Rhysand's POV
It's been few weeks after Threshing and flight trainings had started almost immediately.Flight trainings with the first years had started almost immediately.Night was drawing near and I had been in my room when I heard the door open .The lights in my room were turned off, but I knew who it was.
"You've been cooped up in here all day,don't you want to get some air?"Alden said as he closed the door behind him
"It's none of your business,please leave" I said not looking up from the book
"When do you leave?"he asked as he made his way to my bed frame "Tomorrow?"
I nodded in agreement "How is that going to be possible?She can't be far from her dragon and it can't be far from its mate as well"
I had given all what he had said a lot of thought,I was given two options for the mission tomorrow,either I lead the mission and take Elara with me or I follow orders and can leave when Phoenix decides she wants to leave.I took the latter.
**
The sun hung low on the horizon, casting long shadows over the desolate village of Ebonshire. The once-vibrant settlement, nestled at the edge of the empire, now lay in ruin.
The air was thick with an unsettling silence, broken only by the distant cries of ravens circling overhead.
We had just gotten to the outpost of what was once a village and the sight was horrifying to say the least
Houses raided but no food was touched,I looked around to see where the villagers were lined up and slaughtered .
"This is cruel"Torin said from afar,I could hear his voice laced with disgust
"How could they do that to children"i said quietly.I had no idea what we were sent here to do,after this we are to go to the Eastern outpost,rumor has it that's the direction the bandits came from
I had left Phoenix along with the other dragons on a near by mountain,so nothing could take us by surprise
As we approached, the devastation became more apparent. Houses were charred remnants, their timbers still smoldering, and the streets were littered with the remnants of everyday life—a child's doll, a toppled market stall, and the occasional bloodstain that marred the cobblestones.
My jaw tightened as i surveyed the scene. "Spread out, but be cautious. We don't know what we're..:" I ordered
"You seem to forget who is in charge Larsen" Azriel said cutting me off
The group stood watching the silent battle between us both,"Do as he said,spread out but know your place Larsen" Azriel said as he walked off
As we investigated, a haunting sense of dread settled over us. The village seemed to hold its breath, as if the very earth mourned the tragedy that had befallen its inhabitants.
In the midst of the devastation, we discovered a survivor—a trembling elderly woman named Elspeth, her eyes wide with fear. She recounted a tale of darkness descending upon the village, of shadowy figures moving silently through the night, and of an otherworldly force
"How did Wyverns get into the city,we are always heavily guarded"I whispered to myself "Wyverns?"Elspeth asked her voice trembling
My mind raced with possibilities.This was a planned attack.Nothing was taken but everyone was killed
We continued our investigation, searching for clues that could lead us to an answer. As night fell, we set up a camp at the outskirts of the village,our eyes vigilant against the encroaching darkness.
"We need to find answers and fast "Aurora said from beside me,cooling down her hands on the camp fire the second years made."The old lady mentioned an abandoned temple deep within the nearby forest. She said she saw them go in that direction."
"So Azriel"Elrik started,I hadn't even noticed his presence until now"There's been rumors that you and my sister are a thing"
"She said she liked someone else"Azriel replied blankly without sparing me a glance,I blocked out the rest of the conversations after that
"Don't you think it's quite convenient,an old lady was the only one that survived and she told us to go somewhere we have no clue about"Elrik said stopping everyone in their track
"Everyone be on alert"I said taking the lead and walking forward.Soon after we got to the temple-it had vines on the grounds and walls which made it almost impossible to keep the noise down
Finally, we stood before the temple—an imposing structure covered in creeping vines, its entrance was obscured by an unnatural darkness.
With caution, we ventured inside, our footsteps echoing in the vast chamber. As we delved deeper,
we could see figures standing in the dark
"I can't believe they actually came"a sinister female voice said in the darkness and we heard laughs coming from three directions
"I said it"Aurora said letting out a loud laugh,sounding pleased with herself
"Don't call your dragons"a male voice called out,his voice filled with caution.The moonlight casted it's silvery glow into the temple bringing into view the humans standing before us
"Or what"i replied coldly "....or I will gouge his eyes out"the man said going to the side to bring out a little boy whose hands and legs were bounded and tears were streaming down his face
I took a step forward,gripping firm on my sword "What do you want"Elrik yelled,also stepping forward"
"It's quite simple actually"the second female voice said "Where is the Aetherium Shards located"
I heard a laugh and escape from Azriels lips,the laugh went on for a while before he stopped.Now they were standing right in front of us "What's so funny"the man asked loudly
"What makes you think we would tell you "Rhys asked grinning and no reply was gotten except from them unsheathing their blades
Just as immediately it has started,it stopped.I heard Rhys say 'Die' and in unison they slit their throats
"You always have to cut the fun short"Thalia said with a groan.Thalia was a fourth year and the strongest female in that year.It was obvious who the strongest male was
Azriel powers can only be activated when he is in visual contact with you.There is a reason he is one of the best the Academy has ever created ,his power displays absolute obedience for as long as he wants it the only downside was it doesn't work on creatures just humans
I rushed over to where the small boy was shoved and found no one there
We got back to the camp and took turns watching our backs till morning came.
We headed towards the Eastern outpost at dawn, upon arriving we heard news about a similar incident in another village.There was nothing we could do but watch as things unfold around the empire.
Soon after we were given rooms and assignments to carry out while at the outpost.There wasn't much to do other than have night duty guarding the outpost.It had been four days since I left the Academy and Phoenix had been hounding me,she needed to go back and she needed to go back now
She had promised to leave me if I wasn't up to the task on going back
We made our way back to the Academy on the fifth day
"You're clearly exaggerating all this,we could have waited a couple more days"i said angrily and got no response
She didn't respond to me till we got back to the Academy and she flew off immediately I was on the school grounds .I went to my dorm,showered and got into more comfortable clothes
The weather was cool and it was getting dark before I felt it.
Elara's POV
It's been four days since Rhys left and Thorne had been cranky all week. I We had flight lessons and he was the only Dragon that didn't show up,when questioned about it I got no reply whatsoever
I had missed flight class twice and I still have no idea when Rhys will be back.It was getting quite late and I was already tired from classes today
I decided to skip dinner and try to go to bed.I lay on my bed and felt light headed,stood up from my bed and the room felt brighter and louder.Every thing around me felt intensified
I probably needed some air,I put on a jacket over the short light pink jump suit I had on
It wasn't that late,but most students weren't littered around like they normally did.I was headed towards the gardens when I spotted saw a figure leaned against the walls
My legs moved on their own accord and walked towards him "Oh...You're back"I say standing behind him "Yes"he replied not paying much attention to me
"Are you okay"he asked with his back turned towards me,I wanted to lie but didn't see the point "Not really,I'm not feeling quite like myself right now"I said licking my lips,that were suddenly dry
"It's the Dragons,they get like this every now and again....It'll pass"
The air was tense.I took few steps toward him,keeping my eyes on him and so did he.I lean towards him expecting him to unconsciously move away.But he only watches me curiously.As I draw closer,his eyes widen a little
"Elara"he whispers,I am not sure if it was a warning or not,but the sound of my name escaping his lips sealed it for me.At every moment,I expect him to flinch or pull back as I put one hand on his shoulders,then go up on my toes and kiss him with an utmost certainty
After a moment,his eyes close then he let out a deep rumble before he dips forward to press his lips to mine harder