Book 3: Clouded Spirit

By CC Rose

Book 3 in the Rehema series.
Rehema Thorndale’s fight with the delgori is something she never wants to be unprepared for again. So she trains, and hard. It’s the start of a new year at Draeos, and to her annoyance, the arrival of the Rila students and their mentors. Creston Dalton is a perfect double, and for Rehema, an impostor. Trying to accept that Connor is gone; isn’t easy when his soul haunts her dreams and his twin brother lives at the academy, training a student that is more royal than warrior. And for Rehema, a nightmare. Turning her troubled thoughts to her mothers journal, Nerah, who lives with bonded wolves, and discovering Dark Ryders at every turn, with the lucid secrets of the Dy’Monian magic out of reach. Rehema falls on the edge of despair as darkness clouds her heart. Will she learn to accept Creston as someone she can trust? Or will she be forever troubled by his appearance and the echoing voice of Connor calling to her, to save him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: CC Rose
• Release date: Mar 3, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311539076

CC Rose

C C Rose lives in Queensland Australia.Inspired by all things magical, mystical and other worldly, creatures, fantasy and dragons most of all.Aim for the stars, and you’ll land on the moon.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Poised and ready, I held my staff tight. Narrowing my eyes, I waited. The attack was a blur of motion. I dodged, thrusting fast, I struck low. The clank of wooden staffs echoed in the combat ring. Striking my mentor, Karson Albury. A Ryder of—oh, say—one hundred years, with the looks of a twenty-five year old.

He was fast. Striking me firm on my shoulders, with a spin dive to my thighs and jabbing my ribs. Turning swift, I went for fast strikes. Karson parried me for several blows, with three quick hits, our staffs locked. He winked playfully before starting on another wave of strikes. I paused, eyeing over his six foot four inches. His height didn’t put me off, or his muscular physique. He darted in and I blocked and aimed for his shins. Karson flipped out of my attack. His hair tie came loose, releasing his jet black hair. He flicked it from his brow as I made another hit. His sea-green eyes narrowed as he blocked the onslaught of my strikes. The speed lasted for a tenth of a heartbeat as he twisted and locked his staff on mine, slipping it from my hold.

See. It’s that easy, said Karson.

You were cheating, I said clutching my ribs.

Karson barely showed a breath wasted. No cheating, Rehema. He twirled both staffs with ease. The five foot length of the wooden sticks clanked together as he locked them in his grip. You were fast, but your problem wasn’t your speed.

"Oh, there was a problem was there?" I joked.

"Yes. You thought I was getting tired. You thought you made me weak."

I did, sort of, I grimaced, admitting the truth as we walked towards the weapon rack.

Karson slotted the staff weapons on the side hooks. You’re getting there, it just takes time. He tapped the latches, making sure they were secure.

Yeah, yeah. I know. Time. Practice. And persistence. It’s what you’re always saying.

You’re getting better. See, you actually bruised me. His grin was too playful, as he showed a nasty welt on his muscled biceps.

My smile widen, seeing the reddish hue, contrasted against his golden bronze tan. Wow. And in two years, I might be able to beat you, I teased. Inwardly I rolled my eyes at the idea. It was near impossible to take Karson down. Or at least trip you up, I added.

In two years you will be changed, said Karson cautiously. Come on then. Time for track.

I nodded. Ten laps? I questioned.

His eyes lingered on my face, with a tilt of his head. A look touched his features, the haze in his eyes showed. It was a far off gaze, and yet, he was completely aware of me. He was talking with his Bond, Blade’Dur of Roo’Bineyes. Karson smiled, with a tap on my shoulder, we took off at a light jog. It was faster than normal dangorian jogging, since I was a Dragon Ryder; and with dragon bonding came, unlimited energy.

You’re getting stronger, hummed La’Kera, my Bond.

Maybe getting there is the main thing, right? I said to her in thought.

Our mind link was unwavering. A perfect psychic connection since her hatching eight months ago, gave us unlimited contact. Lingering on her thoughts and seeing her location. She was watching the other dragons by the south dens with deep curiosity. Da’Vora was showing several yearlings how to work their smoke rings, one La’Kera wished to do and couldn’t. Her smoke hadn’t come to her yet.

