One of Us

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/52941304.

Rating: Not Rated

Archive Warning: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Fandom: The Empyrean - Rebecca Yarros
Relationships: Xaden Riorson/Violet Sorrengail, Imogen Cardulo & Bodhi Durran &
Xaden Riorson & Garrick Tavis, Bodhi Durran & Xaden Riorson, Im -
Relationship
Characters: Bodhi Durran, Eya (Empyrean), Imogen Cardulo, Violet Sorrengail,
Xaden Riorson, Dain Aetos
Additional Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Implied/Referenced Torture, Recovery, Dragon
Bonds
Language: English
Stats: Published: 2024-01-10 Words: 3,217 Chapters: 1/1
 One of Us
by SorrengailHerondale

Summary

Bodhi's POV of Violet and her recovering post signet torture with Care and Varrish
**In the book she doesn't pass out, but she almost DIED so I feel like it made more sense to
have her pass out**

Notes

This isn't edited, it's literally just my rambling of scene that played out in my brain
The sound of the pencil moving across the desk is all I hear as I finish the essay. I look at it
and let myself feel the loathing for a moment, the whole essay is lies, pretty lies Navarre has
spun to keep the people ignorant, pretty lies that ensure conscription doesn't slow, pretty lies
that leave the Poromish to die and suffer, pretty lies that killed my family. Just for a moment I
allow myself to remember them, my mother and father. There was one night, weeks before
the secession, and it will never fade from my mind, Xaden and I were washing dishes after
dinner, my parents and his father sitting by the fire in the upstairs common room at Riorson
house as snow fell, laughing at something mom had said, I remember uncle fen quipping
back, and Xaden’s chuckle, so carefree. I remember laughing without concern, without
knowing that in less than a year all of that would be gone. All of them ripped away from me,
and still I can't seem to remember what they had said to make us laugh.

I sigh, dragging myself out of the memory and I begin rereading the essay on a battle from
half a century ago, wishing I knew more about the battle going on now, but as always, Xaden
had refused ‘for my safety’ despite the fact that I made it here, that I am in the position he
was last year, a third year, about to be out of this hell hole, I was the perpetually younger
cousin. I still remember which cut is mine on his back, we were all watching as they marred
his skin, marred his skin for US.

For some reason tonight is hard, so I stand, ready for dinner, ready for the fluid noise of
yelling and laughing cadets and possibly bringing someone back here to ease the unending
tension. I can practically hear cuirs judgement in my head, but it fades fast as he speaks
quick, sharp words that echo in my mind

“Get to the river and bring a blanket” Cuir was never one for mincing words, but the lack of
context has me on edge as I drag a rough blanket from the corner of my closet and leave.

“Hurry. It's the lightning wielder” and suddenly pieces click into place. She'd been on leave
and Varrish had been angry with her for Andarna's absences, despite the fact that it's
downright ludicrous to demand a rider account for their dragons actions and that Andarna
physically couldn't leave the veil- not that Varrish knew that. If Cuir was so urgent something
had to be seriously wrong, and it's on me to fix it this time, Violet is everything to Xaden, and
after all he's done it the least I can do to ensure she's safe here- not only that, but after
Resson, I'm pretty sure winning a war can only happen with her, for fucks sake, against her
the rest of us are basically negligible.

