#threshing

Your best friend and squadmate, Sloane had pushed you to confess your feelings so many times. Almost too many times but you always hesitated. The idea of exposing yourself, of showing Aaric the depth of your feelings, felt like too much.

What if it ruined things? What if it changed your bond forever? You were squadmates. These were the people who you could trust and depend your life on. So would it be worth the risk? A sharp hiss of pain pulls your back from your thoughts, the sound slipping from your lips as you shifted the weight on your injured side. You winced, trying to ignore it considering you had bigger problems to focus on—like dragons to find and bond with, if you were lucky.

Then, the unmistakable sound of a twig snapping behind you caught your attention. You spun around, your hand instinctively reaching for the sword at your side. Your hand trembled as you prepared to fight for your life again.

But it was only Aaric who stepped out from the shadows of the foliage. His beautiful eyes softened when he saw you, and the concern in his gaze made your heart skip a beat. “What happened to you?” His voice was gentle but firm, and before you could even respond, his gaze dropped to the side of your body, where the fresh cut marred your leathers.

“I’m fine,” you said, trying to brush him off, but your voice faltered. “It’s nothing. Just a scratch from a run in with someone. I’ll live,” you insist. You didn’t need him worrying about you. Not when they had bigger things to worry about. Considering even less dragons are bonding this year, the odds weren’t in their favor.

He was at your side in an instant, his hands hovering over your injury before he grabbed your arm, his grip firm but not harsh. His brow furrowed, eyes flashing with something that looked an awful lot like panic.

“Nothing? That’s a gash, not a scratch,” he snapped, his voice sharp with frustration. You winced as he pushed back the edge of your leathers, his touch more forceful than usual, but not unkind.

“It’s not bad,” you insisted, trying to downplay it, but Aaric shot you a glare so fierce it nearly made you flinch more than the pain.

“It’s never ‘not bad’ with you,” he muttered, his fingers working quickly as he assessed the wound. “You always act like you’re fine when you’re not.” The warmth in his voice, the sheer intensity of his concern, sent a strange flutter through your chest.

But before you could even process it, he shook his head and went back to tending your wound, muttering under his breath. You swallowed, the heat rising in your cheeks. “It’s not your fault,” you reassured him, softer this time, but he didn’t look convinced. His focus was locked on you, like nothing else in the world mattered in that moment.

Then, a rustling sound broke through the tension. A low, rumbling growl followed. Your heart stuttered. Aaric stiffened beside you, his hand instinctively reaching for his weapon.

And then from the shadows, the dragon emerged. The moment was interrupted by a sudden rustling, followed by a low growl. Your heart skipped a beat.

From the trees, a massive dragon emerged, its scales shimmering like molten emeralds in the filtered light. Its amber eyes fixed on you.

The dragon puffed out a huff of steam, hitting you from head to toe. Before you could respond, another dragon appeared, slightky larger but no less magnificent. Its sapphire blue scales gleamed in the sunlight as it landed beside Aaric. The two dragons locked eyes with each other before turning back to you and Aaric.

You didn’t know if it was the bond with the dragons or the moment that had shifted everything. And fear gripped you tightly with these two unfriendly powerful beats that could kill you both in seconds.

Before you could stop yourself, the words spilled out. “I’ve had a crush on you for months. I couldn’t tell you before, because I was afraid… I was afraid it would change things.”

Aaric froze, his eyes softening as the silence between you grew. He opened his mouth to say something, but the dragon beside him gave a low, rumbling growl, as if urging him on.

“I… feel the same,” he admitted quietly, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. “I didn’t know how to say it either but I-“

Before you could utter another word, a low growl echoed through the air, a strange pull tugged at your chest. The hairs on your arms stood on end. Goosebumps rising on your skin.

And then, a voice, rich and velvety, echoed in your mind, “I have waited for you, sweet one.”

Your heart raced, the connection undeniable, the bond forming before you could blink. The dragon’s amber eyes fixed on you, and for a moment, everything else—Aaric, the injury, the chaos—faded away as the realization settled. Not only in your mind, but your heart.

A dragon chose you.

Now your focus was just you and the dragon, the one who had chosen you, the one who would stand by your side from this moment forward. The dragon dipped her head toward you, a soft rumble vibrating in her chest.

You blinked, unsure if the words you thought you heard were just in your head.

“I am Niranth. You are my chosen, my rider.” Your breath hitched as the voice echoed inside your mind, smooth and calm, but filled with a weight of ancient wisdom. Nirantha. The name rolled through your thoughts, both foreign and familiar.

“Nirantha?” you asked hesitantly, your voice unsure.

