Chapter 28 Aug 19, 2025 The landing wasn't graceful. Liorith slammed into the final ridge of the Summit with a bone-shaking thud, claws skidding over stone scorched black by centuries of fire. Mira jolted forward in the saddle, barely holding on, her arm screaming from the cut she hadn't had time to look at. Beside them, Vharok stumbled as he touched down, wings dragging, one leg clearly injured. Bastian collapsed forward on his dragon's neck, panting like he'd just crawled out of hell. Maybe he had. Mira jumped down fast, her boots crunching against fractured stone. The heat still radiated from the climb. Her leathers stuck to her skin, soaked through with sweat and blood. She gritted her teeth as she pressed a hand to her upper arm. The gash was ugly. Deep. But not fatal. Liorith coiled around them, her silver tail curling in a protective circle. She didn't growl, didn't move. Just stood there, head low, watching Mira like she didn't trust the ground to stay solid. "Bastian?" Mira's voice cracked. He slid off Vharok and hit the ground harder than he meant to. His legs buckled. Mira caught him before his knees met the stone. "Okay, easy," she muttered. "I got you." "I'm fine," he breathed. "Just... give me a second." His weight sagged against her shoulder. Mira lowered them both slowly to the ground. When they reached it, he stayed curled forward, hands braced, trying to breathe through the pain. Blood stained his side, but he was alive. She leaned over him, one hand still gripping her arm. "You almost died." "Yeah," he said between ragged breaths. "Not my best plan." "Next time you decide to be dramatic," Mira snapped, "warn me first." He gave a soft, bitter laugh. "Next time, I'll fall more gracefully." Mira rolled her eyes but didn't pull away. Her fingers hovered near his jaw, unsure. She should've backed off. He needed space. But her hands stayed. "I told you not to fall," she whispered. "I told you I might," he replied. "You didn't listen." "I never do." He gave a crooked smile, bruised and breathless. "You saved me." Mira exhaled sharply, brushing dirt from his shoulder. "Get used to it." She meant to say it lightly. But the words came out low and tight, like a promise made through gritted teeth. He heard it too - his smile dropped. His eyes searched her face, slow and stunned. Around them, the arena was silent. High cliffs shadowed the Summit. A few cadets had made it. Most hadn't. Above the ridge, the instructors stood watching. Silent. Still. Their expressions unreadable. One of them nodded. Another gave a single, sharp clap. Mira's breath caught. That was it. No speech. No ceremony. They had passed. The Rise was over. They had survived. The crowd on the lower tiers, distant but visible now, stayed quiet for a beat too long. Then someone gasped. Then another. Mira turned. People were standing. Gaping. Whispering. Because no one had expected this. The girl they all mocked. The boy no one could touch. The underdog and the ice prince. They weren't supposed to win. Weren't supposed to make it out, let alone together. Bastian pushed up slowly, swaying with the effort. Mira moved with him, hands ready to catch him if he slipped again. "You okay?" she asked, quieter now. He nodded. "I'm standing, aren't I?" "Barely." His mouth twitched. "Still counts." She looked at him, really looked. His face was pale, dirt streaked, jaw tight from pain. But his eyes - they burned. Not just from the climb. From her. "They thought I'd leave you behind," he murmured. "They thought I'd slow you down," she replied. "They were wrong." His hand found hers, rough and warm. Mira squeezed back once. Then without warning, Bastian leaned in and kissed her. It was everything they hadn't said, hadn't dared to do, all in one moment. His hand tangled in her braid. Her fingers curled into his shirt. The heat between them flared, reckless and sharp. The kiss was possessive, raw, and utterly public. The crowd erupted.