The cool air hits me as I make my way out of the fortress and down the bank as Cuir directs, I
almost run headfirst into both Imogen and Eya, who are also walking briskly, Tairn must have
called Glane and Freka as well, imogen looks to.me.”Sorrengail” she says, her eyes dilated in
panic and anxiety. Apparently their morning runs had done more than ease the visions that
come to us at night. Then I see it, down the river, hidden by the college, Tairn, his enormous
silhouette is not simply by the river though, he's IN the river. We start running until it's clear
that not only is Tiarn in the rapids, but he holds violet, her silver hair escaping its braid and
clinging to her face, she soaked to the bone, and gods that river must be cold. I can't help it as
I yell “Violet” she looks dead the way Tairn holds her limp body. A moment later he treads
out of the river and gently- if a dragon does anything gently- places violet in the long grass at
the bank of the Iakobos river, and she just lies there, a tiny black lump along the grass. We're
still running, and it Imogen who reaches her first “Violet!” She exclaims, concern and panic
in her voice “What the hell happened to you?”. I've only heard that kind of emotion from
imogen a few times and it's startling to hear her concern for Violet, despite my similar
feelings. Without Violet Sorrengail I'd be dead, and Xaden would be dead, and Imogen and
Garrick and Eya, but without Xaden, I don't even know how the revolution would move
forward, his influence with Poromiel is so critical. His control and his deal that keeps us all
safe within the bounds of Navarre- aside from the deathtrap college. Violet breathes
shallowly before as wearing imogen though. “Too. Many. Strikes.” Her words are breathy,
and quiet and slow. So as odds from her fast quips and quick reflexes. Her face is the shade of
strawberries and I let the blanket unfold before laying it over her, she must be freezing and is
shaking violently. It's burnout. “Oh shit” the exclamation falls unbidden from my mouth. I've
seen it once before, but not like this, Brennan was only tired, he wasn't broken like this. Her
breathing begins to regulate at least, even if her eyes are blinking so slowly I wonder when
she'll give up and just close them.

I drop to her other side, opposite imogen and pull the blanket tighter around her.

“You're so… red” Eya says in bewilderment, and violet continues to shake, Tiarn remains
yards away he looks murderous- well, more murderous than usual- and it strikes me that
Naolin burnt out too, it has to be stressful on him seeing her like this.

“Glane says it’s burnout” imogen says, her logical side returning again, confirming my
suspicion. Imogen hand is rubbing Violet's back in soothing motions as she says “what do we
do Violet, you're the only lightning wielder I know”

Violet curls up tighter, into a ball and says “I just need a minute” her words are interrupted
because of the chattering of her teeth and she seems more vulnerable than I've ever seen her,
even in her bedroom with that first years handprint around her throat or unconscious in
Xaden's arms, she still looked so strong and stubborn.

“The rider needs food, she must eat now that she is cool” Cuirs voice booms in my mind
again and I relay the information back, Eya looks at Violet “A green would know” she says
reasonably “food it is” she finished confidently. Imogen though finally gets to the question
banging around my mind

“How did this happen… Carr?” she says, indignation in her tone as she continues her
soothing motions on violets back… imogen and soothing feel like they don't belong together,
but here we are. Violet nods her head, the chattering mildly better, though her muscles still
quiver, violet gathers her breath “And Varrish.” And it clicks into place. Varrish- a master of
torture made her do this, used Carr and training as an excuse, a punishment, and Violet is
lucky to be alive right now. The blanket is falling again and I pull it closed around her. As I
see her face, her eyes, I can't help the “fuck” that is released from my throat unbidden. But
just to confirm I ask “this is because of Andarna?” she breathes out a “yes” and I feel the
anxiety and panic curling in my chest. Varrish is just going to do this again and again, until
she dies, until Xaden dies. Imogen seems to be taking a different tack though
“Are you fucking kidding me” fury is in every syllable, her eyes gleam with something I'm
glad I'm not on the receiving end of. Apparently she took needs the confirmation though “He
used your signet as a punishment for Andarna not showing for flight maneuvers!?” and now
even Eya is angry, despite not actually knowing Violet at all. “That asshole” she's seething as
she looks at.me, and I know what she means, we have to ensure this doesn't happen again. It
can't happen again.

We stay in silence for a moment, letting violet collect herself, and I let go of the blanket as
she raises an arm to hold it herself, she's staring at a tree, and I can't understand it's meaning
to her– maybe just something constant I suppose as her face becomes listless. “I think we
need to get her back to the dorms” Imogen offers, she's right, Violets not going to get food or
rest or warmth out her in the cold. But my mind is stuck. As her section leader, I can cancel
their squad’s flight maneuvers, but it's only a bandage, not a fix. “I'll handle it” I tell her with
more confidence than I feel. Command keeps a close eye on us, but for Xaden– for her– I can
do this. “This won't happen again” her eyes soften just a little bit.

