The General's Daughter

Confrontations and the Truth

Chapter 8

Confrontation and Truth

Xaden and Bodhi were heading back to the school. Both were talking in hushed voices. Xaden sees Alex walking between two tents. Bodhi opens his mouth when a hand comes out and grabs Alex and pulls her away. Xaden and Bodhi share looks.

Alex grunted as she is pulled. She had gone looking for her father after Cadets cleared and the dragons headed back to the Vale. Alex ripped her arm free from her father's hold. Alex looked up at the angry face of her father.

"What the hell were you thinking? Bonding with a dragon that use to be your Great Grandfather's." Melgren nearly spat. Alex moved out of his striking distance.

"What was I thinking? What the fuck were you thinking?" Alex snapped. Melgren looked at her. "You fucking hired cadets to kill me! And don't deny it, because one told me before Azar burned him to a crisp." Rage filled Melgren's eyes.

"They should have. You shouldn't be bonded to a dragon that's former rider is family to you." Melgren said. Alex crossed her arms.

"So, you were never told that he chose me right after I was born to be his next rider." Alex said. There was a look of surprise in Melgren's eyes. "Guess Grandpa and Great Grandpa don't tell you everything."

"You are at risk..." Melgren growled.

"Of having two signets. I know. So what. Maybe I wouldn't mind it. Azar chose me and dragons don't make mistakes." Alex said.

"You always been a spoiled, ungrateful child. I should of killed you when you were born." Melgren said.

"Really. You tried to kill me when I found out a secret you want keep hidden. I still bear the scar that..."

Xaden had to grab Bodhi as Melgren backhanded Alex in the face, hard. Alex's head turned and she felt tears form.

"Don't. You attack him and he'll kill you on the spot." Xaden hissed at Bodhi. Bodhi felt rage build up in him as Xaden held his shirt, but Bodhi knew he was right. Alex check stung.

'Green Eyes. I will burn him to a crisp.' Azar growled in her head.

'Do that and you will be executed for treason. Stay where you are.' Alex said. Alex started laughing.

"You made a mistake, father." Alex said. Melgren looked at her. Alex looked at him with pure hatred in her eyes. "You sent me to the Rider Quadrant hoping the Rider Quadrent would kill me when you couldn't. And I hope to the Gods. That I get a signet that is strong so I can prove you wrong. You never controlled me and you never will. Try killing me, and I come back stronger. I just keep proving you wrong and still will."

Alex turned on her heal and stormed off with Melgren standing there, fuming.

"I now want to know what she's hiding." Xaden said.

"Xaden. Let me go find her." Bodhi asked.

"Long as you go to her and not attack her father." Xaden said. Bodhi nodded. "Then bring her to my room." Bodhi ran after Alex.

Alex stood in her new room. She had disappeared and hadn't seen Bodhi. Alex check still stung from the backhand. Alex whiped the tears from her eyes.

"Green Eyes. Look at your relic. It might make you smile.' Azar said in her head. Alex pulled off the vest that held her daggers. A knock on the door came.

"Come in." Alex called as she went up to the mirror. Bodhi entered as she grabbed her shirt.

"What are you doing?" Bodhi asked.

"Seeing my relic." Alex said, turning in the mirror as she pulled off her shirt leaving her bra on. Bodhi comes towards her. Alex turned in the mirror and her eyes widen. Even Bodhi looked shocked. The head of the dragon was on her neck as the body runs down her arm to her elbow. One wing wraps right around her chest under her collarbone and the other around her shoulderblade in the back as the tail wraps around her back above her butt.

"That is impressive." Bodhi said, wrapping his arms around her from behind and kisses her shoulder.

'A little possesive, are we?' Alex asked her dragon. Azar huffs.

'You are my rider.' Azar said. Alex turned and looked up at Bodhi. Bodhi had almost a look of worry on his face.

"I saw you and your father's fight." Bodhi said. Alex looked away. "Lex." Bodhi grabs her chin and makes her look at him. "You don't deserve how he treats you. You have shown you are going to be the best dragon riders along with your friends." Alex wrapped her arms around Bodhi and hugged him. Bodhi wrapped his arms around her and hugged her, pressing a kiss to her head.

"I just hate trying to prove him wrong and getting no result. I'm just gonna keep doing it but for myself." Alex said.

"Good. Now we are going to go talk to Xaden." Bodhi said. Alex looked at him. "He saw what your father did also." Alex sighed and grabbed her shirt and put it on. Bodhi opened the door and the two step out. Bodhi took her hand and walked with her towards Riorson's room. Xaden was waiting for them in his room, sitting in his chair. Bodhi closed the door.

"You alright, Melgren?" Xaden asked.

"Just Alex. You don't need to call me by my last name when we are off." Alex said. Xaden nodded. "I'm fine. It's nothing worse I suffered under my father's hand." Alex felt the scar tingle and flinch.

"The scar?" Xaden asked. Alex looked at him in shock. "Bodhi has told me about it and I've seen it when you sparred. Your father gave it to you." It wasn't a question.

'You can trust him.' Azar said.

"He gave it to me. Almost killed me." Alex said, picking at the tips of her fingers as she looked away.

"Why? You are one of the few first years that are the best." Alex looked up in shock at Xaden's comment. There was no anger in his eyes, no hate for who her father was, there was concern. "Why would your father give you that scar that almost looks like it didn't heal well." Alex shifted where she stand. "This will only stay between us. It won't leave the room."

"Before I answer you. Can I ask a question?" Alex asked.

"Go ahead." Bodhi said. Alex looked at Xaden.

"Was my grandfather a spy for your father?" Alex asked.

"He was. And a damn good one. He told Fen that he wanted you left out of it till you were ready." Xaden said. Alex felt her heart break. "I take it your father found out."

"He did. I knew something was wrong when his dragon dropped dead. I ran out and found my father standing over my grandfathers body holding a knife few days after your families were executed. I guess he didn't want to disgrace our name." Alex said.

"Your grandfather was a good man. Now. What about my question?" Xaden said. Alex knew if her grandfather would want her to tell Xaden and Bodhi. Alex looked at Xaden. Bodhi was standing right behind him.

"I was listening to meeting lately, after Grandfather died. I wanted to know what was going on out there. I heard of an attack outside our borders. Something that I shouldn't and father caught me and took a sword and slashed hard and deep down my back." Bodhi flinched at her word. "He refused for me to be seen by a mender. My aunt had to do the best she could to help me heal."

"Did you hear who the attack was from?" Xaden asked. Alex looked at Xaden, straight in the eyes.

"It was an attack from Venin." Alex said. Silence filled the room.

AN: And I'll leave you there. Oh boy. Till next time.