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Cath’s advice has frequently bordered on commands but recently they’ve turned into outright orders. At least in one aspect.
“You cannot lose your heart every time a blonde woman is mean to you.” is the newest nugget of wisdom the red swordtail deemed to share with me.
The mid-October wind bites at my skin, no matter how tightly I pull my winter leathers around me. We’ve been in Aretia for less than a week and flight maneuvers resumed as soon as possible. The first years did well with their first long range flight but now it’s back to basics. And with all the chaos our arrival caused, supervision falls on me. Which means I can’t shield Cath out in case we need to assist.
“I don’t.” I respond, keeping my tone even. Patient. I’ve had a lot of practice. One of the downsides of being bonded to a dragon is that I can’t hide anything for long. So for the past few months Cath has borne witness to my ever evolving feelings towards Sloane Mairi.
As soon as I saw her I thought she was beautiful. Then I realized who she was and felt a deep sense of responsibility towards her. Liam was someone I had deep respect for and I wanted to help Violet assist Sloane. Then I got to know her and was equal parts frustrated with her resistance to training and captivated by her fire.
Cath felt my anxiety watching her sparring, how proud I was at her completing gauntlet, my relief when I saw her arrive with Thoirt after Threshing. He can see how my gaze gravitates towards her, how my thoughts stray to her. And he's voiced his disapproval constantly.
It's understandable why he's annoyed with my feelings for her. At every step she's questioned orders in a way that is foreign to me and Cath. But she was right to. She was thrown into a death college because her family wanted a better world. It wasn't fair but she protested in her own way. And I have to respect her for that.
On the flight to Aretia, Cath and I were able to have a long discussion about venin and why he choose to keep it from me. While he values the safety of the wards and stability of Navarre, he knew that it wouldn’t last. That the Empyrean would one day allow him to expose the truth to his rider. Cath wanted me to be that rider. That he knew I would make the right call when that time came and that’s why he choose me. He seems to trust my judgment in every area except one.
“Your preference for mates is questionable at best and concerning at worst.” Cath remarks as Lynx and his brown clubtail complete the maneuver. It’s basic; three loops into a dive. Just to get them comfortable being upside down and having a sudden change in altitude.
“Humans don’t mate.” I comment back down the bond. My head moves to track the pair in front of me while Cath keeps his gaze fixed in front of him. They did well, Lynx’s dragon took tight short loops and kept the dive simple.
“Oh? And what were you doing all those times you shielded from me after you went off with that other blonde Tyr?”
Suddenly I’m grateful for the harsh wind as I feel my cheeks grow hot. Amber had been my last sort of relationship. Once second year started, I had too much on my plate to worry about such things. Violet, dealing with RSC, being squad leader all seemed more important. “My mating habits are none of your concern.” I inform my dragon.
“Hardly. As we are bonded for life, your romantic entanglements impact my life as well. Infuriating females will only bring us misery.” Cath says in a grave tone.
“She can’t stand me, no need to worry about that.” I assure him as Thoirt and Sloane take their position. For all the justifiable fretting I’ve had over her lack of sparring abilities, there’s no denying she’s naturally gifted on dragonback. She and Thoirt move together like nothing’s I’ve ever seen before.
When Thoirt takes off at top speed Cath takes a breath so deep it nearly unseats me. The strawberry daggertail is on the smaller size but her speed is enviable. Sloane’s smile is visible, even from our distance. I feel my heart twist with an emotion I won’t name.
Cath's and my head move in unison as we watch as we watch Thoirt glide through four grand arching loops. Sloane hangs from her dragon upside down- not gripping the pommel scale like her squadmates but allowing her fingers to graze the clouds below her.
“She’s reckless.” Cath grumbles down the bond. “Too bold.”
“She’s talented.” I counter as both their heads track the loops. “And I’d rather she push her limits during training.”
Thoirt speeds up as she descents into their dive. They barrel towards to ground. I feel myself tensing as they continue to pick up speed. Cath tilts forward as though he’s about to follow them. They pull out of the dive just in time, the force of Thoirt’s wings disturbing the surrounding trees. Sloane’s laugh can be heard over the beat of Cath’s wings.
They return to our altitude. Thoirt seems to beat her wings a little harder as they pass by, causing my hair to ruffle. Cath lets out a puff of steam in response.
“You were only supposed to do three loops, Mairi.” I call out. It lacks any real bite, just simple wingleader feedback. The only acknowledgment I get is an eye roll from Sloane.
They rejoin the rest of the first years. I have to bite back a smile as I see Sloane stand and take a bow. I tear my eyes away from the blonde braid dancing in the wind to watch Aaric take his turn.
“Are you going to talk to Thoirt about following the maneuvers as ordered?” I ask as the next pair starts.
“She does not listen. I have told her countless times that showboating is irresponsible with such a new rider. Regardless of how many times I speak with her, Thoirt refuses to follow the guidance of the den elders. She thinks because she’s graceful in flight and a fierce warrior she isn’t answerable to anyone. She seems hellbent on proving only she knows best. Thoirt refuses to accept that perhaps I am merely trying to save her from the harm her unnecessary risks could result in.” Cath rants as Molvic completes the maneuver.
I let the silence take hold for a second. “Infuriating females, huh?” I fight hard to keep the smirk off my face and lose.
Cath gives a resigned huff, another large puff of steam coming out of his nose. “We are alike, I suppose. Wanting females who are like windstorms.”
Flight practice finishes without incident. The swordtail remains quiet after his little rant. I'd say he was embarrassed but I don't want to get torched. Finding out Cath has a crush is nearly as world changing as realizing venin exist. He takes off as soon as my feet hit the ground and I feel him shielding me out.
Sloane, for all her bravado in the air, is careful as she climbs down to the ground. She pats Thoirt's leg with a casual familiarity before she takes off. It's hard to believe they've been bonded less than a month. “Mairi.” I call, in my best wingleader voice.
“What do you want, Aetos?” Sloane turns to face me, arms crossed over her chest, shoulders squared.
“Excellent flying today.”
“Thank you.” She accepts the compliment cautiously. Some of the tension leaves her shoulders and she's frowning slightly as though part of her is still expecting to fight.
I turn my head towards the sky and see Thoirt’s already caught up with Cath. She flys in a circle around him before overtaking him. “She’s something else.” I say in an appreciative tone.
“She is.” Sloane agrees. My gaze shifts to see her looking up at the sky. She's practically glowing with love as she watches her dragon. Her gaze becomes a bit wary as it moves to me. “You aren’t going to tell me to tone it down? Nag me about following orders?”
I probably should. But I think about how she seemed so at home soaring through the air, how much happier she's seemed overall since we came to Aretia and I can’t bring myself to lecture her. “It’s not like you’d listen if I did.” I shrug.
“Nope.” She says with that smile that cuts through the October chill and I feel my heart twist again.