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 wards.
At least...
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・・・ ・・・ ・・・
"Tell him that we're still working on the next shipment," Bodhi whispers to me. I glance over at him under the moonlight that illuminates most of the flight field. "Shipment of what?" I ask. Maybe he'll slip up and tell me. "He'll know what I'm talking about." Boo. "And tell him it's raw. They've had the forge burning night and day, so we haven't been able to—" He flinches, then rubs over the dark bruise along his jaw. "Just... just tell him it's raw."
"I'm starting to feel a lot like a letter," I murmur as I shoot him a glare from the side. I look forward quickly, though. They look too similar, and it makes my stomach churn sometimes. "You're the best way of getting information to him," he concedes. "Yet, I'm not allowed to actually know any of it," I grumble to myself. "It's safer this way," Bodhi pleads, but there's enough sympathy in his voice to stop me from punching him.
"I don't get it," I whisper under my breath. Xaden had told me in Aretia that I can shield out Dain, and I know I can block out the Colonel. All I need is my eyes and my shields, and I have both of those. I still can't fathom why the hell he won't let me in and just fucking tell me. "He doesn't want to lose you, I think." I roll my eyes. "When you got strangled last week, it kind of fucked with his head."
I drag in a breath, again starting to consider punching him. "I imagine dropping dead randomly would've been inconvenient for him," I mutter. With challenges starting in a week, the idea of assassination isn't just on the table, it's breaking the woodgrain.
"That's not what I meant," Bodhi asserts quickly, almost lecturing me with his tone. "You know it's not like that for him. I've never seen him— "Don't, Bodhi." "—care like this—" "Seriously, shut it." "—and that includes Catriona."
Instantly, I halt, on the grass as my entire face falls. "Who the fuck is Catriona?" Bodhi flinches as he stops a step before me, then slowly turns my way. His lips are pinched thin before he bobs his mouth open and closed a few times. Finally, "What are the chances you forget I said that between here and Samara?" "None." He winces again at my harsh tone, bearing his teeth.
I begin stomping forward again, stumbling slightly, though whether on a rock or my feelings, I'll never know. Bodhi jumps to follow. I shouldn't be upset about it but I am. Gods, I really fucking am, because as much as our relationship—of whatever sort it is—is obligation, Xaden's made it pretty fucking clear it wasn't just that. Or at least, that he doesn't want it to be, despite never giving me the truth I need. No, actually, the truth I deserve.
"Right," Bodhi hisses under his breath as he rubs his neck. "Not even the tiniest bit of a chance? Because the thing about the deal you two have with your dragons is that he'll be back here next week, and I'm not remotely in the mood to have my ass kicked after fending off another assassination attempt." I grab his arm, stopping us from walking yet again. "Another?" I question loudly.