“Yes, sweet one,” Nirantha’s voice was warm, reverberating through your chest like a melody that soothed your racing heart. Her voice like a secure embrace. Firm, solid, but secure. “I have waited years for a rider like you. And now that time has come,”

A shiver ran down your spine at the words, at the rawness of the connection, but also at the comfort it gave. It was as though you had always known Nirantha, as though you had always been destined for each other, even before today.

You slowly reached out a trembling hand, your fingers brushing against her gleaming scales. The warmth of the dragon’s body seeped into your skin, and with it, an overwhelming sense of peace. A Comfort that you hadn’t known you were missing.

You leaned your forehead against the dragon’s side, letting out a breath you didn’t realize you’d been holding.

“You are not alone anymore, sweet one,” Nirantha continued, his voice a gentle reassurance in your mind. “I will protect you, guide you, and fight for you as long as you fight for me,”

A tear slipped down your cheek, but it wasn’t from fear or pain. It was from the overwhelming relief, the sense that a part of you had finally found its home. You weren’t alone anymore.

You took a shaky breath and whispered softly, “Thank you, Nirantha. I don’t know what to say…”

“There is nothing to say, sweet one. Just trust me, as I trust you,” The bond solidified as the dragon leaned down, nuzzling you gently, her massive head lowering to your level. You laughed softly, a shaky sound of disbelief and joy.

And then, just as suddenly, everything faded back to her senses as Aaric stepped closer, his presence breaking the intimacy of the moment.

He cleared his throat awkwardly, looking between you and the dragon. His voice was rough, full of emotions you couldn’t quite read. “You… you’re bonded with her?” Aaric’s question was a whisper, full of awe and something else, something deeper.

His eyes lingered on you, and you saw something you hadn’t before—genuine worry and tenderness.

You nodded, unable to form words as Nirantha’s presence flooded your mind once again, grounding you. You smiled, your heart swelling with gratitude, before you turned to Aaric. “Yes. This is Nirantha.”

“Your mate seems to be pleased,” Nirantha’s voice said with amusement. Your face heated up, as your head snapped towards your newly bonded dragon. And you swear you could see the amusement in her golden eyes.

“What?! No. He’s not-“

“What you admitted beforehand says otherwise,” she mused and you swallowed as you realized it too. You both had confessed your feelings as the two dragons had approached you.

You slowly turned to Aaric, flushing as his gaze was already on your own. Something unreadable in his gaze. You opened and closed your mouth, for once, completely speechless.

But luckily you didn’t have to as he reached up, cupping the back of your neck and tugging you to him to press his full lips onto your own. Your eyes flutter shut as the butterflies erupt in your stomach. Your heart beating concerningly fast.

And you leaned into him, leaned into the kiss. Your arms moving around him and gripping onto his back. The warmth of his lips, his mouth on yours. You realized that you wish you could be there forever. Wrapped in his arms, his mouth on you or your skin forever.

“I rather like this Prince than the other one,” Nirantha’s voice muses fondly and with a bit of amusement.

But that caused you to freeze and pull back from his lips. Your chest rose and fell with breathlessness, your mind suddenly rather foggy and muddled.

Aaric pulled back with a smirk on his beautiful face. “What?” He asked, tilting his head, “I didn’t think I was that good of a kisser to make you pull back,” he said before lowering his head to steal another one.

But you stopped him, placing a hand firmly on his chest. Your heart pounded in your ears, your gaze trailing over him once more—closer now, as if seeing him for the first time.

The way his features fit together so perfectly, the sandy hair that framed his face, but most of all, the piercing green eyes, the eyes you’d adored for months Royal eyes.

You sucked in a breath, realization hitting you like a ton of bricks. “You’re Prince Camlaen…” you breathed out, the words escaping your lips before you could stop them.

As you spoke, Aaric’s expression shifted instantly. His smirk faltered, and there was a flash of defensiveness in his eyes. He stepped back slightly, his posture rigid for the first time since you’d met.

The playfulness from before disappeared, replaced by a flicker of tension in his jaw. And he stared at you. For a long moment. You could see the gears turning in his head as if he was debating something back and forth. And finally he spoke.

“I’m still Aaric,” he said, his voice a bit sharper now, though there was still a trace of softness beneath it, but not denying your claim.

“I’m not some prince in a castle. I’m a rider, just like you. I’m still me. That’s who I am.” He crossed his arms over his chest, a protective stance, his eyes now narrowing slightly as if bracing for your judgment. The weight of his words hung in the air, but there was a quiet intensity to them.

