fairiewines

[fairiewines]

﹟ 𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒛 ﹠ 𝒈𝒂𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒍 . @fairiewines

[fairiewines]

"such a small thing like you having no issues with my very high windows? doubtful", he should have been enraged that they had entered his home in such a manner and yet alaric found himself only amused. "did you really miss me that much? i feel like doing all of this is rather ... dramatic." if she was in search of something valuable alaric would gladly point her in the right direction, some of the objects in his home were ghastly. yet the air in the now shared room said otherwise, actually, it screamed otherwise. nissa was here for different reasons and alaric was suddenly desperate to know them. "i believe you would smash a window to make an impression", the high lord is quick to comment, a brief lifting of his brows. a rather loud snort escaped him, taking a slow and measured step toward them, "and what judgements have i made about you, nissa?"

"it was no hassle at all, actually, your windows were quite welcoming," they brushed the air of surprise from their shoulders, typical demeanor settling back upon them as they straightened their cloak out. it would be remiss to admit that he'd taken their breath away, but the high lord somehow filled the empty room with a larger presence than nissa had anticipated or remembered. perhaps the crowd had stolen some of his stature from him before — whatever the reason may be, she desperately wanted to unravel him and put her finger on it. thoughts she'd need to dispel quickly if she were to maneuver this interaction with ease. "you should have more faith in me than that, high lord," their smirk took it's familiar place, "surely an inability to move with stealth and grace would greatly negate the judgments i've seen your eyes place upon me."

[fairiewines]

"you know that isn't what i meant", her response is quick, a narrowing of her eyes because why is he acting this way? conflict was something she avoided as often as she could and yet it seemed as if caspian was hungering for an argument, for a reason to shove her away. "i would prefer if you were honest with me instead of plucking a rather stupid reasoning for why you suddenly regret it. we were drinking but i can assure you i was not that drunk." what had happened in their time apart to make him behave so cruelly toward her? airlie knew she hadn't imagined the connection between the pair, how their bodies had moved so fluidly together in that bed. there was no mistaking the mutual attraction. "i think you respect your harmful habits more, actually. how many people have you tried this with before, caspian? it seems to me as if this is a way to isolate yourself, to try and make me feel small and ignorant to how the world works — i am not. nor am i naïve enough to truly believe that it was a fantasy." if he did respect her if he would be truthful, assured that she would not hurt him. "do you not trust me, caspian? is that what this is about?"

"i didn't realize i needed permission to return to my own home," he retorts, a new edge to his tone that hadn't been present before. finds her ability to see right through his facade exposing to say the least. as she begins to work through the reasons why caspian may view their shared evening as a mistake, the more the high lord's heart begins to ache. for a moment, he contemplates telling her the truth. though, what good would it do ? "would you prefer i deny it ?" words come out cold and dishonest, "would it be better to fill your naïve head with fantasies of us sharing a life together in order to satisfy myself for the time being ?" he'd be saving her the heartache of loving someone like him ⸻ an unlovable beast. "i am doing you the courtesy of drawing a boundary. and it is only because i respect you enough to speak candidly." he watches her carefully, though remains emotionally﹠physically distant. "just because you do not wish to hear it, does not make it untrue."

[fairiewines]

"then explain it to me, inez. make me understand why this . . . this archaic set of rules is worth sacrificing yourself for, why you're determined to not even attempt to try going against it." was positive that he had never heard of such a thing before, chaining herself to a life of nothing but depression and her own hand for the sake of pleasing . . . who? the mother most certainly would not give a flying fuck whether she slept with someone or not, that much was evident throughout history. "do you honestly believe i'm going to run my mouth about this? about you?" refuses to believe she assumed so little of him, she may see him as a childish brute but he was not going to betray her trust. brows furrow as he processes her words, blinking slowly as he tries to formulate a response that would be taken seriously, "inez . . . i may not live in the dawn court or have in depth knowledge about women's . . . biology, but i do believe that you can get pregnant whenever you wish." if she was experiencing a monthly bleed then it was always a possibility, although conceiving for fae was rare in itself. "calanmai, it all of a sudden ends on that day? inez . . . " could she not see what a load of bullshit it was? vows that some wheezing old lord had likely imposed during his rule, hell bent on giving women as little freedom as possible. "no, no you do not. you are a remarkable ruler, what you do in the privacy of your bedroom is of no concern to them or anyone else. it is entirely yours to do as you wish, your wants and desires." something within him loosens as she bends to his touch, warmth against warmth. "you cannot ignore this, inez, neither of us can", knows he would not be able to stay away even if he tried, "set the rules, choose what we do and how far we go but please . . . do not shut me out."