It won’t be much longer, La’Kera.

And I will practice every day to make ones just like Da’Vora and Sky’Ros.

You will. Your smoke will be the most wonderful smoke of all, I soothed to her.

She was learning at a normal rate, like any other eight month old dragon would. I on the other hand, was behind. Chosen at seventeen in the small village of Plumridge, in the north of Dangora. All Ryders were chosen at fourteen, which was the proper age to be discovered, and having an early start to their training, in the art of Ryders and magic. Unlike me, who was too old in most peoples eyes, and untrained.

The one good thing about being behind was Karson; my personal trainer. He was trying to cram ten years of Dragon Lore, History, Potions, Magic, and Combat into the past two, which were both frustrating and annoying.

Glancing at Karson running beside me around the North Track, I spied his glove. The Dragon Glove. It ran the length of his left forearm, from knuckles to elbow. And like all Ryders, it would never come free. Colour, runes, and stones were all that told them apart.

Darker runes and hieroglyphs were visible on his fingerless glove. Jewels sat on the underside. Emerald, sapphire, and amethyst. I smiled at my ashen-white glove, no jewels on the underside, but I did have several hieroglyphs that were starting to show a darker tint.

I focused on my run, glancing toward the eastern gardens and shrubs that dotted my view. I loved running. It was all I wanted to do. For fun, for release, to forget—

No. I will not think about that. That was this morning. It’s now I can forget. Yes. Away from the thought … the far off thought. Running. Fighting, working out. None of it bothered me as much as it use too. It all helps to be a better Ryder at the end of my training. I was repeating my 1st year senior, since I had failed my first six months as a Ryder. It wasn’t the best six months, and the last two with Karson, had changed me in ways I had improved. It would be another two years before I graduated Draeos.

Are you looking forward to your classes today? Karson’s voice brought me from my thoughts.

Er … sure. Teachers and study … I said dryly.

You’ll do fine. I told you already. You’re up to date with your History basics. You’re making progress on your Potions, understanding your Dragon Lore, Magic, and your Connections have improved.

"Yeah. I know. I had you there. Just you. No one else. The teachers will probably put me in the small room like last year."

That’s because you were not paying attention, now you are. His side glance showed pride. You’re going to impress them, Rehema.

Sure, Master Karson, I’ll get right on that.

His chuckle was light; it was rare I called him Master, the title I was supposed to use. But he was my friend, not just my mentor.

Are you looking forward to seeing friends you met before the holidays?

My three friends he was referring to were sixteen, soon to be seventeen. They were nice, fun, and easy to talk to, then. Now it was different. I didn’t want questions, or reminders, definitely not reminders.

"I take that as a no then," Karson offered, not breaking a sweat in his jog.

The burn in my calf muscles started as we passed our fifth lap.

Sure. They’re nice and all.

You shouldn’t shut your friends out.

I don’t know if they’re my friends yet. We only spoke those few times at Corbin’s parties.

And you were perfectly okay with them then.

It’s different now … I heaved a shallow breath. Pain? Not in the run. In me.

The knowledge of what friends meant. I hated what it meant. They can lie to you. Leave you. Betray you, and then they die. Yep, that’s what friends in the past had done to me.

Tora is going to head this way in a few weeks, he said after a time of silence.

Oh, damn it. Can’t we talk about the friend’s thing again? I wanted desperately to say it, and avoided the inner joke. The words alone sounded lame.

Karson pressed his lips together. He was good at controlling his emotions, unless it was happening at this moment, and today was no different.

She wants to bring some of Connor’s possessions with her. To give to you.

The name. Oh, why did he have to say the name?

I don’t want anything, Karson. Besides, I thought it goes to family.

You are family, he said with satisfaction.

"But his brother, Creston. He should get it. They’re twins, right?"

It never gave me any hope when I discovered this armour shocking news. A twin. Someone who looks like him. It wasn’t him. It didn’t flicker hope in my heart, nor did it stir a feeling. Just annoyance. To know that at any given moment, I could run into a look-a-like of him and then—cry, runaway, scream.

