Lucia

Chapter One

Conscription day. Always the deadliest and the best at killing off cadets. I assumed that was why the sunset was so beautiful this morning.

The chills ran through my body as I remembered my best friend, Alaya was going through parapet as of this morning. I knew she would be targeted as a rebellion kid, I was always day until the day I wasn't

I was planning to meet with Bodhi this morning to talk about the next weapon drop and when we would set up the meeting for all the new first years. But fate chose otherwise, I was to be assigned to Athyebane, for a “quick” assessment. However, a promise of death seemed to do the trick.

They were trying to kill us, yet they failed so miserably, it will forever just be you and me against the world little star.

Lyael hummed in my mind, the familiar rhythm soothing me as I grabbed the daggers I laid on top of my shelves. I was always a weird case in Professor Carr’s eyes. The unknown rebellion child with a dragon before even becoming a first year.

I sheathed my daggers into the sheathes on my ribs and thighs as I grabbed my sack from my stretched-out bed. While packing my flight jacket into my bag, I peered out of the window to see thousands of conscripted volunteers hoping to become one of the few elite riders. Thousands wishing death upon themselves. 

Basgitch War College wasn’t kind to well… anyone. Even King Tauri’s second son died during threshing, it didn't matter who you were. 

I opened the door to exit, adding another ward until I felt safe enough this would continue daily. I then turned around to close it, and when doing another 180 to face the hallways, Xaden appeared in front of me. 

“Lucia.”

“Xaden,” I greeted

“Don’t do anything stupid, I have parapet duty with Masen today.” His eyes narrowed on me.

“But it's fun to play around with the cadets, more people to terrorize” I smiled sweetly, tilting my head to give off an innocent look. I was always good at acting as a child, it grew on me. 

He stared at me before sighing, “Just please Lu. You don’t have parapet duty or anything so do whatever you want… even write on that journal of yours while hanging out with Lyael”

I shrugged. I had planned to ride around in the nearby forest with Lyael to practice wielding, but now I wanted to watch the candidates.

He rolled his eyes before disappearing into the shadows with his signet. It was the opposite of mine, he wielded the shadows and I wielded the light. They couldn’t overpower one another yet were equally as strong. 

— 

“Alaya should be coming to this conscription correct?” I asked Bodhi, I was just as excited to see her as he was. They hadn’t seen each other in a few years after being fostered by different families. 

“Yeah, she should be. Don’t be too excited, from what I heard, she’s gotten fucking good at the crossbow and dagger throwing. Her aim is terrifying now.

My smile couldn’t be hidden anymore. I looked down; they were starting to let candidates go on the parapet. 

“Do we know who else is coming, anyone of importance?” I asked

“Apart from Alaya and Liam, no.” 

I nodded, Liam was Xaden’s foster brother and they were in the same foster family growing up. 

“Where’s Garrick? He’s not hanging around with Imogen or something?”

Bodhi looked up from where he was staring at, “I’m gonna tell Garrick you said that, but he’s dealing with leadership stuff. Why”

“Just curious, I need something to keep me entertained these days, nothing's every fun here.” I sighed dramatically, it was however the truth. Apart from some threats and leadership trying to kill me multiple times. The world had slowed and nothing brought entertainment nowadays.

“Lucia. Just go bother Xaden, it’s not like he can kill you. Plus, then later you can spar with him.”

I brightened at the idea. I loved sparring more than anything in the world, especially with Xaden. He and I fought until we couldn’t anymore. The rhythm of our similar fighting styles 

Within seconds, I teleported down, standing next to Xaden.

“Hi~!” I whispered into his ear, and in a smooth motion I dodged the jab to my ribs

“Lu. What are you doing here.” 

I shrugged, “I’m bored– and Bodhi didn’t want to deal with me” 

I look behind his head to see a girl with silver hair trading her boot with her friend or something— Why would you do that? — being kind would be a death wish in a place like this.

“Name?”

“Alaya Durran”

“Are you Bodhi’s sister?”

Alaya nodded, and my face was glowing in excitement as she looked into my wave and gave a quick smile before sprinting ahead.

