn’t move. “I know you’d never intentionally hurt me.” I lean up on my toes to kiss him and he turns away. Sighing, I place a kiss on his cheek then move to the door. “I love you, Xaden.” He doesn’t respond as I slip out of the door and sneak back out to the courtyard.

I’m stewing in my thoughts as I sift through the faces of first years, searching for my friends. I’m reaching the last line when I collide with someone. “Shit, I am so sorry.”

“It’s no prob– Wren?” The familiar voice, yet deeper than the last time I heard it, bounces around my mind tugging my gaze over and settling on the familiar face.

Time has been kind to him. In the last six years since I last saw him, Dain Aetos has gone from the boy I ran around outposts with to a man that wouldn’t even dare to do the same foolish activities from our childhood.

“Dain. You’ve grown up.”

“I could say the same about you.” The smile he offers is genuine, until his eyes catch the shimmering relic on my left arm. Now it looks forced, with a tell tale hint of remorse. “Shit, Wren. Did you get punished for your uncle?”

“What?” I feel like the world has started to crumble around me.

“That's a separatist’s child relic.” He says it like it's a dirty phrase and I struggle to reply for only a moment before it's not shock simmering in my chest, but anger.

“Yeah, Dain,” I scoff, watching his eyes as my next words come out. “I watched my dad get executed in Calldyr just like all the others.”

“Your dad joined them?” His matured features shift, the pitying look he had is replaced with one that almost resembles disgust. How could something so simple destroy the friendship we had developed a decade ago?

“He defended our home and lost his life for it!” I try to keep the angry tears that threaten to spill at bay, my hands tightening to fists at my side. “But I wouldn’t expect you to understand that, considering it was your father that dragged him to his execution.”

“I didn’t know, Wren.” Just when I think he might show some remorse, knowing that the man who considered my dad his friend was the one to kill him, Dain takes the knife that's been permanently embedded in my heart for the last four years and twists. “But I’m sure there was more to it than–”

“Right.” The words taste bitter. A copy of his father, my dad had said he’d become. Low and behold, Aetos Junior. “I’ll keep this in mind, Aetos. Thanks for showing me who you really are.” I shove past him, my anger threatening to boil over at the thought of this place already tearing my friendships away.

Bodhi’s only a few feet away, his presence pulling me over as I continue to fight with my emotions. I can feel his eyes on me, worry radiating off him, but I shrug him off. “He was an old friend.” These words taste worse on my tongue. “But you know what happens to friends from before.” And what this place will do to you, I say to myself.

The senior wingleader begins calling cadets towards the first three wings. Bodhi is called to Tail Section of Fourth Wing, while Imogen and I are called to Flame Section of the same wing. Xaden smiles at me as I pass him, his finger’s grazing mine as he mutters, “Meet me after curfew.” The simple touch releases all of the tension in my shoulders. I step in line for my squad, Xaden’s squad, and land right next to Dain. This is going to be a long year.

September 632 AU

Perched on the parapet, I watch the stars fill the night sky. Xaden sits beside me, whether he’s actually watching the sky or me is an idea I ignore for this peaceful moment.

Sneaking around with Xaden for the last 3 months has been nothing short of exciting. Although I’m sure many are becoming privy to our dynamic, especially after the few occasions of Xaden’s protective side coming out. I can hold my own during any challenge but there was one that nearly sent Xaden over the edge. During the Gauntlet yesterday? It took Bodhi and Garrick to keep Xaden from rushing to my aid as I slipped from the final incline.

“Were you nervous for Threshing last year?” The words feel like no more than a whisper against the breeze around us.

“For Threshing itself? Not particularly.” His voice showed no inflections, a calmness that surrounded me like a blanket. “What really got me was the thought of not seeing you again. That fear haunted me daily. Still does.” His words hung in the air between us as he turned to straddle the parapet, tugging me closer to him. “Are you scared for tomorrow?”

I hesitate with my answer. “Will you be disappointed if I say yes?”

Xaden’s laughter is like a breath of fresh air, pulling me in for a soft kiss. I know he’s trying to send all of my worries away with the kiss but they still remain, even as he tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

“I saw Desa at Presentation,” I murmur, honestly wishing I hadn’t seen the familiar sapphire scales. “When Kaori said this was the first year she’s agreed to bond, I was shocked she didn’t already have a new rider.” Desa, a blue swordtail, was my mother’s dragon. I can still remember the late night rides mom would talk me on, or the early mornings that I would watch them soar off on patrol, before tragedy had struck and both Desa and I lost the most important person in our lives.

“Sgaeyl mentioned that,” Xaden nods along, “Apparently they’re as close as sisters.” He chuckles, the far off look in his eyes a tell tale sign he’s speaking to Sgaeyl right now.

“I’m sure mom is overjoyed that Desa is finally moving on,” I sigh, turning towards the stars again. “I’m honestly just hoping to live tomorrow.”