“Tairn says he'll take care of it” she replies, though she seems unsure of this. She stands to
her feet, wobbling and unsteady, and I reach out for her shoulders, she winces and I feel
terrible. “I'm ready, let's go” she says simply. “Can you walk” I ask her, she looks like she's
gonna pass out, and any of us could carry her without struggle, but she still nods. She stares
back at that tree again, the tree we meet under I realize, and she looks at.me “I miss him”
there's no question in who she's referring to, and it feels nice that someone else misses Xaden
too. I'm sure Eya misses him as well, they've known each other since they were little, but not
like we do. “Yeah, me too”

Eya takes up walking behind her, imogen and I on each side, she makes it two steps and
passes out. I reach as she falls, pulling her into my arms, and her body fits against my chest,
she tiny, and her head rolls into my chest.

“She will wake, her body is exhausted, ensure she is fed when she does” I relay the
information to imogen, who’s anxiety doesn't fade as she wraps the blanket tighter around
violet in my arms, she's not shivering as much now, but we still hurry inside, imogen holds
the door as we walk up to Violets room in the 2nd year dorm, luckily we don't run into her
squad mates, just a second year I don't recognized, who looks terrified and had the good
sense to make himself scarce. As we come up to her room, Imogen goes to turn the knob and
is promptly thrown across the hallway, her back against another door. Eya looks at her in
concern but Imogen just looks infuriated. “Wards” I say. I’m about to send imogen to go
Rhiannon, when she cuts in “we’ll take her to my room, she'll be safe there” I sigh, and send
Eya to go get some soup from the dining space, there's always soup available down there.
Imogen leads the way as I climb the stairs, and violet’s body moves unnaturally as I do, her
head lolling as if there nothing holding it to her body but my crooked elbow, and I realize it
must because of those weaker joints of hers. It doesn't matter though as we get up to the third
year dorms, Imogen's is at the other end of the hall and we pass by Aetos's room as the door
opens. Fucking hell, of course it does, just my luck.

“Sectionleader Durran” he calls at my back with authority. I don't turn around, with violet all
wrapped up in the blanket he probably can't even see her, why risk it. Imogen makes to take
her and go, but Aetos catches this too “stay put Cardulo” he orders. The man is drunk with
power and I can't help but roll my eyes. Violet lets our a soft sound and Aetos gasps. I begin
walking briskly, Imogen door is only a few yards away. “Walk away Aetos and everything
will be fine” I say, letting that calm menace settle into my voice, he doesn't take this advice
though and begins running toward us. As Aetos gains on us I turn, he's coming closer and not
only can I not have him touching violet, but I can't have him touching me or imogen eithers.
Our shields are strong, but a memory reader isn't a risk worth taking. Just then Eya comes up
the stairs from the hall, she had taken the other path, which avoids the wingleaders’ rooms.
“Bodhi, Imogen, I got sou-” She’s cut off by Aetos's presence he ruahses forward then, panic
overtaking his face and fury, so much anger and fury. His humiliation in formation forgotten
as he looks from Violet face to mine and Imogens, his gaze lingering on Imogen’s, then
returning to Violet’s unconscious one, she's not as red as she was, but her face is still flushed
and she’s still soaking wet. “let go of her!” He screams, losing all sense of authority or
leadership, his face is furious as he hurls a knife- where the hell did that come from” at
Imogen who easily dodges it before I run, whipping Imogen's door open as she runs inside,
dragging my hand and one of violet’s with her. I hear as Aetos hits the wards and rebounds
back, and imogen darts back out of the room breifly but don't pay attention as I set violet
down on the bed. “He's taken care of for now, he’ll have a hell of a headache from that wall
though” she says with mild amusement. Eya remarkably still has the soup and she sets it
down next to the bed, and I watch as imogen begins weaving strands of power only she can
see. Runes are risky here, if command found out we used them as often as we do, they'd see
us as too powerful, but imogen presses the rune into the polished wood of the bowl, and
Innod at her.

