When It Reigns (Cursed Reigns, #1)

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

AERYN'S POV

The torches dimmed and I spun back around in my seat with my face hot and my palms sweating in the gloves. More students and families had filed into the room at a quick succession and Emperor Nepheus took the stage, hand glowing red as the small fires intensified and a hush descended among the Draconians.

My father's inky, satin robe floated around him, and his obsidian crown with the silver, blue, red, and yellow gemstones of his Elemental Forces gleamed on his head. The hair on his temples was graying, but the rest of the shoulder length locks were a healthy dark brown like mine. His glacial eyes scoured the room as he swept his gaze toward each student, hesitating on me for an extra second prior to moving on to the next pupil beside me.

Taking his place at the podium with his staff grasped in a hand, his regal voice boomed over the audience as he greeted, "Welcome graduates and families. As you are all aware, we have pushed graduation one semester early. The war is hitting us hard, and we are losing Draconians across all Traeveria, from the Voltant Isles to our Wrexial Mountains and everywhere in between. Thus, we must trust in our new graduates to fill in the Duties of those who have fallen before them."

My knee bounced in apprehension as I listened to the emperor's speech.

"Armaeda will be returned and her essence will save and rejuvenate us all. The dragons' essences protecting our empire is failing without hers. Demon attacks within our walls are becoming more frequent as we continue to wage this war. You will be the generation to change the tides of this war and bring her back. Congratulations are due for this class. The skills, competencies, knowledge, and motivation each of you possess are remarkable and will contribute to your success in the Duty you are given. With that said, let's begin Duty assignments."

Talyse Washburne stood, taking my father's place at the podium. Adjusting the microphone, she lowered it to her shorter stature and looked out over the audience. Her strawberry blonde hair was secured at the nape of her neck in a severe bun that seemed to make her features even sharper, and she wore the sophisticated navy blue and orange blazer of the Consul.

I shivered at the resemblance she shared with her son and wondered how she was coping with Bastion being a demon. Bastion had never mentioned anything about his father, and I assumed it was due to the fact he'd never met the man before. It only made sense that Talyse had unknowingly had a child with a demon. Even Bastion had kept his real identity a secret, so it wasn't hard to imagine a demon using the powers of darkness to hide their true self and seduce Talyse.

"I will announce those of you who will be Consul members one by one. You are to join me on stage as your name flashes on the screen. I will place this sash around your neck," Talyse explained, holding up the orange garment, "and you will be inducted into our prestigious membership. Once I have listed every new Consul member, you will say the oath with me. We will begin orientation immediately afterwards."

Talyse listed off the pupils being initiated into the Consul, then had them repeat the pledge after her. When she concluded the ritual, Talyse led her new inductees off the stage and exited the room to initiate their orientation.

The ritualistic protocols for each of the other Duties were run the same way. I mentally added Bastion's name to the Consul, Misty's to the scouts, Penn's to the apothecaries, and Racquel's with the medics. Once each Duty had departed with their new members, only a select portion of the class were left still seated.

The top fifteen percent who had been selected into the Elemental Force sat around me.

Emperor Nepheus took the stand and spoke. "The remainder of you represent the top fifteen percent of your class in intelligence, military strategy, combat, flight, competence, aptitude, and power. The Elemental Force will be replenished with your vigor and adept abilities. We will begin with our Force that engages in the front lines of the war and accepts only the strongest and most fearless among you into the rigorous section, the Fire Force. Following that sector, our Ice Force will invite those of you with the tenacity and unwavering resilience required to fight on land and sea. The Wind Force accepts the best flyers and proficient dragon riders among you, and our Stone Force is made up of the most clever and astute Draconians fit to strategize and plan our battle moves."