Sorry it's been so long guys! I've had almost no time to write for a few weeks cause I've been stuck at school or the hospital (don't freak out I promise I'm not dying) but hopefully I won't have to go back for a while so I should be able to update more regularly.

*******

"Ow—fuck that hurt," I growl, rubbing the inside of my arm. The skin stings and is slowly turning bright red.

"That's why most archers wear guards on their arms. It's not just for decoration."

"Well can I get one of those guards then?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because I know you're tougher than that."

I scowl a little and notch another arrow. It takes quite a bit of effort to pull back the drawstring and I only have a few seconds to aim before my fingers slip.

I purse my lips in annoyance as the arrow goes completely past the wooden target. The inside of my arm throbs.

"Well you were still closer than last time," Queen Zari mutters.

"Yeah archery isn't really my thing, I can use a sword though—actually no I'm way better with the two short swords—what are those called?" I ask.

She frowns. "I don't remember the name. That's an unusual weapon choice though, more common for girls it seems."

My eyebrows furrow. "Why do you say that?"

She sighs. "Maia liked to play with them when she was young," she murmurs, casting her gaze down to the ground.

I wince. What do I do now?

Change the subject.

"King Jaxon's mate is really good with a bow, do you think he could teach me?" I ask.

"I suppose. They'll be back tomorrow but they're not really going to be training you anymore. That's my job now," she sighs, roughly rubbing her temples.

I chew on my cheek a little. "I promise I'm not trying to be a pain in the ass."

Her lip twitches into a half-smile. "I know."

"So if I'm not training with King Jaxon then does that mean I don't have to spar with those idiots anymore?" I ask.

"Not for a while. If you're good enough I might have you start sparring with the warriors but eventually you'll have to spar with your littermates again―hopefully by that time they'll be experienced enough that we don't have to worry about you killing them by accident," she mutters.

Finally, I thought we'd be stuck beside those stupid shits forever, Adriel growls.

I can't believe I get to train with Queen Zari though, she's literally a fucking legend!

It takes all of my self control to keep myself calm. I was so scared when she came over but now I'm just so excited that I can barely hold it in. Even grief-stricken and exhausted, she is still the most powerful dragon out here.

"—you even listening?"

My eyes fly wide and my cheeks burn as I snap back into reality. "I'm sorry I was talking to my dragon," I mumble.

"When was the last time you shifted?" she asks.

"Just a few days ago."

She sighs again. "Alright let's go."

"Wait―where are we going?"

She just jerks her head towards the empty part of the clearing. I follow her with my eyebrows scrunched up in confusion.

"Sit down."

I do as she says and lean back against one of the small rock formations that are scattered around the edge of the clearing. She sits down as well, resting her back against the stone wall.

"What's going on?"

I frown. "What?"

"I thought your behavior was because you dislike authority but that's clearly not true since you listen to me and your mother without any issues. Then I thought it might be your dragon but it seems you can control him pretty well. So I want to know what's going on."

I shake my head, swallowing hard. "I don't understand."

She runs her hand through her hair. "You tried to kill someone. You don't do something like that for no reason. Something is obviously going on and I want to know what it is," she tells me.

I shrug. "Nothing. Nathan and his friends are just assholes."

"Fara please tell me what's going on, I can't help if I don't know what it is."

"Nothing. There is nothing going on," I growl in annoyance.

She watches me through narrowed eyes for a moment. "I don't believe you," she says. "But I'll leave it alone for now. If you decide you want to tell me later on, you're always welcome in the palace."

I nod a little but don't say anything. She stands with a sigh. "You're done for the day. We will continue at sunrise tomorrow."

She walks away, growling and shaking her head. I let out a heavy breath, my shoulders slumping a little.

I glance back at the boys. They are sparring with each other while their trainers watch with feigned interest. Most of them are talking and not even paying attention to the young dragons they are supposed to be turning into warriors.

I roll my eyes in annoyance and stand with a small groan. My entire body aches with the movement but I grit my teeth against it as I make my way towards the dining hall.

*******

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. My temples throb with each word that comes out of their stupid mouths.

"It's not like she would be much better. She's getting old and weak and that's the last thing we need."

I clench my jaw so hard I swear I can hear my teeth crack.

"I still think she'd be better than her son and his mate. I mean they just took a week off from their responsibilities to go screw each other."

"Hey it's better than them being here."

