There is an art to poison not often discussed, and that is timing. Only a master can properly dose and administer for effective onset. One must take into account the mass of the individual as well as the method of delivery.
—Effective Uses of Wild and Cultivated Herbs by Captain Lawrence Medina
I snuck back into the women's hall early in the morning. The sun was barely peaking above the horizon in the far windows but Violet was already awake, tightening the laces of her dragon-scale vest behind her back.
"You're up early," she commented as I fell onto my bed, exhausted.
"I didn't do much sleeping. Alexander Torol is marvelous at keeping women up through the night." I winked at her and watched as she braided her hair and passed by rows of empty beds that belonged to the dozen women who hadn't survived to see August. "Dain's waiting for you outside."
Violet signed up for breakfast duty since it was easier to administer the poisons for her sparring mates through food. Dain insisted on walking her to the kitchens every morning since it was the only time they got to see each other alone.
The door opened again and Rhiannon slipped in, a faint blush on her dark cheeks.
"Tara?"
She nodded. "Alexander?"
I nodded back and we both giggled.
I fell asleep almost instantly.
"Keep the temperaments of each specific breed in mind when you decide which dragons to approach and which to run from at Threshing," Professor Kaori said, his serious, dark eyes slashing toward his nose as he studied the new recruits for a beat, then changed the projection he had conjured from a Green Daggertail to a Red Scorpiontail.
He was an illusionist and the only professor in the quadrant with the signet ability to project what he saw in his mind, which made this class one of my favorites.
The Red Scorpiontail in the center of our circled tables was a fraction of its actual size, six feet tall at most, but it was an exact replica of the actual firebreather waiting in the Vale for Threshing. "Red Scorpiontails, like Ghrian here, are the quickest to temper," Professor Kaori continued, his perfectly trimmed mustache curving as he smiled at the illusion like he was the dragon himself.
I sketched out the tail of the dragon in my notebook, adding a few comments about their strengths and weaknesses here and there.
"So if you offend him, you're-"
"Lunch," Ridoc said from my left, and the class laughed. Even Jack Barlowe, who hadn't quit glaring at me since his squad took over their quarter of the room a half hour ago, snorted.
"Precisely," Professor Kaori responded. "So what's the best way to approach a Red Scorpiontail?" He glanced around the room.
"You don't," Rhiannon muttered next to Violet, and I huffed a laugh under my breath.
"They prefer that you approach from the left and from the front, if possible," a woman from one of the other squads answered.
"Excellent." Professor Kaori nodded. "For this Threshing, there are three Red Scorpiontails willing to bond." The image changed in front of us to a different dragon.
"How many dragons are there in total?" Rhiannon asked.
"A hundred for this year," Professor Kaori answered, changing the image again. "But some might change their minds during Presentation in about two months, depending on what they see."
"That's thirty-seven fewer than last year." Violet cuts in.
Maybe even fewer if they didn't like the look of us after we had to parade by them for their perusal two days before Threshing. Then again, there were usually fewer cadets after that particular event anyway.
Professor Kaori's dark eyebrows rose. "Yes, Cadet Sorrengail, it is, and twenty-six fewer than the year before that."
Fewer dragons chose to bond, but the number of riders entering the quadrant had remained steady. My mind whirled. Attacks at the eastern borders were increasing, according to every Battle Brief, and yet there were fewer dragons willing to bond in order to defend Navarre.
"Will they tell you why they won't bond?" another first-year asked.
"No, jackass," Jack scoffed, his icy-blue gaze narrowing on the cadet. "Dragons only talk to their bonded riders, just like they only give their full name to their bonded rider. You should know that by now."
Professor Kaori sent Jack a look that shut the first-year's mouth but didn't stop him from sneering at the other cadet.
"They don't share their reasons," our instructor said. "And anyone who respects their life won't ask a question they're not willing to answer."
"Do the numbers affect the wards?" Aurelie asked from where she sat behind me, tapping her quill against the edge of her desk. She was never happy sitting still. I could sympathize.
Professor Kaori's jaw ticked twice. "We're not sure. The number of bonded dragons has never affected the integrity of Navarre's wards before, but I'm not about to lie to you and say that we're not seeing increased breaches when you know from Battle Brief that we are."
The wards were faltering at a rate that made my stomach tense every time Professor Devera started our daily Battle Brief.
Either we were weakening or our enemies were getting stronger. Both possibilities meant the cadets in this room were needed more than ever.
