Chapter 4: A Royal Pain Octavian:

Everyone was staring at Arcave and he looked extremely uncomfortable. I stood in front of him and smiled towards him. Alice looked pale as if she'd seen something scary. "ALICE KATNEY!" A familiar and ever so annoying voice echoed behind us. A boy emerged from the crowd, he was quite small with dark hair with a really annoying face that I want to punch, I've always wanted to punch him. His names Arec and he is a royal pain in the ass. "Who the fuck is this freak?!" I don't understand why but as soon as Arec said that I snapped. I picked him up by the throat. "WHO THE HELL ARE YOU CALLING A FREAK!" I felt the genuine anger and rage build up.

"Calm down Octo!" Alice said trying to get me to put Arec down. I put him down and storm off.

Arcave's POV:

This guy was sat here gasping for air and he glares at me. "Upworlders aren't supposed to be here." He said genuinely upset with Alice. I was still recovering from Octavian standing up for me. "That's the thing. Everyone listen up!" Everyone looked at Alice and start muttering to each other. "Dilitiri has claimed this boy as his new rider! Everyone may I introduce to you, the new Prince of the Riders, Arcave!" Everyone was shocked at first but then they started cheering.

Even the dude Octavian strangled reluctantly clapped.

After people walked up to me and congratulated me Alice taps my shoulder. "I should warn you... Daracnia's in the midst of a war..." I looked at her confused and concerned.

"Well that's a nice thing to hear isn't it..." I pat Dilitiri and he growls softly.

"No one expects you to join Arc... You have nothing to worry about." She smiled.

"What about you and Octavian?" Her expression went blank.

"We don't have a choice..." she stroked Dilitiri. "Octo is our strongest soldier... and I'm the best medic."

"And what about Arec?" Alice's face went from caring to annoyed. "Dresna forbid Mr Rich boy gets his hands dirty." I could see her gritting her teeth. I would have asked her who Dresna was but she seemed a bit too agitated.

Octavian's POV:

"I hate him." I said punching a wall.

I was at Kayla's Bar and she just stared at me. "You aren't the only one Octo." Kayla is a fair and beautiful girl. She works here and at the egg nursery, She is literally like our towns therapist. "Sorry Kay..." She pats my shoulder.

"Oh right! The Order has asked u to see what's goin on in East Daracnia." I looked at her and smiled.

"A mission?" I tried to hold my Excitement.

Alice's POV:

"A mission?" I asked, "You want to invite Arcave on a mission?! He's not trained!" I snapped at Octavian. I can't believe he suggested that.

"I know, but we are at war Alice! Best way for him to learn is in the field!" As mad as I was at Octo, He was right... The best way Arcave can learn is in the field, But I didn't embrace him to.

"You are insane!" I say.

"Oh? Excuse me you are so hopelessly in love with him that you want to protect him by having him train here?! WELL GUESS WHAT? THATS HOW DILITIRI'S LAST RIDER DIED!" I stared at Octavian dumbfounded. I looked around to check if anyone heard that but it seemed to just be me and Octavian. "He's not coming and that's the end of it." I storm off

Arcave's POV:

I was sat in the Dilitiri room at the castle putting my things away when I heard a knock on the window. I turn to see Octavian stood on the balcony waving at me. It's funny... I had a dream that started like this once. I opened the window and let him in.

"Hey Arcave, sorry for climbing up to your window." He rubs his neck but smiles.

"What's up?" I manage to say.

"Do you want to... uh go on a mission? Just me and you?" My heart started beating. and I stared at him. It was not what I was expecting him to say, but if it means I can get to know him better...

"I'd love to!" I smiled. "When do we leave?"

Octavian was already climbing out the window.

"Five minutes ago." He smiles and slips through the window.

Octavian's POV:

Ok so I'm going against Alice's orders... So what? She isn't commander. My brother was, And he's dead. So yes I asked Arcave to come on the mission with me alone, but I won't let him come to any harm. I promise he will come back without a scratch on him. Who am I promising? I don't know... maybe Dresna... or Alice... Or me.

Arcave walked up to me dressed up in a warm jacket and pants. He looked so soft and warm... I had the urge to hug him, but this mission was important and I had to keep my mind focused.

"We aren't going to Antartctica you know." I joked and smiled.

Arcave gave a little laugh and it was the cutest thing ever. I felt my heart beating incredibly fast. Maybe it's adrenaline. Or maybe its something else. "So what's the mission?" Arcave asked. It was a very valid question. But the surprise would be ruined. A wild dragon is quite a rare sight. Of course we have to save it first. "It's a surprise." I smiled and he smiles back. My heart was beating so fast...

We hop on our dragons and fly off. It wasn't even 5 minutes when I looked over and saw Arcave stood up embracing the winds. He was like a king of the skies.

Arcave's POV:

We arrive at some high tech base. It was more high tech than what we have back on earth anyways... Octavian landed somewhere in the forest and I followed.

"Stay quiet and alert." He whispered. We approached the large gates.

"How are we supposed to get in?" I asked, The gates were large and electrically charged.

Octavian smiles and magnet symbols ran up his arms. He touched the ground and then the bars getting electrocuted in the process. But the bars crushed into the floor and we entered.

"You've stopped." Octavian said and smiled at the ground. I was confused, what did he mean by that? "What do you mean?" I looked at him and he looked back in my eyes. My pulse quickened and I felt the air leave my lungs. "Stuttering, I thought it was cute." My face heats up and I let my hands cover my face. He must have taken it the wrong way because he said, "Oh I'm sorry, didn't mean to upset you..." I looked up and grabbed his hand.

"N-no its fine, Just didn't expect you to call me cute." He smiled.

"You are... Let's get on with the mission shall we?" I nodded and we went deeper into the area.

There were soldiers everywhere, they knew we were here. I was soscaref I didn't even realise I was still holding Octo's hand. "Focus on your bond with Dilitiri..." He said, although his voice was calm I couldn't focus. My anxiety kicked in and I was struggling to breath.

"Hey... Hey it's OK." Octavian reassured me. "Breath, Deep breaths." He took me through some breathing exercises til I calmed down.

"Want me to fight and u stay here?" I shook my head and held tighter.

Alice's POV:

"He did WHAT?!" I yelled at Kayla, Not because I was mad at her... Because Octo completely ignored my orders.

"I'm Sorry Ma'am," Kayla said sarcastically, "You aren't his commander so keep your opinions to yourself." I felt like slapping her right then. But she was right... Not only was I Not his commander, but he is ranked higher than me. I run to Belle and hop on her. "Where are you going?!" Arec asked. I snapped back at him.

"Keep your fucking nose to yourself asshole!" I fly off not looking back.