"it is the only way," she persists before sucking in a shallow breath, "you don't understand." because how could he ? the dawn court's lineage depended on her chastity﹔the high ladies before her only able to produce an heir on the eve of a chosen calanmai. head shakes adamantly at the thought of watching eyes reporting back to the superiors of the high priestesses. she could only imagine the punishment awaiting her for her treachery﹔her failure to live up to the oath she'd taken at her induction. for a moment, genuine fear flashes over her features. "you cannot tell a soul." words come out less like a demand and more as a plea. and its evident now that she carried very little resolve as pieces of stoicism﹠certainty crumble before the male. "it is my desire," she protests, heart and mind at odds entirely, "at least until i am able to produce an heir." it's the first time she's mentioned her reasoning, hues still unable to meet his as she explains further. "my vow ends on calanmai. just as it does with all the high ladies before me," she swallows thickly, "if i allow myself to stray, i'm putting my entire court at risk." and yet, such a duty no longer feels unwavering, as if the femme is willing to give it all up for the male before her. she leans into his touch without hesitation, soft breath of relief following as she's met with his comforting scent. "i can't," she laments, "i fear what i might do."

[fairiewines]

"oh of course it is, kade. they may not be human but they have emotions, respect can take you so far but if a dragon hates you they're hardly going to enjoy your presence. isn't a signet something both rider and dragon form? it comes from both and if cadoc hates my guts i'm toast." even though her dragon was high in the sky devon could see him almost perfectly, his huge form slicing through the clouds as if they were melting butter. "are you assuming they weren't before now? i know how much they hate me, they're not exactly secretive about it." she'd grown familiar with the ugly looks, the nudges and whispers. but kade did have a point, it would get worse now she had bonded. "what? what do you mean 'i'm not sleeping alone'?" honestly after the events of today she needed a nap, not a sleeping buddy. "and who is going to share a bed with me, kade. you?" the intricacies of bonded dragons was still foreign to her, would kade really die if she did? "i only have a twin bed, you know."

"it's not about liking," he protests, "it's about respect." wouldn't further entertain her questions about signets, mostly because kade knew nothing about how they were ascertained or, rather, gifted. there's no denying his mood is bordering dread. with such a powerful dragon, she'd be granted an equally powerful signet. there was no way cadoc's ego would allow otherwise, especially in his decision to bond with such a tiny ( though entirely capable) rider. "how about a wake - up call, then ?" he questions with a tilt of his head, "every first year who didn't get a pairing is going to be looking at you. if you thought the others had it out for you because of your brother, then just wait. if you don't watch yourself, you'll be dead by morning." they'd be dead by morning. such a thought causes the male to shiver. "you're not sleeping alone tonight."

[fairiewines]

in her home town fooling around had been something of a stress relief for most young people, the chance to escape their own merciless lives for a few minutes and experience that rush of pleasure. airlie had tried it and only felt hollow, as if something had been carved out of her body and soul. so no, she did not believe caspian to be like those foolish boys with fumbling hands and too sweet words. "and yet not a single person here knew about it until you sent word", her reply is delivered on a sigh, so exhausted from missing him, thinking of him. "mistake", the word seems to cut deeper than even the sharpest of knives, a heaviness settling in her chest. "that is really what you think? that it was a mistake? or that i'm too lowly to accompany you? to be on your arm? to warm your bed?" it was so unlike him, airlie trusted her gut and it screamed at her now that he was wrong — that what had bloomed between them was anything but wrong. "why are you so determined to push me away? why do you want to hurt both of us?" her emotions were overwhelming, a headache beginning to form at her temple. "you have never lied to me before, so why are you starting now?"

