Chapter 20

Florence arrives early to the greenhouse, savoring its calm and preparing emberfern–mirthleaf experiments. Professor Allenvale enters with a disheveled, argumentative Professor Rodriguez before class begins. Amid new safety protocols, Florence focuses on her project and the understudied properties of emberfern, despite Lunaya’s absence weighing on her.

Allenvale privately reassures Florence about an excellent exam result and invites her to apply for a Somnaria Institute summer scholarship. She explains Somnaria’s research focus, contrasting Bloodwing’s war footing. Florence admits she wants to pursue healing arts over strategy but worries about Avari constraints and her bond with Nyxaris; Allenvale urges her to consider the opportunity.

After class, Florence receives a perfect mark and meets Nyxaris for flight. He drills her riding posture and mental thrallguard, prodding her impatience and priorities. Their exchange turns to why dragons need riders; Nyxaris posits riders act as interpreters and precision agents in war, while warning Florence against excessive pacifism.

Pressed about his past, Nyxaris grows volatile, then confesses his rider died because of him, prompting him to question his house and cause. Molindra later offered him a new purpose for which he “gave up everything,” implying his voluntary transformation to stone. He also reveals having had soul-bound highblood riders in blightborn bodies, a truth that unsettles both.

Nyxaris discloses he recently saw another dragon who fled—perhaps Vorago, perhaps even Molindra—suggesting hidden dragons remain. He ends training, planning harsher dawn drills, and advises Florence to ice her aching thighs. Florence, embarrassed yet encouraged, leaves with renewed determination about research, potential travel to the Isles, and strengthening her bond and defenses.