Zyre landed on the grounds of the Senior Wing before Gwen hopped off his back. Their conversation had sent her mind in a whirl and she couldn't think straight.
The area had been cleared of cadets and fire breathers. However, she could glimpse four dragons with their heads high and sizes larger than the average dragons.
In front of each dragon was a masculine figure in military uniform, except the one on the far left. That was Thorndyke in his Academy uniform; a dark blue tunic with matching pants and a star badge on his shoulder.
Their eyes locked and he gave her a smirk. It was funny how easily he could piss off every atom in her body just by a mere expression.
God, she hated that guy.
The very moment, he and the three men stepped forward. The taller one with platinum gold hair spoke first,
"Gwendolyn Evegheden. It has come to our knowledge that you have manifested the sacred Void stone." Zyre grumbled at the tone and Gwen had a feeling that these guys weren't here to congratulate her. "Although we are unable to comprehend the sudden turn of events, we are content with the return of both the stone and the Legendary Starshade." He bowed before Zyre.
"And?" The man paused, and Thorndyke narrowed his eyes at her tone, but she couldn't care less. She was tired, and the simmering rage flowing through the bond was fuel to her uneasiness.
"And," another middle-aged man with night-dark hair and brilliant green eyes stepped towards her, "you have already been admitted to the Alarys Military Academy since you have survived to bond. The stone you are bearing holds many times more energy than any of the other stones. Hence, to manage it would mean burning yourself out. We are willing to aid in controlling the abilities of your stone, along with the gifts of the Monarch."
Gwen didn't know why but that seemed more like an order than an offer. But it was what she always wanted, right? To make her father proud, she had to survive the academy. Now, with a Void stone and a dragon, she had the perfect opportunity to do it.
So why was she feeling so off about it?
By the looks of it, these guys seemed to be in high ranks of the military, so if they personally came to offer her something like especially tutoring her into controlling her powers, it must be a great deal. She glanced at Zyre, and it seemed like he was suspicious as well.
"If I don't accept it, they will kill me," she thought through the bond.
"They can try," He grumbled back, "Accept it if you must, but you have to stay guarded under all circumstances. Especially around that boy."
Zyre glared at Thorndyke who just returned a bored stare, annoying the dragon even further.
"Trust me, all I want is to stay away from him," she made a face at Thorndyke who narrowed his eyes at her.
Before she turned towards the middle-aged man, she glimpsed a hint of panic on his face. She pondered on it for a second before shrugging it off like an unwanted detail. If he was trying to threaten her again, then he could wallow in self-pity for all she cared.
"Alright," she took a deep breath. God, she was tired.
"You agree?" he raised his eyebrows at her.
"Yes, you are right. Controlling my stone would be a hassle for me alone and I would probably drain myself through all of it. Your offer seems like the wisest thing for me right now." Edward had expertly taught her the art of sugarcoating. She promised herself to buy him the Wanockan leathers he always talked about when she got home.
"It's perfect then," he pulled his lips into a smile that looked more predatory than charming as he continued, "Captain Thorndyke."
"Yes, General."
"Do ensure that the Head Janitor takes care of all the necessities to shift her to a dorm."
"I will look into it, General," he looked at Gwen with an expression she couldn't decipher.
"General Sylveryon," he turned to the third brown-haired man who had been silent throughout the exchange, "I and Governor Stryker need to handle some matters of the Keepers." A silent exchange occurred between them before the third man clenched his jaw and nodded.
Wait a jiffy...
Did he just say, Governor Stryker?
Gwen gaped as the two men departed through the corridor. She was talking to the three of the five Ruling Governor Generals of Kruvarys and she dared to be all moody to them?
They owned these lands and they owned her.
Zyre rolled his eyes, "Oh, please. Have you humans never heard of individual rights?"
"We are not dragons," she said through the bond before General Sylveryon began speaking.
"Damian."
"Yes, Uncle?" his tone, his demeanour, his words; everything altered as he looked at him— or looked up to him would be the right words.
