Page 15 of A Court of Thralls and Thorns

It paced.

Its massive form prowled forward, muscles rippling beneath its iridescent hide. Its tail swished from side to side, slow and calculated, the movement almost hypnotic. But its agitation only grew. The beast tossed its head back, teeth bared, exhaling another wave of heat that shimmered in the cool morning air.

A deep, throaty growl rumbled from within its chest, a sound that sent a primal shiver down my spine. This wasn’t just resistance or anger. This was unrestrained fury.

Major Kaler hesitated, his lips parting as if he were reconsidering whether I should even attempt this. But I felt the pull, the compulsion deep inside me, stronger than the fear pressing against my ribs.

I had to do this.

Without waiting for permission, I snatched the coiled leather rope and jogged toward the enraged dragon.

“Okay, I’m new at this, so cut me some slack,” I muttered, voice low but steady.

The Sentinel’s golden eyes narrowed.

A sharp, rattling breath escaped it, and I could feel its focus homing in on me completely. The energy between us crackled, dangerous and uncertain. My pulse pounded, and every instinct screamed at me to stop, to reconsider—but I didn’t.

I swung the rope.

The Sentinel moved so fast that it was too late for me to react.

A quick, almost effortless jerk of its head, and the rope missed its mark.

I gritted my teeth and swung again.

It dodged to the side.

The dragon let out a sharp huff, almost like a scoff, its massive wings shifting as if preparing to take flight again. It wasn’t just resisting the link—it was actively challenging me.

Fine.

I adjusted my grip, locking eyes with the beast, determination flaring in my chest.

I wasn’t done yet.

When I swung the rope over her neck, she dodged.

Again.

And again.

“Your dragon is resisting the link, Ashlyn,” Major Kaler called. “Let her go. We will encourage her?—”

I wasn’t listening. I flicked the rope around her neck at an unexpected angle, and before she could react, I secured the loop and scrambled up.

She launched into the air before I was secured on her back, but I scrambled into place.

Unlike the others, she didn’t fly smoothly, she bucked and twisted, trying to throw me off. Just when I was sure I had her rhythm, my grip slipped.

She banked left, and my hand ripped free from the rope.

I tumbled through the sky.

Chapter

Five

Ihit the ocean back first, the impact slamming into me like I’d been thrown against solid rock. The force of the fall stole the air from my lungs, pain exploding across my spine and shoulders as the icy water swallowed me whole. My body plunged into the depths, disoriented, my limbs flailing as I struggled to right myself.