Page 101 of A Court of Thralls and Thorns

I swallowed hard, knowing this was a no-win situation. “Nothing about the dragons,” I said carefully. “Nothing about you.”

Ferrula’s eyes narrowed slightly. “But?”

I clenched my fists. “Just one thing... but it’s nothing that endangers the squad.”

Riven’s voice softened. “For the sake of solidarity... and trust. Tell us what she said.”

I sighed, feeling like I was being dragged across hot coals. “She hid in my wardrobe, so she saw us change. She said Tae and Jax have... nice assets.”

Jax snorted. “Well, she’s not wrong.”

Tae rubbed his chin. “She wouldn’t be the first assassin I’ve been with.”

Riven snatched her pillow and hurled it at him. “She’s Ashe’s sister! Hands off. And sleeping with an assassin? That’s like cuddling a snake. You know it’s going to bite you—it’s just a matter of when.”

“Do you trust her?” Naia asked quietly.

I swallowed the knot forming in my throat. “Cyran made it clear the day he sold me to the king that I was nothing but an asset. I’m here to repay my debt to him. Solei’s the only family I have.”

“You weren’t here by choice,” Riven muttered, her eyes softening.

I shook my head. “No. I know most of you joined to help your families, but that wasn’t the case for me. Cyran could roast under Kaelith’s dragon fire, and I’d use it to warm my hands.”

“Ouch,” Tae muttered with a grin.

Jax stood and turned to Eilvin. “I hope that addresses your concerns.”

Eilvin hesitated, then glanced at me. “I’m sorry,” he said, voice low. “But when you said there was nobody here...”

“I get it,” I cut him off. “Solei shouldn’t have come. I’ll tell you if she makes another unannounced visit.”

Jax gave a rigid nod. “And there is no need to share her opinions. Neither Tae nor I are interested in relations with her.”

“Thanks, Jax.” I managed a weak smile.

Tae winked. “Too bad. Sounds like she’d be fun to?—”

Jax shoved him before he could finish, sending Tae stumbling into his bunk. Laughter rippled through the room, and for the first time that morning, I felt like the ground wasn’t about to crumble beneath me.

Naia came and sat down on my bed, her expression softer than usual. She twirled her dagger absently between her fingers, the light glinting off its blade.

“I didn’t really have a choice in coming here either,” she said quietly. “Sure, I could’ve said no... but my family was starving. The outer villages have been plundered by the nobles. Until this war ends, the commoners will keep suffering.”

I shifted, the weight of her words heavier than I expected. “I’ve visited a few kingdoms,” I admitted. “But mostly the ones closest to Warriath. I didn’t realize it was so bad. We never struggled in the Order.”

Naia’s fingers stilled on her dagger. “The Order actually takes care of its members,” she said. “But you’re required to enter a life of crime. A lot of people can’t stomach that.”

I gave a bitter smile. “I’m aware. I wouldn’t have chosen it myself.”

“And yet,” Naia murmured, “you’re an accomplished assassin. I see it in the way you fight.”

“That’s thanks to Solei.” My throat tightened at the thought of my sister. “She and Remy made sure I could hold my own. I’m not as good as them, though.”

Naia reached over and patted my leg. “You will be.” Her fingers lingered for a moment, warm and reassuring.

She stood just as a sharp knock echoed at the door.

I instinctively reached for the dagger hidden beneath my pillow. Naia’s fingers flexed on the hilt of her own blade.