Chapter Text
“You can learn something valuable from both your friends and your enemies. Never forget that your decisions are your responsibility-even if you’ve been influenced by others.”
Draven Tavreal
Letter to his daughter, Ardelle Tavreal
I tugged my hood lower over my face as the cart rattled and swayed along the dirt road. Relief spread through my chest. Luck had been on my side today. “Your horses are fast,” I said, glancing toward the farmer. He’d been kind enough to offer me a ride, even though I was a stranger. “I hear that often. They’re my pride and joy,” he replied with a grin, giving me a quick once-over. “Judging by your clothes, you’re hoping to become a rider, aren’t you?” It wasn’t a question and he was right. The black boots, the worn leather trousers, the fitted dark shirt… all of it marked me for what I was trying to be. A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips. “I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time.”
“Then I hope you don’t live to regret it,” he said. The comment caught me off guard, and I looked over at him. But his attention had already drifted back to the road. Becoming a rider was an honor one most people would die for. And many did. Every year, hundreds tried, and most never made it past the first trial. But for the few who succeeded… they earned the right to ride a dragon. Even though the chances were almost nonexistent, people still risked everything. Because the power that came with it…the bond, the strength, the legend…was worth more than their own lives. And if you had to die for it, well… it was a death worth dying. He turned left and there they were. The three lines that would decide the fate of so many lives. My fate among them.
I jumped down from the cart and murmured a quick thank you. “Good luck!” the man called after me as he guided his wagon to join the others. They’d be the ones tasked with transporting the bodies tomorrow. The thought made my stomach twist painfully. I pushed it away before it could take root and followed the current of people, slipping through the press of bodies until I stepped into the courtyard. Most were still clinging to their families, desperate for one last hug, one last moment. My fingers tightened around the strap of my small pack as I tore my gaze from the tearful goodbyes. Eyes forward, Ardelle. Don’t look back. Your future is waiting whether you’re ready for it or not.
The courtyard was crowded with aspirants trying to reach their wings. But they didn’t interest me. My goal was clear: the tower to my right. I moved quickly into position and finally felt safe enough to pull off my hood. I slipped it off my shoulders and shoved it messily into my backpack. I could deal with it later. Right now, there were far more pressing matters. “Unbelievable.” A hand landed on my shoulder, accompanied by that familiar voice. I cursed my nonexistent luck as I turned around. Both Sorrengail sisters were standing there, eyes wide, as if I’d somehow woken up with two heads. “Hey, you two…” I smiled awkwardly. Please, just don’t.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Mira asked, exactly as I’d expected. “The weather’s particularly nice today,” I muttered, only for a faint thunderclap to underline my words, making me wish the ground would swallow me whole. My gaze met Violet’s, and I went pale. “Don’t tell me… you’re going to the Rider Quadrant too?”
“Too?” Mira raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. I immediately looked around, anywhere but here. Even the parapet seemed calmer than this. “Does your mother know?” Violet asked, concern in her voice. I sighed. There was no getting around an explanation anyway. The line moved forward, and we stepped along with it. “No. Otherwise, she’d never have let me come here.”
“That’s ironic,” Violet muttered, making me smirk despite myself. “Let me guess. You’re being forced. Honestly, I expected to see you in the archives, not on the back of a dragon.” Violet fell into step beside me. “Ouch. Still as blunt as ever, huh? But yes… that pretty much sums up my situation.” Lilith Sorrengail is a woman I genuinely admire, one of the few I truly respect. That she’s pushing Violet into the Rider Quadrant? That’s something I can hardly wrap my head around. After all, Violet’s never really been trained for it. Everyone knows that.
“You’re impossible, you know that? But I wouldn’t expect anything less from you,” Mira said, pinching my arm. I grabbed her hand and let out a mock whimper. “So… that means you won’t tell anyone?” I asked, hopeful. She rolled her eyes-definitely a yes. “Anyway… where was I before I stumbled upon this walking disaster…”
“Hey.” I shot her an offended look, but she didn’t miss a beat. “Keep your eyes forward. Never look down. Spread your arms for balance.” She rattled off more instructions, but I only listened half-heartedly. I already knew all this. Every tip, every warning, was proof that this was my path, that I was meant to climb these stairs and reach for my future. “Next!” It was my turn. I took the quill without hesitation and signed my name next to the forged one. I kept my first name but changed my last.
