The Heartstone Saga by Archibald Bradford (short novels in english .TXT) 📕

deep breath, her eyes still glowing as she looked at the headmistress of the academy; in hindsight she regretted the silly prank that ended with the woman in the Undine training pools.

And in that moment she made a decision that would drastically change the landscape of the Aegis forever.

“Just so. But there can be no peace to keep so long as Evadne lives. To that end, I must now take command of our efforts to regain it.” There were a few gasps of surprise at the decisive words, but she spoke over them; “I hope that I do so with your blessing and assistance, because no one living knows the burden. Save the very special few such as the Flametongue. If you understood as well as she, you would not object.”

“I will follow you, daughter of light.” Xalanth said with a slight bow of her head; “As I once did your ancestors.”

That gave the council pause.

It was a heady thing for a Dragon to submit to anyone other than their bond-mate.

Booker drew in a heavy breath.

“Alright, Dominar Volka. I’ll... admit you’ve given us a lot to think about. Would you allow the council some time to discuss this?”

The Valkyrie met his eyes, her bearing still stern and proud even as she nodded her head.

“Do not take over long. Our enemy does not wait for us.”

If only she had known how true her words would prove to be.

Chapter 34:Touching Off

After having spent the morning getting accustomed to her new home, Rebecca gathered her nerve and headed out to the Aegis academy in the early afternoon.

Soon she was taking in the sight of the sprawling academy grounds as she followed the signs leading towards the administration building, Miranda’s letter clutched in her fist.

Her bond-mate had offered to go with her and make the introductions, but Becks wanted to prove that she didn’t need any hand-holding.

As she watched a nearby group of cadets running through a nasty looking obstacle course under the watchful eye of a pair of instructors, she lamented that decision.

“Can I help you?” A gruff voice sounded right beside her.

Her ears went flat to her head and she let out an odd little squeak at being surprised, turning to look up into the frowning face of a scarred and muscular bald man.

She coughed to clear her throat before holding up the letter, almost like she was afraid that she was in trouble somehow.

“I’m Rebecca sir. Miranda, my bond-mate Miranda, she um... I’m supposed to learn here?” She finished lamely.

Instructor Kavanaugh’s frown softened, if only a tiny bit, and he took the letter.

“So you’re a legacy?” He asked.

Becks didn’t have a clue what that meant, so she shrugged noncommittally.

Whatever her response was, it didn’t seem to matter as his attention turned to the letter. It was so crinkled from her nervous hand-wringing that he had to rub it back and forth against his thigh to smooth it out before reading it, causing her to blush deeply.

“You recently bonded to Special Operator Miranda Holt…” He trailed off in a mumble as he read the details.

As he read his frown dissipated, and soon his eyes even widened slightly in surprise.

When he turned back to her, he was actually smiling slightly.

“We were briefed about that mess in Algrade. I’m sorry you ended up in that situation and good on you for getting out of it again.” He congratulated, but his look turned measuring as he took in her nervous posture; “But that and this are very different things. Are you sure you’re ready to join the academy? We’re not going to go easy on you just because of who you’re bonded too.”

She swallowed, and with a concerted effort forced her pierced ears to straighten from her head.

“I’ve always wanted to serve the Aegis, sir. But now I just want to help my bond-mate.”

He clucked his tongue, again measuring her resolve.

Finally he jerked his chin down in a quick nod.

“Alright then. My name is Instructor Kavanaugh. You won’t get to meet me yet though.” He turned and pointed towards a nearby entrance; “Through that door, then up the stairs on the right. That’s where the secretary is for legacy intakes.”

She smiled brightly, having determined that the big man was, in his own gruff way, a nice guy.

Rebecca was eager to get started though, so she immediately turned to go where he told her.

“Thanks!”

She got about three two steps before he took the wind from her sails again.

“Cadet!” He barked, again causing her to jump as she turned to face him; “You’ll need this.”

He held up the letter beside one raised eyebrow.

Once more the blush returned to her face as she took it from him.

“Thanks.” She mumbled again.

Kavanaugh watched as she entered the building, mentally comparing the jumpy and uncertain girl that he’d just met with the courageous one he’d heard about in the Algrade briefing.

Finally he shook his head and resolved to get on with his day: legacy or not, she’d just have to prove herself like any other cadet.

__________

While Rebecca was joining the Aegis, one of its most senior members was coping with how its role in the world needed to change.

Booker rounded the last corner as he headed back towards the council chamber after a short break for lunch; it felt like all he did these days was attend meetings, but after what Volka had said in the last one they had a major decision to make.

Juni his Undine bond-mate was at his side, she’d sought him out after feeling his anxiety from his encounter with Volka.

“I’ll admit the Dominar caught me off guard. But I think I also have to admit that she’s right.” He was saying.

With Nameless’s help the water elemental had