Gwen figured that the middle-aged, dark-haired man who just left was Governor General Thorndyke since he resembled Damian. His behaviour in the presence of his father was completely different from his current relaxed posture as he talked to General Sylveryon.
"See to it that the Head Janitor takes care of Cadet Evegheden's necessities."
"Sure, Uncle."
General Sylveryon looked at her, "You will need a new dorm room as well. Do you have someone you would prefer to share it with?"
She thought about Rose, but she wasn't sure if Rose would want to share a room with her. She may have made new friends in the Academy, and may not appreciate it if Gwen tried to ruin any of her friendships by forcing them together.
Ignoring Zyre's scoff, Gwen shook her head, "I don't."
He nodded before turning back to Thorndyke, "We will shift her with Cadet Nightingale, then."
Thorndyke frowned but managed a nod.
Gwen couldn't care who this Nightingale was. All she wanted was to sleep at the moment. From the looks of it, Zyre seemed tired too. She noticed how his wings were drooping, and his neck was threatening to lower down in a bow.
It seemed that he heard her because he straightened and narrowed his eyes at her, "I do not bow to anyone."
She replied with a yawn.
"One more thing," General Sylveryon continued but she was so done with today, "Cadet Evegheden will be under the Drakona House."
Gwen whipped her head towards him so hard that she thought it would fall off. Drakona House? But that was for the second year! Gwen was in her first year so she was supposed to be in Krugor House. Not the Drakona House.
"But, isn't that for the senior year?" Thorndyke looked as surprised as Gwen due to the sudden reveal.
"The first year is the foundation year, and Gwen needs extra training for her management. From the looks of it, she doesn't need the the Psychology of Fire Breathers, and the Bonding Mechanisms since she seems to have a strong bond with her dragon. That leaves us with Combat, Stone Management, flying lessons and Catalysis of Legendary Gifts. She can do those side by side while continuing her classes with the senior year."
"And how does that make sense, if I may ask?" Thorndyke gritted out, probably angry that he would have to deal with Gwen in the same class as his. Jokes on him, she wasn't so excited about the idea either.
"It does make sense, Damian. Because she will be under your supervision from now on," General Sylveryon turned to leave after sowing the seed of dread in Gwen's stomach.
Under his supervision?
This man who pissed her off to such an extent that she slammed him with her mop stick?
This gorgeous cocky asshole of a guy whose lips she wanted to rip out whenever he gave her that taunting smirk of his?
This guy who sent wicked sensations through her body just by a mere stare?
This guy?
Zyre scoffed, "You need to learn to block me out when having such abominable thoughts."
The next words of Thorndyke were an unwanted addition to her unease.
"Because I am the Captain of Drakona House?" a muscle feathered in his jaw.
The Governor General turned his head to look at Thorndyke, his eyes softening.
"Because you are the last hope," he smiled before turning again, leaving for good this time.
Something in Thorndyke's demeanour changed and he sighed.
"I don't need your help in anything," she barked out before he could say anything.
To her surprise, he laughed. The sound clipped and dripped with sarcasm as he turned to her, "You think you have a choice?"
"I—"
"You think that we—" he gestured to the space between them, "—have a choice?"
She didn't know what to say to that.
"No one has a choice in this place. They have our lives in the palm of their hands," she didn't know what he meant by 'they' and she didn't ask, even though she wanted to.
"I can't be bound to you for a year!" she stomped her feet on the ground, frustrated.
"Too bad, little venom," his eyes darkened and she gritted her teeth at the nickname, "because you might as well be stuck with me for the rest of your life."
He clenched his jaw before turning to leave.
She couldn't believe the audacity of this man. But most of all, she couldn't believe herself for not talking back at him.
She didn't know what he meant by being stuck with her forever. She didn't want to know because she didn't believe him.
There was no way for it to happen.
Gwen felt like she was climbing up Mount Percival once again.