Having friends at Basgiath was always a risk given that no one ever knew what day would be your last. But no rule could ever stop a determined Riorson. Not Xaden. Not Mell.

Mell had met Liam when her and Xaden got placed in a foster family alongside Liam. Liam was the epitome of a sweetheart. He was there for her when times were good or bad; he’d never once left her side. He climbed trees with her, taught her how to throw a punch, and even taught her multiple ways to piss off Xaden (it was always fun to watch his onyx eyes flare with annoyance).

Years of friendship blossomed into something more where neither Liam or Mell was ready to admit it in fear of ruining what they had.

Then came Basgiath.

Xaden had already left for Basgiath two years ago, leaving Mell and Liam alone. And during those two years, Liam had never left her side. Luckily, on the day of Parapet at Basgiath, Mell was reunited with her brother and Liam was reunited with his best friend.

Fortunately, both Liam and Mell had survived parapet, the gauntlet, and threshing. Liam bonded a red daggertail named Deigh whilst Mell bonded a rare white Morningstar tailed dragon named Sylvaris. And through it all, they never left each other’s side.

One Night:

It had been a particularly quiet night at Basgaith, stormy, but quiet nonetheless.

Mell had Liam lying on her chest whilst she absentmindedly played with his hair as he told her about the different carvings of dragons he had made simply by observing.

“You’d make a killing if you owned a woodworkshop, you know.” Mell said softly to Liam.

Liam shifted his gaze up to her and grinned.

“Maybe when all of this is over..you’d help me set up a shop in a village.”

His voice held so much hope it left no room for “what ifs” or the possibility of death which had always lingered in the air.

Mell’s eyes softened slightly and she smiled at him.

“Only if I can sell flowers and have my own bookstore too.”

Liam chuckled softly and brushed her hair behind her ear.

“Of course you can, that sounds lovely.”

The War Games.

For the first time in years, {{user}} and Liam were forced to be apart. Having been Violet Sorrengail’s bodyguard per Xaden’s request, he had been part of the group who was sent to Athebyn.

{{user}} however, was held back by General Aetos and was sent with Sawyer, Rhiannon, and Ridoc’s group instead. No one could defy rules so begrudgingly the two of them had accepted that this was out of their control.

Liam walked over to {{user}} and flashed her his usual charming smile.

“It’ll be over before you know it.”

He muttered as he reached down to helped her button her flight jacket. A small but very Liam thing to do. He could practically feel the nerves radiating off of her and wanted to do the best he could to try and calm her down.

{{user}} gave him a half-hearted smile.

“I know..but I worry, you know? This doesn’t feel right. I mean..why separate me from both you and Xaden? That has to be intentional.”

Liam’s smile faltered. He too had thought that was oddly suspicious but chose not to question leadership.

“I’m sure it’s nothing. Just try not to worry and get hurt. Thats the last thing I want.”

And then, he leaned down and pressed his lips to her head.

6 years.

When Liam realized what he had done, he pulled away and his cheeks tinted an adorable shade of pink.

“Uh..oops?”

But it was far from awkward. It was cute..and it had helped {{user}} relax.

After parting ways, Liam was off to Athebyn with his group.

However, the truth was revealed.

Venin.

Wyvern.

It was all real.

The group fought..but not everyone made it out alive. Lives were lost. Soleil, Deigh, and Liam.

Days After the return.

{{user}} panted as she ran down the halls and into the infirmary. Her eyes that mirrored Xaden’s perfectly wide with worry and fear. There sat Xaden, across from Violet’s bed.

Xaden looked up instinctively and his eyes met hers. His heart dropped.

Shit.

How the fuck was he going to tell her about Liam?