I can feel Xaden’s fingers intertwined with mine, a seal to the promise he makes me. “If anyone will survive–and bond–it’ll be my strong and insanely smart girlfriend.” It feels like a lifeline in the dark sea of my mind where I’ve been drowning. “Let’s get you to bed.”

Another kiss meets my cheek before I’m pulled to stand and guided off the parapet. Xaden wraps an arm around my shoulders as he leads me towards the dormitories and leaves me with a final kiss before leaving to his room.

October 1 632 AU

I think I’m lost. I’ve been in the dense woods for what feels like hours and the rustling leaves and distant roars of dragons raise the hairs on the back of my neck. Every once in a while, I’d glance up to see a newly bonded pair shoot off to the sky, and just as often, I’d see a rider lose their seat, falling back to the earth.

“If anyone will survive–and bond–it’ll be my strong and insanely smart girlfriend.”

Xaden’s words from last night flit through my mind and I remind myself that I can do this, that I will not die today.

“You surely won’t, Youngling.” The voice, soft and yet commanding, makes me freeze mid step.

“Hello?” I call, feeling the wavering tone as I search the trees around me for the owner of the voice.

“I’ve waited 6 years for you, Wrenley Tavis.” The familiar sapphire scales glint in the sunlight behind me and I turn. I can feel the air halt in my lungs and I instinctively step back from the creature before me, head held low.

“Back away any farther and you risk another dragon choosing to scorch you.” I bring my eyes up to meet the striking gold ones, the piercing gaze, like she bores into my soul. “I do. Now get on,” she orders, her tone leaving zero room for an argument. So why do I provide one?

“We’ll get… we’ll get in trouble. You can’t choose me.” I stutter out.

“Let me worry about that, Youngling. Now climb.”

I take a deep breath. This is crazy, but I listen. I sprint towards her leg and climb my way to the seat before she launches into the air. It takes all of my strength to stay on and not fall the hundreds of feet to my death as she loops and swirls through the air. When the dragon levels out above the citadel, I take in the view of Navarre and smile and the wind whips my hair, tugging strands out.

“That was amazing!” I scream over the wind.

“I never doubted your ability for a second. She would be proud.” I can feel the pride from the dragon alone and I don’t need to ask who ‘she’ is as we land in the training fields and I dismount. “Tell the role-keeper Desathos. If anyone questions you, they will deal with me.”

I can feel all of the eyes on me, whispers growing around me, the closer I get to the desk.

“There’s no way.”

“Kaori said even though she agreed, she probably wouldn’t bond.”

“They’re whispering about you.” I say to Desa, finally pushing my thoughts towards her.

“You needn't try so hard to speak with me and ignore them, Youngling. Focus ahead.” Mom always spoke of how calming it was to have Desa in her head, but actually experiencing it? It's the craziest thing.

My steps feel heavy under the weightful gazes around me. The grass of the field provides quiet steps, and with the hushed voices around me, I can hear my racing heartbeat like it’s being projected.

“Impossible.” Professor Kaori stands in awe as I approach, his gaze flickering from me to Desa.

I meet the gaze of each person standing on the dais and finally land on General Lilith Sorrengail, my moms best friend. There’s a hint of sadness in her eyes as I approach.

“Wrenley Tavis. For the record, please tell me the name of the dragon who chose you.” The poor scribe who acts as roll-keeper this year looks absolutely terrified as those on the dais lean in.

“Desathos.” My throat is shockingly steady compared to the thrumming inside my chest. Am I going to pass out?

“Breathe, Youngling.”

“Your mother’s dragon?” The role-keeper questions, quill trembling in her hand.

“This cannot be allowed!”

“The generations are too close for safety!”

“The Empyrean has already approved the bond.”

What? I turn back to Desa in shock, and then back to the dais where Melgran is looking off into space and General Sorrengail who just has the proudest look in her eyes.

“Enough!” Melgren’s voice booms, silencing everyone in the area. “The Empyrean has already met on this subject, long before it was an issue to us. Cadet Tavis will remain bonded to Desa. Should she go mad, they will meet again.”

I nod to Melgren before retreating back to my dragon’s side. Relief flows over me as I feel a warm rush of air hit me. I look up to Desa watching me as another rush of hair and I turn to see Xaden and Sgaeyl land just a hundred feet from us, Xaden’s eyes locked on mine. We’re both alive and all I want–need– is to be in his arms but General Sorrengail begins speaking before either of us can move.

I can’t hear a word she says as Xaden just watches me from his spot. I bonded my first Threshing. I bonded my mom’s dragon. The words settle over me and the joy sparks in Xaden’s eyes when Desa nudges me forward.

“Five steps forward, Youngling.”

“Dragons, it is our honor as always. Now we celebrate!”