Too risky to keep it. Satisfied, I glanced at the list. My new life as Ardelle Calvaris was officially sealed. I waited for Violet to sign, then the three of us approached the door. Mira grinned and let out a relieved sigh. “I’m glad you two are together. Then I know my sister’s in good hands. Try not to die, both of you.” Violet and I watched her walk away. I didn’t even want to imagine what she was feeling right now.
“So… shall we?” The slightly smaller woman nodded, and we began the climb. “Sorrengail?” came a voice from the woman ahead. I breathed a quiet sigh of relief, the attention wasn’t on me. Violet could deal with it. She shot me a sour look, as if sensing why I was so content. “I wonder how many people have died on these stairs,” she muttered. “That’s not something we should dwell on,” I said, continuing upward without pause. “Better this way. I’m Rhiannon Matthias.”
I stole a glance at her, and for a moment, I couldn’t help admiring her beauty. “Ardelle Calvaris. Nice to meet you.” The young man in front of Rhiannon turned back toward us. “Dylan.” Lucky guy. His smile could blind a person. “You seem… more than happy,” I said. He laughed, a short, bright sound, before answering enthusiastically: “I’ve waited my whole life for this day. Even if my mother wasn’t ready to say goodbye.” Parents never are. The line moved forward, picking up speed. Some people wanted to balance faster than expected. I could see the light ahead when Violet suddenly stopped and pulled Rhiannon aside. I frowned and stepped closer. “What’s wrong?”
“I swapped one of her shoes,” Violet said. My eyebrows shot up. I glanced at Rhiannon’s sole. She could slide right off the edge. “What size?” “Eight,” Violet replied, removing her own shoe. “Forget it. Take mine. We’re the same size.” I pulled off my boot. “You don’t have to. It was my idea, and I don’t want to be responsible if you fall,” Violet said, while Rhiannon looked nervously between us. “I’m not doing this for you, Violet. But it’s the safest solution for both you and Rhiannon.” Rhiannon accepted my boot with a grateful nod, and I nudged Violet forward. “Go, before anyone notices. I’ll just slip my shoe back on quickly.”
She looked at me for a few seconds. I thought she might argue, but luck was on my side this time. As the line moved, I managed to get my shoe back on just in time. What happened next caught me completely off guard. Violet, like a child gazing upward, looked at a man in front of her and he made me swallow hard. Damn… he was stunning.
That skin, those eyes, that body… everything about him made me shiver internally. I stood next to Rhiannon, glancing at Violet questioningly. She mouthed a name that made my muscles tense: Riorson. In a heartbeat, I was beside Rhiannon, then suddenly between Riorson and Violet. Smiling, I looked up at him. “This… is certainly quite the scene,” I said, “but I’d say it’s hardly the right moment, don’t you think?”
Inside, I trembled. This could turn dangerous in an instant. His onyx-colored eyes collided with mine, but I held his gaze, my smile never fading for a single second. A toast to all the countless parties I’d endured, spending my time among the nobility. He looked me up and down. A few seconds lingered too long on my boot, then knowingly returned to my eyes. Violet’s hand gripped mine, tense. “You don’t have to protect me from him, Ardelle,” she said, her gaze steady and determined. I had to smirk, but there was no time for amusement.
A scream pierced the air, and we all turned toward the parapet. Dylan had an arm hooked around the stone bridge but couldn’t lift his legs back up. They kicked helplessly, searching for something to hold onto. My heart thundered in my ears as I watched him slowly slip. We didn’t even hear him hit the ground. The wind and rain shielded us from that sound. A shaky breath left my lips as I felt Violet’s hand tremble in mine. “Why would I waste my energy killing you, Violet Sorrengail, when the parapet can do it for me?” His voice pulled me back to the present. Focus, Ardelle. He was a nobody in your life, not important. You’d better get used to this view. I wasn’t here to make friends.
My body straightened as I looked over at Violet. “Don’t forget what Mira told you,” I warned her. She nodded and stepped toward the rider with the list. Rhiannon was already in position, ready to set foot on the parapet. “See you on the other side.” I gave her a small smile, and she stared straight ahead, tense but focused, placing one foot in front of the other. “Next.”