"my schedule has changed." though, that had been due to his organizing, as caspian felt it was easier to avoid home. had thought about paying her wages for the rest of her days so that she may leave and pursue a real life, though the high lord was still too selfish to let her go. head shakes as she tries to share the blame for their time in spring. the desire he saw and smelled radiating off the femme was no ruse ⸻ some things could not be fabricated. and yet, it had gone too far for the male's comfort. "it was a mistake," he manages to get out, though his heart felt different on the matter. "your friendship . . . it has meant everything to me. i think you maybe the only person who treats me as if i were an equal . . . you do not fear me." ⸻ "but we are different." she represented all the good and innocence he'd long lost, and caspian would be damned if he allowed himself to soil her.

[fairiewines]

gabriel had many questions about the running of courts, yet it was absolutely none of his business to voice them — until now. it seemed blatantly sexist and oppressive to demand such a thing from her, when her lineage and blood should have given her the right to be high lady regardless. "has anyone ever tried? has anyone ever truly dared to take a single step outside of that box they've put you all in?" he hated seeing her upset, watching those normally sparkling eyes fill with tears. how could he fix it? gabriel didn't know, he didn't know what the correct thing to say was and yet he knew he couldn't stay away from her. "let them, inez. let them spend their sad fucking lives watching you and whispering about you — do you not think they do that already?" a high lady should be above every other member of their court, fit to rule in whatever way they deemed right. what was she so terrified of? "you cannot let them bend you, break you. if you don't wish to spend time alone with me i will accept it, but if it's not entirely your decision then i'm going to fight it every step of the way." ached to touch her, hands turning to tightened fists at his sides. "inez . . . please, look at me." now he cannot stop himself, palm unfurling and reaching out to cup her cheek, tilt her face toward his.

she cannot remember the last time she'd raised her voice, and the sudden outburst of emotion feels out of character. frankly, inez didn't know who she was around the illyrian ⸻ a thought that startled her more than the lust he evoked. tears begin to pout onto her cheeks, soft under - glow from her skin illuminating the droplets. "they cannot be undone." won't speak further on the matter, but there's a sense of hopelessness in her tone. as if she's already submitted to the fate laid out before her. "it is not that simple," she clarifies, "just because i am here in the night court does not mean i am not being watched." and the punishment for her infidelity would be more horrific than she cares to bring to light. though, it's clear by her response that she is afraid. hues press shut as she relives the night before, heart pounding steadily against her chest. "thank you," she manages to get out, hues averting as they blink open. can no longer look in his direction, or she fears she might waver in her resolve.

[fairiewines]

every step of the way had been an uphill battle for her, pushing a boulder with her bare hands while everyone else happily skipped with a pebble in their palm — but now devon could see it, potential. because if cadoc had chosen her then she couldn't fail, she wouldn't fail. "squats . . . squats", femme repeated the word, wondering if she might die of burning thighs if she refused to take his advice. "oh god, my signet." in the rush of having a dragon claim her devon had forgotten about that little fact, "do you think cadoc will like me enough to help me get something useful?" but what was classified as useful and useless? it all depended on cadoc's bond to her, their combined strength and of course, devon herself. but worse than having a weak signet was not having one at all — losing her mind. "excuse me? that's all you have for me? do squats and don't get myself killed? wow, you should really start a career as a motivational speaker, kade. you'd do amazing."

in any other circumstance the male would have cracked a smirk and offered a cheeky response on the ways she could learn to strengthen her core and thighs. though, kade is too overcome with dread for the inevitability of their bonding. no longer could he entertain whatever sick game he'd been playing with her. "squats," he responds flatly before offering a nod to her question, "they are." just his fucking luck. attention moves to the femme as she pieces it together, grimace evident on his features. "i don't know," he replies despondently, "i don't know what it means for us. i'm sure we'll figure it out once you get your signet." because she will get one ⸻ devon was a fighter, that was for certain. suggestion that he needs her feels less of an opinion and more a fact. without devon or cadoc, he'd likely be dead. can feel his whole body begin to tense. the male hadn't signed - up to be dependent on another, especially a corsas. "don't get yourself killed." it's a warning, still unable to admit he needs her.

