Chapter 10 TEN GREY HAIRS
LYRA
I grinned, still breathless. “She’s perfect.”
Before more questions could come, familiar voices cut through the murmurs.
“Lyra!”
Selene broke from a small group near the edge, her yellow hair bright and slightly wind-tossed.
She ran straight into my arms, hugging me so tightly I could barely breathe. “You did it! A storm dragon—everyone’s talking about it. I can’t believe you sneaked in. Mother’s… well, she’s talking to the Headmaster right now, but she saw the flight. She looked stunned.”
I hugged her back fiercely, the familiar scent of her lavender soap grounding me after the wild skies. “Did you—?”
She pulled back, eyes shining but carrying a hint of disappointment she tried to hide. “No dragon chose me today. But it’s okay. Watching you up there… your hair looked like it was made of lightning. I’m so happy for you, Lyra. Really.”
Guilt twisted in my gut, sharp despite the lingering joy. While I had been soaring, she had been watching from the stands, hoping. “Sel, I’m sorry. If I’d known—”
“Don’t,” she said quickly, squeezing my hands. “You earned this. You fought for it. And Tempest… she’s incredible.”
A warmer, deeper voice joined us. “She’s right. That was quite the entrance.”
Kai stepped forward, his black hair tousled from his own recent flight, green eyes bright with a mixture of surprise, pride, and something warmer that made my pulse skip.
He wore his rider leathers now, fitted and marked with the Academy crest, looking every bit the promising legacy rider his father’s name promised. Three years at the Academy had sharpened him, but the charming, rugged ease from our market meeting remained.
“Kai,” I breathed, fresh emotion surging through me. Seeing him here, after our unexpected reunion just days ago, made the whole day feel even more real.
He pulled me into a quick but strong hug, his arms solid and familiar, carrying the faint ozone scent of dragon flight. “You crazy, stubborn girl. Sneaking in at eighteen? With a storm dragon, no less. I should’ve known you’d pull something like this.”
I laughed against his shoulder, the hug lingering just a heartbeat longer than it probably should have. “Couldn’t let the sky forget about me.”
When we separated, his green eyes searched mine carefully. “You okay? First flight with a storm dragon is intense. They share a lot of power, feelings. It can hit hard.”
“I’m… more than okay,” I said honestly, still riding the high. The wind in my hair, the way Tempest had moved with me, the sheer freedom of it all, it was etched into my bones now. “It was the most incredible thing I’ve ever felt. Like the storm was singing through me.”
Kai smiled, that rugged, charming grin that always seemed to light up his face. “Good. Because you looked like you belonged up there.”
Selene glanced between us, a faint blush coloring her cheeks as she looked at Kai. She liked him, of course she did. I swallowed the strange tightness in my chest and pushed the thought away. Friends. That was all we were. That was enough.
Mother appeared then, escorted by two officials. Her golden-yellow hair was still perfectly braided, but her face held a storm of emotions, shock, worry, and a reluctant flicker of pride that made my throat tighten.
“Lyra Voss,” she said, her voice measured but edged with everything she wasn’t saying. “Of all the reckless, rule-breaking things you could have done…”
She stopped, her eyes flicking to Tempest, who watched us with calm, glowing interest from a short distance. “A storm dragon. You always did have a way of standing out.”
I braced for the lecture, for the disappointment about embarrassing the family or neglecting Selene on her day. Instead, Mother stepped closer and pulled me into a brief, stiff hug.
“We’ll discuss the consequences later. For now… I’m glad you’re safe. And yes, proud. Even if you gave me ten new gray hairs today.”
The words surprised me more than the flight had. “Thank you, Mother.”
She released me and turned to Selene, her expression softening immediately. “Come, darling. Let’s get you home. There will be other opportunities for you.”
As they started to walk away, Selene looked back with a genuine, warm smile. “Visit soon, Lyra. Tell me everything about flying. Every detail.”
Kai lingered as the crowd around us began to thin. “They’ll assign you quarters tonight. New riders usually start basic training tomorrow, ground drills, bond strengthening, learning to channel whatever extra power she grants you.” His voice dropped a little. “Storm dragons are rare for a reason. They bring… interesting gifts. But we can talk more later. In private.”
I nodded, the high of the flight still buzzing through me. Tempest’s presence remained steady in my mind, warm and patient.
Before Kai left, he gave me one last look, green eyes sparkling. “Welcome to the skies, Lyra. Officially this time.”
As he walked away, I turned back to Tempest, resting my forehead against her side once more. Her scales were warm, the steady rhythm of her breathing grounding me. The bond pulsed gently, full of quiet pride and something deeper.
You have done well, little storm, her voice came clearer now, still not full words, but rich with meaning and affection. There is much more I have to share with you. Important things. When you are ready.
The promise sent a shiver through me—not of fear, but of anticipation. Whatever she meant to show me, whatever important truths lay hidden in our bond, I knew it would change everything. But for now, I wanted to hold onto this moment: the wind still lingering in my purple hair, the echo of laughter in my chest, the incredible feeling of having flown.
“We’ll take it one wingbeat at a time,” I whispered to her.
Tempest rumbled softly in agreement, a gentle spark dancing along her spines like a smile.
The day that had started with sneaking and fear had ended with wings, lightning, and a future wider and wilder than I had ever imagined.
Tomorrow would bring training, rules, questions, and whatever ripples my illegal Choosing created.
Tonight, I let myself just feel the wonder, and the wind that still seemed to sing through my hair.