Sometime in the morning, Violet remembered just where she was and what was awaiting her quick future. In the kitchen, where most of the squad was, Vyshena walked through in uniform and her hair braided. "Why are you ready?" Ridoc groaned while ushering his hand toward the princess. "Because we have a busy day?"

Vyshena noticed everyone had still been in their sleep clothes. "Did you sleep at all last night?" She asked, seeing Violet raise her hand. "I got stuck reading," Imogen muttered. "Fyda kidnapped me." The dragon gasped as she shot her head toward him. "I did not."

"I don't care what you did." Vyshena sighed, turning and walking out of the kitchen.

Vyshena was sat in her seat, a hand holding her head as the rest of the council met with them. "You will not go back!" Maeve shouted. A short woman with strawberry blonde hair, about as curly as Rhiannon's, but her skin was pale and littered with orange freckles. She had the ability to take over a city in a night, just herself. "Maeve, Morghan is there we cannot leave her."

"Then you will sneak in." Paloma answered on the other side of the table. An army woman, someone who bent the knee to Vyshena after the rebellion, the queen's hand, if Violet remembered correctly. Her features were sharp and had long, straight black hair. Her tan skin scarred in places on her face. "Send the girl back, and stay here." Reynolds instructed. She didn't look at Violet, but she knew that's who she was talking about.

"No one is going back to stay permanently." Xaden interrupted and Vyshena nodded her head. "Think about it. They are terrified of us," Vyshena leaned forward. "We have the room, the teachers, a goddamn dragon pit to host the dragons who are willing to come."

"How many do you think?" Brennan asked, "no idea."

"They're dragons given the opportunity to reside at Alithia? The whole school will be forced to come, the dragons won't give their riders the choice." Garrick said while Vyshena nodded her head. "We have the room. We tell them the truth, give them the opportunity to leave, then we come back here and prepare." Xaden rubbed his hands over his face.

"What if things go wrong? When Eon and Fyda are recognized? When Eon is recognized? A whole new, full sized, dragon?"

"That's when Morghan is going to grow and break the college." Bodhi told his cousin. "I have shit in there, she can't do that." Xaden pointed a finger at his cousin who chuckled. "Please, let's come up with a plan. Graduation is soon." Xaden said while sitting down.

"Graduation." Vyshena mumbled, eyeing Xaden who tilted his head gently. "Graduation."

"Andarna is not well to fly yet." Vyshena sat in the pool room with Fyda. The sun beating down on them, with the birds signing in the trees. The walls were glass besides a eight food wide hole in the ceiling for the tree in the middle of the room. A green hue was casted on them from one of the gardens on the other side of the glass. The rumble on the earth from the dragons, and the smell of food from the town below them. Vyshena and Fyda went over the plan, "call for Ridoc." Vyshena told her daughter as she scribbled out an idea.

Fyda giggled while Vyshena saw the gleam in her eyes as she stared past Vyshena's head and toward the trees and flowers. A small smile on her lips as they parted, hearing Ridoc's voice in her head. "Quickly, please." Vyshena reminded while Fyda forced her face flat and quickly told Ridoc.

The doors to the pool room opened and Ridoc walked inside. "Holy shit," gasping at the view. Walking the thirty foot distance of the pool where the two girls sat in the shade. "We're going over the plan." He nodded, sitting beside Vyshena who held the map of Basgaith in front of them on the table.

"We will be going back on Graduation day." Ridoc gasped, "brutal. I like it."

"During roll call, hopefully. We walk through, do what we have to do. Things turn bad, Eon and Fyda here." Vyshena circled the two highest points of the college, "Tairn and Sgaeyl here." Pointed to another section. Xaden had walked in, nodding his head once while sitting beside Fyda.

"And Rio here." Perched at the entrance, completely cutting out any movement. "Why are Eon and Fyda at the highest points? Shouldn't they be closer?" Ridoc asked. "No, their fire is a lot hotter and a lot stronger. They're only there for destruction. Tairn and Sgaeyl for management. And Rio, if, you know." Vyshena explained while Ridoc smiled.

"Violet is getting Liam's letters for Sloane so she can have them this coming year." Ridoc nodded, "you are immediately getting into formation." Vyshena pointed her finger at him while he nodded quickly.

