Rhysand's POV
She hated me,when I looked in her eyes-those eyes the other day all I could see was rage and hate.She despised my touch and I could see it irritated her so much and for some reason I hated it
Hated the fact that she hated me for what she had no clue on what was going on.The worst part of it all was she hated me.
I saw her as she made her way to the gardens,with her friends in tow
I watched her till she was out of sight before I started on my way to my room.I had few stops along the way and as I made my way to the dorm I heard shrilling screams and it came in the direction of the garden
I stopped for a minute or two to listen to what was going on but I couldn't make out anything that was happening.I hurriedly made my way there and as I rounded a corner the reason behind the scream came into view
Standing at the far end of the Gardens,A dragon stood majestic,its scales as pure as freshly fallen snow,rendering it a resplendent white
I yelled at the students outside "What are you doing here.....Leave"
And they all dashed into where was safe.Now I could see what exactly was going on,standing few feets away from this massive beast was Elara and her other friend Elaine.The third one was nowhere to be seen?Had it killed her?Alden might actually jump off a cliff
Elara stood while she tried to keep Elaine behind her.There was nothing I could do except to watch.With every few steps they took back,it took a little one forward and kept his gaze on them
I heard her loud voice "Elaine Run!!" and immediately Elaine sprinted from behind her,the dragon turned his head in the direction of Elaine and as it opened its mouth she blocked her path-She stood ready to take what the beast intended for her friend and I was perplexed
The Beast also seemed shocked as it looked at her intently and cocked its head to the side.It's took few steps back and crouched before it's wings stretched wide and it launched into the air
After it was gone,Elara stood and kept staring at the spot it once was and immediately she fell
I rushed over to her only to find she had passed out,I took her into my arms and made my way to the infirmary
Hours had gone by and her friends were by her side,the healers said it was shock and she would be alright by the time she gets up
I took my leave and told Elaine to let me know when she's up which she nodded in response
I made my way to my room and sat down staring at the walls.There were two things that were bothering me,the fact that the dragon hadn't done anything-anything at all.That was a Silver Snowblade and there were only two of its kind known to mankind
It was known to be ruthless and deadly so why hadn't it done something and the second thing was why she did that.Why did she block what was meant for her friend it would have resulted in her death and she knew that but did it anyways
Maybe she wasn't like her father and her siblings-Maybe
I was certain she was like Elissa,so certain.
The sun was setting when a knock came from my door ,Alden walked in closing the door behind him
"I have two things to tell you"he smirked "I talked to Kyra today and it was amazing and there is a meeting happening right now your presence is needed"
"Maybe you should have said the important one first"I said blankly and he replied with a small shrug of his shoulders
We made our way to the one hall we used for meetings and I gave a small knock before I walked in
As I walked into the room,the low hum of conversation surrounded me.At the center,a semi-round table occupied by a mix of familiar and unfamiliar faces caught my attention. The room's subdued lighting added a touch of formality to the atmosphere.
With each step, the sound of my footsteps echoed, drawing glances from those already seated.I gave a slight nod as I stood at the center of the room
"Here is Rhysand Larsen" the head of the Academy Dean Drystan said gesturing towards me and I gave a slight nod again
"He was the one who brought Elara in,and she's in the infirmary as we speak"
"Rhys what do you have to say?" He asked
"I don't have anything to say sir,it didn't attack her and the Healers said she fainted due to shock"
I heard a loud scoff from someone and I turned "She fainted because she saw a dragon,how is she to handle having to ride upon one"the man said but I didn't give a response
"Lord Draconis,it is normal for one who hasn't come across one to experience shock" the Dean replied
"I know this meeting was to change my mind when I said I want my daughter out but it hasn't changed it in the slightest" Lord Draconis said with disdain
"Rhysand please could you try to convince the Lord it's best his daughter stays here.You are her wing leader right" and I nodded once more before turning to face Elara's father,the one I had grown to hate over the years
"Sir,your daughter has come this far and I think its best we see if she can make it to the end"I said calmly
"No one asked you what you think boy"he spat out and I had never been so enraged "The only reason Elara came here was because of her mother,she begged me to let her come to make it seem like a birthday present to her.I had this planned from the very beginning"
He let out a loud sigh before he continued "My daughter isn't good for anything" when the words left his mouth I was dumbfounded.What kind of father says things like this concerning his child
"She can barely fight and I don't know how you haven't found out about her continuous night terrors.I had been waiting for her to be sent out because of them"
Then I remembered that night that I went to check on Elrik,she was by his bed and kept muttering words,begging for help and tears were running down her face
"She has them most nights and has had them since she was five,is that the kind of rider you want?" He asked looking around
"Elara isn't good for anything,even her brother is equally as useless they both take after their mother.The only child I am proud to be called mine is Elissa"he said grinning "Give Elara back to me,she is to be married off soon"
Immediately he said those words the shadows that had been hiding behind me came to life and enveloped the room leaving only a tiny glimpse of light
"Rhysand!!" I heard the Dean shout my name "Stop!"
