Vyshena stood outside during flight lessons, walking to Rio who stayed feet behind the other dragons. Before she could make her way towards the elder, heavy footsteps padded the earth beside her and she quickly turned. A small smile creeped onto her lips at the sight of the golden beast who, excitedly, ran to her. And she plopped onto her bottom in front of Vyshena.

"She say's she would like to formally meet you." Violet's voice from behind her spoke. It was two weeks after her meet with Cat, and healers had done what they could to mend the gash on her face that left her with a scar almost identical to Xaden's. Questions were asked, but she refused to answer to anyone.

"Andarna, it is a pleasure to meet you." Vyshena said, gently bowing her head. "She say's its a pleasure to meet you..." then Vyshena saw the look of confusion on Violet's face. "She addressed you as Queen." It came in a whisper and Vyshena's face fell, hearing Andarna well enough in her own head.

"Um, from my parents, surely. They were more dragon than Rio." Hearing the elder grumble while Violet nodded her head. "She say's when she is strong enough, she'd like to host you." Violet spoke for the dragon and Vyshena smiled, a look of surprise on her face. Violet couldn't help but feel jealous. From Vyshena's bond with Sgaeyl, now Andarna wanting to host her.

"It would be my pleasure, however, Violet is your rider. Not me. I have no business on the back of a dragon I am not bonded to. But if you'd ever like to chat, I'll be here." Then the excitement from Andarna filled both Violet and Vyshena's head. Vyshena laughed before Violet could translate, and her face slowly fell. "You can hear her?"

"Perks of being a Lenayon, I can hear all of them. Even the other elders in the Vale." Violet didn't know what to think, but she saw Vyshena shoot a half smile in her direction, and couldn't but but think it was forced. "I was wanting to talk you, actually." Rhiannon had walked over and Violet took a quick step back as Feirge nudged her snout against Vyshena's back, knocking her forward.

"Feirge!" Rhiannon scolded, but Vyshena held a hand behind her to place on the green dragon's snout, and turned back to Violet. "I'd like to help you with riding. I spoke to Kaori and he think's it's a good idea." Violet and Rhiannon both stood in a look of awe as Vyshena rubbed Feirge's snout, continuing on the conversation as if it was no big deal.

"She addressed you as queen," Rhiannon spoke under a whisper and Vyshena scolded the dragon in her mind. "Her parents," Violet answered. "Andarna did the same." Loud thunder had echoed as Tairn landed behind Violet. "Let me guess, you'd like a pat too?" Violet asked as she spun around and saw the look on Tairn's face. Betrayal, as if asking her why he would want a pat from someone he is not bonded with.

"He's a grumpy old man, aren't you?" Vyshena asked Tairn who lowly grumbled in his throat and Violet scolded him for his actions. "He'll never do anything." Vyshena smiled at the beast, "you value your mate too much." Rhiannon's lips parted at the audacity Vyshena had in speaking to another dragon, let alone Tairn. "And you can't do anything about Sgaeyl's love for me." Vyshena purred as she took a step toward Tairn, squinting her eyes devilishly.

"Why did you choose Violet?" She asked, examining the beast who slowly lowered his head to Vyshena's height "Vyshena," Violet whispered in fear and the girl forced a frown over her lips. "Cause you know more than anyone, what it feels like to be away from your person." Rhiannon kept her eyes glued to Vyshena, listening to every word she spoke. She was hurt, angry at the dragon for not choosing her. And it tore at Rhiannon's heart. "You don't trust me, do you?"

Tairn grumbled low in the back of his throat, causing Rio to snap her jaws in his direction. "I would not of been able to give you the power you need, princess." Tairn spoke to the dragons, Vyshena and Violet. "Rio possesses the ability to host you, I do not." His voice rumbled deep within Vyshena, but her nose flared and lip quirked up.

"Yes, you do." She answered and quickly heard Rio tell her to drop the argument. "No," she responded. "I want to know why. Why did you choose Violet?" Rhiannon held a hand out for her friend who grabbed it, linking their fingers together. "Why are they fighting about me?" Violet whispered, tears in her eyes. "I think there's more to her and Xaden that we'll ever know."

"You know my reasons."

"Because I hurt him, and in turn hurt Sgaeyl?" She asked, "and you can't trust me because of that when you weren't even there. You don't know what he did, you don't know the pain I go through, every day." Vyshena said, "and would anything change if I bonded to you, princess?"

"He's still addressing her as princess," Violet whispered. "Would you take him back, if I bonded to you?" And there it was. Violet sucked in a harsh breath, taking a step back and she saw the surprised look on Vyshena's face.

Rhiannon stumbled back as Rio pounced to her feet, lunging forward and bowing her head at Tairn who snapped his neck. Weaving it in the air as he growled, showing the elder submission. "I knew you wouldn't, that's why you are not my rider. You can't trust anyone, even yourself, princess Sca." Vyshena couldn't think, Tairn was right. She wouldn't of taken him back, wouldn't of changed anything between her and Xaden.

"There is a reason why I bonded Violet that you do not know about. It is up to Xaden to tell you." That fell deaf to Violet's ears, and rang loudly in Vyshena's. "You did it for a reason?" She asked, "ask him about the General and their deal."

Vyshena nodded her head slowly, "but do not come back to me with more questions. Rio has the ability to keep who you are safe, and I do not. You have the power here, princess. Violet will mean nothing to Xaden if you tell him what he needs to hear." Tairn grumbled and Vyshena felt the hold break between them and she gasped.

It was unusually quiet on the field, and Vyshena peeled her eyes away from Tairn. "Lenayon!" She slowly turned her head, seeing Xaden slowly walk over to them. "What's going on?" Rio and Vyshena both had the same look on their face. Anger, disgust, betrayal.

"Let's go." Rio chimed and Vyshena walked for her beast. "We're not done here. What the fuck was that?" Xaden asked as he got to their small group. "The General?" She spoke under her breath once she reached Rio's extended leg. She saw the slap in the face, "I know she cut you, but what else happened?" Xaden's lips parted as he slowly shook his head.

"Not here." He answered and Vyshena chuckled, "of course. Your little Sorrengail girl would hear, right? No harm can come her way." She said it loud enough for both girls to hear, and Violet's lips parted. Vyshena smiled, a daring one. "We'll see about that, won't we, wingleader?"

She couldn't help but think she just lost a friend, and has a new target on her back.