The Riders Quadrant, for once, was quiet.
Violet lay stretched out on a wool blanket someone had definitely stolen from the healers’ wing, a book balanced on her chest, crown braid slightly undone. Lightning hummed faintly under her skin—annoyed, but contained. Tairn’s presence was a steady, ancient weight at the edge of her mind, Andarna’s curiosity flickering like a gold spark.
Rhiannon sat cross-legged nearby, polishing a dagger while Ridoc dramatically lost a hand of cards for the third time in ten minutes.
“That’s five Bronze Marks,” Sawyer said mildly, holding out his palm.
Ridoc groaned. “That’s like—what—two whole meals?”
“Or one bad decision in the tunnels,” Liam added cheerfully, flicking a Claw into Sawyer’s hand. “Don’t worry, I’ll spot you. Again.”
“Worth its weight in Aurelions, this friendship,” Ridoc sighed.
A few steps away, Xaden leaned against the stone balustrade, shadows curling lazily around his boots like they were half-asleep. Garrick stood beside him, arms crossed, eyes sweeping the terrace with habitual vigilance. Bodhi lounged on the steps, flipping a Silver Aurelion—a Wing—over his knuckles.
Imogen lay on her back, hands behind her head, pink hair catching the sun. Quinn sat nearby, quiet and observant, watching the clouds like she might step into them if she blinked wrong.
Dain hovered at Violet’s side, trying—and failing—not to look like he was supervising.
“Relax,” Violet murmured without looking up. “No one’s dying.”
“Statistically,” Dain said, “that’s never guaranteed.”
And then—
Click. Click. Click.
Boots. Too light. Too deliberate.
Every rider on the terrace noticed at once.
She approached with a bright smile and immaculate leathers that had clearly never seen mud, blood, or the inside of the gauntlet tunnels. Her hair was glossy, her posture exaggeratedly confident, chin tipped up like she was already being admired.
“Oh my gods,” she breathed, eyes widening theatrically. “Is this where you all hang out?”
Silence.
Xaden’s shadows stilled.
Garrick sighed internally.
Imogen cracked one eye open. “Unfortunately.”
The girl laughed like that was a compliment. “I’m new—well, not new new—but I just bonded and—” she flicked her hair, glancing directly at Xaden “—wow, third-years really do hit different.”
Ridoc choked. “I think I just shat myself.”
She ignored him, drifting closer. “I mean, I don’t even need help, you know? I’ve been training since I was twelve. My dragon adores me. We’re basically soulmates.”
Violet slowly lowered her book.
“And what’s your dragon’s name?” she asked pleasantly.
The girl blinked. “Oh. Uh. He hasn’t—like—told me yet. But I feel it.”
Andarna’s curiosity flared so hard Violet nearly smiled.
Imogen sat up. “You bonded yesterday and you’re already calling yourself unstoppable?”
The girl shrugged. “I just think confidence is important. Also, I heard this squad gambles? I don’t really need money, but I brought a Silver—” she held up a Wing between manicured fingers “—in case you want to play with someone who actually knows what she’s doing.”
Bodhi stopped flipping his coin.
“That,” he said gently, “is ten Bronze Marks.”
She tilted her head. “And?”
“And Ridoc just lost five and looked like his soul left his body,” Bodhi replied.
Ridoc nodded gravely. “I saw Malek. He was disappointed in me.”
She laughed again, then turned to Xaden, stepping just a little too close. “So, Riorson… do you train your people personally? Because I’d love to learn from someone with your… reputation.”
The shadows around Xaden’s boots rose.
Just slightly.