“You think Riorson will show up tomorrow with murder on the mind” she says, but the joke
isn't funny as Eya wraps violet in blankets on the bed, tossing wrappings found in the bed at
imogen… presumably from some rendezvous, Imogen scowls at Eya fiercely, but Eya just
smirks. “We need to dry her hair” she adds, and Imogen grabs a towel from the armoire,
pressing her another warming rune into the corner, she's good at them, had I done it, the
towel would have started on fire most likely. Being as powerful as I am, I found it difficult to
we've strands with small amounts of power, Xaden could do it no problem of course though,
he seemed to excel at being a rider at having power.

The only thing he struggled with was people, not manipulating people of course- he was good
at that, but connecting with them. Really it had only been Liam and Garrick and I that he
connected with, Brennan too, but that was a little different. I remember those tumultuous
months during his betrothal, how he had become harsher, more exhausted, and who could
blame him? Months of Garrick and I telling him it was a bad idea. And all it took was 2 visits
and it was done. The first week had had gone and come back furious, not with Cat but with
Tecarus, who has apparently not planned to let us take the luminary at all. The next week he
went to break off the deal, the betrothal, all of it, and instead came back in a state Bodhi
couldn't understand, he was upset and easily startled, on edge, and looked like he couldn't
sleep. Any mention of cat set him off, whatever she had done, it was worse than what anyone
else- aside from the general perhaps- had ever done. Jokes about Garrick's trysts, ribbing
about challenges, none of it provoked anything but an angry demand to go away or for
silence. But garrick seemed to understand something bodhi didn't, and a sickening picture
was falling into place. Another weekend and it was done. 6 coded letters came from the
assembly and he ignored them all.

It was all so different than with Violet, Xaden could very well come here with intent to
murder, he cared more about her than the revolution, she hadn't let it go yet- his keeping
secrets from her, but he still loved her. Even if he didn't say it, and Bodhi couldn't help but be
enchanted by someone that could make Xaden seem so… Alive. But beyond that she cared
about the rest of us, about the marked ones, despite her notion that our parents were
responsible for Brennans death, she still cared about us. And then in Reason she was nothing
short of fierce and incredible, somewhere along the way she really became one of us. I watch
carefully as Eya carefully kneels on the bed and unwinds Violet's braid, wrapping the towel
around the hair and squeezing gently, then wrapping the warm towel around violets head and
underneath her cheek, keeping the pillow dry. Violet’s face had returned to her usual pale,
and her shivering had stopped a few minutes ago, she murmured something that sounded
suspiciously like Xaden's name. Eya goes to check on Aetos, returning in a minute or so;

“He was still out but he’s up now, went back to his room and asked.me what had happened, I
just said I found him like that-” I give her a look “He didn't touch me” she says placating, and
I nod.

Violet eyes flutter open, but she doesn't move, only looks me in the face. Her eyes light for a
second, then go out and I realize it because for just a moment, she thought I was Xaden, and I
pray to the gods that one day somebody’s eyes light up like that for me. She sighs.

“How long was I out?” She asks, as if everything is normal, and I remember Xaden telling
me she gets dizzy sometimes- maybe this IS her normal, minus the whole torture thing I
suppose

“About 20 minutes” I say, she sighs and eya brings her the soup, her body struggles to sit up
and violet irritably grabs the pillows imogen is trying to help her with, placing them behind
her and sitting up, ignoring the hand Eya has reached out with. I bring her the soup and see
my time to leave as Eya digs out clothes from imogen armoire tossing a small T-shirt and
sleep pants at Violet who replies combatively with “I'll sleep in my own bed” which
apparently feels bad for being rude. “But thanks” I sense my cue to leave her, and Eya does
too, letting Imogen help her. Those two have a strange relationship, but Imogen KNOWS
Violet more than either of us do. The whole affair exhausts me and when I get back to my
room I start drafting Flame sections flight maneuver schedule.
Please drop by the Archive and comment to let the creator know if you enjoyed their work!