The image changed to Sgaeyl, the navy-blue dragon bonded to Xaden. My stomach pitched as I remembered the way she looked right through me that first day.
"You won't have to worry about how to approach blue dragons, since there are none willing to bond this Threshing, but you should be able to recognize Sgaeyl if you see her," Professor Kaori said.
"So you can fucking run," Ridoc drawled. I nodded along while others laughed.
"She's a Blue Daggertail, the rarest of the blues, and yes, if you see her without her bonded rider, you should definitely find somewhere else to be. Ruthless does not begin to describe her, nor does she abide by what we assume to be what the dragons consider law. She even bonded the relative of one of her previous riders, which you all know is typically forbidden, but Sgaeyl does whatever she wants, whenever she wants. In fact, if you see any of the blues, don't approach them. Just-"
"Run," Ridoc repeated, raking his hand through his floppy brown hair.
"Run," Professor Kaori agreed with a smile, the mustache above his top lip quivering slightly. "There are a handful of other blues in active service, but you'll find them all along the Esben Mountains in the east, where the fighting is most intense. They're all intimidating, but Sgaeyl is the most powerful of them all."
My breath caught. No wonder Xaden could wield shadows - shadows that could yank daggers out of trees, shadows that could probably throw those same daggers.
"What about the black dragon?" the first year next to Jack asked. "There's one here, right?"
Jack's face lit up. "I want that one."
"Not that it's going to matter." Professor Kaori flicked his wrist and Sgaeyl disappeared, and a massive black dragon took her place. Even the illusion is bigger, making me crane my neck slightly to see its head. My hand twitched and I grew uneasy. Although there were marked differences between him and Codagh, he still looked similar enough to the General's dragon to remind me of the still-healing wounds on my back.
"But just to appease your curiosity, since this is the only time you'll ever see him, here is the only other black besides General Melgren's." A few people turned to look at me at the mention of the General.
"He's huge," Rhiannon said. "And is that a clubtail?"
"No. A morningstartail. He has the same bludgeoning power of a clubtail, but those spikes will eviscerate a person just as well as a daggertail."
"Best of both worlds," Jack called out. "He looks like a killing machine."
"He is," Professor Kaori answered. "And honestly, I haven't seen him in the last five years, so this image is more than a little outdated. But since we have him up here, what can you tell me about black dragons?"
"They're the smartest and most discerning," Aurelie called out.
"They're the rarest," Violet adds. "There hasn't been one born in the last century or so."
"Correct." Professor Kaori spun the illusion again, and I was met with a pair of glaring yellow eyes.
Codagh's eyes were narrower and had more of a green tint to them. That information was the only thing keeping me from running out of here.
"They're also the most cunning. There's no such thing as outsmarting a black dragon. This one is a little over a hundred, which makes him about middle-aged. He's revered as a battle dragon among their kind, and if not for him, we probably would have lost during the Tyrrish rebellion. Add to it that he's a morningstartail, and he's one of the deadliest dragons in Navarre."
"I bet he powers one hell of a signet. How do you approach him?" Jack asked, leaning forward in his seat. There was pure avarice in his eyes, mirrored by his friend next to him. That was the last thing this kingdom needed, someone as cruel as Jack bonding to a black dragon.
"You don't," Professor Kaori answered. "He hasn't agreed to bond since his previous and only rider was killed during the uprising, and the only way you'd ever be near him is if you're in the Vale, which you won't be, because you'd be incinerated before you ever got through the gorge."
The pale redhead across the circle from me shifted in her seat and tugged her sleeve down to cover her rebellion relic.
"Someone should ask him again," Jack urged.
"It doesn't work that way, Barlowe. Now, there is only one other black dragon, which is in service-"
"General Melgren's," Sawyer said. His book was closed in front of him, but I couldn't blame him. I'd hardly be taking notes, either, if this was the second time I'd gone through this class. People turned to look at me again. "Codagh, right?"
"Yes." Professor Kaori nodded. "The eldest of their den and a swordtail."
"But just for curiosity's sake." Jack's glacial-blue gaze didn't stray from the illusion of the unbonded black dragon still being projected. "What signet ability would this guy gift his rider?"
Professor Kaori closed his fist, and the illusion disappeared. "There's no telling. Signets are the result of the unique chemistry between rider and dragon and usually say more about the rider than the dragon. The stronger the bond and the more powerful the dragon, the stronger the signet."
