Chapter 1 The Academy
Chapter 1
“The Academy”
POV Charlotte
Black scales shimmer under the sun as a massive dragon lands in front of me.
My breath catches, and I forget how to breathe.
Eight stone pillars surround us, but the dragon is so massive it takes up two of them.
Its black wings spread wide before folding into its body.
Then, it bows its head to me.
Just like it always does.
‘Six days,’ a deep, sultry voice says.
I freeze.
“What?”
‘Six days, Charlotte, my love.’
My eyes fly open.
Dragon Master Avery is standing over my desk.
The entire class is staring at me.
Crap.
“Nice of you to join us,” Avery says, standing there with his arms crossed.
“Sorry,” I manage to squeak out as my cheeks flush from embarrassment.
My classmate Xzavier puts up his hand.
“If you dream of a black dragon bowing before you, could it really happen?”
Asshole.
Actually, he’s an incredibly hot asshole, which is why he gets away with so much.
A few people laugh.
Avery looks between us. “Future dragon masters often have a recurring dream of their dragon from a young age.”
“A black dragon?” Xzavier asks.
“The dream details are not always accurate when it comes to color. Is this a dream you’ve been having, Xzavier?”
“No. Charlotte has. She likes to brag about it.”
“Sharing a dream is not bragging,” I snap. “I didn’t even tell you personally. You heard it secondhand.”
Avery looks at me.
“Of the eight pillars, how many does your dragon take up when it lands in your dream?”
“Two.”
Everyone laughs.
Avery doesn’t.
His face goes completely still.
“You’re sure?”
“I’ve had the same dream since I was six.”
“There are no dragons that big, Charlotte. You’re making things up,” Xzavier says.
“That’s enough,” Avery says firmly.
The class goes silent.
He looks at me for another second before walking back to the front of the classroom.
“Anyone else in the class dream about their dragon?” Avery looks around the room.
I look at Xzavier.
Avery follows my line of sight.
As much as Xzavier likes to make fun of me, he confided in me at the welcome party after too much spiked punch that he has dreams of a gold dragon.
Nobody answers Avery’s question.
“Coward,” I fake cough and mutter under my breath, directing it at Xzavier.
“Is it true that no one has been chosen by a dragon for three classes?” Marsha asks.
“That is correct,” Avery explains. “Sometimes, there are long lulls where no one is chosen, then a large group of dragons shows up.”
“Has a black dragon ever been seen?” Xzavier asks as he turns and smirks at me.
Fuck, give it up.
“No,” Avery says. “There are rumors, of course, but no evidence. Nothing written in the history books.”
“What about gold dragons?” I ask.
Xzavier’s smirk disappears.
Avery looks at Xzavier before answering.
“Gold dragons are in the history books, but none have been documented in hundreds of years.”
I smile sweetly at Xzavier.
He scowls.
Since I was little, I’ve always wanted to be a dragon master. To have a massive, magnificent creature bow before me is the experience of a lifetime.
Being around dragons isn’t for everyone.
Having a massive creature stroll up to you and look you dead in the eyes like you’re breakfast is definitely not for the faint of heart.
The bell rings for lunch, and everyone jumps up.
“Sit back down!” Avery orders.
Everyone groans and drops back into their seats.
“As you know, this Saturday, the spring class will be in the school arena waiting to see if the dragons choose them. You will all be there to watch. It’s considered an honor, so be respectful and don’t disappoint me.”
Everyone starts talking excitedly.
It’s not often anyone is invited to watch the first-year graduating class get chosen by their dragons.
We finish our first year in the fall, six months from now.
Everyone gets up and heads for the door.
“Charlotte,” Avery calls.
I stop.
Xzavier looks back at me before disappearing into the hallway.
I walk over to Avery’s desk.
Avery waits until the last student leaves and the door shuts.
“If you dream about the black dragon again tonight, write down everything it does.”
“Why?”
“Because dreams can change when a dragon is getting closer.”
I think about the words that woke me up.
Six days.
Saturday is six days away.
“Avery?”
“Yes?”
“Has anyone ever dreamed of a dragon talking to them?”
His eyes look deep into mine.
For the first time since he walked into the classroom, he looks nervous.
“What did it say?”
I hesitate.
“Six days.”
Avery slowly looks toward the windows overlooking the school arena.
Eight massive stone pillars rise from the ground.
He stares at them for a long moment.
“There used to be nine pillars,” he says, like he’s talking to himself.
I frown.
“What happened to the ninth?”
Avery grabs his books.
“Nobody knows.”
I walk to the cafeteria, lost in thought, when someone grabs me and pulls me into the janitor’s closet.
Xzavier slams me into a supply shelf hard, and I yelp from the pain.
“They will pull us out of the event Saturday if they know we have dreams of our dragons, you idiot.” Xzavier’s eyes narrow, and he grabs my shirt with a tight fist.
“You started it.” I look directly into his deep green eyes and challenge him.
“I know you’re making up your dream because I told you mine,” he frowns.
“Not everything is about you.” I shove his hand off me. “Why would they pull us?”
“We’re not ready. We still have six months left of our first year of training. We’re not supposed to meet our dragons yet. It’s not fair to the first-year spring graduating class.”
“Don’t the first-year graduating students wear special dragon crystals around their necks, which indicates to the dragons they’re ready to bond with them?” I point out.
“My uncle used to be a teacher here and warned me not to tell anyone about my dream.”
“Then why did you tell me?”
“It was the first week of class. I was drunk and stupid.”
“I’m sure you’ve told others at school about your dream.” I roll my eyes.
“Only you.”
He grabs my chin tightly and presses his lips to mine, claiming me with his mouth as he presses his body against me, boxing me in.
His fingers dig into my hips as my heart races, and my stomach fills with butterflies.
“Tell me why I shouldn’t fuck you right here,” he whispers, his breath jagged and full of need.
He undoes my pants quickly and slides his fingers under my panties, rubbing in circles and driving me wild.
“Doesn’t Scarlet ever get jealous?”
I always worry she’s going to find us and snap.
“My parents have arranged for Scarlet to be my future wife, but we have an open relationship. There’s nothing I can do about it.”
“She’s still your girlfriend.”
“I only want to hear my name from your lips, not hers.”
He nibbles on my ear and rubs harder against my entrance.
“Xzavier,” I moan.
“Good girl,” he says, sliding a finger inside me.
I gasp.
He drags his hot mouth down my neck and rubs his hard bulge against me, then slides a second finger inside me, and I’m already so close to coming.
He has an aura about him that makes you want him. His natural musky scent is intoxicating and can bring any girl to her knees.
Xzavier abruptly yanks his fingers out of me and tastes them.
“Hmm, I love how sweet you taste.” He smiles.
He steps back, taking me all in. Then he opens the door and walks away.
He likes leaving me hot and bothered.
He may find me later and finish me off or leave me to suffer.
I step out of the closet, and Marsha is standing there.
“Were you waiting or listening?”