He was close with Connor, said Karson with no distress in his run. And it’s hard on both Tora and him. It’s still hard. His voice held pain.

And why are we talking about it then? I grumbled.

Karson had away of making me talk about things I didn’t want to talk about. Usually it worked; I didn’t want to well up with tears. The burn of my lids made the lump fester, my cheeks flushed. I flicked my brunette curls from my face, running my fingers through the shoulder length tangle.

Karson heaved an apologetic breath.

I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to … he paused; with another breath, he added. If your teachers give you grief about your crappy study skills, don’t be afraid to come get me.

I smiled. It was a fake smile, but one that fooled most everyone. Crappy study skills? Tugh.

Sure. I might see if I can have you all year. I learn so much more with you, Karson.

Yes. But class lessons with others are about your social skills. You have to know how to interact with others when dealing with problems. He coughed on his words.

Dealing with problems?

He didn’t want to upset me, and while he didn’t like to remember that day either and seldom spoke of it. He found every other day to talk about him or his name. It was endless. There were days he didn’t say anything. Those were the days when he was his quietest.

But not today.

So how many potentials you betting on? I asked after a length of running.

Gambling? That’s going to help your grades. His brow raised in amusement as we passed our eighth lap.

Sure is. In adding and subtracting. I smiled, making Karson return it.

He was officially a walking carved statue of marble. The sculptured face, defined jaw line, deep brow and a shadow of facial hair that never truly grew. When he smiled, it made him look younger.

"Hopefully there will be five new Ryders; dragon lore knows we need more Ryders."

So you’re betting five, I teased, flicking my finger in the air; marking off and invisible list. Corbin said three, and I’m going to say seven.

He scoffed.

What? It’s reasonable. Besides, I had the number seven stuck in my head for three days. Must mean something.

"There have never been more than five potentials a year, and that’s a stretch. Finding you mid-year was a surprise. Not to mention Loral joining the academy from Alvina. The Rila academy in the south is complaining they only get two every year. There is already talk of them transferring students."

Oh, joy. More people to stare at La’Kera and me. I fake cheered my enthusiasm.

People do sympathise with you, Rehema. All of us Ryders know what you’re going through. Fair enough, other students haven’t seen what you have. But they have yet to see a Dy’Monian dragon in three hundred years.

As everyone keeps telling me. Now it’s not, oh, look, there goes the last Dy’Monian. It’s, oh look, there’s the one that ran away from Draeos, the one that got her boyfriend taken by a vragon. I was being spiteful.

Karson pulled up in his run; grabbing me by the shoulders. His features shadowed with anger as he stared into my eyes.

Nobody thinks that. No one! You hear? He pleaded. It wasn’t your fault. Don’t forget that. You did nothing wrong. Nothing! His green eyes pierced deeper into mine as his lips pressed together in frustration.

The prick of tears were threatening to spill. So fresh, so soon. No. Not now. It was my fault. Fighting the pain, the tug of wars in my thoughts—his words and La’Kera’s scoff; wasn’t easy.

I blinked several times to keep the tears at bay, swallowing hard; I found my voice shaky.

I just don’t see it that way, Karson. I heaved a shuddery breath. I ran away. I forced you to take me to Plumridge. I should’ve gotten a lashing for that; least five welts would have been good.

Karson shook his head. Making pain to forget pain is not the answer. Lady Darcia knows this. And you shouldn’t have begged her. It was uncalled for.

Well, she took away my kitchen duty with the house elves. I get restless when there is nothing to do.

His sea-green eyes softened in understanding. You don’t need to punish yourself, Rehema, his voice was thick with emotion. It wasn’t your fault. The vragon came from nowhere. They’re fast, undetectable of the mind and impossible to catch in flight. The dragons didn’t get much warning until it was on top of us. You need to stop punishing yourself for this.

I shrugged out of his hold, glaring at the track. We had one lap left I think. I lost count. I wasn’t puffed enough to be the end. I kept my jaw set, determined. Until I figure out how to do that, Karson, I’ll just keep running. Okay! I took off, needing to move. To move forwards, onwards, always onwards.

