Page 60 of Ava's Love of the Dragons
"Don't worry, Ava. If anything happens, we'll just leave immediately."
The image of a face crept into her mind. The soldier who had declared himself her personal archenemy and repeatedly threatened her life. How likely was it that he would be there? The last time she had seen him was at Belmonde, on the border.
"We're landing!" Kilian's voice boomed through the sky. The dragons descended in sync and headed for a wide meadow that was within the walls but away from the arenas.
As Ava pressed her legs against Draco, Lynn clung to her screaming and Lilly laughed with delight. Marcus remained silent, but when they had landed and dismounted shortly after, his face had a slight greenish tinge.
"I'm really not made for this kind of thing." He held his head, which was still spinning.
Lynn ran her hands over her flushed cheeks. "I completely understand." She laughed, but quickly fixed her hair until her short black strands were back in place.
Two shadows loomed over them from behind. Kilian and Allan came running up, with the cadets lining up neatly behind them, satisfied grins on their faces.
"We're staying together!" Kilian pointed to the spot at his side, without taking his eyes off Ava. "And you stay by my side for now."
"What about Lilly and Lynn?"
Kilian nodded. Apparently he already had a plan. But before he could answer, Allan leaned forward and whispered, "Do you think that's a good idea, Kilian? Don't forget, the king will be informed about everything. Or do you want him to find out that you've been writing love letters?"
The dragon leader gritted his teeth. His gaze rested on Ava before he turned away and shouted, "Follow me, cadets!"
Lilly's eyes lit up. "A dream come true." She immediately lined up behind Kilian, with Ava and Lynn on her heels, and Marcus quickly caught up with them. The other cadets fell intoline after them and followed Kilian like chicks behind their mother.
The meadow, probably the official landing strip, was guarded by several soldiers who immediately marched up to Kilian and eagerly greeted him.
"Welcome, Dragon Leader. We didn't know you were coming!"
"I'm bringing a batch of new cadets. Their training is top priority."
Lynn leaned towards Ava. "Does that mean I have to learn to fight now too?" There was panic in her voice.
The soldier seemed equally skeptical as he eyed the group suspiciously, his gaze lingering a moment longer on Lilly. But he didn't contradict Kilian and instead gave an earnest salute. "Very well. I'll have the quarters prepared immediately!"
Marcus leaned towards her, his voice low. "Let me make one thing clear, I'll be sleeping in the same place as you, Ava!"
"Then let me make it even clearer that that won't be happening!"
"But I promised to protect you."
She turned to face him. "I've been training for weeks and have bonded with a dragon, damn it!"
It was only when the soldiers' gazes fell on her that she realized how loudly she had spoken. Kilian clenched his jaw as the soldiers' gaze inevitably fell on Draco.
"If I may ask, Dragon Leader, is that true? Did she bond with this impressive specimen?"
Impressive was not an adequate description for Draco, since now, ever since the battle against the mages, he rivaled even Kilian's enormous fire dragon.
"Who is she?" whispered another soldier.
The look Kilian gave her was unmistakable.
Yes, she should have remained inconspicuous, but heavens, she was only human! And her nerves were on edge. She didn't want to stay here anyway.
"Prepare the quarters and wait for further instructions. You'll be briefed about the new dragon tomorrow. Dismissed!" Kilian started moving again, and they followed him.
"I'll wait within calling distance. Let me know if you need me."
"Alright. Take care of yourself."
