Still, the twins, Shakari, and I needed to study. The Dragontail Trials were almost here.
I reread the same three pages on the trials for what felt like the fiftieth time. Even though I knew every word, I wanted each detail burned into my mind. I hadn’t trained for these trials growing up, not the way the twins or Shakari had. They’d memorized the rules as children. I was playing catch-up with an entire lineage.
The rules were simple. The reality was vicious.
The trials would be held every year on the day after the Solstice celebrations, when day and night had almost the same duration. The Solstice was one of the most important celebrations for Moonveils and Sunhearts alike. A day in which we would pay tribute to our Gods for sharing with us their love and magic.
The next day at sundown, each Dragontail first-year would be portaled somewhere deep in the King’s Forest. Each of us would receive only a map, a healing potion, and a clock. No food, no water. The map would lead us to our three trials. Many students failed before the trials even truly began; if you couldn’t orient yourself using the sun, moon, or stars, you would never reach your first test.
To pass, every Dragontail had to retrieve three gems.
The topaz—physical strength. The sapphire—mental ability.
The ruby—valor, earned at the end. The tests always came in that order.
The first trial seemed deceptively straightforward. If you found the spot marked on your map, a second-year Dragontail would appear and challenge you. No magic, only fists, endurance, and grit. Survive long enough, and the island grants you the topaz. Fail, and you were immediately dismissed from Dragontail.
The second trial was unpredictable and lethal. Each location was unique, shaped by the island itself and often disturbingly personal. It tested the magical traces within you, your inherent faction magic, shadow, or fire, whatever the Siren deemed necessary. Not even the professors knew what test you would face.
I’d read of storm wielders forced to summon winds strong enough to twist the forest canopy, of water wielders commanded to swell the river until it overflowed, of fire wielders ordered to unleash heat that turned entire meadows into shimmering infernos.
And the danger wasn’t just your own test. The Dragontail Trials were feared because, while walking your path, you could be caught inside someone else’s trial. A storm might crash through the treetops without warning. A flood could sweep the underbrush. A wall of fire could erupt along your route.
Deaths happened. They weren’t counted as betrayals, just tragic accidents of uncontrolled magic.
That had become the fourth, unspoken trial: surviving magic never meant for you.
The third and final trial was the same for everyone. A single destination. A single familiar terror: the dragon illusion. Only by defeating it could you claim the ruby it guarded.
To complete the three tests and retrieve each stone, you had exactly twenty-four hours. If you failed a test, you failed the Dragontail trials. If you ran out of time, you failed the Dragontail trials. If you failed the Dragontail trials, you had to leave Elarion Academy.
I was starting to read more about the second trial and the various versions of the test asked of those who wielded fire. Since I didn’t have any magical traces yet, I was sure I would be tested with the flames, but Tran broke the silent peace of the library.
This kept me wishing I’d stayed hidden in the King’s Forest with all these books.
“Can we make bets on who will give and get roses in the Solstice celebration?” Tran said.
“Shouldn’t you be more worried about what comes after the Solstice, not the Solstice celebration?” I teased while Shakari and Rowan snorted.
Tran was such a romantic. The Solstice, over time, became as much about sharing love within your faction as it was showing gratitude and love to the Gods. Typically, males, regardless of the faction, would share roses with the person they were romantically interested in. Many couples would get engaged on the Solstice.
“I bet you will attempt to give plenty of roses,” Shakari added.
“You will be surprised,” Tran added with a smile that reached his eyes, but no one returned it to him. We were all focused on our reading.
“Ok, fine, a Dragontail trial question, then. Can we make bets on who we will get to fight in the trials?” Tran asked.
“You and your bets, brother,” Rowan said, keeping his eyes on his book.
“I am curious, does Professor Hog assign them, or can the second years ask to fight anyfirst-year?” Tran asked.
“Who cares? Just go and kick ass,” Shakari said.
“If second-years get to choosefirst-year, I am fucked,” I said, blushing at the bad word. I never cursed, never was allowed to. “Pardon my words, but I am truly fucked. I know I would get Lorik Draventh.”
“You look so cute when you curse,” Tran chuckled, which made me force a grin.
“You’ll be fine, Thea,” Shakari said firmly. “You’re so much stronger now. You’ve trained like hell. And you don’t need to win the fight, just stand long enough to show the island you’re strong and fearless. Which you are, and the gem will show itself to you.”