"Fine. What was his previous rider's?" Jack asked.
"Naolin's signet was siphoning." Professor Kaori's shoulders fell. "He could absorb power from various sources, other dragons, other riders, and then use it or redistribute it."
"Badass." Ridoc's tone had more than a little hero worship.
"He was," Professor Kaori agreed.
"What kills someone with that kind of signet?" Jack asked, crossing his arms over his thick chest.
Professor Kaori glanced at Violet and I for a heartbeat, before looking away. "He attempted to use that power to revive a fallen rider - which didn't work, because there's no signet capable of resurrection - and depleted himself in the process. To use a phrase you'll become accustomed to after Threshing, he burned out and died next to that rider."
Something in my chest shifted, a feeling that I couldn't explain and yet couldn't shake. Brennan.
The bells rung, signaling the hour was up, and we all began to gather our things. The squads filtered out to the hallway, emptying the room, and I rose from behind my desk, shouldering my satchel as Rhiannon waited for me and Violet by the door, a puzzled expression on her face.
"It was Brennan, wasn't it?" Violet asked Professor Kaori.
Sadness filled his gaze as he mets mine. "Yes. He died trying to save your brother, but Brennan was too far gone."
"Why would he do that?" I shifted the weight of my satchel. "Resurrection isn't possible. Why would he essentially kill himself when Brennan was already gone?"
A stampede of grief trampled my heart, stealing my breath. Brennan never would have wanted anyone to die for him. That wasn't in his nature.
Professor Kaori sat back against his desk, pulling at the short, dark hairs of his mustache as he stared at me. "Your last names don't do you both any favors in here, does it?"
I shook my head. "There are more than a few cadets who would like to take us - and our last names - down a peg."
He nodded. "It won't be like that once you leave. After graduation, you'll find that being Generals' daughters means others will do just about anything to keep you alive, even pleased, not because they love your parents but because they either fear them or want their favor."
"Which was Naolin?"
"A little bit of both. And sometimes it's hard for a rider with a signet that powerful to accept his limits. After all, bonding makes you a rider, but resurrecting someone from the dead? Now, that makes you a god. I somehow don't think that Malek takes kindly to a mortal treading on his territory."
"Thank you for answering." Violet turned and started toward the door.
"Violet," Professor Kaori called out, and we both pivoted to look back. "I taught both your siblings. A signet like mine is too useful here in the classroom to let me deploy with a wing for long. Brennan was a spectacular rider and a good man. Mira is shrewd and gifted in the seat when it comes to riding."
I nodded.
"But you're smarter than both of them." I blinked and grinned. Although we've all told her this, Violet probably needed to hear it from someone who wasn't obviously biased toward her. "From what I've seen of you helping your friends study in commons every night, both of you, it seems you might be more compassionate, too. Don't forget that."
"Thank you, but being smart and compassionate isn't going to help me when it comes to Threshing." A self-deprecating laugh escaped from her and I frowned. "You know more about dragons than anyone else in the quadrant, probably anyone else on the Continent. They choose strength and shrewdness."
"They choose for reasons they don't see fit to share with us." He pushed off his desk. "And not all strength is physical."
I watched Rhiannon beat the ever-loving shit out of her opponent. It was a guy from Second Wing, and it took almost no time for her to get him into a headlock, cutting off his air supply. It was a move I showed her and we practiced with Violet over the last couple of weeks.
"She makes it look so easy," She said to Dain and me.
"He's going to try to kill you."
"What?" I glanced up, then followed his line of sight two mats over.
Dain was glaring daggers at Xaden across the mat, who stared back with a look of sheer boredom on his face, as Rhiannon squeezed the neck of the Second Wing first year tighter.
"Your opponent," Dain said softly. "I overheard him and a few friends. They think you're a liability to the wing thanks to that Barlowe kid." His gaze shifted to Oren, who was sizing Violet up like a damned plaything he was planning on breaking. But there was a greenish twinge to his complexion that made me grin.
Violet used Brennan's tips to her full advantage but I refrained. I knew I was good enough to get through this on my own merit and I wanted to know how far my skills would take me now that I had no metaphorical safety mat.
"Have a little faith, Aetos. She's going to be fine." I said.
The Second Wing first-year passed out, and Rhiannon rose victorious as we clapped. Then she leaned over her opponent and removed the dagger at his side.
