Chapter 37 FIGHTING AND TRUSTING
KAI
Cassius watched me closely, head tilted. “Are you sure you’re fine? You look… weird.”
“I’m fine,” I muttered, trying to step around him.
But he didn’t move. “Have you seen Lyra? I was going to ask if she wanted company for breakfast after yesterday’s training.”
That question stirred the bitter feeling in my chest again, sharp and completely unwelcome. Why was he always around her?
She had fought so hard to be here, breaking every rule to claim Tempest. She didn’t need Cassius distracting her, following her around like some lost puppy.
“Why are you always around her?” The words came out sharper than I intended, my voice rising. “She fought the rules to be here. She does not need you distracting her or following her around like some lost puppy!”
Cassius blinked, genuinely shocked. “You do not speak for Lyra. If I am distracting her, Lyra will tell me herself.”
I held myself back, realizing what I had just done. My face burned with embarrassment and lingering anger. I ran a hand through my hair, trying to calm down.
“Whatever,” I mumbled, side-stepping him and walking away.
“Why don’t we ask Lyra herself if I am bothering her?” Cassius called after me, his voice carrying a hint of challenge.
I stopped in my tracks, turning just in time to see him walking over to Lyra and Yvaine, who were stepping out of the cafeteria. Lyra’s face lit up when she saw him, her storm-gray eyes bright, a small smile curving her lips as they spoke. The sight twisted something painful in my chest.
I marched over before I could think better of it, tension rolling off me in waves. Lyra felt it immediately, she turned toward me, concern flashing across her face.
She reached out and took my hand without hesitation, her fingers warm and grounding.
“Hey, how are you?” she asked softly, her voice full of quiet worry.
I calmed a little, the knot in my chest loosening just a fraction at her touch. “I’m… managing.”
Cassius’s voice cut in, smooth and pointed. “Oh yes, Kai was saying something to me not too long ago.”
Lyra glanced at him, curious. “What’s that?”
Before Cassius could answer, I squeezed Lyra’s hand gently and tugged her along. “Come with me.”
I didn’t turn back to see their reactions. I just pulled her with me, walking quickly toward the dragon roosts, close to where Zephyr rested. My heart was still racing, anger and jealousy and fear all tangled together.
When we finally reached the quieter area near Zephyr’s roost, I let go of her hand. The words I had been holding back spilled out before I could stop them.
I pulled her into a hug, arms wrapping around her fully, burying my face in her violet curls. She stood frozen for a heartbeat, caught off guard, but then her arms slid around my torso. She melted into the embrace, holding me just as tightly.
“Kai,” she murmured, the sound muffled against my tunic.
I held her for a long moment, breathing her in, the faint scent of rain and ozone that always clung to her. My heart was still racing, grief and fear and something warmer all crashing together.
After a while, I pulled back, stepping away like I had just realized what I was doing. My hands were still shaking.
Lyra looked up at me, concern clear in her storm-gray eyes. “You’re shaking, Kai.”
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “I can’t believe my father could be responsible for my mother’s death.” My voice cracked. Tears burned at the corners of my eyes. “He lied to me my whole life. He betrayed her. What if he helped the Council silence her? What else has he been lying about?”
“Oh, Kai.” Lyra’s voice was soft, full of empathy. She took my hand in both of hers, squeezing gently. “Please don’t think about that right now. The diary is incomplete, we don’t know exactly what happened. We will get to the bottom of this, Kai. I promise. We’ll figure it out together.”
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “We have to get answers. It had never been recorded that there was another storm dragon before Tempest. That means the Academy completely buried the existence of Stormweaver.”
Lyra nodded, her expression determined. “You’re right. How do we find out what really happened without outright asking your father?”
“I don’t know,” I sighed, feeling suddenly defeated. “I need to protect you.” I cupped her cheek gently, my thumb brushing across her skin. “I cannot let you suffer the same fate as my mother. We have to find out what is happening with the red lightning and storm dragons.”
Lyra’s hand came up to cover mine, her touch warm and steady. “We will. Together.”
We stood there for a long moment, the early morning light filtering through the trees around the roosts. Zephyr watched us quietly from his resting place, his silver-gray scales catching the sun.
For the first time since finding the notebook, the weight on my chest felt a little lighter. Lyra was still here. Still fighting and trusting me.
And I would do whatever it took to keep her safe.
~
LYRA
The notebook haunted my dreams that night.
Red lightning. Cadence Stormridge’s frantic handwriting. The betrayal in her words. When I woke, my pillow was damp with sweat and my violet curls stuck to my neck. Tempest’s presence brushed my mind immediately, warm and steady, like a distant rumble promising rain.
Rest, little storm, she murmured.
The truth will not run from you.
But it felt like it was running toward me.
I dressed quickly, braided my hair low with the usual loose curls framing my face, and slipped out before Yvaine stirred. The corridors were still quiet, the Academy slowly waking under a heavy gray sky.
My boots echoed softly as I made my way toward the roosts, needing the comfort of Tempest before the day’s training swallowed me whole.