A scream rips through me as heat curls around my left shoulder, along the top of my relic. I can hear other screams around me but I can’t focus on them.

“I think it pairs well with your existing one.” I tug the neckline of my shirt down, revealing the intricate shape of a dragon on my collarbone, the tail blending into the swirls of my relic.

“Wow…”

“A perfect blend of the two halves of your life.” I can’t think more on what she means because I am lifted up by two arms appearing from behind and am immediately spun around.

“You did it!” Xaden’s voice is like music to my ears. “And they let you have Desa? Eden must be smiling down on you.”

Seeing General Sorrengail’s pride was like hearing of my mother’s pride from someone else, but hearing Xaden say it? The boy my mom swore was going to be the one as Fen Riorson said when he learned of our relationship, it's like my mom is saying it. A bright smile spreads across my face, and before I know it, Xaden is closing the space between us and meeting my lips in a passionate kiss.

“Xaden! People can see us!” It’s nothing more than a breathless whisper between us as I pull back.

“I don’t care what others say, do you?” The confidence and affection in his eyes and voice drown out the rest of the world around us. The cheers of those bonded, the devastation of those who didn’t, the loss of friends. Life is so short at Basgiath, and the brightness in Xaden’s eyes? I hope he never loses that spark.

“Let them talk. As long as I get you in the end.” He pulls me into another kiss, the whoops and hollers that are surely coming from our friends sound around us. But amidst all of that, I find solace in his arms. It's almost like I see our future in my mind.

The two of us, side by side, with no worry about what tomorrow could bring us. And with his words, it solidifies that hope in me.

“Always, my life. There’s nowhere I’d rather be than with you.”

End of October 632 AU

The Gathering Hall hummed with energy as the cadets settled down for dinner. Bodhi drops his try beside me and knocks my arm with his. “How’s Xaden liking Cordyn?”

I let out a groan. “I can’t wait until the stupid year is up so I don’t have to send him away for a week a month anymore.” My squadmates laugh at my frustrations, Bodhi, Imogen, and Garrick laugh harder at my next words. “Have I mentioned how much I hate Catriona lately?”

“Only every 5 minutes,” Imogen laughs across from me.

We’re all laughing now until a voice pierces through the air. “Hey Tavis!” My cousin and I both turn at our last name. “Saw Riorson flying in just a few minutes ago.”

I can feel the excitement bubble in me but uncertainty still thrums deep below. “Did he mention coming back early?” I ask, turning to my friends. Their eyes match that deep feeling of uncertainty but my excitement wins out, making me jump from the table and run to the flight field.

“Youngling? Do we have a surprise class this evening?” Desa’s voice rings through as I reach the stairs.

“No, someone said they saw Xaden flying in.” I can’t hide my excitement as I take the stairs two at a time.

“Sgaeyl is still out of reach.” Desa responds and my steps stumble as I reach the grass.

“What?” I instinctively reach for the dagger on my hip as pain shoots out from my left knee.

“You’re too gullible for your own good, Tavis.” The world spins, laughter erupting around me, as I land face first into the ground. I roll onto my back, catching the faces of my attackers. More than one, perfect. I try to lunge at one but an unexpected kick reaches my ribs and I curl into the pain. Trying again to stand, I feel the weight of someone clambering on top of me before pinning my arms to the ground, and then the blows keep coming. Like rain, each one landed in a sequence. A sickening crunch when one hits my nose at the right angle.

“Keep fighting.” Desa calls, and desperation raised in me. Desa did not bond someone who couldn’t hold her own. I pull my right knee up, knocking the body above me off balance enough to shove him off. I rise again but the minute I place my weight on my left knee, white hot pain sends a scream through my lungs–a strong reminder that I’m not just fighting to prove I can, but for my survival because they will kill me.

I will not die today.

I manage to remain upright and palm another of my daggers as I’m circled again. “Your precious section leader isn’t here to protect you.” The words are dipped in malice but I can’t focus on the taunt, can’t cling to the hope Desa’s voice brings, promising that he’s on his way, when there's another pain in my side. I feel the cold metal graze my skin on his exit as my eyes meet the dripping dagger and the blood seeping from my side.

Shit. That’s not good.

“Maybe next time, you’ll rethink your bond.” It's almost a growl that erupts from another of the attackers as a second blade is sent through the same opening, or maybe it's the same one? I can’t tell when everything feels so much darker. A mist sweeping up my vision as I try to hold onto my strength to live.

I feel so… heavy, almost like I’m slipping. Laughter circling me again as I drop to my knees with another sharp pain.

“Wrenley!” I hear my name called but it’s quiet. So quiet.

“Hold on, Youngling.” I feel the grass at my cheek again, starting to embrace the shadow of darkness as a roar rings through the air and I let myself smile as frantic hands reach me, pleads filling the air but the words are lost and I let the dark consume me.

I can hear the voices before I can see the owners. Each string of words weaves to create a blanket of concern and frustrations.

