Page 32 of Wings of Ash & Flame
“Very astute, Ms. Moore. Can anyone else share where exactly the fliers are positioned along the front lines and why?”
If Alaire didn’t make it through her first year at Aeris Academy, that was precisely where she would end up.
“Fliers are positioned mostly along the Crystal Spire Peaks, north of the Scorched Marsh. They have the advantage of speedand agility compared to the human infantry,” another student answered.
“Precisely. Providing our fliers with the smoothest course to the vampire borders is a tactical decision. The Consortium has been pressing forward inch by inch into the Retribution of the Ruin, keeping the fighting as far from our borders as possible. However, as your peer pointed out, Cielore’s natural barriers, while effective defensively, make transporting an army lengthy and cumbersome—even with magical assistance.”
“Have the vampires ever strained Elithian’s forces enough to retreat?” a novice in the front rows asked.
Professor Leslie raised her eyes to the ceiling before answering, “Yes.”
“And how… often has that occurred?”
“I won’t coddle you,” she said, her voice cutting through the tension in the room. “The situation is dire. The vampires are changing—evolving. Their momentum and precision have strengthened, becoming more lethal.”
Alaire shifted in her seat, fingers curling into her leathers.
Professor Leslie paced the front of the room. “They have turned humans into weapons against us, swelling their forces with our own. While the fae cannot be turned—only killed—we are not invincible. We’re still outnumbered, and this enemy is relentless.”
She stopped, eyes scanning their faces. “Our fliers are our greatest asset, but wings alone won’t win this war.” Her gaze locked onto theirs, intensity burning in her expression. “Your instincts, quick thinking, and ability to lead under pressure—those will shape Elithian’s future. Your leadership. Your choices.”
The room fell silent.
Professor Leslie’s words about leadership and choices rang hollow to Alaire when she thought about the humans who had no choice but to serve their territory, turned against their will.
Her voice came out shaky. “And for the humans who have been captured… what’s being done to help them?”
“Nothing. At that point, they are beyond redemption.”
Alaire rose to her feet, her chair scraping against the floor. “Beyond redemption?” Her voice dripped with ice. “So that’s it, then? They’re expendable? Bodies thrown into the meat grinder of war? They are people—with families, friends, lives.” Her hands trembled with rage as she tucked her thumbs into her palms. “Every life matters, not just those who wield magic. If we’re so willing to abandon our own, what are we even fighting for?”
“Sit down, Ms. Aerendyl.”
Slowly, she eased back into her seat, chest heaving.
“That outburst is exactly why this class is necessary. You cannot let your personal convictions dictate your actions. People need to be able to rely on you in high-pressure situations. The lives of the few do not outweigh the many.”
Alaire’s fingers tapped against the bottom of the seat, trying to rein in her barely restrained fury. “The lives of humans are not in the minority here. Fae are.”
“Yes, that’s right. The infantry consists of humans serving their territory. One flier or elemental compensates for the strength of at least twenty humans. By doing our job effectively, we are saving the human lives you accuse us of valuing so little. So I suggest you put all your energy into mastering your emotions.” Her eyes swept the classroom. “All you will have out there is each other and your magic. There is no them—only us.”
Alaire crossed her arms over her chest.Easy for her to say.
“For this reason, you’ll be paired with a partner to work with for the remainder of the year in this class. This partnership aims to help you understand how to function effectively as a team.”
Kaia smirked at Alaire.Partners. Easy enough.
Footsteps echoed behind them. The hairs on Alaire’s neck rose. Reluctantly, she turned to meet a familiar prince’s glacier stare pinning her down.
Fuck off.
A Cheshire grin spread across Professor Leslie’s face. “Might I add that each of you will partner with a veteran of my choosing.”
Kaia gave Alaire a deadpan look as the veterans lined themselves along the rear of the class, one for each novice.
Excellent. Just what I need.
Alaire ground her teeth. All these “partnerships” would do was give the veterans even more power and entitlement than they already had.
