I had lost weight; too much, but I had grown a fine layer of muscle.
Not enough to make me look bulky. In fact, I doubted anyone else could even admire it, except me. At one point, I had lost so much weight that I could see my ribs, but that was before I came here.
My physical training had taken months to achieve. But it was the mental training that devoured time.
Because of the sensitivity of it, the training included Ambrose, who was less than pleased with what it included. We shared the pain that should have belonged to me.
But my dragon somehow knew how to syphon it for himself. Taking almost all of it away and holding it like it didn't bother him.
Although, that wasn't actually allowed.
So, they moved me into the chambers. They were made with a stone that effectively cut off the mental bond between Ryder's and their dragons. Nothing felt worse than that. I don't even know how long I was in there for, but I could feel myself cracking.
And when I shattered, it was only Ambrose who could put me back together.
It was a new pain that I wasn't familiar with. It wasn't like the burning in your lungs when held under-water for minutes at a time.
Or the tightening in your chest you get when someone is suffocating me. I didn't burn so they had to find new ways to hurt me.
Knives. Whips. Arrows.
I needed to be broken so I could be remade, is what Solomon chanted to me. They needed to hurt me worse than anyone else could.
Whilst I weakened, my dragon grew. I could feel our bond growing stronger, and stronger, with every passing day.
Ambrose now had the occasional coherent thought. I was stunned when it first happened, at the time my body was being forcibly held underwater. I had to try even harder to remain calm and hold my breath.
Then I heard his voice.
'I don't like this.' His voice spoke through my mind, clear as day, 'I do not like this, Ariane. Fight back.'
It was a command, but one that I hesitated to listen to. Until I could feel my eyes begin to darken around the edges.
Only then did I jam my shoulder into someone's chest, and then break free with a splash and a struggle. It was only the next day that they had decided that my training had reached its peak.
I had passed the tests, and now only one remained.
For me to graduate, I needed to fight another Ryder. Ambrose matured slowly but surely, he was now big enough to be measured for his Ryding gear.
Although the sheer size of him made it a struggle. It would take more time because his growth spurts were so...random. Every day he had to get measured, and every day the numbers would grow.
I had been measured for my own armour but until I graduated, I would never be able to wear it. At least I was given appropriated Ryding gear for the time being.
Pants stitched from a durable fabric. Less tearing meant I had more freedom to move around. They'd even given me a chest plate, albeit it was a couple of sizes too big for me.
"Don't throw me off." I found myself speaking to Ambrose in my native tongue more often, "I mean it. I don't want to have to go back to Sasha, they want to give me a loyalty stamp!"
Ambrose huffed as I circled him, eyes narrowing. His size made him dwarf almost anything he was in, even the barn. Other's had started whispering about him; concerns about his growing strength.
Dragon's developing quickly is normal. But I think everyone knew that this wasn't. We rarely even trained with other dragons anymore, despite Ambrose's innate desire to assert dominance.
Mainly because he was too much of a distraction, rather than anything else.
Tiberius was kind enough to lend us one of Seppius's old saddles. It was worn from age, but enough to help break Ambrose in. Something he most definitely was not fond of, in fact, he truly hated it.
I could already feel him grumbling as I settled myself into it. Trying to get familiar with it myself. But even I had to admit it was uncomfortable, possibly because it was moulded to fit someone else's ass.
'You don't need that,' I heard him argue through our bond, 'We can fly without it. Don't you trust me?'
I knew that he was trying to guilt me and I scolded him, "Don't start with that crap." I muttered lowly, and he purposely rustled about as we padded out of the Dragon House, "You know you have to get used to it."
Ambrose huffed silently as he took off running. Thick muscles tightening just before he launched his entire body upwards, wings flaring out to catch the wind.
My breath stopped for a moment like it always did. We were flying. The sensation never dimmed, and I slipped my eyes shut as we ascended.
My hair was whipped back as the wind pressed against my face, like a cool cloth before warmth began to spread throughout my body. I looked down to see the expectant glimmer in the topaz eyes of Ambrose. It was only then I realized that he had provided me with the warmth from his body.
Power thrummed through Ambrose's body, and I leaned forward, silently directing him with ease. This was the best part of my day; the freedom was riveting, and Ambrose flourished with confidence when we were in the air.
His large body soared above the radiant white clouds with ease. Flawlessly angling his body to abide the wind direction as he flew along it. Despite being such a large creature, he moved with an unimaginable grace.
Flying in the air on top of a creature so powerful filled me with adrenaline. The thrill that came with it made my heart stutter, and I could feel Ambrose's pleasure whenever he was stretching his wings.
He was most happy when we were in the air.
When we landed, it was hard and unsteady but at least this time we didn't crack the ground beneath us. A clap came from a distance, and I looked down to see Roman leaning against the Dragon Stables with a pleased grin, I dismounted Ambrose and began to walk towards him.
"You're good in the air." Roman complimented with a wink, "But your landing could use some work. We should ride together sometime."