"Yeah well they're coming back tomorrow so prepare for more training from two guys that are barely older than we are but think they're a hundred times better just because they have crowns," Raenin snorts and my self control snaps.

"Gods just shut up already you dumbass! All of you are annoying as fuck and if you don't stop complaining about every little thing I am going to break your fucking jaws!" I snarl.

"Why don't you just learn to control your temper Fara? The rest of us had to learn to control ours but you think you can get away with it just cause you're a girl?" Daniel snaps, standing up from the table.

I slide off the bunk bed, my eyes burning red. "No. I think I can get away with my short temper because you shits are too scared and too weak to do anything about it," I growl.

He holds his ground as I stalk closer but I can smell his fear. He is at least a head taller than I am but it makes no difference.

He opens his mouth and I growl. "Go ahead. Say something stupid. My punching bag is in the infirmary and I could use another one."

He quickly turns away and returns to his friends at the table. My gaze flicks over the group. "Anyone else want to play Alpha?" I challenge.

They cast their eyes down to their hands and remain silent. I go back to my bunk bed and pull the blanket over my shoulders. I suck in a heavy breath and close my eyes.

I try to ignore the jabs and nasty comments they mutter but they pierce my ears like needles. It takes hours for sleep to finally wash over me.

*******

I jerk awake to an icy feeling creeping up my arms. I try to move but my wrists are locked to the head of the bed. The metal is freezing and I quickly realize it's cold iron.

"You motherfuckers!" I snarl, yanking hard on the shackles.

Harsh laughter echoes in my ears. It grows louder as I continue to struggle against the chains.

Fara stop moving already! My dragon growls in annoyance.

I quickly do as he says. I let my breathing slow and my entire body starts to relax as my eyes close.

"What the fuck man? Did you kill her?"

I resist the urge to make a snarky response. Yeah cause cold iron chains around the wrists can kill a dragon, I snort internally.

"Well if she can't fight back . . ."

Suddenly the bed dips beneath my back and I can feel a weight settle onto my thighs. I wait for the sound of a zipper before lifting my knees and raising my head.

My head collides with his mouth and he careens backwards. I kick him hard in the chest with both feet and watch with a grin as he disappears over the edge of the bunk bed.

The other two stare at me with wide eyes. I raise an eyebrow. "Well are you just going to stand there? I'm not going to wait all night for you to grow a pair."

There's a flash of red eyes as one leaps forward but I swing my foot around and catch him in the throat with my heel. He collapses onto the floor, clawing at his neck.

I look back at the other one and he hesitates. My eyes flash red and I bare my teeth with a low growl. A second later and all three are gone.

The silence that greets me is calming and exhilarating all at once. The only thing that can be heard is my own heartbeat and breathing.

I close my eyes with a heavy sigh—relishing the calm that will disappear at any moment.

I think that was even shorter than last time, Adriel comments when footsteps begin approaching the building.

Yeah me too, I mutter.

I twist my hands and grip the chains tightly. I suck in a deep breath and grit my teeth before yanking on them hard. The bed frame creaks and then snaps.

I slide the chains off the broken frame and hop down from the bed. I unravel the chains from around my wrists just as the door slams open.

"Fara what the hell is going on?"

My uncle is normally pissed off when he had to come down in the middle of the night but now he just looks exhausted.

I shrug, wiping the blood off my forehead when it starts to drip into my eyes.

He shakes his head with a heavy sigh. "Come on, Zari wants to talk to you," he mutters, jerking his head towards the door.

I follow him outside, noting that the stars are covered by storm clouds. Clouds that no doubt will bring more snow tomorrow.

The clearing is filled with warriors, most of them half asleep and all looking quite annoyed. Their gazes follow me into the palace.

My eyes widen at the sight of Queen Zari on the throne. Her eyes are a blazing scarlet and I can feel my dragon trying to submit.

"Everyone out," she growls and the room empties almost instantly.

She turns her fiery gaze to me. "Fara I will ask you once more and only once more. What is going on?"

My lips curl upwards into a smile. "Nothing."

*******

Btw Fara is supposed to have a bit of a confusing personality/motive so don't feel bad/dumb/whatever if you don't understand her quite yet :)

Now for those of you that stuck around to read this, I'll be honest, I've been super lazy with writing lately because in addition to the stuff I mentioned earlier, I also got a boyfriend :) and I was finishing up my last week at my job. I only had to go to the hospital three times (which is a lot or a little for you guys idk).