“Xaden…” I turned and looked at him in the most innocent look I could muster. 

“Lucia.” he sighed, rubbing his temples like I was the reason he had a headache.

“Can you pretty please put Lay in my squad” I blinked rapidly in a sweet tone. 

He let out a quick sigh before mumbling something “If you don’t terrorize me for the rest of the day, yes i’ll put your little girlfriend in your squad.” 

I smiled before freezing mid-step– “girlfriend? She’s not my girlfriend!”

He looked and shrugged while I leaned against the wall talking to Lyael about anything interesting. 

How’s Vethora? 

My mate is perfectly fine, just a small cough.

I knew that tone of voice meant the conversation was going to end so I let the topic slide.

Great conversation I guess . I thought to myself

I can hear everything you say you know much of my annoyance. I would prefer if you don’t think of that and I don’t make you shut up when journaling about whatever humans do in their pitiful lives.

“You ready for the next one, Riorson?-- I mean wing leader Riorson of course.” Xaden stared blankly at Masen before taking his spot.

“You ready for this, Sorrengail?” 

FUCK.

The girl from earlier who switched boots with her friend was suddenly in my face, 2 inches away from my body as I leveled her gaze with a cold stare. 

She must know who Xaden is because I hear her mumble under her breath, something similar to “Shit”

“Sorrengail?” Xaden steps up towards her. 

“Violet?” I hear her friend call for her, moving forward to her side.

“You’re General Sorrengail’s youngest.” Xaden’s voice deepens in an accusatory tone.

“You’re Fen Riorson’s son,” She counters.

“And I’m Fen Riorson’s daughter,” I say as I lean down a bit to look and examine her features, the braid dangling down on her side.

She freezes but doesn’t react much, I can see the shaking in her bones as she struggles to hold her pack still.

Fuck. She was supposed to be in the scribe quadrant not the riders from Brennan’s letters. What is she doing here? With that fragile body she won’t make it past her second years, and pity for whatever dragon bonds with her.

You were once like that too my star.

I freeze from the random sentence said my dragon before zoning back in. 

“Your father killed my older brother. Seems like we’re even.” 

Hardly… 

“Hardly.” Xaden eyes narrow onto the little scribe. His gaze stroked over her, but I knew that look. He was in… love? Oh, he’s so dead. He’s never having a peaceful moment in his life again. 

“Your sister is a rider. Guess that explains the leathers.” I say as I nod in approval of the attire.

“Guess so,” She doesn’t look at me but holds the glare Xaden gives. It’s like they’re in a staring competition or something but for sure I would root for the scribe.

I notice Xaden’s hands clench into fists, and he tenses. So minimally but I noticed and I’m sure the little scribe does too.

“You all right?” The scribe’s friend asks, her gaze jumping between Xaden and her.

Xaden spares a glance at her, “You’re friends?”

“We met on the stairs,” She says, squaring her shoulders. 

He looks down noting the mismatched shoes and arches a brow at them. “Interesting”

Xaden’s gaze clashes with the scribe’s as the rain proceeds to fall harder. A scream fills the air and atmosphere as Violet and her friend jerk their attention to the parapet just in time to see a boy slip.

“Pull yourself up, Dylan!” Her friend shouts.

“Oh, gods!” Violet’s hand flies to cover her mouth, but the boy loses his grip on the slick stone and falls, disappearing from view.

Another one down. 

Xaden never takes his eyes off Violet, watching silently with a look of. Excitement? Violet brings her horrified gaze after seeing what I assumed would be another of her “friends” she made on the stairway.

“Why would I waste my energy killing you when the parapet will do it for me?” A wicked smile curves his lips. “Your turn”

I just laughed, full out dying. I was for sure telling Alaya this after needing to catch up in those years where I didn’t get to see anyone.

There and then, I knew he was so fucked. 

Xaden Riorson. Fen Riorson’s son. The rebellion kid. In love with the fucking General Sorrengail’s daughter. It was too good to be true.

Sgyael said she would kill you if you tormented her rider with that information. The shadow one knows exactly what you’re thinking about.

I didn’t even react. It was just so fucking hilarious.