[fairiewines]

devon didn't want to seem any more inexperienced than everyone seems to believe her to be, but cadoc was huge. he easily towered over the other dragons that had made their appearances during the day. "oh i already know my thighs are going to burn like hell when he lets me ride him", agrees with a rather painful expression. "is there any specific training you could recommend for that?" raising one brow she diverts her gaze from the flying dragon above, focusing on kade. "mates? he has one? aren't they super rare?" couldn't quite begin to imagine a hulking beast like cadoc having a petite little female dragon as his mate, but devon supposes that stranger things have happened. "wait . . . " it took a moment for his words to seep in to the part of her brain that absorbed knowledge, like the fact that his dragon was coincidentally named aderyn. "your dragon is . . . is my dragon's mate?" what did that mean for their two riders? everyone knew that the bond between a dragon and their rider was stronger than steel, but where did two mated dragons and their riders fit in to things? "so what does that mean, for us? are they . . . i mean they're connected i know that much, but we're connected to them too so . . . " all those years spent pouring over books and yet devon had never once paused to consider learning about this. "you need me", states finally, "and i need you -- to keep them alive and sane. we need each other, don't we?"

"a tiny thing like you on that large dragon . . ." he muses before trailing off with a shake of his head and a short laugh, "i don't think you'll have to worry about his carrying capacity, just the strength of your legs." he was delaying the inevitable, now ⸻ a fact that aderyn was making clear as she pushes her way into his thoughts once more. tell the girl. "she's a pain in the ass, namely." words are in jest, though mostly pointed at the female invading his mind than the girl in front of him. "sometimes i think they're more human than dragon." attention flickers to the formidable beast circling above them, silently pressing him on. "he's waiting for his mate . . . dragon's mate for life. just like a rider without their dragon is dead . . . so is a dragon without their mate." lets out a low huff, fingers pushing through his dark locks. "aderyn and cadoc are never too far from each other. they fly together in and out of battle . . ." can't bring himself to state the obvious : devon and kade were now stuck together, whether they liked it or not. and keeping the femme alive was now a matter of self - preservation.

[fairiewines]

"you exist", femme offers with a tight smile, for in her mind that was a perfectly reasonable reason to dislike him. high lord or not there was something about the male that got under her skin. "perhaps because you are to marry my sister and i am not entirely convinced you will have eyes for only her?" the sweetest of the bunch elspeth's younger sister was far too naive to ever be considered for such a marriage, yet their father had practically screamed in delight when the news came to their home. "no she does not. she barely listened whenever father would begin to lecture us all on which courts were the most beneficial to visit, the ones in which we were expected to keep our smiles wide and our cleavage high." it had disgusted elspeth, to be paraded around men as if they were nothing but wombs and breasts. adreline had been almost entirely unaffected, unbothered and instead doodling hearts on her sheet of paper. "i will pray to the mother for him too, i have high expectations and a cheating husband will be greeted with nothing but shovels of soil atop his decaying corpse", responds with a saccharine smile, a doe-ish flutter of long lashes. "i think my sister is the sweetest girl in this court, she's beautiful and thoughtful and tender. do i believe someone of her temperament can satisfy you? no, no i do not your highness."

"i have done nothing to make you dislike me," he points out, "though it seems my very presence sets you over the edge. why is that ?" though the high lord had done a good job of ruffling her feathers since their first introductions, the reason her original contempt alludes him. "i do not wish to rescind my proposal," he assures, "your sister, though docile, is kind and decent. of course, she is beautiful . . . but i seek beyond vanity. this marriage may be forged in desire for power, but it is clear she takes no interest in politics or petty games. i'd like to think the same of myself." marrying adreline would not be so daunting of a task given her demeanor, and astarion intends to make a good husband regardless of whether love grows between them. "i'm greatly concerned," he confirms, "and i'll be certain to send my deepest condolences for the sorry fool who manages to tangle himself in your web." brows furrow at suggestion that he had not truly conversed with her sister. though their conversations weren't as fiery as the one's he endured with elspeth, they'd certainly been engaging. "you think little of your sister. is that it ? you do not think she is enough to satiate me ?"