"I still think we should wait." Xaden said while leaning forward. "We had a handle on that hoard," Fyda snapped her head to Xaden. "Liam's dead." She reminded him in her native tongue, making Ridoc's eyes widen from her tone. "Just, listen." He sighed while sitting up taller.

"You bring Eon and Fyda now. What if the wards end up going down sometime and they'll be able to pass through undetected." Xaden told Vyshena, and he noticed the slight flicker in her eyes. "You bring them now, all of that is going out the window. You want the shock value, right? Wait for the right time."

"How will we call for them? Rio can barley reach and I'm cut off from the wards." Vyshena said, "you can always finish the ritual." Fyda muttered, getting all eyes on her. "No," Fyda said. Pointing her finger to her daughter as the doors opened again. Her voice echoed through the walls, seeing Eon walk over to them slowly. She sunk onto her fathers lap, "you smell of the child." Eon said, rubbing her nose with disgust on her puffy face.

"Well, I've been busy." He sighed, situating his hips so she'd be more comfortable. "Okay, we'll wait and I'll have Rio reach out when it comes time. Who will keep Morghan when you leave?" Vyshena didn't seem bothered by Xaden leaving in almost a days time, she wasn't allowing herself to. . "Best bet is you. It's what she knows, people she knows. Your group is all aware of her, so." Xaden answered while Eon rested her head between his shoulder and jaw.

"That way she'll be at the school." Xaden finished, not wanting to take responsibility of Morghan when he gets stationed. Vyshena sighed and nodded, knowing he was right. "Fyda can you go gather everyone please?" Ridoc stood up, following her quickly while Xaden watched them out of the corner of his eye. "Fyda took a liking toward him." Vyshena told Xaden who slowly nodded his head.

"Is he nice?" Vyshena slowly smiled. "He's charming, and loyal, and funny." Vyshena told him. "I also believe he would worship the ground she walks on." Vyshena sighed. "His intentions are pure. I haven't seen that in awhile." She slowly nodded her head, "his inner thoughts are full of admiration." She caught Xaden's eye, who went quiet as the doors opened again.

Her team stood in front of her, half of them sitting around. "Eon and Fyda will be staying here," Garrick gasped and leaned forward. "For the time being. Chill." Vyshena told her friend who rolled his eyes. "We will still show up on graduation day, 48 hours from now. First years will immediately get into formation. I need to check on something, Xaden does as well. Do not make yourself publicly known. Of course you can get recognized, just be quiet doing so." The group slowly nodded their heads.

"Xaden will speak. He will tell everyone what happened but blame the fliers." Bodhi furrowed his brows. "Okay," he said slowly. "Sorry, we're doing everything we're actually fighting against. This would be the perfect time." Imogen interrupted while Xaden nodded, then looked at Vyshena. "Please just trust me that now is not the time. I'm on the side that says let them get fucked, but." She shrugged her shoulders while sighing.

"Everyone understand? First years immediately in formation?" The few all nodded their heads while Imogen sighed and stood up. "I'm obsessed with the fruit you have here, I can't stop eating it." She answered while her and Garrick walked out.

Violet followed behind, pushing through the doors while listening to their conversation. It fell deaf to her ears while pulling her hair back. She was uncomfortable in this palace in the air, in clothes that did not belong to her. Eating foods that tasted of magic and drinks that sparkled. It was too calm here for what just happened.

Imogen pushed open the doors to the kitchen and going for the ice box, pulling out the fresh fruit and sliding it to the middle of the island. "God, what is it?" Garrick asked as he took a bite of a strawberry. "Literally tastes orgasmic."

Violet shared a funny look with Imogen who slowly shut her eyes. "Are you guys comfortable here?" Garrick grabbed the bowl, "yeah?" He asked. "Not you." Violet answered, knowing he spent time here growing up. "Not really. It's kinda nice." Imogen said as they walked out.

"I want to see if I can find Aelon." Garrick said, "whose that?"

"Vyshena's brother."

They were deep in the building archives. Violet walking fast, up and down the aisles in awe. "Aelon!" Violet heard echo through the library as she squatted. Her knees bending awkwardly at her sides. Their reunion fell deaf to her ears as she slowly pulled a bible out from a stack of books. She flipped through it slowly, eyes wide.

