Page 29 of Tempest Blazing
I spotted Mason's familiar silhouette near the edge of the gathering crowd and gravitated toward him like a magnet. The moment I drew close, my racing pulse began to slow, the anxious chatter in my head quieting to a whisper.
"Hey," I said softly, bumping his shoulder with mine.
He turned, and those dark eyes immediately softened when they met mine. "Morning, sweetheart." His voice was still rough with sleep, and something warm unfurled in my chest at the endearment.
I was about to respond when I caught sight of Kane standing apart from the group, his white hair catching the early sunlight. My breath hitched. We hadn't really talked since... since he'd kissed me in the library three days ago. Since he'd looked at melike I was everything he'd ever wanted, then walked away like I was nothing at all.
"I'll be right back," I murmured to Mason, who followed my gaze and nodded with understanding.
I walked toward Kane, each step a conscious decision despite the knot of dread forming in my stomach. I didn't need this confrontation, but I couldn't leave things unresolved. I could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his jaw was set just a little too tight.
"Kane?" I kept my voice soft, non-threatening.
His head snapped up, and for just a second, I saw something raw flash across his features before the walls slammed back into place. "Tess."
The way he said my name—like it was a burden—made my chest tighten. "I was wondering if we could talk? About the other day—"
"There's nothing to discuss." His voice was arctic, and I actually took a step back from the force of it. "It was a mistake. One that won't be repeated."
I pressed my lips together to keep them from trembling, my hands clenching into fists at my sides. A mistake. That kiss that had felt like coming home, like finding a piece of myself I didn't know was missing—he was calling it a mistake.
"Kane, I don't understand. What happened? Did I do something wrong?"
His laugh was bitter, humorless. "You're human, Tess. That's what's wrong." He turned away, effectively ending the conversation.
The rational part of my brain knew this was probably Kane's defense mechanism kicking in—he'd let himself be vulnerable, and now he was retreating behind his walls. But his rejection felt like one burden too many.
Human. That's what's wrong.
The words echoed in my head as I walked back to Mason, who took one look at my face and frowned.
"What did he say?" Mason's voice carried a dangerous edge.
"Nothing important." I forced a smile that felt like glass. "Just... nothing."
Before Mason could press further, Theron's voice boomed across the training grounds. "Applicants! Form ranks. Today we begin Flight Synchronization trials."
My stomach dropped. Flight Synchronization was notoriously dangerous. And with my focus already scattered, this was the worst possible timing.
"Due to the number of applicants versus available dragons," Theron continued, "you'll be working in rotation. First group, step forward."
I stepped forward with the crowd, my name called among the first batch. Across the field, Thalon lifted his massive head, those amber eyes finding mine immediately. Even from this distance, I could feel the warmth of our bond, the steady presence that had become as familiar as breathing.
"Ready, little one?"
"I'm fine," I lied, gripping the saddle horn as we climbed higher.
"You are many things, little one, but fine is not one of them. What troubles you?"
Below us, the training ground spread out like a map. I could see the other applicants waiting their turns, could pick out Mason's broad shoulders and Kane's distinctive white hair. Draven stood slightly apart, as always, but I caught him looking up at us with an expression I couldn't read from this height.
"It's complicated," I finally admitted.
"Everything is complicated lately,"There was understanding in Thalon's mental tone. "But right now, we have more pressing concerns. The synchronization exercise requires your full attention, or we both end up as dragon pancakes."
Despite everything, I snorted with laughter. "Did you just say dragon pancakes?"
"I've been spending too much time around humans. Your colloquialisms are rubbing off on me."