I looked him in the eyes as I walked over to him,my steps calculated
"What kind of father are you"I said as I was inches away from him
"How can you say those words about your flesh and blood" I asked through gritted teeth as I stopped and the only thing stopping me from gripping him by the neck was the table
"You can hate me all you want but I am not wrong.I know what is best for my daughter and marrying her off is what is best for us.She is the most beautiful of all my children and it would be insanity letting her waste away here,getting scars and ruining her skin" he replied coldly no hint of fear of what I could do to him
"She is in this Academy and I say what is best for her"I replied staring at him blankly "When they got into this place,they were all told they are the Academy's problem now"I looked over at the Dean "Isn't that right" but he didn't give a response
I looked back at Lord Draconis "I offer you a deal sir,if she doesn't pair with a dragon on Threshing you can come marry her off to whatever dimwit you picked from your list" there was a long pause before he gave a small smile "Its a deal boy.Dragons only pair with the strongest or smartest and Elara is none of those things"
I lowered the veil of darkness that enveloped the room and walked out of the hall slamming the door behind me.I was enraged,no one had pissed me off this much in a long time
Was she even his child?For one I was glad she didn't have his eyes.His eyes were hollow and had no trace of life in them.I made my way to the infirmary and saw she was already awake and smiling
"How are you feeling"I said as I walked in,the cold air in the room welcoming me first,she didn't give me a reply and just stared.Her friends left and I took the stool by the bed
"What you did was very stupid" a small pause "-but brave" I continued and again no reply
"I can see you look a lot better" I said as I stood from the stool and placed my hands in my pant pockets "I'll call your friends in"
I was about to open the door when she asked "What happened with Elrik" i turned around to look at her,we kept staring at each other for a while before I said "I'm sorry"
My hands were on the door knob when she yelled "You're always sorry,what the hell happened"
I could see the tears brimming at the side of her eyes before I repeated "I'm sorry"before I walked out
I decided to go see Elrik who I heard is much better,I walked in to see him talking with Vaelen who immediately stood like he was trying to protect his friend from me.It was laughable because nothing could stop me from doing what I wanted to do,only a fool would stop me
"How are you feeling Elrik"I said as I walked to his side and sat at the edge of the bed "I'm better,the pain is manageable"he replied softly
"I'm sorry" I said as I placed my hand on his leg avoiding his eyes "What do you have to be sorry for?" he asked me "You saved me,if not for you I should be dead"
I looked up to meet his eyes "I was put in charge of every one of you,I was supposed to lead and protect you all and I failed"I said softly
"Yes maybe you failed to protect us but you did your best.The situation was not within your control "he said looking at me "I don't know of anyone who would fly across the land for two days so I could be treated immediately.You starved yourself Rhysand so the food would be enough for me and I am indebted to you"
"For someone who acts so grim and mysterious"he said grinning "You have a soft heart and.....I don't know what you have against my father but I really hope to be good friends with you"
"What you just said should never leave this room.I don't have a soft heart"I said with a straight face and he just smiled "Whatever you say Commander"