Page 24 of A Court of Thralls and Thorns

We exited the ancient structure, the moon bright as we stepped into the forest. Our horses were tied to posts outside the temple, and Riven wasted no time getting me onto one, though every movement sent sharp flares of pain through my body.

The external wounds had vanished, but the gouges in my mind remained.

Every jolt of the horse was a fresh reminder of the way the trial had gone, the way Zander had watched, how close I’d come to losing more than just a trial.

Riven rode beside me, her expression unreadable as we made the short but grueling ride back to our barracks. By the time we arrived, I could barely climb down from the saddle. Riven didn’t even give me the option of pretending I was fine—she practically dragged me inside and eased me down onto my bed.

“So,” she said, staring at me with newfound understanding, “you have a healing ability.”

I nodded, clutching the covers to me like they were armor.

“When did you notice?” she pressed, her voice gentler now.

I hesitated, then exhaled. “I was ten,” I murmured. “Cut myself while learning to cook. It healed before my eyes. Dalila saw and told me to hide it. She made me promise I would.”

“But Cyran found out?” Riven pushed.

“Yeah,” I admitted, staring at the ceiling. “After he and Dalila were together, when we lived with him. But he said the same thing she did. Hide it. So the royals wouldn’t exploit me.”

Riven let out a slow breath, picking absently at the covers on my bed. “I’d like to say they were exaggerating, but… here we are.”

I hesitated before reaching out and touching her hand. “You seemed happy when you rode your dragon,” I said, needing to change the subject.

Riven’s smile was radiant, softening the exhaustion lining her features.

“I am,” she admitted, the glow of something unshakable in her voice. “I had no idea what it would be like. Zola is everything I never knew I needed. She hasn’t fully accepted me, but I know we’ll get there in time.”

I watched her, something like envy and admiration mixing in my chest.

“I wish I instilled the trust that Cordelle does,” she added, her fingers tightening around the edge of the blanket.

“You will,” I murmured, my voice a quiet promise.

Because I wanted to believe it. For both of us.

Jax sauntered over to where Riven and I were seated on my bunk, looking far too amused for someone who had been thrown around like a rag doll by Zander earlier.

“You and I will have a chat later, Ashe,” he said, arms crossed, but his tone wasn’t scolding—more thoughtful, like he was processing something he wasn’t ready to say yet. “But for now, Zander says it’s lights out. He wants you in the ring at first light.”

So much for him protecting me.

Still, I smiled at Jax weakly. He wasn’t revealing what he saw. He wasn’t calling me out, wasn’t asking questions in front of the others. That meant more than I could say.

The others took their turns using the washroom, voices low as exhaustion settled over the room. But I drifted off before they had even finished, my body demanding rest despite the uneasy weight in my chest.

A soft buzzing in the back of my mind roused me from sleep. It wasn’t unpleasant—more like a ripple of warmth brushing against my consciousness.

Hello, beauty,Siergen’s voice purred in my head.

I sighed, sinking further into my blankets.Hey, Red.

Siergen’s voice purred through my mind, carrying a quiet amusement.You had an eventful day, I hear.

You could say that.I stretched, though every muscle in my body protested.Did you know my dragon was the Sentinel?

I suspected, but could not be sure until you took her pendant.

Well, you were right. And she hates me. I’d be deep-fried by now if it weren’t for…