*Book 2 of 2*
Every year, hundreds die within the walls of Basgiath War College. It's no surprise that many are those who choose the Riders Quadrant. Dragons do not tolerate much, but neither do the ruthless gryphons on the outside of the war...
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・・・ ・・・ ・・・
Five days later, I'm sitting hungover in an amphitheater with the rest of the ungraduated quadrant. "I've never seen this room before," Ridoc says as he takes his seat beside me. My headache swells from the noise and I rest my forehead on my hand to block out the light. "We've never been second-years before," Rhiannon replies from the other side of Violet. "Somebody had a good night, I see," Sawyer chuckles as he drops a hand to back. I cough at the sudden force and glance over as he drops into the seat on my other side. "It was only good last night," I grumble. "I see that, too."
The only time I can feel okay is when I'm shit-faced drunk, stumbling around the canteen. Every other time, I'm wracked with emotions I don't want to feel. Burning anger, and betrayal, and longing, like my heart is going to rip itself from my body and walk to Samara itself. I hate it for the thought, and I hate Xaden for putting us here. The last time I had to cope with being abandoned, I fainted twice a day and once almost drowned in my own tears—literally. Apparently, this time, I'm drinking. I don't think I've been fully sober once this week.
"I'm here," a voice grovels from Ridoc's other side. I glance up and can't stop myself from groaning as I look away. Nadine, who now sports blonde hair with a few tinsel highlights. "How have I never been in this room before?" Rhiannon sighs. "We've never been second-years before," Violet repeats with a small laugh. I drop my head back to my hands and prop my elbow up on the desk before me. "Right. Makes sense."
I can hear her shuffling to sit down two seats down, flaring up a searing pain each time she makes a noise. "What happened to your hand?" Rhiannon questions, but I don't pick my head up to look. Can't this medicine kick in faster? "It's embarrassing," Nadine deflects before finally dropping into her seat. "I slipped and sprained it on the steps last night. Don't worry, the healers think Nolon might have an opening for me tomorrow before Parapet."
"He's been run ragged since War Games," Sawyer murmurs. "That man needs a break," Rhiannon agrees. "I wish we had a break like the other quadrants." Ridoc taps his pen against the table as he speaks and it makes my head swim. "Even five or six days to just get away." "I'm still recovering from the last six days I 'just got away' from here," I chuckle.
The entire squad falls silent. For a moment, it's sweet relief, before I realize and pick up my head. Shit. I shouldn't have said that. "I'm around if want to talk," Violet murmurs, leaning forward so I can see her past Rhiannon and Sawyer. "We all are, (Y/N)," the blond agrees before rubbing a hand on my back.
Unfortunately for all of us, talking isn't really in the cards. Colonel Aetos has already torn my entire family apart; I can't risk setting his wrath and power on the new family I've found here, too. "Thanks."