"Violet?" Imogen asked, tilting her head to the side after the first response was deaf. She snapped her head to the group, seeing Imogen trying to hide her smile, Garrick with furrowed brows, then another boy a few inches taller than Garrick. His white as snow hair, cut messily and fell around his head in loose curls. He wore a cream tunic, with a black dragon-scale vest over the top of it. Black trousers and rider boots. His hands were in his pockets.

Violet quickly pushed up from the floor, holding the bible in her arms. "Hi, I'm Violet." He hummed while shaking her hand. "Sorrengail?" He asked, seeing the nervousness cross her features. "No bad blood here. I saved your brother." Violet couldn't help but understand his tone as regret, but quickly dismissed it with another smile and chuckle.

"You can take that." Garrick said, while Aelon furrowed his brows and looked to his friend. "And when someone finds an Alithian bible at Basgaith?" He asked, while Imogen slowly nodded her head. "Well, we have a baby dragon there, so what's a bible?" Garrick replied, seeing Aelon slowly smile and shake his head. Violet's eyes found Garrick, "there's a baby dragon at Basgaith?" She asked quietly, "doesn't sound like you're in the loop." Aelon sighed, his brows raising as Violet stared at him and rolled her eyes.

"Well, there are political matters happening in the City that I have to," he waved his finger in the air. "Find, so if you'll excuse me."

"Violet's super smart, maybe she could help you?" Garrick offered while Aelon slowly nodded his head. "Alright, as long as she doesn't turn into her brother." He joked, winking quickly to Violet. She chuckled nervously, following him.

"So, what made you go into the riders quadrant?" He asked, slowly searching the rows. "We are looking for laws relating to custody over a child." Violet furrowed her brows. "The judge decides." Aelon smiled, "you think we have a suitable person here to be a judge? Vyshena has not returned home full time." Violet slowly nodded, searching the shelves. "And Vaena is only so much help."

"To answer your question, my mom. I was supposed to be a scribe, but." She said while Aelon sucked his teeth. "Yeah, I leave when you do." He admitted, squatting down while his finger touched each book. "You're going to Basgaith?" Violet asked, taking a step forward. "Yep. I was in attendance of my parents funeral, and didn't have the ability to run like Vyshena did." He said, "she's never mentioned you before."

Aelon touched another four books delicately and stood up. "I'm not surprised to hear that. We've never been close." He told her. "I have found what I needed. Can you find your way out or would you like me to walk you?" He asked and she held up the bible. "I am actually going to sit and read until we leave." He smiled while nodding his head.

"I do have one favor." She nodded her head. "Don't act like you know me at the school, please." Violet's face fell while she cleared her throat. "Yeah, yeah. Of course." He gave her one last smile before turning on his heels and walking out.

What the fuck was that about?

Violet and Xaden walked around outside, Vyshena breathing in the scent while the grass smushed under her feet with every step. "I missed it here." Violet sighed, walking to her group who sat under a tree and soaked in the energy. Their dragons were resting in the field, all scattered around. Fyda and Ridoc were further out. Fyda in a fighting stance while Xaden saw piles of rocks in front of his squad. "What's happening?" Violet turned when Vyshena sat beside her.

"Uh, we've been making bets on Fyda. So far, Garrick and Bodhi are tied, Imogen is coming in third, those two second, and I'm first." Violet spoke softly as Xaden jumped once Fyda flew Ridoc on his back and Vyshena saw stones being passed around, more thrown at Violet's pile. "Don't throw stones, what're you doing?" Vyshena chuckled as Bodhi turned his waist to look at her. "Your daughter is literally in a fight with bets and you're worried about throwing stones?"

"She's not going to get hurt." Violet nodded, "that's why I'm winning." She said, pointing down to her pile while Imogen chuckled. "Party with out me?" Violet snapped her head behind her, seeing Soamei and her pink scales slowly walk toward the other dragons, passing by the group that all stared at her in awe. "Pink dragon." Ridoc said quietly while pointing his finger to the beast who slowed her pace and laid on her belly.