[fairiewines]

high pitched tone results in a widening of his hues, a startled blink before he exhales. "this isn't about my lack of respect for you or your court, inez. everyone who witnesses you rule across it knows that you are worthy — but those vows are outdated, they're cruel and what true purpose do they serve?" she surely knew that fae were prone to salacious moments, to giving in to temptation, it was in their blood. "if that is what you wish, i won't argue otherwise. although simply adding another body or ten into the same room will not help the issue." for gabriel had witnessed her naked want, had felt her soft skin against his own, had heard those honeyed pleads to take her — to fuck her. there was no forgetting. "if anyone saw or heard they would keep their mouth shut, it's none of their business." although given how much wine had been flowing gabriel seriously doubts a sober eye had crossed them. "you wish for me to ignore every single instinct inside of me? to pretend that nothing happened between us? that i didn't feel you against me?" it was an impossible task, an almost cruel request from the normally just high lady. "inez . . . i cannot promise that i will not want to, but i will try."

"i made vows !" words come out shrill and harsh, as if she's admitting to a fate the high lady had not fully considered when promising her celibacy to the cauldron. takes a moment to collect herself, eyes beginning to burn with the threat of tears. "and you may not understand or respect it, but they are mine." her tone is shaky, though resolute. it was as if she had truly contemplated breaking them . . . for him. "i cannot be alone with you any longer," she confirms, tips of her pointed ears glowing with familiar light. though she could attempt to control it, inez's energy is directly completely at maintaining her distance from the male. "there is nothing between us," she corrects, "there can be nothing. you do understand that, don't you ?" ⸻ "if anyone saw me with you last night . . . if anyone heard me . . ." she trails off at the mere thought, stomach in knots as painful memories of punishments from high priestesses fill her mind. "i cannot command you because you are not my subject," she states through a wavering tone, "but i am asking you as my friend, gabriel. please, do not seek me out any longer."

[fairiewines]

it was not her place to argue against the high lord nor his business in other lands, yet the lower fae cannot help a small eye roll at his words. "and yet before our trip you were here most evenings, were you not?" in spite of his pronounced absence airlie was still tasked with tending to his vacant rooms, something that served as a form of torture for the girl. "forgive you?" words cause her to halt, brows rising as she studies his handsome face. "what do i need to forgive you for?" and what exactly did she need time to think about? with him gone her anxieties and doubts had only multiplied instead of dwindled. "caspian . . . " oh how men could be fools. "do you honestly believe that i assumed you had orchestrated the entire thing purely to sleep with me? because i certainly do not and as for only your desires appearing that night i feel i should remind you of just who asked who to undress the other." admittedly, the wine had boosted her confidence, allowed the reserved female to give in to the urges and passions she had held so close to her chest. to believe it was one sided was to believe in foolish daydreams. "it may be inappropriate", the word slides off her tongue, slimy and vile, "but that does not make me regret it, none of it. do you? i may have been tipsy, you too caspian -- but i knew what i was doing, every single moment." especially when they had fallen in to bed together, how their bare skin had brushed together, how her hips had sought friction against his own.

"i only want to respect your wishes." though, the male certainly hadn't respected any sort of boundaries between them before. perhaps it had been a mistake seeking friendship with the fae. "i've had business," he deflects, "this is the life of a high lord — i am gone most evenings . . . there may be weeks that go by before i return." it was lonely for himself, but for a mate or wife ? caspian wouldn't allow someone to suffer like that. it was better if airlie understood his burden to carry. as she presses further, however, the male can feel his chest tighten. he's uncertain whether it's remorse, heartache, or a mix of the two. "my only intention for leaving you here alone is that the distance may give you time to think . . . to hopefully forgive me," he explains carefully with head hanging with shame. "i took advantage of you in the spring court. the moment i knew we were to share a singular bed, i should've requested a separate room. but i allowed my own desires to cloud my judgment." ⸻ "i didn't take you with me with an expectation of sex . . . and yet, i let you drink and take off your dress. i let you . . ." he swallows thickly as the memory of her grinding against him in the bed floods his senses. "that sort of relationship between you and me . . . it's inappropriate."