“Why didn’t you keep a better eye on her?” The words cut through my consciousness.

“I was a minute behind her! Desa had already charred them as I climbed the last stair!” That’s definitely Bodhi’s voice, his whisper harsh.

“They wouldn’t have been able to do anything if you had been there!”

“In case you haven’t noticed, she’s the fastest runner at Basgiath!” Bodhi counters. “I can barely keep up with her on a good day!”

“I gave you one job, Bodhi! One!”

“It wasn’t his fault.” I let out with a hoarse groan. Prying my eyes open, I’m blinded by the harsh light in the healer’s quadrant. My vision clears as I process who exactly is in the room. Bodhi is leaning on the footboard of the bed I’m in, concern etched in every inch of his face, Garrick pacing behind him. Imogen is seated to my right, gently stroking my hand.

Onyx eyes meet mine as I look to the left. Pain and worry shine in them, yet they’re filled with the most soothing warmth. “Take it easy, leave. Healers said it's all gonna hurt for a few days.” Xaden stops me as I try to sit up.

“Listen to the Shadow Wielder.” Desa orders as I shift in the uncomfortable bed.

“What happened?” I groan out, meeting the eyes of my friends, but I especially try and fail to avoid Xaden’s.

“Couple of unbondeds attacked you. We got there right after Desa did.” Bodhi answers.

“Xay…”

“I flew back as soon as I got the missive.” The sigh Xaden releases is filled with the weight of unspoken fears, his fingers brushing against my cheek and pushing them behind my ear so gently, like he fears I might break. “You knew I wasn’t supposed to be back for a couple days. Why would you risk it on the word of another rider? Especially an unbonded one?”

“I hate sending you to Cordyn.” I confess in a whisper, turning away from Xaden. As much as I tell Bodhi and Imogen, I’ve never admitted it to Xaden out loud.

“I know, my love.” I catch a cry before it releases at his words, gentle fingers turning my face by my chin so he can look in my eyes. “You almost died.” There’s an unusual tremble in his voice, a silver line along his lashes and I feel all of his pain.

Getting the missive, the one I’m sure Bodhi wrote, judging by how shaken Garrick looks, it must have torn Xaden to shreds.

“Why choose now to attack? Her and Desa have been bonded for 3 weeks now, it would have been better to do it right after Threshing, right?” Garrick finally speaks, his pacing pausing but the terror doesn’t leave his body.

“It’s because Xaden was gone. Because he couldn’t protect me.” I mutter, hoping they didn’t hear me. “

“That's it.” Xaden’s voice is cold, the sudden shift sending a chill down my spine, He storms out of the room, Garrick hot on his heels, leaving me in a whirlwind of confusion and pain.

“While I appreciate the previous agreements made with my father and the aid you had provided, I cannot in good conscience continue the arrangement with Catriona Cordella. I hope we can come to another agreement to make up for our end of the deal that does not allow me to betray those closest to me.”

- Recovered correspondence from Cadet Xaden Riorson to Viscount Tecarus of Krovla

December 632 AU

The chill of the impending Winter crept into the air as I walked with Bodhi and Imogen through the rotunda, our laughter echoing off the stone walls after Bodhi cracked a joke about what happened during flight maneuvers this morning. The buzz of cadets all around us, as we continued our laughter. I catch Xaden watching us from the exterior of the circular hall. I really need to talk to him, Desa started channeling a few weeks ago and weird things have been happening all week.

It’s almost like he can read my mind when he offers me a reassuring smile and a soft nod before mouthing. “Meet me in the courtyard.” I nod back before turning to the conversation between Bodhi and Imogen as we enter the Academic Wing. I don’t hear their conversation as I think over the interaction with Xaden. Did he sense my anxiety? Maybe he just wants to check on me.

“I’m telling you, they didn’t stand a—” Imogen’s voice was cut off by screams pouring out as we opened the door to the Battle Brief.

“What’s going on?” I asked, my heart racing. The scene that greeted us was chaotic; a first-year student was screaming, hands clamped tightly over his ears, his face twisted in terror.

“He’s an inntinnsic,” murmurs rippled through the crowd. I felt my stomach drop as his eyes met mine, wide with desperation.

“Help me. You understand,” he gasped, his voice warping, changing into a tone that wasn’t his own. “I really need to talk to Xaden. He’ll know what to do.” The urgency in his plea sent shivers down my spine. He squeezed his eyes shut, anguish etched across his features, and for a moment, a different voice echoed from his lips, “Make it stop!”

What? How did he know what I was thinking?

A hand gently touches my back, causing me to jump at the sudden touch before a low whisper reaches my ears.

“Change your thoughts, think of anything else. Something useless,” Xaden urges. The unyielding in his voice grounds me and I fight to divert my mind.