Xaden gasped, and Violet smiled once hearing it. For once, Xaden stood up and rushed over to the girl in rider gear and armor, showing excitement. She dropped the helmet and opened her arms, Xaden hugging under them while he held her tight. "This is Vaena, my sister. She is the traveler, and always dearly missed so we never ask if she is home." Violet heard Vyshena tell her while Xaden set her on her feet while pointing to Soamei before walking past the group and to the dragon.

Soamei rose her head and slowly shut her green eyes, Xaden rubbing and scratching her scales roughly as she nuzzled her head into his chest. "Bodhi, I see you still have your baby face." Vaena told him while she smiled at Vyshena and opened her arms as she dropped to her knee's, falling chest first into her sister who caught her. "I missed you, sister. Why do you smell like that?" Vaena sat up quickly, while Vyshena held her arms out.

"Like what?" Imogen yelled something, cheering on Fyda who had ran in circles with Ridoc chasing her out of breath. "Death." Her accent was different, and she looked like she came from the East. But her hair was the same stark white, and they were sisters. Aelon and Vyshena looked related, but Vaena and Vyshena had no similarities besides their hair.

But she was a rider, how was she not forced to the school?

"We lost Liam. Deigh was killed." Violet saw how Vaena held a hand to her chest and her eyes filled with tears. "Where is Eon?" Vaena asked once realizing she wasn't there. "Probably in bed. She comes out sometimes."

"Are you okay?" Vanea's voice immediately softened and Violet saw out of the corner of her eye how Vaena slowly nodded with whatever Vyshena told her.

Vaena shut her eyes while crossing her legs. "Whose fighting with Fifi?" She asked and Violet allowed herself to get comfortable and not allow the new person to give her anxiety, she already had enough of it. "Ridoc, he came from the school with us." Vaena gasped, "isn't Aelon going today? When are you leaving?"

Vaena noticed Bodhi was snacking on something as she stood on her hands and knees and crawled between him and Garrick, sneaking her hand through and onto his lap while he gasped and quickly grabbed the bag. Violet jumped once she shouted something loud at him in Alithia, "damn, here." He sighed while she thanked him and took the bag.

Garrick didn't grow up at Alithia like Liam or Xaden, but he was around enough to form a tight bond with the kids. And even rode one with the dead king, he is very grateful for his life.

"I haven't seen Aelon, and in," Vyshena checked the tower, "thirty-eight minutes." Vaena popped the berries in her mouth, making room for Xaden to be the forth person in their group. "How's Morghan?"

"The girls hatched her?" Vaena gasped, eyes wide while Xaden slowly nodded his head. "No punching!" He shouted once Ridoc quickly dodged Fyda's punch. "Met up with Brennan half-way, he said he was going to bond her so I took her back to the college. One of our other friends is staying with her." Vaena nodded, picking through the bag while pulling out a bright purple one and eating it. "Fuck, that's sour." Xaden chuckled while Vyshena saw the doors open again and two more people walk toward them.

"Aelon and Eon incoming." Vyshena said while she sighed and Vaena stood up. "My babies!" She cheered while Eon gave her aunt a soft smile before she grabbed the two of them in a hug. "Eastern side is good to go for production, we start mining in two weeks. I'm going to send Patrick and Ian down tomorrow to triple check everything and make sure we won't damage anything if we do mine." Vaena told Aelon who nodded his head.

"Sounds good to me. Just, be careful when you send letters please. Send them in Alithian, if you can." Xaden stood up once they got back to the group, Eon falling beside Vaena and resting her head on her lap. "It's good to see you, man." Aelon sighed in their hug, "you too." Xaden rubbed his back.

"V, how're you?" Aelon asked while glancing down at his sister. "Good, you?" She asked in response while Aelon nodded. "As good as one can be running a kingdom. I am off, please do not tell people you know me at the school." Aelon said while turning around.

"Dumbass look at your hair! Your eyes?" Vyshena shouted in response while Violet held back her laugh and Vaena chuckled. "This is gonna suck for you. He's going to get in so much trouble and you're gonna have to deal with it." Vaena said while standing up and whistled, Soamei perked up and walked over to them. "No, you are. You're oldest."

"I'm back and forth from the East. The gods were on our side today."