I laughed breathlessly, still elated from being in the sky. Ambrose snorted and padded by us, not giving Roman so much as a glance. I got the feeling that my dragon was not so fond of him,
"Maybe." I said with a tight smile, and I cocked my head, "Where are you going?"
Roman shrugged a shoulder with that wolfish smile, "Out to meet a friend." He shrugged casually, and I knew that meant he was going on a date. Every night this week he had come home late, I wondered why he didn't just say, "Unless you unveil some plans which could catch my attention."
"If only I were so productive," I smiled wryly, stepping by him and I arched a brow, "Have fun with your friend tonight."
His lips pulled into an adorable half smile, his warm eyes following me as I walked away, "I'd have more fun with you!" He teased, and I shook my head in amusement, "See you later, Ariane."
Ambrose looked at me disapprovingly, and I rolled my eyes at him, "Don't be a bore." I muttered taking a slab of slaughtered meat from the fridge, "It's just a little harmless flirting. I know you do it too."
I pointedly looked at Medea's empty stable, and he sniffed at me in dismay, 'That's different.' I could already hear him say through my mind and I rolled my eyes at him.
A grunt left me as I threw the meat into a wheelbarrow, and started pushing it towards him, "It's not." I argued, pouring out the dead carcass of a sheep, "Eat your food. I'll be back around later."
No arguments there. I took the chance to escape his complaining whilst Ambrose chowed down, and decided to go back to the house. I didn't spend much time there, but now I was starting to. I even got to sleep there a couple of nights a week.
The guys were normally out doing whatever it was that they did. They always had assignments that needed to be done, most of them took them away for days at a time.
Because I was still in training, I had not the slightest idea of what that included. They were rarely all there the same time as me.
It was actually kind of lonely, knowing people were there but never seeing them. It was worse than living alone.
"What are you doing here?" Trystan's voice came from behind me, I was surprised that he was here.
Trystan spent at least time out of us all coming here. Although he periodically ate here on Thursdays and Saturday nights.
the two nights I avoided, with every intention of being somewhere else. I don't know what the seasoned Ryder had against me, and I didn't care to find out.
"I live here," I shrugged dumbly, pouring myself a glass of water. Surprise painted his features, and turned his head away, "Roman just left. Kaleb and Victore are out on one of their assignments."
The brunette gave me a snide sidelong look, "I know that." He said like I was stupid, and I gave him a blunt look.
"Then why are you here?" I deadpanned, knowing he must stay somewhere else. Unless he liked to live in the wild.
"I've lived here longer than you." Trystan stated with a scoff, "I don't owe you any answers."
I hated that I didn't have a reply to that, because he was right. Instead shrugged a shoulder, "Fine. So, don't." I simply said sitting across the table from him, just because I knew that it would annoy him, "I don't know what your problem is, frankly; I don't care. But don't be an asshole and expect me to take it as if I deserve it."
I wish there were something other than his attitude to make me dislike him. His dislike of me wasn't enough. I couldn't even critique him on his skills because they were so admirable. The kind that came from years of training, and dedication.
Everything about him screamed 'warrior' and it was admittedly intimidating.
Trystan's jaw clenched tightly, eyes piercing into me in a way that made me want to look away. Unfortunately, I was extremely stubborn. The things I should do, I normally don't.
"He wasn't cocky." He bit out, looking as if he could barely control his temper.
My brows lowered in confusion, "What?" I finally blurted, not understanding the meaning behind his words. It only seemed to make him angrier and he shook his head at me in belittling amazement.
"His name was Clarence." Trystan slammed the handle of his blade on the table. A blazing look in his eyes, "And he wasn't cocky."
My lips parted in realization; the one who was here before me, but didn't survive it. I remember saying to Victore that I wouldn't get cocky. Idiot. I rose to apologize but before I could, Trystan had stormed away, leaving me standing alone with my regret.
Humiliation burned through me at my own inconsideration. Judging someone who I didn't know, without the full story. I was not the person who did that; I am not ignorant.
Yet, I had been. And without consideration to.
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A/N
Moral of this chapter; do not judge, what you do not know. It's admittedly very easy in life to look at someone, and decide something. Whether or not it is true. It can people, cultures, or even beliefs.
And I know myself, it's hard not to. It's almost an innate thing people do without thinking. I know I've done it, everyone probably has. The only difference is that it's a lot easier to do now because the world is being educated every day.
So, what I'm trying to say is that it is okay to make mistakes. We're all going to make a million of them in our lives. Just try to make sure no one gets hurt in the process, and if they do; explain yourself, and apologize.
Everyone has an opinion, and you shouldn't be ashamed of that. It's who and how you hurt someone with that opinion that you should be conscious of.
I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter! Let me know in the comments what you thought. There are a few of you who have been asking for an update, and I apologize for taking so long!
Thank you guys, always, for reading and voting!
- EmbracingYou
Xoxo