Page 121 of A Court of Thralls and Thorns

And the worst part?

I wasn’t sure if Kaelith’s threat had frightened me or if part of me had wished she’d finished the job.

The major stormed up to me, his face dark with rage and his hand rising like he was about to strike.

“You are a prospect and have no control over your dragon,” he seethed. “I should smite you where you stand.”

Katama growled low, a dangerous vibration that carried through the air. Hein rumbled his own warning, silver scales rippling like liquid steel as he took a single step forward.

Zander moved in beside me, his voice cold and razor-sharp. “Be very careful of your next words, major. Your own dragon didn’t land in the courtyard.”

The major’s gaze shifted slightly, his focus distant. I knew that look—he was communicating with Mysan, his dragon. Whatever Mysan had said to him, the major didn’t like it. His face twisted in frustration before he turned back toward me.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Remy move. He was approaching me slowly, and something inside me snapped.

I didn’t remember reaching for my throwing stars—the ones Remy had given me. I’d kept them hidden all this time, a reminder of someone who once swore to protect me.

Nobody saw my hands move.

Nobody but him.

He could have dodged. Could have blocked or caught the silver spikes that flew from my fingers—but he didn’t. All three embedded in his shoulder, one dangerously close to his collarbone.

The major’s furious finger shot out, pointing directly at me. “Arrest her!”

The words barely left his mouth before Remy moved—faster than I’d ever seen him move before. His blade was at the major’s throat before I could even blink.

“If you touch her,” Remy growled low, voice like metal scraping against stone, “you are dead.”

The major’s face paled, his chest heaving. “But... but she attacked you!” he stammered.

“She is the only one in this courtyard with the right to touch me.” Remy’s grip on the hilt tightened, his knuckles white. “She alone has the right to kill me. Anyone touches her, then their entire squad will pay with their lives.”

The major swallowed hard, eyes flicking from Remy’s face to the blade pressed against his throat. “I... I was not aware that Ashlyn was the virgin daughter in your report.”

The blade shifted just enough to slice the skin at the major’s throat—a shallow cut, but enough to bleed.

“I suggest you keep your reports to yourself,” Remy hissed.

He stepped back slowly, lowering his blade but never turning his back.

The major stumbled away, touching his bleeding neck with trembling fingers before storming off without another word.

Remy turned to face me then, blood still running down his arm from the throwing stars buried in his shoulder.

“I had it under control,” I snapped.

“Sure, you did.” He smirked faintly, but there was something else behind his gaze—something sharp and haunted. “Next time, aim for my heart. Might save us both some trouble.”

He turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, fists clenched and heart pounding like a drum.

My squad moved in around me like a protective wall the moment the major stormed off. Jax’s arms crossed tightly over his chest, Tae’s jaw was tight enough to crack, and Riven kept shooting furious glances toward Remy like she was debating whether to stab him or just set him on fire.

Zander approached, his expression guarded but his voice softer than I expected. “Ashe, are you alright?”

“You knew.” My voice was flat, the accusation clear.

Zander’s lips thinned. “I suspected, but I wasn’t sure until this morning. Lieutenant Saulter was tasked with infiltrating the Order three years ago. He started with the Order of the Phoenix and made his way here due to his...”