I reach for the memories of dusty outpost libraries, those few years I was away from Aretia growing up. Violet and Dain are beside me, laughing as we translate a random scroll or two.

“Close your eyes,” Xaden directs, someone pushing their way through the gathering crowd pushing Xaden closer to me. “You aren’t gonna want to watch this.” I turn to him confused and a gasp slices through the crowd, drawing silence. I turn back to see the first year motionless, a professor looming over him. How have I met every professor here already? Which one is he?

“That’s Professor Carr,” Garrick says. “He’s the wielding professor.” Had I asked out loud? No. No, I know I hadn’t.

“Holy shit.” There’s a pit in my stomach. Instinctively, I take a step back towards the door but Xaden still stands in my way.

“Wren?” The concern in his voice acts as an anchor, but it’s too late. I’m already drowning. I can’t draw a single breath as panic rises in my chest like a wave ready to crash over me.

“Trust the Shadow Wielder,” Desa urges me.

“I’m an inntinnsic, aren’t I?” I ask her, praying I’m not right.

“The Shadow Wielder can help.”

“They’ll kill me.” I can’t tell if the words are aloud or in my mind but Xaden’s hands grip my shoulders.

“Wrenley, what's wrong?” He’s turning me to face him, a hand coming up to brush the tears I hadn’t even noticed falling. I try to speak, I open my mouth and nothing comes out. “Love, talk to me.” Before I can think, like my body is in overdrive, I pull from his grasp and run out the doors.

I’m barrelling through every door until the fresh air from the courtyard rushes through my lungs. My hands reach for something to grip onto as I try to steady my racing heart.

“Wren?”

Dain. Fuck he’ll tell his dad if he finds out what I am.

“I’m–” I gasp. “Just go to class, Dain.” The words are rough as I lean farther into the wall.

“Shit, who told you?” I lift my gaze to meet him, all of my worry shifting to confusion as I see the pain in his eyes. “I was just coming to get you, Violet was asking for you.”

“What happened to Vi?” It’s like an alarm goes off when he mentions Violet. Our parents were assigned to the same outpost when Dain and I were nine and Vi was 8. I learned pretty quickly that Violet was a fragile thing after we fell out of a tree. My heart is still uncontrollable.

“Focus on calming your heart, Youngling, before you lose control,” Desa’s voice is softer than I’ve known it. I can feel how worried she is through the bond. Fuck, I’m really losing it.

“She’s fine. Well, physically at least.”

“Spit it out, Aetos!” I snap, my patience fraying along with my control.

“It’s Asher, Wren,” Dain finally confesses and my heart sinks. “He collapsed in the Archives a few days ago. I turn on my heel and run towards the main college. “She’s in her room!” I hear Dain call from behind me and I barely hear it over the echo of my footsteps meeting the stone of the bridge. I’ve only been to this part of Basgiath once after her parents took positions here, and yet I blindly follow the path to her room.

I take a deep breath before knocking and pushing the door open. It's silent besides the shuddering breaths of the girl curled into a ball on her bed.

“Vi?” I call softly, pushing the door shut behind me as I walk towards her. My heart ached at the sight of this tiny girl, swimming among the blankets.

“Wrenley?” I can’t wait a second more, climbing onto the bed and holding her close as a sob rips through her fragile frame. “He’s gone.” She sobs and the words reach me like a dagger. I held her tighter, wishing I could take her pain, and block anything else that could come for her.

“When’s the last time you slept, Vi?” She doesn’t respond, but the way she’s barely holding herself up in my hold speaks volumes; it hasn’t been in the last few days. “How do I help her? Can I help her?” I plead with Desa.

“You can barely keep your thoughts to yourself,” her reply is dry, a reminder of my own emotional chaos.

“Can I help her or not?” I snap, frustration coursing through me.

“Mentally imagine a door, that you’re opening it and stepping into her mind. Just think soothing thoughts, ones that could help her fall asleep. It’s how she did it on you.”

“My mom was an inntinnsic?” That's not possible. My mom was such a rule follower.

“Focus, Youngling.”

I focus every fiber of my being into the task. The door, old wood with intricate carvings, like what the old tomes were written in. Opening the door, I step through to Violet’s mind and I focus on the soothing thought Desa mentioned.

Nights of reading fairy tales by moonlight, Asher and my father acting out the stories with shadows on the wall. Then I think about Violet, wishing for her to remember the simple times with those stories that always put us to sleep, running my fingers through her brown and silver tipped hair. Her breathing starts to slow, a soft rise and fall as I watch her tense muscles loosen.

“Very good, Youngling. Now imagine yourself leaving her mind, like backing out of the door and closing and locking it.” I follow Desa’s instructions and feel the connection between Violet and I getting farther away. “This is also how you can keep yourself from accidentally entering someone else’s.”

A light smile tugs at the corner of my lips at the success.