Karson caught up to me, wasn’t as if I could out run him. Even if I tried to use my powers of flash energy. I hadn’t mastered how to use it all the time, short burst was the best my focus was capable of.

When he spoke, his tone was normal. When you get your schedule for class, let me look it over. He side glanced me with a wry smile. Don’t want you clashing with something that might be dangerous.

Ha-ha. I joked, letting my mood simmer away.

As much as Karson pushed me to talk about him and to accept or move on with all that happened. I couldn’t stay mad at him. Are you referring to potions by any chance? I am getting better, aren’t I? I asked with a raised brow.

Yes. Better. It still pays to be careful. That Azure Serene Tea was supposed to relax a person, not make them pass out. He laughed.

It’s now called, Azure Sleep Tea, I teased. Grinning at the memory of Karson actually tasting one of my potions. He passed out not minutes later, for three hours. It was funny, after I freaked and panicked for the first twenty minutes.

Like I said. Make sure you let me look it over when you get a chance.

Will it be like your classes, Karson? Or like my lessons last year? I was curious.

They didn’t give you a real schedule last year. His brow lifted, You might have less time in each class.

Oh, that’s not good. I bit my lip in thought. Hope it’s better than last year.

It will be. Karson stopped at the garden hedges with few light stretches. That’s it for morning training. I will see you this afternoon. Combat Yards, three-thirty.

Sure thing, Master Karson, I nodded. I’ll be here. I waved him off and headed towards the Main Building with barely a smile at all. Great. A whole day without him, and back to everyone else.

Least you have me with you regardless, hummed La’Kera.

That did make me smile.

Yes. Regardless of who is teaching us or not … you’re here always, La’Kera.

Chapter 2

Stepping into the lobby floor of the Main Building, I passed endless artefacts, paintings, and trinkets of past Ryders, wizards, witch’s and warriors of history. I had to side step gathering students, taking the grand staircase leading to the Sleeping Chambers above. From young six year olds through to final year students. My room was on the ninth floor, room twelve. A fair way up on a normal day, but today was twice as long since countless students wanted to crowd the staircase in high spirits of their first morning returned from EzRah. I was forced to the side numerous times, pausing on the fifth floor, I glanced out the arched windows, taking in the Combat Yards below in the east of the academy.

I wish I could do combat all day.

Like I wish to race all day, cheered La’Kera.

It was true, she wanted nothing more than to race on the winds with other dragons, and all day was something she wanted to do, but for her need to rest. I slipped further into her mind; seeing her race a group of dragons in the south-east of Stone Heart Valley. La’Kera had endless races. If it wasn’t hunting lessons, it was flying, agility, and speed test. This wasn’t a lesson, it was for fun. She was fast for eight months, and showing great courage with the elder dragons. She was a neck ahead in the race, winning, compared to the A’Mystian dam who was decades older than her. Smirking boldly; if you could say dragons smirked. La’Kera did. She had endless ways of being amused. Skimming the rocks off the cliff face as she dove to the ground with speed, locking her wings to her body, she lengthened her win by another head. A ball of flame shot past, distracting her as the dam took the win. La’Kera had won, as the other dragons roared at the A’Mystian. It was seconds of the disagreement moving aside and another race was starting.

La’Kera was my Bond, my light, my pearl, my everything, a part from him. he had a different place to her, but one just as high.

Pushing away my thoughts on him. I hastened my steps to my room. Taking a fresh set of clothes to the shower room, I prepared for my first day of classes without Karson. For the past nine weeks, I had the shower rooms to myself, or rather; I had the entire ninth floor to myself. A part from a ghost-girl that liked to annoy me at odd times of the day, I was alone … well, not always. As I entered into the shower room, the echo from in the halls was a buzz with students all returning from their summer holidays in EzRah.

The hot water soothed my muscles, releasing the dull pain from my workout and easing some of the tension. Several other students were in the shower room. Their chatter lingered to me in hushed whispers that had my ears tuning into it.

That is so unfair, stated a witch. The south have all personal trained Ryders.

And it’s not like we need more here. Did you know that Rila is going to be the Witch and Wizardry capital soon.

Wow. That would be nice. Wonder if we’ll go there.

I don’t want to. I like it here.

