Page 120 of A Court of Thralls and Thorns

The tension in the courtyard thickened, the air crackling with the static of brewing violence.

“What is happening?” Major Kaler demanded from the podium, his voice sharp and wary.

Zander stepped forward, his voice low. “Kaelith intends to kill Katama’s rider.”

“She can’t do that,” Major Kaler snapped. “It’s against the Unification Treaty!”

Zander let out a humorless grunt. “Kaelith predates the treaty. And there isn’t a dragon in the horde that will stop her.”

The major’s face twisted with disbelief. “Hein is larger than Kaelith. Have him intervene!”

Zander turned abruptly, eyes flashing between lavender and black. “You want Hein here?” His tone was clipped, like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Fine.”

Before the major could protest, a deafening roar split the sky—so loud it seemed to vibrate through my chest. The largest silver dragon in the horde descended from above, landing with bone-jarring force. Hein’s wings snapped closed, and the sheer size of him drove the crowd back further. Only our squad held their ground.

“What is he doing?” Major Kaler yelled as Hein began moving, his massive frame sliding protectively into place—beside Kaelith.

“He’s protecting her,” Zander said grimly.

The major’s face paled as Hein’s scaled tail lashed out, sweeping a cloud of dust across the courtyard like a warning.

Katama hissed, her body coiling tighter. Her eyes flicked from Hein to Kaelith, assessing the odds, and for a moment, I swore I saw hesitation in his posture.

Kaelith growled low, her voice curling in my mind.If that poison-spitting snake makes a move, I’ll rip him apart and leave his rider in pieces.

Kaelith, no!I shot back, panic flaring in my chest.You can’t kill Remy. No matter what he’s done.

The king should’ve killed him the first time,Kaelith spat.

I swallowed hard, pulse racing. Remy was still standing behind Katama, stiff and unmoving. But I knew him too well—he was calculating, deciding what move to make if things turned bloody.

I stepped forward, ignoring the tight knot of fear twisting in my chest. Kaelith’s wings were half-raised, her massive body poised on the edge of violence. Her scales seemed darker, stormier, her power curling in the air like smoke. The heat radiating off her stung my skin.

He’s an asshole,I told her silently,but don’t kill him. He was under orders. I’ll never trust him, but I don’t want to cause Katama any more pain. His species has suffered enough.

Kaelith’s growl rolled through my bones like distant thunder.His betrayal marks him unworthy of life. That serpent should have chosen a better rider.

Siergen’s voice suddenly echoed in my mind, calm but firm.Listen to your rider, Kaelith. For ill or not, Katama chose him. If he betrays his trust, Katama will end him. Not you.

Kaelith’s body trembled beneath her scales, her claws scraping against the stone.He inferred a mate bond and rescinded. Such an atrocity cannot go unpunished.

Siergen sighed, the sound laced with something close to exhaustion.You’ve spent little time around humans. They are not like us. This... error happens occasionally in their culture.

Kaelith’s throat swelled, her chest glowing red-hot as fire gathered inside her. I staggered back as flames exploded from her jaws—an inferno that roared across the courtyard. Katama coiled his body protectively in front of Remy, shielding him from the worst of the blast, but I still saw the ends of his hair singe, smoke curling from his shoulders.

Still, Remy didn’t move. He didn’t flinch, didn’t stumble. His expression remained blank—cold, as if his life no longer held any value.

Kaelith!Siergen’s voice cracked like a whip in my mind.

Kaelith let out a deep, guttural growl—not at me, but at Katama.This rider’s fate is mine to decide,she snarled.If yours comes near her again, I will incinerate him.

Katama lowered his head slightly, as if in agreement, before his eyes flicked toward Remy. He remained frozen, gaze locked on me with an unreadable expression.

With a furious roar, Kaelith snapped her wings wide, buffeting the air hard enough to knock dust and leaves swirling around us. Then she launched skyward, her furious cry echoing long after she disappeared into the clouds.

I stood there, chest heaving, my pulse hammering in my ears. The courtyard was deathly silent, eyes locked on me and the charred remnants of the stone where Kaelith’s fire had scorched the earth.

Remy still hadn’t moved.