“Vi? Wren?” The door swings open, Dain frantically coming through the door. I quickly shush him, pointing to the sleeping girl in my lap. “How’d you do that so fast?”

“She just fell asleep. Must still like me more than you.” I laugh softly as Dain positions himself on the floor by the bed.

“Are you okay?” He asks me, his gaze watching me closely.

“I will be.” I answer simply, giving my old friend a soft smile as Desa’s voice rings through my mind again.

“We begin training tomorrow.”

January 633 AU

“Come on, Bodhi!” The crowd of cadets cheered as we watched the challenge. They just started back up this week and it's been fairly entertaining. Bodhi’s grin is infectious, completely in his element as he pins his opponent.

“Kick his ass!”

“He yields!” Professor Emetterio’s voice cuts through the excitement and Bodhi hops off his opponent, offering a hand to help him up. The cadet brushes him off, limping over to his squad. Bodhi saunters over to us, popping a high five to my raised hand as he stops beside me, turning back to the mat, pride radiating off him.

He’s the best fighter in our year and I’m not far off. I may leave the mat as injured as my opponent but at least I leave victorious as Bodhi and Garrick like to say. Xaden has been trying to teach better evasive maneuvers but while I’m quick on my feet, everyone has been significantly larger than me.

“Next we have…” Emettario scans his notes, drawing out the anticipation. “Sebastian Orbeck and Wrenley Tavis.”

Speaking of larger than me.

“Isn’t that the guy that's been threatening you for the last week?” Imogen asks, eyes glancing at me wearily.

“I’m so dead.” I’m five foot six on a good day, Sebastian? He’s as tall as Xaden, if not taller if that was possible, and arms the size of my fucking head. I will not die today.

“Begin,” Emettario calls as we both step onto the mat. I brandish one of my blades as Sebastian circles me, two blades of his own drawn.

“Finally, my chance to take you out, Tavis. I’ve been waiting all year.” His smile brings the hairs on the back of my neck to attention, and I reach to pull a second blade.

“You'll have to fight for that,” I shoot back, voice way steadier than I feel on the inside.

“Oh, I will.” He says with a growl before charging at me, the ground thudding with his weight. I use one of the moves Xaden taught me and tuck into a roll to dodge him. Landing on my feet, I turn to face him and lean back just out of reach of the blade Sebastian swings at me.

“Uh, that’s the best you can do?” I ask, laughing to mask the anxiety flowing through my veins. The murmurs around us fade as I focus on the threat.

“Don’t piss him off, Wren,” a stern voice calls out, worry an underlying tone.

In an instant, Sebastian charges again and I reach for the door of his mind, forcing him to shift his blade to the side, but not enough when I hiss at the sting of the blade breaking skin.

“Your aim is shit,” I taunt, flipping one of my blades in my hand as I take a step back. I can feel Xaden’s annoyed sigh at my taunting but I can't focus on him right now. Another swing of his blade, and I jump back from the blade. “Can’t you try harder than that?” I start backing along the edge of the mat, trying to create some distance when my foot snags on something and I land on my back with a thud, air completely knocked from my lungs.

Before I can force any air into my lungs, Sebastian is on top of me and his hand at my throat, but he’s not squeezing. Why can I still not breathe? My wide eyes snape to Xaden who is fighting every urge to step in. Then it dawns on me:

Sebastian is an Air Wielder. He’s using his signet to suffocate me!

“Come on, Signetless. Die quickly so this can all end,” he hisses, breath chilling along my skin. I manage to turn towards Xaden, using what little energy I have left to reach for his door. The pressure on my chest increases as I gasp for any air but none comes and my vision starts to blur as I throw open the mental door. I’m risking everything by doing this to Xaden, but I’d rather live to have him lecture me than die and have him burn my things for Malek.

I launch myself into his subconscious and scream. “Stop him.” Xaden freezes, eyes widening in alarm.

“Wren?” What? No! He should be moving! This isn’t right!

“Now!” I scream again, before my vision fully blurs and I’m yanked from his mind.

“He’s using his signet!” I hear Xaden shout but the blurriness is turning to darkness and I can feel the last of me slipping.

“Youngling?” Desa’s voice comes through as a whisper and try as I might, I can’t reach out to her.

“She fucking yields!” Xaden shouts again.

I hear Emettario’s voice next and then a rush of air fills my lungs, Sebastian no longer above me. I cough, trying to force more air into my lungs as Xaden appears in front of me.

“Are you okay?” He asks, searching me for any signs of bruising around my neck. I nod, coughing more as Xaden turns back to sebastian.

“You’re going to fucking pay, Orbeck.” Xaden’s anger draws him to action and Xaden’s holding a blade to Sebastian’s throat.

Bodhi and Imogen are at my side, pulling me up from the mat as I finally manage a dep breath. Garrick is on Xaden trying to pull him off.

“You know signets aren’t allowed during challenges!” He shouted, putting more weight behind the blade.