"Yeah, but to get your own personal Mage. It’d be like the Ryders and their mentors.

Hmm … like that Master Karson. Oh, how good looking is he.

He’s a Ryders’ mentor Vicky, not a witches. Knowing our luck we’ll get stuck with someone like Piper.

Oh, so not fair.

Worse, if it was a Ryder, it’d be someone like Croft or Salvador.

That would be the worst.

The girls went silent the moment I stepped out of my shower cubical. I had dressed, and slung my towel over my shoulder. I started to dry and hastily brush through the curls in the fogless mirror before me. The sink basin was eight separate sinks attached to a pillar in the centre of the room. Since it was rounded, the girls—witches—were on the other side. They had stepped around to look at me, to dart away instantly. I rolled my eyes at their childish manner and turned my attention to my reflection. I took in my five foot five inch form. The sun kissed tan was slowly becoming a nice warm caramel hue. My body was toned, firm, and slim. Blinking my emerald green eyes and touching my heart shape face. I quickly looked away while I twisted my brunette locks into a side braid. I glanced at my dusted brown vest, grey leggings, and the soft leather russet skirt, which reached the middle of my thighs. Even in summer, I had to keep to the leggings for code of wear. I didn’t mind. I was use to my wears now. I had the last eight months to get use to this kind of style. The thick leather belt sat a little to the left on my hip. I pressed my lips together in thought. I had worn this top when we went to his room, that day. I blinked at the thought, the small memory. Visiting his room by the west buildings, beside the Teacher’s Chambers. I touched my skirt, triggering another memory. He had placed his hands on my hip when I wore this skirt; his hands were so tender, so warm, and comforting—

No more thoughts.

I blinked away tears and pushed the thoughts down. Focusing on other things, Potentials Day.

Yes. All the young fourteen year olds will be chosen today. New baby dragons will hatch … that cheered La’Kera up with this knowledge, the youngest dragon at present; the other dragons were all seven months older. I had not witnessed a Potential Day, since I was chosen mid last year and not at fourteen. The standard age all Ryders are chosen.

The giggle from the witches had me frowning. They had been too quiet. I lingered on their hushed voices.

She’s the one. That’s her, whispered Vicky.

No. Can’t be. You think?

It is. She’s the Dy’Monian.

"Wow. And she has Karson Albury all to herself."

She’s probably already slept with him. After all the things she did last year with Bronson and the rest of the final year students.

You seriously believe that? It’s rumours.

With a trainer like that … she is the lucky one. The girls giggled and I blocked them out.

Rumours of my time here four months ago, were still news around the grounds of Draeos, not the adventures north. It was only a matter of time.

I had pushed Bronson Creet out of my mind a long time ago, along with all that happened two months prior. He is a final year senior and with luck, I won’t see him. I could relate to the giggling witches on Karson. He had been my first big crush. It all changed that night when I met my angel. Catching me from my stumbled fall and offering to have a private party. His smile was everything that night; the autumn brown eyes of intrigue. I smiled for a fraction of a second at the memory. That night so long ago, he stole three bottles of wine and I got so drunk I had no memory of what happened. My angel took care of me, he brought me to my room, took off my shoes and my hair pins. I slept the whole morning away to have him give me his trade secret recipe of headache-away. The tears pricked behind my lids and blinked hastily. Grabbing my bath bag and towel, I left the shower room.

Sobbing in my room to the so fresh memory, I swallowed the lump down. I never let myself think about too much. His trade secret, the headache cure. Never again would I drink the foul contents, not because it was foul, but because he wasn’t here to make it.

It will be okay, My Light. You will see, hummed La’Kera, soothing her love to me.

She rested on a high ledge watching the valley below and the racing dragons. She had pulled out of the race; the pain I felt was too much sometimes. She felt it for Brow’Dur, his Bond.

We will get through this together my little one.

It’s so hard, La’Kera … I wish it were a bad dream I could wake from.

I wish it were one for both of us, but we must not let it get to us. We will make it through. Her eyes shifted to the stone ledge, focusing on a green beetle. It shifted its wings and flew off into the distance, weighed and directed in its flight. Like the beetle, La’Kera soothed. As her purr rumbled through me; soothing and comforting, I slowly relaxed.