[fairiewines]

highly unusual to the point of discomfort, alaric had found himself reminiscing about that fateful night. he didn't dwell on the pompous guests who practically drooled across his finely tailored clothing as they spoke to him, nor the overly friendly companions of said men. it was them. a conversation that had lasted for less than it should had been stuck inside his mind with seemingly a magic he had never encountered before -- in the midst of a sleepless night he had wondered if nissa had actually performed some taboo spell upon their meeting. the fact of the matter was, they were alike. if he was experiencing such mental roadblocks and distracting thoughts then she had to be familiar with them also. it was merely a matter of time before one acted upon it.

when one is accustomed to sleepless nights it doesn't seem like such a high price to pay, remaining awake until the wax on the candles beside him melt to cover the fine table beneath it. spotting their shadow was akin to a bolt of lightening racing up his spine, a reward for countless nights of patience. politely the high lord waited for the grand entrance -- or the sneaky nissa version of one. "perhaps you should have entered through the front doors, save yourself the hassle?", announced in the silence between them, thick with something he refused to acknowledge. "and i hope you didn't break that window you slid through, sneaky little thing."

closed starter for @fairiewines !

there hadn't been a moment or a motive that passed that wasn't consumed by thoughts of him, the high lord who's forbidden desire trickled into their every move since they'd parted. thoughts which were only diabolically pushed by her family back home as they questioned the progress she'd made to infiltrate his court, and the endless planning regarding their next play. if only they knew she was already one step ahead of them, thankful for effortless shields lest they discover not all of her opinions were shared any longer. a full moon cycle had passed before nissa dared make a move, though, or their eagerness might outweigh their secrets. it was easier than she'd predicted, the trek to his estate, almost too easy. or perhaps she simply knew how to evade his precautions better than most. a cocky smirk dusted across their face, not wiping it clean as they snuck through a loose window, knowing that despite their similar minds, it was much too preemptive to even feel an ounce of success. for, as soon as nissa has made it inside and rounded a few, memorized corners, a curse fell from their lips as they came face to face with the fae she had been hoping to avoid.

[fairiewines]

[fairiewines]

"become a lady of leisure", femme retorts, although in truth niamh would not know what to do with herself if she was without healing. too many ghosts were banging at the door of her mind, if she had too much free time she worries they would break through. it was good for her magic, keeping it in use was like physical training for lachlan, ensuring it remains strong and continues to develop. it's evident that she has been somewhat slacking as she heals his chest, or maybe other injuries were gratefully spoiling her. when the pressure begins to lessen niamh slowly opens her eyes, examining the wound that is now almost entirely knitted together. cauldron. "lachlan, you are a menace. these wounds you get may be the death of me." hues drift from his body, landing on his face and realising that he had been looking at her. mother. swallowing the former priestess instinctively bites down on her bottom lip, the remaining stretches of his skin finally sealing together. "how do you feel?" she would need a nap after her morning work, her mind was exhausted and her limbs heavy, however it was her pulse that she was most concerned with — how it seemingly cared little for being calm.

"you worry far too much if not for stupid brutes like me, then what would you do with your days ?" he questions with a playful smile. "there are other ways to kill something," he assures. knew far more about matters of death and violence than anything else. lachlan was considered one of the night court's strongest illyrians. his dark wings grow stiff, no longer stretched out with ease. the pull of his skin together causes him to grit out a low groan. eyes press shut, complexion turned pale as the smell of sweat and iron fills his nostrils. can feel every movement of her magic in the flesh and muscle. there was nothing pleasant about healing, as much as it would appear so. the feeling of her hand against his chest only makes matters more confusing, heart racing for mixed reasons. there's a sort of softness to them he hadn't quite noticed before. hues open to intently watch her features, jaw clenches as he braces for any final moments of pain & pleasure.

