"Syrex… she is superb." Theo comments, impressed by the great green-blue dragon at the center of the garden. Seeing dragons in the sky was already wonderful, but seeing such a colossal creature so close seems unbelievable.
"She really is-" Sarah begins to say, but then the dragon suddenly turns its head toward them and opens its large blue eyes, making the girl pull Theo back behind the wall. "SHIT!"
Theo is surprised, but Sarah seems even more shocked. "Did you see? She… she really looked directly at us?" Sarah asks, incredulous, and Theo nods. "I think so, is that strange?"
Sarah keeps Theo pressed against the wall as if hiding. "She knew we were here, of course. Dragons are very sensitive creatures, and Syrex even more so; she can smell us from miles away, feel our mana through walls, and even see a grain of sand on our hair…"
Theo becomes even more impressed by that dragon, yet confused by Sarah's reaction. "So what is the problem?" As soon as he asks, Sarah looks into his eyes and begins to smile. "Dragons are very proud; they do not usually show interest in humans, but she looked directly at us… I am sure we caught her attention."
"Hmm…" Theo smiles at Sarah. "It seems your beauty moves even the hearts of Dragons." When he says that, she smiles even more charmingly, and Theo kisses her lips. Sarah closes her eyes and enjoys it, then, when Theo stops, she gives him a teasing glance. "You are going to use every opportunity to kiss me?"
"I will," he says and then moves to kiss her again, but before their lips touch, he feels his heart beat faster and something warm stir inside his chest. He knows that feeling is his flames burning somehow.
Sarah sees Theo frown, and then he suddenly steps in front of her at the same moment the head of the gigantic green-blue Dragon appears at the balcony with those great blue eyes larger than their heads and showing teeth as long as their arms.
ROOOOOAAAARRR! The Dragon makes a loud sound that echoes in Theo and Sarah's ears, making their hair stand on end and their faces grow hot from the creature's breath.
Theo feels his legs weaken with fear, having such a fierce creature right before him, but together with his instincts screaming inside his body, there is also that warm sensation igniting his chest with excitement. He does not move a single centimeter and remains between those deadly fangs and Sarah.
The eyes of the Dragon and Theo meet, and while he does not know what to expect from the creature, it begins to open its mouth slowly, revealing more rows of enormous teeth behind. Sarah tries to pull Theo away from the Dragon, then everyone hears a deep male voice echo. "Syrex!"
Everyone looks back and sees a tall man with long black hair and brown eyes appear. As soon as he calls the Dragon's name, it looks at the man and closes its mouth, making some lower growling sounds before slowly retreating from the balcony.
"D-D-uke Lyskarra!" Sarah stammers and quickly bows to the black-haired man, but Theo remains in front of her and also holds her hand while casting a curious look at the man.
The man glances at Sarah briefly with a gentle smile before focusing on Theo with a curious gaze. "I apologize for my old friend and companion; she did not mean to frighten you, but as you can see, such creatures do not share our manner of interacting politely."
"She seemed upset," Theo comments while the heat inside him calms, and the man laughs kindly. "Oh no, I understand it seemed like that, but Syrex was just curious, which in itself is very unusual since she never takes interest in humans."
"I see," Theo does not like the analytical way the man looks at him, and even his friendly smile feels strange. Theo does not try to hide that, and the atmosphere becomes tense with the exchange of looks between the two men.
Sarah has an uneasy countenance on her face and holds Theo's hand tightly. "Theo, he is the Headmaster of the Acade-" As soon as she begins to speak, the man interrupts her with a gentle smile. "There is no need to call me that, I prefer Professor, after all, I taught here long before becoming Headmaster and also inheriting my father's title as Duke."
"Professor Lyskarra," Sarah says in a respectful tone and bows lightly, gently pulling Theo's hand. He understands the hint and also gives a slight bow without saying anything, only staring at the black-haired man with a calm gaze.
The Duke keeps looking at Theo, both of them in silence for a few more seconds, then he shifts his gaze to Sarah and smiles. "I must return now; the others are waiting for my speech." And he turns and begins walking toward the hall.
"Duke Lys-" Sarah begins to speak, and he turns around, so she makes a sorry expression. "Professor. If you allow me, what did Syrex have to say about us?" When she asks that, the Duke laughs. "So you noticed?" He asks rhetorically and then turns back, continuing to walk. "She said that you smell good."