“Xaden,” I call, reaching through his door again. “It’s okay.”

“It’s not okay!” He growls out loud, focused solely on Sebastian. Dammit, he’s going to get me caught.

“If you keep answering me out loud, you’re not going to be able to protect me. Now let him go.” With a reluctant huff, Xaden backs the blade away and stands but not before slamming Sebastian’s head into the ground, knocking him out cold.

Once I felt the soft comfort of my bed, I curled into it immediately. I closed my eyes, hoping and praying that Xaden wouldn’t bring up the events from the training room.

“Your signet manifested.” Okay, nevermind then. I peek through one open eye, to see the door closed, and with the wards Xaden placed on my room I was essentially safe in here. Unless Xaden decides to turn me in.

“It did.” I say softly, closing the one eye and burying my head in my pillow, fighting off the throbbing headache that usually comes after using my signet.

“How long?” He presses. I know he cares, but god can he please just not– “How long, Wrenley?”

I sigh, sitting up and sliding to the edge of the bed. “Desa said it manifested right before the attack in October. I noticed weird things happening right before the incident with the inntinnsic in Battle Brief. I wanted to talk to you that day but then he died and I– I got scared.” I take a deep breath, trying to read Xaden’s emotions but he’s stone cold. “Speaking in people’s minds? That's new.” I tell him, the relief of someone knowing lifting all of the weight I’d been carrying.

“You’ve been doing it since the beginning,” Desa reports, I can almost feel her shrug. “Everyone is either oblivious to the fact that your mouth didn’t move or it blended in with their own thoughts flawlessly. It was honestly kind of impressive when that happened.”

“Excuse me?”

“What type of inntinnsic are you?” Xaden questions, his hard gaze boring into every hole in my soul. “And answer truthfully, since you’ve been lying to me for weeks.”

I should’ve told him from the get go. I knew this would turn on me eventually. Inntinnsics can’t be trusted, it’s why they’re killed. “At first, it was just being able to slip ideas into minds, make someone move a certain way without knowing it wasn’t them. Desa and I have been practicing late at night, but she’s kinda over being a puppet.”

“Shit,” Xaden finally breathes and I scoff at his reaction.

“Yea shit. I’ve been pretending to be signetless for 2 months. It’s fucking hard when you’re constantly jumping into someone’s head on accident.” The fear of getting caught is festering in my head. “I’m scared Xaden. I’d never hurt anyone, but I don’t want to die because they can’t see the good in my ability.”

“I know, I know.” He paces my room, tendrils of shadows swirling around him as he gets lost in thought. “I just…” He pauses, looking over at me and his eyes soften. He settles beside me on the bed, pulling my hands into his. “I’ll help you practice, and we’ll make sure that you have enough control to keep it hidden.” It's a gentle promise, one his eyes promise back to me. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you.” He whispers, lips pressed to my temple as he pulls me closer.

I lean further into his hold, smiling at the smallest flicker of hope. The small promise of tomorrow. “I know.”

April 633 AU

“Stop sending your shadows to wrap around my ankles. It’s highly distracting,” I call across the open channel between Xaden and I, my voice a blend of annoyance and amusement.

Thanks to the practice Xaden's been giving me, I figured out that if I left a door open we could talk back and forth like we do with our dragon's, and it's been interesting to say the least.

I can feel the smirk that surely makes its way onto Xaden's face behind me just from the words he passes to me. “I could do a few other things with them instead if you prefer?”

His mastery of his signet had evolved into an art form, and I had grown all too aware of the power he wielded. The moments of lost control like my first day at Basgiath long behind us. Now, a stray shadow or two from Xaden's will? Well, I don't entirely hate the surprise.

“Maybe if you’re good, I’ll let you tie me up with them later,” I counter, I turn to send him a wink and he chuckles. I could get lost in the carefree look on his face right now, but Professor Devera’s voice pulls my attention.

“Something you’d like to share with the class, Cadet Tavis?”

My cheeks flushed as I turned back around. “No ma’am.”

"It would be wise to get your attention forward in my class, wouldn’t want to be sent to the front unprepared." I nod, and Professor Devera returns to her lecture. The classroom shifted its focus back to the front, yet my mind lingered on the shadows now coiling around my knees. As she jotted down notes, I allowed my finger to idly drift through the mist.

Suddenly, I’m no longer looking down at my notebook. The world around me blurs, colors smearing like watercolor paint on canvas, and in the blink of an eye, I find myself in my room and then my notebook returns and I'm back in the classroom.

What was that? The disorientation makes my heart race as I shake it off, forcing my focus back to the notes sprawled before me. Yet, as I try to ground myself, the image crashes back in, but this time, it morphs into something far more sinister—no longer just a fleeting thought but a vivid nightmare looming at the edges of my consciousness.

