by the goddess’s grace, aaric had survived the parapet. nobody had managed to push him, shank him, or recognize him, save for violet, who had been watching and taking names. he knew she knew him, his eyes were too alike to his brother’s, whom she had dated.

after surviving the walk they had been ushered to the courtyard, ready to be sectioned off into wings and tails or whatever they called the groups. aaric didn’t particularly care where he was placed, as long as nobody in his group recognized him.

he adjusted the hem of his black shirt, shifting uncomfortably against the blades he’d tucked into his waistband. luckily, he hadn’t needed to use them, but he still felt better that he had them on him.

he took place in a line next to you, eyeing the other people called to their group as the professors started reading off the names of the dead. damn, so many had died trying to walk the parapet.

he’d zoned out until dragons swept in, landing on the outskirts of the walls, rock crumbling beneath their talons.

a few cadets ran at the sight of them.

aaric only had a moment to react, jumping out and as good as tackling you to the ground right before fire burst over your heads, charring the cadets behind you who had ran.

he waited for the heat to stop before he leaned back, shooting you an apologetic smile from where he lay on top of you.

’great job, aaric, way to play it save and undercover,’ his brain scolded him.