"Looks like this is mine now. Enjoy your nap." She patted him on the head, which made me laugh.
"Not sure why you're laughing, Melgren," a sneering voice called out from behind me. I turned around and saw Jack standing with his feet apart against the wood-planked wall about ten feet away, wearing a cocky smile on his face.
"Fuck off, Barlowe." I gifted him the middle finger.
"I honestly hope you win today's challenge." His eyes danced with a sadistic glee that made me wary. "It would be a shame for someone else to kill you before I get the chance. But I wouldn't be surprised. You seem very delicate and fragile like Violet over there. Or just violets in general."
I thought back to Xaden's advice. I was supposed to keep a low profile and not bring any attention to me. But my last name already erased any chances of that happening.
I unsheathed both daggers from my ribs and flicked them in his direction in one smooth movement.
They landed right where I intended - one nearly nicking his ear and the other not even half an inch beneath his balls. Fear widened his eyes.
I shamelessly grinned and wiggled my fingers in a wave.
"Isla," Dain hissed as Jack maneuvered around my blades, stepping away from the wall.
"You'll pay for that." Jack pointed at me and stalked off, but the rise and fall of his shoulders was a little choppy. I watched his back retreat, then retrieved my daggers, sheathing them at my ribs before returning to Dain's side.
"What the hell was that?" he seethed as Violet high-fives me.
"I told you to lay low when it comes to him, and you-" He shook his head at me. "You just piss him off even more?"
"Laying low wasn't getting me anywhere," I said with a shrug as Rhiannon's opponent was carried off the mat. "He needs to realize I could kill him just as easily as he could me."
There was no ignoring the prickle at my scalp, and I let my gaze shift to meet Xaden's.
My heart did that damn moronic stuttering thing again. He lifted his scarred brow, and I swore there was a hint of a smile on his lips as he left, walking over to observe the Fourth Wing cadets at the next mat.
"Badass," Rhiannon said. "I thought Jack was going to shit himself." I smothered a smile.
"Stop encouraging her," Dain chastised.
"I can handle myself, Aetos." I rolled my eyes at him. "And this was me handling myself."
"Melgren." Professor Emetterio glanced at his notebook and raised one bushy black brow before continuing. "Rotile."
I walked onto the mat, followed by a short blonde man who needed his ego knocked down a few pegs.
"Don't take this too personally, darling," Rotile smirked at me and my skin crawled as he looked me up and down. "I'll let you end up on top of me next time."
The fight began with a fast snap-punch toward my stomach but I quickly jumped back, barely dodging it and losing my stance for a second.
He tried to land a punch to my kidney but it failed when I side-stepped him and dug my elbow into his ribs. I faked a gut punch on the left side of his body and as he went to dodge it, I quickly threw a right hook, slamming my hand on his head.
I didn't want to give him time to reassemble himself, so I continued with my left-hand gut punch, feeling satisfied when he doubled over. I expected him to use some time trying to catch the breath he had just lost but instead, my head whipped to the side as his fist dug into my cheek.
I could feel it burn from the force of the blow.
I quickly snapped my head back as he threw another right hook. I blocked the blow easily with my left hand and punched him on the left side of his head before reaching behind his neck and bringing him down so he was bending forward.
I landed a solid blow in between his thighs with my kneecap, then again hard on the stomach before finally finishing him with a final punch to his face.
I pinned him down, my arm in the air, ready for another strike but he yelled out, "Yield! I yield."
I stepped off him, and left the mat, sweat sticking to my spine. I looked at the other mats to see Violet smiling triumphantly while Oren threw up next to his mat.
We won.
And we kept winning.
Come early September, Violet and I had both won five matches each with zero losses. Granted, she uses the plants I picked, but we're still winning.
And we hadn't killed anyone yet, something a quarter of our year couldn't say after almost twenty more names had been added to the death roll the last month for the first-years alone.
"Sorry, Isla," Professor Emetterio said, scratching his short black beard. "You were supposed to challenge Rayma, but she's been taken to the healers because she's not feeling well."
"That's too bad." I started backing up to get off the mat. "Should I just-"
"I'm happy to step in." That voice. That tone. That prickle of ice along my scalp...
Oh no. Hell no. No. No. No.
"You sure?" Professor Emetterio asked, glancing over his shoulder.
"Absolutely."
My stomach hit the floor.
And Xaden walked onto the mat.