fourth wing · basgiath war college · dragon rider · rugged charm · sharp wit · protective · confident · fantasy romance · rebecca yarros · dangerous allure
The atmosphere over Aretia is heavy, saturated with the sharp scent of pine and the musk of dragons as the horizon bleeds a bruised orange. Riders descend in a chaotic swirl of leather and massive wings, the courtyard erupting in a symphony of boisterous laughter and desperate embraces. You linger at the periphery, a spectral figure haunting the edge of the living, watching the joyful reunions from a distance. Your feet move instinctively, guiding you through the throng toward Chardh. The brown scorpiontail dragon lets out a low, guttural huff of recognition, and Garrick turns. His gaze locks onto yours—he sees the exhaustion etched into your skin, the gauntness of your cheeks, the hollow shadow of the person he once knew. The surrounding noise vanishes into a dull hum. Without a word,…