“What’s little Signetless gonna do? Take on five cadets at once?” The taunting voices cut through the air like a knife. My breath quickens as I whirl around, the laughter ringing hollow and mocking. I see them now, the familiar figures of my peers, their faces twisted with a cruel blend of amusement and malice, surrounding me like a pack of hungry wolves closing in on their prey.

“We can’t let you keep going. Weakest links need to be weeded out.” Their words drip with venom, and my pulse thrums in my ears as I watch them brandish their weapons. My instincts scream at me to flee, but I’m frozen, spinning in a frantic circle, desperately trying to keep my eyes on each one of them. The walls seem to close in, and the air grows thick. I reach for a dagger, the familiar weight of my weapon something I instinctively crave for reassurance, but my sheaths are empty.

“Don’t worry, we’ll make it quick, after we have a little fun.”

I’m dragged from the vision by the sound of wood scraping across wood, my heart pounding.

“What was that?” I stammer, reaching for Desa through the bond. All I can feel are the gazes of my classmates, all eyes on me, their expressions a mix of curiosity and disdain.

“Your second signet,” she replies, her tone dripping with smugness. “Two rare signets. Perfect for you.”

“What. The. Fuck?” My mind races, grappling with her words while dread coils tight in my stomach.

“Cadet Tavis? Is everything alright?” The voice cuts through the haze of confusion, pulling me from the spiraling thoughts that threaten to consume me. As I look up, the classroom blurs into focus, the eyes of my peers fixed on me with an intensity that feels both invasive and unnerving.

“I’m sorry, can I be excused?” I plead, my voice a fragile whisper laced with urgency as I direct my gaze toward Professor Devera. I can feel the heat of embarrassment creeping up my neck, but there’s a deeper dread clawing at my insides, compelling me to escape this moment.

“Very well.” She brushes me off with a wave of her hand, her attention already drifting back to the lecture that is so far from my mind. I gather my belongings hastily, fingers trembling as they race to shove my things into my bag.

“Wren, what's going on?” Garrick’s voice breaks through from the row behind me, concern etched deeply into his brow. Bodhi and Imogen echo his question, their faces a blend of worry and confusion as I move toward the door. Xaden’s shadows still weave through the air, a comforting presence that tingles against my skin, urging me forward as I reach for the doorknob.

“Make up some bullshit about checking on me. Something’s wrong,” I whisper urgently, barely able to form coherent thoughts as panic constricts my chest.

I manage to cover ten feet before the familiar pull of my vision yanks me back into a disturbing memory. My heart races as scenes flash before my eyes—those cadets, their laughter ringing in my ears, the cruel mockery in their tone as they paint a vivid picture of my helplessness. I see the blade gleaming menacingly, then feel a visceral jolt as it pierces my chest, right over my heart. I scramble back, disoriented, desperate to escape this nightmare.

“Wren– Wrenley, it's me! It's me!” A voice breaks through the chaos, and my vision finally sharpens to reveal Xaden, his expression a mix of fear and urgency. “What’s going on?” His concern feels palpable, wrapping around me like a lifeline, but the words catch in my throat. How do I articulate the horrors I’ve just witnessed?

“Precognition, Wise One,” By the Gods, does Desa just know fucking everything? "I do."

“Can I have 5 minutes where you aren’t in my head?!” I shout, my hand instinctively rising to my pounding temple.

“Wren?” Xaden’s voice softens, pulling me back from the brink of my spiraling thoughts. For a fleeting moment, the world narrows, and I forget he’s here.

“Something’s going to happen to me if we don’t stop it.”

I recounted the events in my vision to Xaden who was quick to formulate a plan. He even enlisted Garrick and Bodhi to roam the halls without exposing my signets.

As the night stretched on, the anxiety of what could be looming before us covered the room in silence. Xaden spent most of the night pacing which did nothing to ease my mind. And near the early hours of morning, when the knob turned on my door, our plan was quickly in action. I turned to face away from the door while Xaden used his signet to hide in the shows as five figures crept into my room. I kept still, waiting for the moment that Xaden stepped in. Then I felt the hand on my ankle and I'm dragged to the edge before I could even scream.

“Did you think you were clever?” Xaden's voice sliced through the air and shadows reach for the throats of the intruders. "It’s unlawful to attack another cadet while they sleep,” he declared, his voice dripping with malice and as quick as a snap, the five cadets were on the ground, lifeless.

Garrick and Bodhi came running in, their expressions both shocked and relieved, eyes bouncing between the bodies, Xaden, and myself.

“Remind me to stay on your good side,” Bodhi mutters, shaking off a shiver as he and Garrick begin removing the bodies.

“You okay?” Xaden asks, his entire demeanor shifting from the man I saw kill 5 people, to my Xaden and the way he looks at me? Gods, am I turned on right now?

“And if I said that was one of the hottest things you’ve ever done?”

“I’d do it again in a heartbeat to protect you.”

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