*＊✿❀Tacenda❀✿＊* DISCONTINUED

14

"I feel like you're the only one who isn't surprised," Imogen says as we stand in the courtyard after formation the next morning.

"We're the strongest squad. They're the strongest drift. I don't know how the rest of you are surprised." I shrug, glancing over at Cat's drift, who all seem to be turning various shades of purple and green from yesterday's challenges.

Same goes for our squad.

"Here we go." Lana hands six of us familiar green patches.

"Do we really have to give them these?" Ridoc's lip curls at the patch we worked our asses off for, the patch the first-years fought to hold on to.

"Yes," Lana chides. "It's the right thing to do. As of this moment, they're part of our squad, whether we like it or not."

"I choose to not," Sloane remarks.

Laughing, I run my thumb over the patch.

"I'll take one to Cat,"  Lana says quietly. "You don't have to—"

"I've got it." I give her what I hope is a reassuring smile. "Let's do this."

"Let's do this," she repeats. "Second squad, time to move."

We cross the frost-covered courtyard together, and I tap the dagger at my left hip, making sure it's right where I left it.

Xaden loves me. He chose me. I will be the most powerful rider of my generation.

Cat only has the power I choose to give her, with or without my dagger.

The six fliers tense as we approach.

"I think they've chosen to not as well," Sloane mutters to Aaric.

Cat narrows her eyes on Sloane, and I step between them, offering Cat the patch. "Welcome to Second Squad, Flame Section, Fourth Wing, also known as the Iron Squad."

Similar greetings are given around us, but I keep my eyes locked on Cat as she stares at the patch like it might bite her. "Take the patch."

"What are we supposed to do with them?"

"We sew them onto our uniforms," Ridoc answers from beside me, making a back-and-forth motion with his hand to simulate pulling a needle through his uniform—as though explaining a patch to children.

"Why...?" Her gaze sweeps over us, catching on the different patches like she's never noticed them before.

I point to my collarbone. "Rank." Then my shoulder. "Wing. Iron Squad. Signet. Patches are earned, not given. Riders, and fliers now, choose whatever location they want for every patch besides wing and rank, none of which are worn on flight leathers, which is probably why you never saw Xaden wearing them. He generally abhors patches." 

There. That wasn't so bad. I can be civil.

"I knew that." She snatches the patch out of my hand. "I've known him for years."

Lana  lifts a brow from my other side.

I note the twinge of jealousy that she's been privy to parts of his life that I haven't, but there's no rage, no sour jolt of insecurity, and no self-loathing. I fucking love my daggers for a whole new reason.

Her eyes widen slightly as if she senses that she can't touch me, then narrow into malicious slits. Civility is definitely not on her agenda.

"Like I said." I offer her a bright smile. "Welcome to the quadrant's only Iron Squad." Pivoting, I hook my arm through Lana's, and we start to walk away with the rest of the riders in our newly enlarged squad.