Flaming Hearts - Fourth Wing

Chapter 35

When they reach Basgiath, the Professors were already expecting them, having been alerted by their dragons most likely. They make the whole squad stand in formation, taking in a headcount. They commanded Xaden over, talking to him in hushed voices. Everyone else was standing in formation, waiting for further instructions. The professors turn towards the Squad, Professor Carr speaks up.

"We'll be awaiting the report from the leading command of Montserrat. You guys are dismissed, go grab something to eat. Cadet Portgas, to me."

Ace breaths, her eyes sending daggers Xaden's way. This is without a doubt his doing.

Why'd you do that?! I just wanted to enjoy dinner.

"They wanted to know why we were the last to arrive here and leave there."

Then you could've lied. I want dinner.

"For fucks sake, Freckles. Calm down, you can get dinner later."

As she walks over, she doesn't further look at him, her shields up. No one gets between her and food, not even him. She reaches the professors, looking at them with raised brows.

"How can I help you?"

"You made a sink hole appear?" Ace side-eyes Xaden, before nodding.

"Yes, I kept the earthquake contained underneath the Gryphon. I just wanted to disorientate it, but the force I used made the earth underneath break, creating a sink hole."

Professor Carr nods, writing down something. "Okay, meet me tomorrow morning at seven here, we're training that. You're dismissed."

Ace nods, turning on her heels, walking quickly towards the cafeteria. She can feel Xaden walking after her, pushing against her shield, trying to reach her. But she's pissed, and hungry. An extremely dangerous combination.

She can feel him reaching to grab her wrist, but she dodges him, pointedly ignoring his calls to her. When she reaches the cafeteria, she walks into Garrick, who greets her with a smile, but he only gets a nod in return, while she gets in line to finally get some dinner inside of her. Garrick looks at Xaden with raised brows, who's rolling his eyes.

While they also get in line to get some dinner, both men watch Ace staring angrily at her food, quickly eating it. Her squad doesn't dare to talk to her, knowing her well enough not to bother her when she's hangry.

Garrick looks to Xaden with a smirk.

"What did you do to piss her off like that? That's like, nearly impossible."

Xaden groans, rolling his eyes again as the two walk towards the leadership table.

"I made her late to dinner, because she had to stay behind to talk to Professor Carr."

Garrick laughs lightly.

"This girl. Food is her priority, everything else comes second."

"That's not entirely true. We were about to get food at the outpost when the Gryphons attacked. She rushed out immediately, trying to help. But the older Sorrengail sister held her back, ordering her to stay behind. She started arguing with both her and me, she only backed down after I asked Crith to ask her to stay behind. Now I owe him another whole herd of sheep."

Garrick listens carefully. "You were attacked?"

Xaden nods, eyes still on Ace, trying to break into her shield.

"The outpost was, yes. That's why we're back earlier than planned. How are her shields that strong?"

Garrick chuckles, shaking his head. "She's real mad at you for keeping her from dinner, huh? What did you do to make her stay behind anyways?"