[Xaden x Y/n] Love on the Parapet

Chapter 8

6 years ago

Xaden's pov
I rush through the ruins, the others following behind me. In the distance I spot a tent of officers mending the injured of their own from the battle.

'Xaden, no!' Garrick whispers, reaching for my arm but I ignore him, running toward them with Y/n in my arms.

'They will kill her!' I feel Imogen drag me back, but I bite my lips, pushing her aside to Liam. 'Xaden!' I hear her sob as I run over to the menders surrounded by officers. They raise their weapons as I near them, them eyeing us as if we are monsters.

'Please.' I breathe, the officers grimacing at Y/n in my arms. I stare at them m, my heartbeat thudding in my ears as I step backwards from them just enough to run off if they attack.

'Get them all to the interrogation tent.' One of them says, the others marching on us. Imogen yelps behind me, Garrick pulling her back and eyeing me wearily.

'She's dying, please. Please just save her and I'll do anything you ask me to do.' I beg them as I feel Y/n's breathing slow down, each laboured breath weighing on me.

'What are you waiting for?' The officer yells again, and the others march toward us, knives raised. I pull Y/n closer to me and strain my arms to support her body as they yank at my arm.

'Xaden!' Liam screams as the officers grabs him and Bodhi, dragging them by their already ragged collars. I whip around to the officer holding my arms, his disgusted gaze fixed on Y/n. Imogen screams as another of them grab her hair, her feet getting scratched over the ruins from him dragging her.

They'll all die. Because of me.

'Stop!' I look up, a lady with pale skin and blonde hair walking out from the camp. Her eyes glint like a blade, cold and ruthless as her icy gaze laces over the officers. I glare back as her gaze finds mine, and I cradle Y/n tighter as if to shield her from the woman looking at her.

'General Sorrengail.' The officer says, and she only glances at her before making way for her to walk over to me.

'Mend her.' She orders and I swallow, the officers protesting although a cold glare from her shuts them up.

'And you said... you would do anything I ask to save the girl? Even if it wanes you down?' She says lowly, her cold blue eyes gazing into mine.

'If you promise to let everyone else live too.' I demand, trying to mask my terror as Y/n's pulse weakens further against me. The woman narrows her eyes at me, nodding once before turning to the officers.

'Mend the girl. And once it's done, take the boy to the interrogation chamber. I will be personally be interrogating him.'

Present

Y/n's pov

'You know, one of the second year's been sneaking food after hours for a week?' Liam says from behind you as the entire first year, or at least those of you who survived, walk down the path in front of the dragons. You lower your head to avoid their eyes, a green daggertail huffing a hot air out.

'Do the dragons also judge what we talk about?' You ask, Liam snorting.

'Not sure. I'm not one of them.' He replies, and you make sure to wait a step for Violet in front of you to keep your distance from her. You are sure that she will get blasted by one of the dragons today and you did not plan on getting torched together when you kissed Xaden good morning just minutes ago. You frown at her muttering random facts to herself, putting a good distance away from her.

'Gods, will you be quiet? Your voice is ringing in my head.' You say as she goes on about the text in the Archives for the fifth time, Jack Barlowe joining in on your comment.

'Won't have to hear her for long, she'll die in minutes. Better watch your step, L/n.' He says, winking at you from two cadets ahead.

'Shut your filthy face, Barlowe.' You snap, his group of friends "woo"ing at that. 'You'd better stay where you are Sorrengail. Either the dragon blasts your head off or I do.'

For her mother for torturing Xaden. Just for wanting to save you, and other innocent people.

'I'm not going to die today, Y/n. Remember? We are pretty much alike, from the last time I know you. I'm just as capable as you are.' Violet chimes in, and you feel the heat rise to your face from her comment about the Gauntlet. The others laugh, her group of friends smirking at her snide comeback.

'If you imply I'm as weak as you one more time-' you almost charge at her, but hold your place as you hear a scream from behind. One more name on the death roll. You shudder at the thought, keeping your head down.

Xaden's pov

I squeeze Y/n in my arms as she rushes forward in the hall. Usually the relationships would be happening behind doors, especially if between a first year and a third year, but it had been clear about us with the others even before Y/n crossed the parapet. I spin her, laughing in relief hearing her live heartbeat, seeing her having made through the Presentation.

Of course she had. I remind myself that I am a fool for worrying, not that I had doubted her for a second either. Only the best had trained her.

Me. And her father before he died.

And her natural strength.

Just no way she'd fail her year.

I lower her feet down to the ground, watching her eyes gleam in pride.

'I think I did well. Although I almost lost my cool with Sorrengail.' She says as I intertwine my fingers through hers, making our way through the battle brief.

'Did she provoke you? Told something to her mother?' I feel my gut twist for a second, but she only giggles, shaking her head.

'She giggles. Like a girl.' Garrick says as he slips in front of us walking the hallway, and Y/n immediately bares her teeth, landing a kick to his ass. Garrick yells, earning a snort from Imogen glancing between them with a smirk.

Giggles.
Her giggles.

I feel my ears perk up naturally at the sound, since I know that we are the only ones who get to hear them.

'Good work, Y/n. Keep it up to Threshing.' She says, entering the hall.

I smile back at Y/n, listening to her telling me the different dragons she eyed during the Presentation.

The six of us.

Together.

Violet's pov

I glance at Y/n and Riorson, the terror of the two looking like a normal couple as they enter the classroom.

'So they can be civil?' Ridoc jokes from next to me, before he eyes me. 'Wanna switch?' He offers, noticing that the only seat left in our squad is next to mine. For Y/n to sit.

Before I can consider, Y/n's smile gets wiped off as she sees me as well. She simply sighs deeply in the most condescending manner, raising her brows at me before slamming her pen and paper down on the surface.

'Gods, she's cute, but insufferable.' Ridoc says to my ear as Y/n flops down next to me. I knew that the marked ones would hate me, for what my mother did, but I really could not piece together why her hatred is even more intense for me. I even kept their secret, which makes me a traitor too, no?

Before I can think further, Professor Devera enters, the silence coming over the hall.

Author's note: plz leave a vote!!

Also, just as a warning bc i know some ppl dont like this trope (?) but this book isn't Violet-bashing, they'll come around in the end (oof minor spoilers)