Born In Light I | Born In Light II | Born In Light III | Born In Light IV | Born In Light V

Watery. They were watery. What else could go wrong today? I pushed my fork around my plate, the pulverized mash potatoes a small lake as the utensil glided through it. I had arrived at the dining hall as the majority of the student body had begun to disperse already. A small blessing as I had no desire to be bothered as I wallowed in my self misery. 

I was Ethan’s Rider, but they thought it was more than that. What else could there be? Air burst from lips as I slumped a bit lower not hearing the booted feet coming up behind me. A large hand clapped down on my shoulder as a body settled itself next to me.

“What the-” I jumped a foot in the air and heard a deep chuckle as I turned to see my intruder. Michael sat there with a smirk on his face. 

“Deep in thought, huh?” He patted my knee. His hand lingered a bit longer then it should. Ethan’s words came rushing back, he wants more. I shook my head slightly and turned back to my food. Which was quickly growing cold on the plate as I had stared into nothing.

“Yeah, well, ya know, finding out about this place and its purpose all in one day will do that to someone. Contemplate the meaning of the universe and their small insignificant speck of life.” I laid my cheek on my hand as it propped on the table.

Michael’s face scowled for a moment, “You are not insignificant.”

I waved at him in dismissal. “Yeah yeah, whatever you say, big guy.”

We were both silent for a moment before he spoke again. “What did Adrian have to say?”

I sat up straight and sighed, looking towards the ceiling. “Just more info about everything.” I paused as I deliberated in telling him about Ethan. What could it hurt? “Ethan was there as well.”

The reaction I received was not what I expected. Michael’s face became stony, his eyes narrowing and almost glowing. “Why was he there?” Why was Michael so mad?

“I guess I’m-” I paused again. Should I tell him about being Ethans’ Rider? Would that put a rift between the only friend I’d managed to acquire and me? Well, I guess he deserved to know, Ethan said as much if not in those exact friendly words.

I rolled my eyes and slumped again. “I’m Ethan’s Rider, apparently.” Michael froze, even his breathing became almost non-existent. I waved a hand in front of his face in worry. “Um, Michael? Helllllooooo, you in there still?”

“This isn’t possible. Ethan Hunter has never had a Rider and never will. He’s too powerful for anyone to pair with him. He’d destroy them.” I blinked at him and couldn’t find the words that were stuck in my throat. 

“What,” I paused, swallowing hard. “What do you mean he’d destroy them?”

Michael sighed and slumped against the table, running a hand through his hair. “He’s got too much energy running through him. In the beginning, he probably would have been able to pair with someone. But now, he’s so old, and the power that courses through his veins is so strong, any Rider attempting to pair with him would get overloaded and die.”

“Why hasn’t he paired then?” I cocked my head in confusion.

“Because a Rider isn’t something the Dragon chooses. It’s a symbiotic relationship, and the Rider is only able to pair with a Dragon if they are compatible. There is usually only one compatible Rider per Dragon.” Michael looked over at me, his eyes hooded.

“So then, I’m the first one that’s been compatible with him?” I tapped my chin in thought.

“Yes, in theory. But he has to be wrong, there is no way you could survive the joining.” He sat straight again and took my hand. “Ellie, you mustn’t believe him.”

I blinked at Michael, “Why?” I thought back to what Ethan had said. “Is there something else in your mind?”

Michael froze and cleared his throat. “I won’t lie, there have been thoughts yes. But I would never bring it up to push you into anything, Ellie.”

“Michael, I-” A roar was heard at the doorway to the mess hall, and both of us turned to see what had made it. Instinctively,  I knew who it was.

Ethan stood there, his chest heaving and eyes glowing a fiery orange. He was furious and staring right at the man holding my hands. He bit out his words with every step he took towards us, voice steel and growling. “Get your hands off of her!”

Michael jumped up and faced off with Ethan. “Why should I? These lies you’ve been feeding her-”

Ethan cut him off. “They are no lies. You know just as I do what happens when we find our Rider.”

“You can’t be serious! You’ll kill her!” Michael bellowed at him. His voice echoed throughout the hall, and I stared at the two with wide eyes. I’d never had a boyfriend, and now I had two exceedingly handsome Dragons fighting for my attention? 

“I will not kill her.” Ethan was suddenly quiet, and his anger simmered underneath the surface, ready to boil over.

“You will. She can’t handle it. She-”

“Is my TETHER.” Ethan finally let his anger fly, and Michael’s eyes widened to an impossible degree.

“What?” His voice shook.

“She is my Tether. Or did you not hear me the first time?” Ethan stepped forward, crowding Michael’s space.

“That’s not possible. There hasn’t been one of those in thousands of years.” Michael’s throat worked as he swallowed.

“It is.” Ethan finally looked at me, and his eyes softened instantly. He reached out and gently tugged me up from my seat, tucking me into his side. “I’ll be taking her now.” Michael could only gape at us as Ethan led me out of the dining hall and into the fresh night air.

My mind raced, and I felt like I was drowning. What’s a Tether?