Chapter 12 CASSIUS STRYKER
LYRA
The training fields sprawled just beyond the residential wing, an enormous open expanse of packed earth and grass, marked with obstacle courses, landing circles, and tall poles for aerial maneuvers. A few older riders were already out there with their dragons, practicing formation flights that left faint trails of magic in the air.
The sight made my chest tighten with fresh excitement. Tempest was out there somewhere, resting but ready.
“Ground drills start early,” Yvaine explained, gesturing toward a group of new riders practicing balance exercises on wooden beams. “You learn to move with your dragon even when you’re not flying. Bond strengthening too, meditation, shared visions, that sort of thing. Storm dragons can be intense, from what I’ve heard. Lots of raw power.”
I nodded, remembering the wind tearing through my hair, the way Tempest had moved like the storm itself was with us. “She already feels… alive in my head. Not just words, but feelings. Strong ones.”
Yvaine’s smile turned knowing. “That’s the best part. And the scariest.”
Next came the cafeteria, a vast hall with long wooden tables that could seat hundreds. The ceiling arched high overhead, enchanted to mimic the sky outside, currently showing scattered clouds with hints of sunlight breaking through.
The smell of roasted meats, fresh bread, and spiced stews wafted from the serving lines, making my stomach rumble. Students in various stages of uniform milled about, laughing and trading stories. Some had their dragons perched on reinforced beams along the walls, smaller ones curled near their riders’ feet.
As we approached the wide double doors, two figures stepped out from a side corridor. One was the senior rider who had first welcomed me on the field earlier, tall, broad-shouldered, with neatly cropped blonde hair and a confident stride. The other was Kai.
Kai noticed me a second later. His green eyes widened slightly, black hair still tousled from whatever training he’d been doing. He wore his full rider leathers now, the Academy crest prominent on his chest.
For a heartbeat, he looked almost surprised, like he was seeing me properly for the first time without the market chaos or the immediate aftermath of the Choosing.
The senior reached us first, his gaze locking onto me with open interest.
He extended a hand, strong and calloused from years of riding. “You must be the storm rider everyone’s whispering about. Lyra Voss, right? I’m Cassius Stryker. Senior rider, same class as Kai here. Glad to see you landed in one piece after that first flight.”
I took his hand, expecting a quick shake. Instead, he held it a moment longer than necessary, his grip warm and steady. His eyes drifted upward to my violet ponytail, the curls that had escaped the tie framing my face.
The color felt bold under the cafeteria lights, deep purple that caught hints of blue and electric sheen. It made me feel strangely alive, like part of me had finally stepped out of the shadows.
“Your hair,” Cassius said, voice low and appreciative, a small smile tugging at his lips. “It’s striking. Looked like it was woven from the storm itself when you were flying. Suits a rider bonded to Tempest.”
Heat crept up my neck. Compliments weren’t something I was used to, especially not about the feature that had always made me feel like the odd one out in my own family. “Thanks,” I managed, surprised at how genuine the words sounded. “It’s… usually more of a liability on the ground.”
Kai stepped up beside Cassius then, clearing his throat. “Lyra. Good to see you settling in already.” His tone was casual, but there was a subtle tightness around his green eyes, a weird flicker I couldn’t quite place.
He glanced between me and Cassius, then at my ponytail. “Yvaine showing you the ropes?”
Yvaine nodded politely. “Just giving the grand tour before orientation. Cafeteria’s always the highlight, food’s decent, and the sky enchantment makes it feel less like we’re trapped indoors.”
Cassius still hadn’t released my hand. His thumb brushed lightly over my knuckles in what might have been an absent gesture, but it sent a small, unexpected spark through me, not like Tempest’s bond, but warmer, more human.
“If you need anything, tips on handling storm power, extra flight practice, or just someone who knows the best shortcuts, find me. Seniors look out for the new blood. Especially the interesting ones.”
Kai shifted his weight, steering the conversation with practiced ease. “She’s got Tempest. That dragon’s going to keep her plenty busy. We should let them get to orientation. Assembly hall’s filling up.”
Cassius finally let go of my hand, though his smile lingered as he gave me a small nod. “Right. Don’t be a stranger, Lyra. Storm Wing, was it? I’ll remember.”
As the two seniors moved off toward another group of students, Kai shot one last glance over his shoulder, green eyes meeting mine for a beat longer than necessary.
That weird expression flickered again, gone before I could name it.
Yvaine raised an eyebrow once they were out of earshot. “Well. Cassius doesn’t usually linger like that. You made an impression.”
I rubbed my hand absently, the warmth of his grip still lingering. My violet curls bounced lightly as I shook my head, a small, flustered laugh escaping. “I think it was more the dragon than me. Or the hair. Definitely the hair today.”
Yvaine chuckled. “Hair like that? In a place full of dragons and egos? You’re going to turn heads whether you want to or not. Come on, assembly hall’s this way. Orientation starts soon. They’ll assign your first classes: basic bond work, aerial theory, probably some combat fundamentals. New riders always get thrown in the deep end.”
We turned down another corridor, the sounds of the cafeteria fading behind us.
The Academy felt vast and alive around me, full of possibility and hidden storms. My ponytail swung with each step, violet strands catching the light like they were ready for whatever came next.
For the first time, I wasn’t sneaking or hiding.
I was exactly where I was meant to be.