THE HEIR OF STORMS | Garrick Tavis

Chapter 21

"I hope they put us on the attack," Ridoc said, drumming his fingers on the parapet of the courtyard.

We stood in a circle on the gravel, nervous, feeling the adrenaline of our first War Game. As pathetic as it sounded, and as much as I resented Basgiath for turning war into a damn game, I couldn't shake the excitement shared by my friends.

"The fact that the First Wing has already left only makes things better," Rhiannon said, checking the weapons strapped to her body. "Beating them will be the highlight of my year. Even better than watching Violet almost kill Jake with an orange."

We had been there too long, speculating.

"If you don't trust me today, we won't stand a chance of winning," Azhar argued, making me blink, irritated. "Ready to set your stubbornness aside?"

"I'm not being stubborn," I shot back. "And I can't trust you. Do you plan on diverting our course and taking me into another ambush today?"

Azhar sounded hurt.

"I would never do that to you."

I didn't respond.

Footsteps crunched on the gravel, followed by the voices of Dain and Xaden interrupting the group's discussion.

"It's good to see you're already discussing strategies," Xaden said, with that slightly sarcastic smile "Because you're going to need all of them."

He looked around at us, the entire group falling silent, waiting for the revelation.

"You'll be facing the First Wing," Dain announced, and a murmur rippled through the group. We had all expected that. "And, to make things more interesting, you'll be both defending the Fourth Wing's flag and attacking the First Wing's dragon eggs."

Ridoc let out an approving whistle.

"I'll be leading the attack," Xaden said. "Dain leads the defense."

Dain smiled, holding up the Fourth Wing's flag we were supposed to protect. He seemed just as excited as the rest, and from there, a long explanation of tasks, strategies, and divisions followed.

I glanced around the circle, searching for him. But Garrick barely seemed to notice my presence, standing next to Xaden, as usual mastering the art of looking both bored and angry at the world. Garrick and Xaden shared the same arrogant aura of being constantly annoyed and indifferent. How could someone wake up every day in such a foul mood?

"Illena, defense." Dain snapped me out of my thoughts, and I tore my eyes away from Garrick for a moment.

My entire body tensed. "What?"

"You heard me. Defense," he repeated, with that irritatingly smug tone, as if my opinion didn't matter.

"Is this a joke?" I asked. "I wield lightning. Azhar is one of the fastest dragons here. I could easily catch anyone on the attack line," I protested, feeling frustration rise.

Xaden crossed his arms beside Dain, unbothered. "Exactly. Which is why you're staying on defense. We need speed to distribute and reinforce the lines, and we already have Sgaeyl and Tairn on the attack. Besides, your power could be decisive in keeping the flag secure."

I took a deep breath, trying to suppress the urge to argue further. He was right, but that didn't make me like the decision any better.

"It's just war games," Azhar grumbled. "It means nothing."

I didn't want to admit he was right. Instead, my eyes drifted for a moment and found Garrick again. This time, our eyes met. His hard features and impassive expression were no surprise, but the flicker of hurt that flashed there for a split second certainly was. We hadn't touched or even spoken to each other since our last conversation. Not a single word. Yet, no matter how hard he tried to hide it, the furtive glances and the prolonged silence between us betrayed the resentment.