He didn’t want to be seen as anything other than the person you had come to know—the man who had fought beside you, the one who had been there when you needed him, the one who had dreamed of you. Fought every urge to get a taste of you. To be the same guy you smiled at so sweetly.

You stood still, heart pounding in your chest, but as you looked into his eyes, you could see the vulnerability buried beneath his defensiveness. The prince title may have been his birthright, but Aaric—the man in front of you—was still the same person you had cared for all this time.

Taking a steadying breath, you placed your hand gently on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath your palm. “I know who you are,” you said softly, your voice calm but unwavering.

“Aaric, you’re still the same person I’ve been falling for all this time. Nothing changes that. And if you tell me this is who you are—who you want to be? That’s all I need…” Aaric’s posture seemed to relax slightly at your words, his shoulders softening as his gaze met yours.

He let out a breath he seemed to have been holding, the defensiveness fading slowly, replaced by something far more tender. “Good,” he murmured, his voice low and sincere.

“Aren’t you busy with your ‘wingleader’ stuff” I asked

“I finished it as soon as I can and came here” he said and waled into the mat, not sparing a glance at Garrick which was very weird

Garrick cleared his throat bringing my attention back to him “we could finish the match?” I asked softly to which he shook his head and smiled at me “you both can spar I uhh.. have some work to do” he said and gave me a quick hug before getting out of the gym

I didn’t say anything to Xaden, I turned my back to him to face Ryan “You can rest now Ryan” I said smiling

“Thank you for helping me Y/n” he said smiling back, he nodded at Xaden once and went out of the Gym too

“Why are you all pissy today?” I asked Xaden as I turned towards him

He shook his head “nothing” he pulled me close by my waist, my eyes widened at this gesture as my cheeks reddened instantly “what are you doing?” I asked blushing keeping my gaze downwards

He gripped my chin and made me look up at him “when I saw Garrick on top of you something snapped in me, I thought for a second you both were doing something else that’s why I shouted” he confessed

This got me confused “doing what?” I asked as my brows furrow together as I place my hands on his chest

He chuckled softly bending down to give me a kiss causing me to gasp, I kissed him back instantly as I clenched his uniform. He pulled back as I gasped for air “I thought you both were doing what we” he gestured between us “should be the ones doing” my cheeks reddened even more realising what he was trying to say

“Xaden you are an idiot!” I said laughing now as I playfully slapped his chest “why would I do that with him?” I asked with an eyebrow raise

He cleared his throat trying to come up with an excuse on why he thought that but changed the topic instead “I heard from Liam you managed to beat him in terms of time in the Gauntlet”

I nodded my head “I made sure to make my time two seconds lesser than his” I giggled “was he pissed?”

“Nope he was amused actually” he laughed with me “told me I had a great humorous gir-“ he cut himself off

“Huh?” I asked wanting him to continue his sentence

“Nothing” he shook his head

I didn’t think of it much as I changed the subject “You know if you hadn’t interrupted me and Garrick I would have kicked his ass!” I told him as he blinked his eyes

“You have the whole year to challenge him and kick his ass” he smirked which made me roll my eyes “Of course I know that Xaden” I kissed his cheek

You talked some more in the Gym before Xaden had to go to complete his duties, he made sure to drop you off outside your bunk and left

-

The day of the presentation

Me and the other cadets are standing in a line as the dragons look down at us. They are enormous and the most magnificent creatures out there. Their colors are so bright and they stand tall proud of themselves as they look down at us.

As we were moving forward I felt a hand grab mine, I was about to turn around and punch the person as I know its not Ridoc (who usually always holds my hand) as he’s standing in front of me when I heard a whisper “Please let me hold your hand” my breath caught in my throat as I nodded my head

Violet gripped my hand tightly as she whispered a small “thank you” under her breath

I was looking at all the dragons making sure not to make eye contact with them or do anything to piss them off. I felt Violet’s grip on my hand tighten from time to time. While looking something caught my eye ‘that’s a whole ass dragon’ I thought as I observed it feeling the world around me fade in the background

The dragon was invisible almost unless you focus on it you won’t be able to see it. Its wings.. it had four wings clearly the largest dragon I have ever seen. Maybe the largest dragon in the whole continent? World? Maybe. The question is how the hell has no one ever seen this dragon. There was a huge possibility that the dragon was hiding maybe choosing from a distance. I felt its golden eyes on me and it felt like I was right in front of the dragon.

