Page 17 of A Court of Thralls and Thorns

“Figures,” Jax grumbled. “The only one who doesn’t get thrown into the ocean on his first ride ascends first.”

Cordelle grinned, completely unbothered. “Kass and I have a deep connection.”

I smiled. “Kass seems like a nice dragon. I envy you.”

“And you were tossed into the sea like an unwanted fish,” Perin reminded me loudly from behind, earning a few chuckles from his fellow Iron Fang members.

I clenched my jaw but didn’t look back. Not worth it. Not yet.

Tae shook his head, clearly over it. “Come on,” he said. “Let’s get back before Major Ledor finds an excuse to run us through another ‘initiation’ course.”

We climbed the rope, heading back toward the castle.

By the time we reached our barracks, exhaustion was seeping into my bones, the damp chill from the ocean still clinging to my skin. My squadmates filed inside, shaking off the remnants of seawater and sand, but before I could do more than take off my boots, Riven stood in front of me.

“You first,” she said, her tone brooking no argument.

I hesitated, glancing at the others. Jax, Cordelle, and even Tae all gave me the same expectant expression. Naia, of course, just leaned against the far wall with her arms crossed, making no effort to join the little show of camaraderie.

“Fine,” I muttered, grabbing dry clothes from my pack and heading toward the washroom.

The moment I peeled off my wet gear, I realized just how cold I still was. The saltwater had done a number on me, and despite the warmer clothes, a chill had settled deep in my core. When I stepped back into the main room, I went straight for my bunk, climbing under the covers to warm up, my muscles aching with every small movement.

I had barely tucked my arms around myself when Cordelle wandered over, hands tucked into his pockets, his ever-present journal tucked under one arm. He grinned down at me.

“You know, your dragon is incredibly impressive,” he said, his voice carrying its usual easy warmth.

“Sure,” I muttered, “if you want to become fish food.”

Cordelle chuckled. “Come on, she’s massive, powerful, completely unlike the others?—”

“And she refused the bond,” I interrupted, my voice edged with more bitterness than I intended.

Cordelle tilted his head slightly, considering my words. “Many do at first.”

I frowned. “How do you know that?”

“My father is the lorekeeper,” Cordelle explained, shifting his weight. “He records the histories for the castle and has access to the library.”

I blinked. “So you actually read about this kind of stuff?”

“Oh yes,” Cordelle said with a soft smile. “It gives me ideas for my poems.”

Of course it did.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out something small and metallic. “Here,” he said, extending it toward me. “Take this.”

I sat up slightly, my fingers closing around the cool metal. It was a charm, shaped like a dragon’s head, intricate despite its small size.

“What is it?” I asked, turning it over in my palm.

“It’s supposed to help with mental focus, to help you attune to your dragon,” Cordelle explained. “I don’t need it. Kass is very accepting.”

I swallowed, touched by the gesture. “Thank you, Cordelle.”

The moment my fingers fully curled around it, I felt a slight tingle run up my arm, a soft pulse of something unfamiliar but not unwelcome.

I lifted an eyebrow. “It’s imbued with magic.”