THE HEIR OF STORMS | Garrick Tavis

Chapter 10

‼️DISCLAIMER: In order to include Illena in the chapter, I've changed the whole conversation between the characters. I'm trying not to repeat book scenes, so nothing that goes on in this chapter is a copy of what happens in Rebecca Yarros book. Enjoy!‼️

The Gauntlet was the easy part.

I didn't want to brag, but it wasn't as if all that machinery could pose any challenge for me, not when all those movements were already muscle memory. The real challenge was the anticipation of parading before the dragons, mainly because I was certain I would be burned to a crisp at any moment during that torturous event.

Ridoc had his arm around my shoulders while we waited side by side, anxious about Violet's performance. We knew she'd been having trouble with the Gauntlet due to her height, and although Rhiannon and I had listed several possible solutions to help her with that problem, none of us had been much help.

Even though the day was warm and I was dressed in just a tight black short-sleeved shirt, I was cold with sweat. And Garrick's fixed gaze on me, at the front of our Section's line, wasn't doing wonders for my nerves. He seemed more irritated and grumpy than usual.

Ridoc pulled me closer.

"You're trembling," he whispered. "Violet will be fine. She said she has a plan."

I nodded, although I was more worried about the fact that I would likely turn to ash in the next few hours.

"Gods, Ridoc," Rhiannon whispered in our direction. "What did you do to Garrick?"

Ridoc tore his eyes away from the Gauntlet below and turned to Rhiannon with his eyebrows furrowed.

"Me?" he asked. "Nothing. Why?"

Rhiannon widened her eyes.

"He's looking at you like he's going to ask his dragon to eat you any second."

Ridoc looked at Garrick at the front of the line and smiled at him. I felt sorry for my friend as Garrick returned his smile with a glare. Yep. Definitely more irritated and grumpy than normal.

Ridoc was still smiling when he turned back to us, but his grin was so fake and stiff it made me laugh. His eyes widened.

"Act normal," he whispered through his stretched lips. "I didn't do anything. At least nothing I remember, maybe he just doesn't like me"

Rhiannon rolled her eyes.

"Maybe?"

Our smiles only grew when Violet came into view, her hair, which had escaped from her tight braids, plastered to her face with sweat. Apparently, the solution she had found for her little problem had caused a stir among the Wing leaders, and we had to wait hours until all the cadets completed the Gauntlet and any disagreements were resolved.

By the end of the morning, there were 169 of us left for 100 dragons, and our Squad had been placed in 11th position. I had deliberately stayed in fifth place overall, but the annoyed looks from the cadets directed at me made me regret not taking more time to complete the course.

When it was our Squad's turn to walk down the valley, Garrick waved us forward, his tense, deep voice sending chills across my skin. Ridoc was still by my side, as if he feared I'd collapse at any moment — which, to be honest, was probably the exact expression I had on my face.

We lined up, Ridoc right behind me.

"Don't worry, Stranger," he whispered in my ear, his breath brushing against my neck. "If any dragon tries to burn you, I promise I'll shove you out of the wa..."