I smiled feebly to her thoughts. She was right. The beetle moved on, always onwards. I had to move on. To keep moving, to keep going. I breathed deep. I can do this. Breathe. Just breathe.

It was time for breakfast, and the first day of classes to start, without Karson. I didn’t want to be the last to the Dinner Hall and definitely didn’t want to be the first. I don’t want to see anyone today, which was impossible in an academy with hundreds of students, gossiping, chattering, learning; all living here in Draeos. The Dragon Ryders Academy Educating Open Sorcery.

Stepping into the Dinner Hall, I kept my head low. Filling a tray with sliced fruit and taking a cup of apple juice, I glanced to the now full tables of students. I was use to seeing the Dinner Hall half empty, minus thirty guest here and there, able to sit and eat where I wanted. Now, I had to sit in the old rule of the academy. By grade. Twelve long tables stretched the length of the hall, with a wide gap between them and then some. The front of the hall was the teachers seating tables. The table was arched with extra side tables for the wizards, since Ryders are superior to all.

Rehema!

I glanced to the speaker standing mid way along the eleventh year table. Taking in the curly brown haired teen, dark brown eyes, incredibly cute looking features and a crooked smile, which was infectious.

Tobias Linton, Sapherian Ryder, Bond of Sky’Ros.

He was last year’s juniors, and had taken it upon himself to befriend me, since I was repeating my 1st year senior. Opposite his seat, was Alyssa Ashwood, A’Mystian Ryder, Bond of Al’Tara; and Xavier Chadwick, Roo’Bineyes Ryder, Bond of Kal’Nor.

Making my way towards the group, I was welcomed with a warm, awkward hug from Tobias. Sitting on his right, I nodded to the other two. Tobias was into his history and to him, I was like gold, or diamond— rare and hard to find.

How are you? His first words were strained, as was my look.

Good. It was hollow and a lie. How about you guys?

I studied Alyssa and Xavier sitting opposite me. All three lowered their gaze with sadness and unease etching their features. They knew what happened a week and a half ago; their Bond’s knew what happened. They knew and their sad sorry-not-sure faces made it real. My heart, taken.

We’re good, said Xavier breaking my thoughts.

Xavier was six foot, just as fetching looks with blond hair touching his shoulders. His face was narrow, his build a little slimmer, and his blue eyes were the colour of the sky. While his sadness was a reflection of mine, he wasn’t as happy like Tobias, who always had a smile.

Taking in Alyssa beside Xavier, her grimace was on the edge of a question. Her slim tiny frame was an inch taller than mine. Ash blond hair, blue eyes, and sun bathed skin from her two month break.

The silence lingered, the unease came with their questioning eyes, their sad looks passing between the other.

Guys, it’s good, okay. Please. I blinked at the tears threatening to fall. Seeing them well in Alyssa’s eyes made it worse.

Well, as long as you’re okay then, Tobias smiled warmer, but it didn’t meet his eyes. How is La’Kera? Is she just as white? I sure did miss her. And did you know how many people seemed to have no idea you’re the last Dy’Monian. His conversation was light-hearted and welcoming.

I nodded, taking small bites of my meal and even finding a few half smiles in-between his words. Slowly, all three filled me in on their fun adventures in EzRah. They talked about anything, just to avoid the one conversation they knew was off limits.

I glanced around the room with a glimmer of hope. Corbin was due to leave this morning. He was heading off to the coastline in the south. As I scanned the hall, I noticed the final year students, Amber, Bronson, Edric and the rest of the misfit gang all talking, laughing mindlessly at the twelfth table. It brought painful memories of last year to my mind. As annoyed as I was, I didn’t have the energy to care. As they glanced up from their meals, an odd nod was visible. A look that said; they were sorry.

The tears threatened to fall. Oh no. Not again. Not so soon. Why here?

I turned to my food, eating quickly and focusing on whatever my group was saying.

Did you hear about the Rila academy? asked Xavier, his blue eyes held with mine.

Um … no.

Well, said Tobias with a wide smile. "Turns out, all those snobby Royals can’t seem