[fairiewines]

as cormac had rightly predicted the initial introduction of saoirse to his friends had gone smoothly, a few curious questions were posed and more than a handful directed toward her past — he simply left it up to her how she wished to answer. it was her story, not his own. dinner passed with the smallest of disagreements between alaric and gabriel, dawn court semantics that cormac knew was not important in the grand scheme of things. "i do hope it lives up to expectations", now standing atop the balcony cormac casts his gaze skyward, awaiting the telltale splash of stars across the darkened view. "so many people schedule their months and years around this." he had no valid reason to be nervous and yet he could sense it bubbling within him, a slight thud of his heart as the pair stood together. everyone had their preferred spots for viewing, some enjoyed experiencing it alone, others with friends and some with partners or lovers. for the first time cormac has someone to share it with. "there, do you see it?" arm rises toward the left, a single bright spark shooting across the sky, the beginning.

"i think you enjoy disagreeing with me," she teases with a laugh, "it was one of the things we did most when we met." before it was nothing more than an annoyance, but such banter had become endearing. "well, thank you for making me feel welcome . . . i cannot remember the last time i've been to a party." hadn't been allowed to attend most of the ones her father threw without promising to dance with every available suitor. saoirse, along with her sister, had been put out on display for such events. but tonight feels different. "besides allowing me to stay in your home . . . calling on favor's for me to serve at rita's . . . and bringing me along to your gatherings," she reminds, "i'd say you're doing far more than looking after me." there would come a day when she'd have to leave and live on her own, and saoirse imagines that is when the invites would cease. it was not his duty to take her under his wing for an eternity. suggestion that he would not grow tired of her sends electricity through her entire being. "the sentiment is mutual," she assures, "no matter how infuriating you may be." hesitant hues look down at the view below. the femme lets out a gasp, amazed by the beauty of the landscape adorned with lights. "you're not funny," she retorts, gently shoving his shoulder as the two glide through the night sky.

[fairiewines]

devon hadn't yet heard whether any cadets had been killed during threshing, from what she heard it was a given that at least a handful would meet a pretty grisly end. now that cadoc had chosen her it felt like a heaviness had been lifted from her chest, she wasn't a failure — at least not yet. her signet may take a while to make itself known and that was the next big thing, the ability gifted to her would likely determine her standing in the academy and beyond. now watching the swordtail glide through the sky she exhales, taking in his form and the darkened brown of his scales. "i don't know if that's a compliment or not, but i'm going to assume it is one considering i'm not a pile of ash right now." most other dragons had flown away by now, yet cadoc remained, a steady thrum coursing through devon's chest as she studies him. "teamwork", devon wasn't quite sure how she'd manage to ride the damn dragon, but she'd give it her best shot. "careful, if you keep saying things like that my ego might get so big that cadoc won't be able to carry me." grinning she dips her face slightly, looking at him as he fixes himself. "your dragon, what's she like? do they . . . do they have true personalities? because i feel like he does, oh he definitely does judging by the way he's looking down at us right now."

there would be no interfering during the threshing. those were the orders given to every squad and wingleader. still, kade could not help but keep his attention on a certain cadet. had watched others attempt to bond with a dragon only to be killed on the spot. though his faith in the femme was strong, it would not be anyone's choice of whether she paired besides the dragon's. onyx hues peer up at the sky, taking in the sight of cadoc. he'd known the two had paired before seeing it ⸻ aderyn's voice entering his mind to alert him her mate had found a suitable rider. kade's pairing with a daggertail like aderyn, along with his signet had made him a bigger, though more terrifying target. now that he'd be linked to another rider, his troubles increased exponentially. it's clear she does not know, and it would be his news to break. "he would've scorched you already if he wanted to," assures while straightening out his riding jacket, "now that you've bonded there's a sort of teamwork that will develop. riders are the closest to equals we'll ever get when it comes to dragons. . . you both call the shots."