Page 11 of A Court of Thralls and Thorns

There are many red dragons,Siergen teased, his mental tone playful yet sincere.

Yeah, but you are the only one I like, I replied.

Then I accept this new nickname.

Lying awake, I gathered the courage to pose my next inquiry.May I ask you a question?

Of course.

What was life like before the Unification?I asked, my mind reaching back to legends and half-remembered histories.

It was a dangerous time. Many dragons’ eggs were stolen by the Blood Fae. The humans were not compatible, so our initial arrangement was made with the fae—but that went disastrously wrong. A deal was later struck, and the halflings were created—humans who possessed enough fae magic to bond but not enough to destroy the dragon who chose them.

I shifted on my bunk.But we are commoners. I know we each have a noble sire and diluted fae blood, but why now? Why would the king enlist us after six hundred years?

So many bloodlines have been lost over time due to unforeseen circumstances—bloodlines that might exist among commoners because of...he hesitated.

Nobles stepping out on their wives,I paused, my tone dropping as I revealed a painful truth.My third mother was a prostitute, so you don’t have to sugarcoat it.

Yet you loved her more than any other, including your criminal father.

How do you know that?

It is one of my gifts, came the calm, confident answer, as if Siergen could see into the deepest corners of my heart.I have been waiting for you for a long time.

You said I’m not your rider.

You aren’t. But you are special to me. You remind me of the first king to bond.

“How so?” I asked out loud, barely a whisper.

I will tell you stories of the past some other time, he promised, a final note of comfort in the dark.Rest. Tomorrow, you meet your dragon.

Chapter

Four

We stood in formation at the Ascension Grounds, the morning sun casting long shadows across the stone. The cool air carried the scent of salt from the ocean, crisp and sharp, mingling with the nervous tension crackling between the assembled squads. A large man with a bald head and a jagged scar over his left eye stepped up onto the podium, his presence commanding instant silence.

“I am Major Kaler,” he announced, his deep voice carrying over the courtyard. “I will be training you in battle tactics... for those of you who have a dragon.” His cold eyes scanned the recruits, lingering a little too long on those of us in Thrall Squad. We stood without a banner, the only ones in the assembly unclaimed, but Tae positioned himself in front of us like a shield, his stance rigid.

“Yesterday was the first beach run. We lost Nobleman Thice. His family will be notified of his sacrifice. A Thrall was also lost.”

A hush fell over the grounds. My stomach twisted as I glanced at Eilvin, who kept his head bowed. Lauren.

“Tae Rockel,” Kaler continued, his gaze shifting to our squad leader. “You are acting squad leader until someone with more… experience agrees to take command of your team.”

Tae lifted his chin. “Yes, sir,” he said, his tone cold but resolute.

The major turned back to the assembly. “The prospects will come with me to the beach to perform the linking ceremony. Major Ledor will hand out today’s assignments and take the remaining members on a training exercise.”

Several cadets from the noble squads broke away, following Major Kaler toward the tunnel leading to the beach.

I edged closer to Tae. “Why does everyone else seem to know what’s going on?” My hand instinctively drifted to the dagger at my belt.

Tae exhaled sharply. “Because every other squad has lieutenants. They’re briefed on the day’s events and tell their team what’s happening and what to do. We have no leadership, so we’re basically flying blind.”

I touched his arm. “We have you.”