Chapter 26 VEIL TRIAL
LYRA
The next few days blurred into a rhythm I was finally starting to trust: early drills, theory lectures, bond work with Tempest, and stolen moments in the library where I hunted for any scrap of information on storm dragons. The missing pages haunted me, but so did the growing tension between Kai, Cassius, and the rules that seemed to tighten around us like invisible reins.
I needed something new. Something that wasn’t just another near-miss or whispered warning.
Fortunately, the Academy had plans of its own.
On the morning of the fifth day, Ser Thorian announced the Veil Trial during assembly, a night exercise designed to test bond depth, adaptability, and control under simulated “veil conditions.” The older riders called it the first real test. New riders who performed well earned extra flight privileges. Those who didn’t… well, the rumors weren’t kind.
“The veil separates our world from the raw currents of magic,” Madame Cerys explained from the platform, her silver-streaked hair gleaming under the enchanted ceiling. “Tonight, we will thin it. You will fly through shifting illusions, altered weather, and echoes of past battles. Trust your dragon. Trust yourself. Fail to maintain clarity, and the veil will show you your greatest fears.”
My stomach twisted with equal parts dread and excitement. Tempest’s presence brushed my mind immediately, eager, almost playful.
'Finally. Time to show them what we can do, little storm'
Yvaine nudged me as we filed out. “You nervous?”
“Terrified,” I admitted, tugging at the end of my low braid. “But Tempest is excited. That’s either really good or really bad.”
She laughed. “With you two? Probably both.”
The training field at dusk looked otherworldly. Enchanted lanterns floated above the course, casting shifting purple and silver light. The senior riders had set up shimmering “veil gates”—tall arches of crackling energy that would transport us into pocket realms of illusion. Teams of three were assigned: two seniors, two new riders
When our names were called, the four of us stepped forward: Yvaine and I as the new riders, Kai and Cassius as the senior escorts. Tempest lowered herself gracefully for me. I mounted with steadier hands than before, settling between her spinal ridges.
The bond thrummed with her excitement. 'Tonight we dance with the veil, little storm.'
Of course.
Ser Thorian read the pairings aloud with zero emotion. Calista shot me a venomous look from across the field when she realized her own team didn’t include the “dragon fruit.”
Ser Thorian’s voice cut through the murmurs. “The veil tests bond clarity under pressure. Maintain focus. Let fear in, and the illusions will devour you. Teams of three: one senior, two newer riders. Begin when the gate calls your name.”
Kai stood to my left, arms crossed, green eyes flicking between me and Cassius. Cassius stood to my right, relaxed and smiling, lemon-green eyes warm whenever they landed on me.
“Looks like we’re storm chasers tonight,” Cassius said lightly, adjusting the strap on his flight jacket. “Should be fun.”
Kai’s jaw flexed. “Let’s just focus on keeping Lyra steady. Tempest’s power can get volatile under veil conditions.”
I raised an eyebrow at both of them. “I can speak for myself. And Tempest and I have been practicing. We’ll be fine.”
Yvaine grinned beside me. “That’s the spirit. Try not to summon a hurricane if one of them starts flirting mid-flight.”
My face heated. “Yvaine!”
She only laughed and went to check on Ember.
We mounted up as the first teams launched. When our turn came, Tempest lowered herself smoothly. I settled between her ridges, the familiar tingle of power racing through me.
Kai rode Zephyr on my left, Cassius on his own swift sky drake on my right. Yvaine mounted The moment we passed through the first gate, reality fractured.
Illusions bloomed around us—phantom dragons wheeling through mist, sudden walls of fire that vanished on contact, shifting winds that tugged at my violet curls. We wove through moving hoops and floating beams, laughter breaking from me despite the danger. Tempest’s joy surged through the bond, wild and electric.
Yvaine whooped as Ember darted through a hoop beside us, her fire dragon leaving faint trails of sparks.
For a few glorious minutes, flying felt like pure freedom.
“Left!” Kai called, Zephyr cutting cleanly through a sudden swarm of shadow birds.
Cassius matched us effortlessly on the right, his dragon weaving in perfect sync. “Nice form, Lyra! Keep your core tight on the next rise!”
We worked together better than I expected, four dragons, four riders, moving like pieces of the same storm.
But halfway through the course, the veil thickened dangerously.
A vision slammed into me without warning.
Not Tempest’s gentle sharing, this was raw, violent. Red lightning, like the one I saw in my dream like vision. A corrupted tornado tearing through the Academy grounds. Riders screaming as their bonds twisted and broke.
And at the center… a shadowy figure with eyes like burning coals, reaching for Tempest.
I gasped, grip slipping. Tempest faltered for half a second, a burst of uncontrolled wind exploding outward.
“Lyra!” Yvaine’s voice cut through the chaos first, sharp with fear. “Hold on! Ember—brace her!”
“Lyra!” Kai’s voice cut through the chaos. Zephyr shot closer, his wind magic steadying us.
Cassius was there too, calling out instructions. “Breathe with her! Don’t fight the vision!"
Yvaine stayed glued to my other side, Ember’s smaller form cutting through the turbulence. “You’ve got this, Lyra! Don’t let it pull you under!”