𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𓆩⟡𓆪 𝕏𝕒𝕕𝕖𝕟 ℝ𝕚𝕠𝕣𝕤𝕠𝕟

「 ✦ 0.04 ✦ 」

"Damn it, Violet," he mutters, hauling her back to her feet. With one hand on Violet's back and the other under her elbow, he quickly leads her away from the crowd and into an alcove in the wall, close to the first defensive turret of the citadel. It's a shady, hidden spot with a hard wooden bench, which he sits her down on, then helps Violet out of her rucksack. Rhiannon and I share a glance, before we follow them over to the bench and stand close to Violet.

"I'm going to be sick." I hear Violet say, her eyes not being able to focus.

"Head between your knees," Dain orders in a harsh tone that makes me let out a scoff, but Violet follows his orders. He rubs circles on her lower back as she rests her head between her knees. "It's the adrenaline. Give it a minute and it'll pass." I move closer to Violet, listening to the crunch of gravel and Dain looks over at me. "Who the hell are you?"

"I'm Ainsley and this is Rhiannon. We're Violet's friend." I say, glaring at him, causing him to look shocked at my harsh tone. I don't do well with men thinking they are superior to me, as he can realize.

"Listen to me, you two. Violet is fine," he commands and I cut him off before he can say more.

"I'm not blind, I know she's fine because I helped her. More than you can say." I hiss, not liking his tone towards me. I don't care if he a second year or not, no one will talk to me like that. Unless, of course I get put in his wing, then I will hold my tongue after that. His eyes flash with what can only be seen as guilt, before nodding slightly.

"And if anyone asks, then you tell them exactly what I said, that it's just the adrenaline working out of her system. Understand?" He continues and I roll my eyes, not wanting to respond to his stupidity. Like I would tell others Violet's business.

"It's no one's business what's going on with Violet," Rhiannon retorts, her tone just as sharp as his and I look over at her with a smirk. She was over his tone just like I am, it seems. "So I wouldn't say shit. Especially not when she and Ainsley are the reason I made it across the parapet."

I feel Rhiannon squeeze my arm affectionately and I smile softly at her. She was truly a great friend already. It'll be nice to have someone who is in my year to tackle whatever is thrown at us.

"You'd better mean that," he warns, his gaze glancing at both of us, the bite in his voice sharp. I narrow my eyes at him, wanting nothing more than to bite back, but Rhiannon beats me to it.

"I could ask you just who the hell you are," Rhiannon retorts.

"He's one of my oldest friends." Violet mumbles to Rhiannon. Knew it. Violet goes to unlace the boot she traded slowly as Dain glares at Rhiannon.

"Oh."

"And a second-year rider, cadet," he growls and I roll my eyes. Big whoop. Doesn't mean he has to be an asshole. Especially, when he doesn't know who exactly I am. Rhiannon goes to step back in shock, but I tighten my grip on her and hold our ground. He will not intimidate me.

"Great, congratulations, and I'm Ainsley Whitlock." I say, smiling widely as I see his eyes widen in shock. I may be a first year, but my name holds a lot of power and I use it to school assholes. He turns his attention back to Violet, trying to hide that he got schooled at his own game.

"No one can see you here, Vi, so take your time," Dain says softly.

"Because puking my guts up after surviving the parapet and the asshole who wanted to throw me off it would be considered weak." Violet mutters, before slowly rising and sitting upright.

"Exactly," he answers, with no hint of happiness at all. You'd think he would be happy to see his oldest friend, but I guess not. Weird. "Are you hurt?" His gaze rakes over Violet with a desperate edge to it, like he needs to see every inch for himself. I feel a shiver of uncomfortable disgust run down my spine as I watch him examine everything.