It is the valley above Riorson House, heated by natural thermal energy, that is its greatest asset. For there lie the original hatching grounds of the Dubhmadinn Line, from which three of the greatest dragons of our time—Codagh, Feyreth, and Tairn—descend.
—COLONEL KAORI'S FIELD GUIDE TO DRAGONKIND
"THANK YOU," XADEN MUTTERED, AND I SNAPPED MY HEAD TOWARDS HIM. He held my stare. "Thank you for saving her."
I hummed, tugging at my earlobe. I parted my lips. Pressed them together. Parted them again. "I didn't do it for you."
Xaden breathed a laugh, nodding to himself. "I'm aware."
"But..." I huffed and shook my head, hoping to rock off some of the dislike I had for him. It was wrong, I knew that, but I still hated his guts. But now, it was in a sibling rivalry kind of way. "But thank you. For caring about her. She...she needs someone good like you. Someone who wants what's best for her."
"I've never heard me and good in the same sentence."
"You are," I continued, and Feyreth came into view. It took all of me to finish talking to Xaden and not immediately run up to her. "Good. For her. Gods know that fucking Dain couldn't handle her."
Xaden scowled. "Fucking Aetos."
"I know." I laughed in agreement, bouncing from anticipation. A few more yards, and I could hug Feyreth. Just a few more. "I want to murder him. I can't imagine how Vi feels."
He looked between me and Feyreth. And gestured ahead. "Go."
He barely finished before I raced off and wrapped my arms around Feyreth's ankle. My arms couldn't even fit around halfway.
"I missed you," I whispered, and she leaned her head down, huffing against my back. The heat was just barely bearable, nothing like her first-year breaths. Back then, I couldn't even fathom something touching my skin after she breathed down my back.
Feyreth shook me off of her. I huffed when her rejection sent me falling to my ass. "Don't do that again."
Choked-out laughter from behind me sent me glaring at Feyreth. Steam puffed out from her nose.
"Consider that the last time I hug you." I stood off the ground, wiping the dirt off my ass.
"Good."
"I almost died, and you can't even find it in yourself to let me express how much I love you?" I scoffed and turned away from her, folding my arms to my chest. "I want an apology, Feyreth."
"You're embarrassing the both of us."
"Good," I mocked her. "Apologise."
"I won't."
"Fine." I rolled my eyes at her. "I don't want an apology anymore. Not if it's insincere."
"I sincerely hope you mature soon, Little Reader."
I scoffed, leaning against her arm. "Asswipe."
She shifted back. And I fell. Again.
"You bastard!" I sat up on my knees, staring at her. "You scaly" —I stood slowly, very, very slowly— "conniving, little jerk!"
"Your words mean nothing to me." She fluttered her wings. "They do nothing but show your foolishness."
"My foolishness?" I made a frantic gesture with my hands. "What about your foolishness?"
YOU ARE READING
Old Flame︱Brennan Sorrengail
FanfictionMILENA HOLZER WAS MORE THAN WHAT THEY THOUGHT. Her third year at Basgiath was her last chance - her last chance to move on and live. It's funny how seeing a dead man makes that chance something of a reality.
