Category: Fiction

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN “Halden!” I rush to kneel by his side, and the shadow evaporates like it was never there. “Are you all right?” “My prince!” Anna jumps to the cobblestone, panic filling her eyes, as his second guard joins her. “Oh, Halden, are you…” Not just his guard? My eyebrows rise as I glance at her

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN “Thadeus Netien,” Captain Fitzgibbons reads from the dais the next morning, his voice carrying over the formation in the snow-packed courtyard as he holds the death roll in front of him. “Nadia Aksel. Karessa Tomney.” Hearing the names of every member in active service who has died the previous day takes longer than

CHAPTER SIXTEEN “Arrogant, are we?” His flash of an undeniable smile is there and gone before I can fully succumb to its knee-wobbling effect. “Let’s see how you do in the dark.” Shadows fill the mat and devour every ounce of sunlight, leaving me in complete and total darkness in every direction I look. Challenge

CHAPTER FIFTEEN By the time it’s our squad’s turn to descend the stone steps of the Infantry Quadrant’s outdoor amphitheater on Friday, it’s been another four days since I’ve seen Xaden, and he keeps his shields up so frequently that we may as well just start writing letters again. Carved into a northern ridgeline just

CHAPTER FOURTEEN “Absolutely not,” Xaden responds before Kaori leads him away, but there’s a slight roaring in my ears as Devera goes over the changes to our academic schedule and how we’ll be paired for Xaden’s new class, which she labels Signet Sparring. We’re dismissed a few minutes later. I’m fine. This is fine. I’ll think about

CHAPTER THIRTEEN “What?” Rhiannon shrugs and pushes off the wall. “We didn’t tag along while Violet played inquisitor. We respect boundaries.” “Do you even have boundaries with one another?” Imogen shoots a look at the three of them. “If you’re all going with her, then I’ll excuse myself from what I’m sure will be a fascinating trip

CHAPTER TWELVE Oh. Oh. I part my lips, and he consumes my world. He kisses me hard and deep, takes my mouth like this might be the only time he can. It’s that note of desperation, the graze of his teeth along my lower lip that has my hands flying to his hair. I push my fingers

CHAPTER ELEVEN “Irid?” I blink and fight like hell to keep my face blank. “Yes, your irid.” Theophanie surveys the sky, then the landscape behind us as Garrick staggers to his feet, sword in hand. “Some do not believe, but I knew as soon as the cream-robed scholars whispered about the seventh breed in your

Weather is the one great equalizer in battle, equally detrimental or favorable to both sides given the conditions. Without our wielders swaying that element to our advantage, we are at its mercy. —Tactics, a Modern Guide to Aerial Combat by Major Constance Cara Forty minutes later, the sun disappears as Tairn and I drop between

Calling cadets into active service in times of war may only be authorized by the Commanding General of Basgiath. —Article Eight, Section OneThe Dragon Rider’s Codex Twenty-two hours later, the six of us report to Lieutenant Colonel Degrensi in Samara’s courtyard, bleary-eyed and swaying with bone-deep tiredness. We’re not the only ones exhausted. The lieutenant