Theo looks at Sarah with a surprised expression, and she begins to blush but can't hold back a loving smile forming on her lips. "I think we know the reason…" She whispers and then pulls him by the hand toward the hall. "Come on, the party is about to begin."
The couple returns to the Hall of Stars and watches from the second floor as Duke Lyskarra steps onto the stage and is greeted by hundreds of excited applause. He waves to the professors and students as he positions himself at the center of the stage and raises his hand, making everyone fall silent.
"Good evening to everyone," the Duke speaks in a calm and friendly tone, smiling at the audience. "I am your host, Headmaster, or as I prefer to be called, Professor Lyskarra, and I welcome all newcomers and veterans here on this special night. Today, we officially begin another academic year, and I promise all of you that I will do everything within my power so that you, students and professors, have a pleasant time with us."
As soon as the Duke speaks, everyone begins applauding again, and he has to raise his hand for them to quiet down. "I know you young ones do not like long speeches, and the older ones do not either." When he says that, many laugh but quietly, and the Duke continues. "I will not talk about rules or expectations now because we will have time for that tomorrow…"
The Duke smiles kindly at everyone. "Tonight is very special for you, especially the newcomers, because it allows you to relax and enjoy the party with your veterans and future professors. So all I ask is that you act like the adults you are, be responsible and polite. And have fun, of course, tomorrow classes begin."
"Also," he turns before leaving. "I believe most of you are aware of the Academy House system, but just to make it clear, there are four Houses to choose from, and you can find their main representatives in the hall. Interact with them as much as possible and clear all your doubts before making your choice, since it cannot be changed."
"Now…" The Duke picks up a glass of wine and raises it. "Let the party begin." He says loudly, and then the musicians start playing again while the students applaud on their feet.
"Concise and elegant as they say," Sarah comments while her eyes shine in the Duke's direction, making Theo feel a pinch of jealousy sour his mouth. Yet, the way Sarah looks at the Duke is completely different from the way she looks at him; one is admiration, and the other is affection. And there is also the affectionate way she is holding Theo's arm, which makes him feel secure about her feelings.
"He does seem impressive, but…" Theo watches the Duke stepping down from the stage from afar, and it feels as if that man can see through all the nobles directly at Theo with that inquisitive, doubtful, even slightly hostile eyes.
"What?" Sarah asks, a little concerned. "I think he doesn't like me," Theo replies, and Sarah laughs. "That is completely natural, you are both very strong men, and it is impossible for there not to be rivalry between men like that."
"Rivalry over what?" Theo looks confused, and Sarah caresses his face while continuing to smile. "Over everything, of course. Men are simple creatures… It is like with Dragons, Alphas never share their territory and their prey. And in the case of the most powerful Alphas… Let us say that no other Dragon enters the Dark Lake because they know it belongs to Syrex and she is strong enough to frighten anyone who tries to take what is hers."
Theo looks at Sarah with a curious expression. "You know a lot about men and Dragons, don't you? Well, that still does not explain why the Duke would have any rivalry with me. He is the Headmaster Professor, and I am only a freshman student. I am no threat to him."
"You fool," Sarah looks at Theo with eyes shining with affection and expectation. "The Duke is a very clever man; he can sense your incredible potential. Right now, you may be only a freshman student, but one day you will be so powerful that you will not be able to share things with someone like him; that is the natural order."
"Does that mean we will be enemies one day?" Theo asks, and Sarah immediately shakes her head. "Not at all. I said that two Alphas do not share the same territory, which has to do with leadership. But that does not mean you must be enemies; on the contrary, you share many reasons to become great allies."
"What reasons?" Theo grows even more curious, but Sarah begins to laugh. "Good reasons, trust me, I know things." Before he can ask more, she takes his hand and looks into his eyes with a charming expression. "Now enough about the Duke, I want to dance, drink, and explore this enormous castle, and all at your side only, not his."
Theo has no idea what secrets Sarah hides from him, but whenever he looks into her eyes, he sees good feelings. And her charming and adorable smile makes everyone around disappear before his eyes, leaving only her there, beautiful and perfect.
"As you wish, My Lady." He holds and kisses her hand before pulling her toward the center of the hall, spinning her gracefully while they dance, drawing the attention of many gazes, some familiar and others not yet. But neither for Theo nor for Sarah does that matter, because they are having fun together.