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"Ready?" Nyra asks. No.

"Yes." We go downstairs.

The entire Academy gathers. No cheering this time. Not really. Too serious. Third-years move into position. Fourth-years. Chiefs. Field units.

Dragon Riders mount their bonded dragons.

Vyrael lowers himself. Rhyven climbs into place.

Caelen finds me first. Of course. He pushes through two people. Stops in front of me. For one second, neither of us knows what to do. Then Caelen pulls me into him. Hard. No warning.

I hug back. Immediately. His chin rests on my head.

"Don't cause problems."

I laugh against his chest. "You first."

"I'm serious."

"So am I."

He pulls back. Hands on my shoulders. Looks at me.

"I'm coming back."

My throat tightens. "You better."

"I will." No uncertainty. Good. I need that. "Take care of yourself."

"You too."

"And—"

"Caelen." He stops. I smile. "Go." His mouth shifts.

Proud. Sad. Brother. Then he presses his forehead briefly against mine. Gone. I watch him join ground command.

Rhyven is already mounted. Too far. Maybe that's better. Vyrael's head turns. Toward the Academy. Toward us. Toward me? Impossible to know. Then Rhyven looks down. He finds me. Even from here.

Of course. No wave. That would be strange. No smile.

Just eyes. Distance. Everything unsaid. Something strange pulses through the connection.

I touch the pocket where his note sits. He can't see.

Doesn't matter. The deployment horn sounds. One.

Ground forces begin moving. Second.

Dragons open their wings. Wind moves through the crowd. Third. Vyrael launches. My heart goes with him for half a second. Stupid thing.

Dragons rise into the night. One after another.

Rhyven disappears into the dark sky. Caelen disappears through the southern gate. The Academy watches until there is nothing left to watch.

Then... quiet. Not peaceful. Empty.

Room 305 will be empty tonight. Sky Wing will wake tomorrow without Rhyven. First-Year Response wakes with me. Everything continues. It has to.