A gasp left my lips unconsciously as I observed the dragon and I almost took a step towards it

“Y/n!” I heard someone yell as I was yanked backwards. I blinked my eyes as I looked around, my squad mates were near me we were almost huddled together

“What happened?” Violet asked, she was now half hugging my hand

“Nothing” I whispered, making sure my voice was stable “Nothing” I repeated a little louder “Let’s keep moving forward” they were unsure but nodded their head. Sawyer gave me a side hug before moving forward

After the presentation me and my squad sat at our table during dinner we were all minding our business eating happily just occasional jokes from Ridoc when I decided to break the silence

“umm… Did you guys feel any type of connection with any of the dragons today?” I asked looking at all of them

They hadn’t mentioned about me going into a ‘trance’ during presentation and I hadn’t brought it up till now. They know when not to speak about stuff and they know me very well

“No” Rhiannon said “Did you?”

I bit my lips and looked around the table. They had moved closer and were very curious about my answer

“Kinda” I said as I shrugged my shoulders, I didn’t give them any more information other than that

They nodded their head “I am happy for you” Sawyer said from beside me, when I looked at him he was smiling “Thank you” I smiled back he gave me a side hug which I was glad for as I leaned closer to him feeling warmth in my chest

I looked around the table as the conversations continued ‘these are MY people’ I thought smiling even if that included my sister. I know if we had a serious conversation we can make it work and be sisters as we used to be before everything went downhill

After dinner Violet pulled me aside “Can you promise me something?” she asked her voice barely a whisper as though she was hesitant to ask me

“Yeah.. what is it?” I asked folding my arms

“After threshing if I- we survive and when we get our own room can you sleep in mine… just for one night” she said which made me bite my lips

“Why?”

“I want to talk.. you know TALK” she emphasized ‘talk’ to make me understand what she meant and of course I got to know what she meant

“Okay” I nodded my head “I will”

She smiled and hugged me tightly making me smile too as I returned the hug

-

The Threshing

I am alone in this dense forest. It was my scheme actually if I see humans I will hide if I see a dragon who is angry I will hide. ‘I don’t want drama’s today’ that was my thought for threshing and I wasn’t even in the mood to kill too so I hide whenever I saw any of my batchmate

I was walking while looking around making sure I wasn’t caught by anyone when I tripped “Fuck” I cursed out as I stood up to see what made me trip

Was it a branch? No what the FUCK that’s a whole FUCKING TAIL!!!

I was freaking out when ‘Why do you humans overthink?’ I heard a male voice in my head as I gasped and looked up

“Wait.. what?” I was confused “You are the dragon I saw yesterday” I was in awe when I saw him stand to his full height

‘Yes I am and you are the first human to see me’ he said almost proudly

“I thought I was hallucinating at first” I said

‘Of course you did’ he said and if a dragon could roll its eyes then this dragon definitely did it

I was about to say something when I heard a dragon roar in a distance as Sgaeyl flew probably with Xaden and minutes later a black dragon flew followed by the gold feathertail. ‘Is this dragon bigger and stronger than the black one?’ I thought

‘Yes I am’ he said now proudly ‘I am the rarest of the dragons out there, you should know that by seeing these’ he gestured to his four wings making me smile

“Of course.. but why are you talking to me?” I asked confused ‘he can read my mind?’ I thought to myself almost testing him

He made the eye roll gesture again ‘You human are going to be my rider, my first ever rider you should be honoured Y/n Sorrengail. Now climb on my back and yes I can read your thoughts’

For a minute I couldn’t comprehend the information the largest and the strongest dragon wants me to be his rider?

‘Yes now hurry up Worthy one’ he said as I climbed on his back hurriedly ‘My name is Aurevynth son of Poseirax. You can call me Vin’ he said

“Okay” I nodded my head

As soon as we reached the flight field I made eye contact with my mother who was on the dais as everyone still and looked at the dragon now mine in shock. No one has ever seen a dragon with four wings or this large before which made me smirk

‘I believe you know what to do from here’ Vin said as I dismounted

No one said a word till I cleared my throat “Y/n Sorrengail state the name of your dragon for the record” the roll keeper said

“Aurevynth” I said proudly as I looked around making sure to burn all the people’s reaction in my head, but I was more focused on finding someone

‘I am sorry to tell you this worthy one but the shadow you are looking for is with your sister’ Vin said as I looked back at him with my eyes wide ‘you can speak in your head worthy one’ that part was something I already learnt

‘Why?’ I asked looking at him

‘Sgaeyl and Tairn- your sisters dragon are mates which means the four of their lives are connected’ he said as I felt my world fall apart

‘Xaden and Violet are going to be depended on one another now… what will happen to me? To us?’ I thought to myself as I started thinking about all the times with Xaden, my first kiss, our late night conversations, training together

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