29 Birthday Gift From Xander

WELCOME TO THE DRAGONS AND RIDERS ACADEMY, VINNANDRA ALBRIDGE, WHERE WE TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF ELITE DRAGONS AND DRAGON RIDERS IN DRAGONIA.

At the end, seventy students passed the final test. By far, that number was the lowest the academy had ever seen. But it only went to show the competitiveness and high standard of the whole process. Vinnandra was proud of herself, although the last test had left her feeling confused, it no longer mattered to her. What mattered was that she was now a part of the Dragons and Riders Academy. Now and forever.

On the flip side, Vinn was growing antsy at the growing silence from both Astrid and Xander. Not even Guav's reassurance that everything was fine could douse the growing feeling of unrest.

Honestly, she no longer felt anger at the way she was left out. She had come to learn that her bond with the other duo was not as strong as Xander's bond with Astrid. With a trifecta bond, while a dragon rider would not be fine if anything happened to their dragon, a witch would survive. Although it was hard to point out to what varying degree it might differ for her mixed blood.

Vinn had prepared everything, from all the clothings required of her, to her books and well, about everything she needed for the academy. The contract with Xander ensured that financially, she was well taken care of. Although she had in mind to apply for a scholarship when the next session rolled by.

No matter, since school session was starting the next day, she knew Xander would be forced to make an appearance. Tardiness was not approved of at Academy. Someone like Xander Lenklock was no exception to the rule.

Vinn took one more precursory glance at the admission booklet and all her packed properties, she had made sure to to check all the necessary boxes, but one couldn't be too careful. Taking a deep breath, for what may be the last time, she took a walk at the castle walls of Lenklock castle, relishing the onslaught of cold air that assaulted her senses.

Her eyes shut, Vinn was transported back to Albridge castle, when she was in the same position, begging and asking the god Gloptra to take away her purpose. She remembered how her tears rolled down unendingly, the pain she was in, and the foolish prayer she uttered. Now, instead of asking for her purpose to be taken away from her she wanted a new, albeit, fulfilling one. She had lost so much to get to where she was at now, she couldn't afford to make mistakes again.

This time around she would live the most fulfilling life…a goal driven life. To become a dragon rider, or witch she no longer had a desire for. Now, all she wanted was to carve out a path meant solely for her instead of trying to fit into a world where no one wanted to accept her, or acknowledge her for the matter.

"You're here." A familiar masculine voice says as wooden musky scent permeates her senses. At the same time, she feels the bond between her, Astrid and Xander relax as if opening up.

About time.

"Where have you been?" Vinn asked, still not opening her eyes. She feels Xander stand beside her.

"Away." He says simply, then on a second thought he adds, "Astrid's poisoning got worse, we were on the hunt for anything that could help."

"And why didn't you tell me about that?" She queries him further, still not opening her eyes.

"Astrid didn't want to bother you, especially with the admission tests and all."

"I mean why didn't YOU tell me?"

There's a pregnant pause, followed by, "I'm sorry. I should have let you in the know since you're bonded to Astrid as much as I am."

This time, Vinn opens her eyes, taking in Xander for the first time in days. His silver white hair is tousled, almost as if he was running his hands through them repeatedly, his silver eyes looked tired and he had eye bags underneath them with an onslaught of dark circles.

"Did Xander Lenklock just apologise?" She teased, swallowing nothing at the painful yet striking manner he looked. This time he was clad in navy blue leather, artfully designed to cling to every part of his body.

"And you won't be hearing it again." He grumbled, normal Xander making a return.

"How bad is it?" Vinn asks, searching silver eyes for the truth.

Xander hesitates, then staring into blue eyes he replies, "It was bad, but Astrid's better now."

"What can I do to help?"

"At the Academy there are Sages—basically mentors that are witches. While they might not teach sorcery, paying attention in those classes might not hurt. It could help you confront what abilities you could possibly have." He replied in his usual serious manner. Vinn already knew that, but hearing it from Xander only made her more determined to get it right as quickly as possible.

"And what about you, are you fine?" She asked him, noting how his body was strung high with palpable tension.

"I will survive." He waves it off, "congratulations on making it to Academy."

"Why thank you."

"Oh, and happy birthday."

He knew?! Vinn couldn't contain her grin, she smiled broadly.

"Again thank you."

"Why are you looking so…happy?"

"Because you remembered my birthday."

"I believe it's natural for me to remember every single detail about the woman who could have access to my mind whenever she feels like it." He drawls.

"Whatever makes you happy." She quipped back, her happiness bursting through the seams and her smile growing bigger and wider. No matter how much he tried to downplay it, he remembered her birthday and that meant a lot to her. Despite the horrifying tragedy that happened on that day eight years ago, she was ready to embrace her real self all over again.

Xander attempts to reach into his jacket for something, but then hesitates. As if thinking about it, he produces a book.

"This book was a gift from a witch in the east to my mother. It contains things I have no use for, but perhaps it might aid you," he said, handing her the book. He then averted his eyes, gazing out at the vast distant land visible from the castle walls where they stood.

Vinn's eyes welled up with unshed tears both from the gesture and the fact that he actually mentioned his mother and was gifting her something she must have left him.

"But this is surely something precious to you, how could I possibly take it as a gift…."

"It's not a birthday gift." He threw the words out like he was horrified at her implied suggestion. Then his eyes took on a playful glint that Vinn knew couldn't mean anything good. "But I do have a birthday gift for you I guess." He announced, at the same time Astrid appeared above them, her powerful wings creating a shadow over them and acting as shade. If it was any other dragon but Astrid, Vinn would have been truly scared at her sudden appearance.

"You're yet to ride an accomplished dragon, I take it…." Xander said as he walked backwards, his eyes trained on her while at it. Astrid landed just behind him, the impact of the big dragon sending tremors on the castle's build. All the guards surveying that area of the wall gave her a wide breadth, none daring to approach the red haired creature of fire.

As usual, Astrid didn't look like a poisoned dragon, but Vinn supposed she didn't know how one would look, or if one was supposed to look in a particular way.

"Hello, little one." Astrid's feminine voice filled her mind, and Vinn exhaled in relief. She had a lot to say to her, instead she opted for a "I missed you." because she truly did.

"I missed you too." Came Astrid's cheeky answer.

"What are you waiting for?" Xander cooed as he climbed Astrid from her powerful forelegs. He outstretched his left hand, silver playful eyes urging her to take it.

Vinn swallowed, then took his hands. Electricity zapped between them at contact, sending her heartbeat into overdrive, and making her head ache from pain. Startled at the zinge, she lets go of his hands on instinct and starts to fall freely as she loses her balance.

Xander caught her, one hand curved around her waist, and the other pulling at one of her free hands. They ended up on the lower part of Astrid's foreleg, so Vinnandra's other hand landed right on Xander's chest in a bid to right herself. If she thought the electricity she felt before was startling, it was nothing compared to what she felt when her palm made contact with his chest—a shock so profound and caressing that it made her want to both run away and be swallowed in the moment at the same time.

Vinn made eye contact with Xander in the midst of the madness that was triggered by her falling. Xander's eyes were wide with something akin to shock and disbelief. Almost like he was feeling the same thing, but not quite.

Then all of a sudden, the ground beneath Vinn was ripped away from her and she had a feeling like she was floating in the air. Taking note of her surroundings, she realised she was no longer in Lenklock castle, or with Xander or Astrid for the matter. She was now in a place that looked foreign, at the same time familiar. Her eyes darted frantically, looking for someone or something that would hint her on what was happening , but she found none.

Then footsteps approach, revealing to Vinn's surprise none other than Marenda—the mad trio witch. Besides her is another woman who looked ancient and her eyes seemed to be sewn shut. By the old woman's greying hair, she could be a witch or not…Vinn had no means to identify her origins.

"I told you the Lenklock boy is the key to activating her powers." The older woman was saying, her words slow but strong in a way that oozed of power.

"Who would have thought," Marenda quipped, the picture of impatience. "Well greetings, Vinnandra Lanasis."