Page 26 of A Court of Thralls and Thorns

But the connection was gone.

I clenched my fists, frustration burning in my chest. How could he drop a revelation like that and leave?

I rolled out of bed, careful not to wake the others, and dressed in my training gear. My body had fully healed, but I was ravenous.

Slipping out of the barracks, I made my way toward the dining hall.

The First Guild had this meal slot, which meant I was met with more than a few strange looks as I entered the hall. But one glaring, hateful stare stood out above the rest.

Luther.

He sat near the center of the room, his expression tight with rage, his hands clenched around the table. He said nothing, but the anger in his eyes was clear.

I ignored him and moved toward the line, but as I reached for a tray, a voice whispered in my ear, low and taunting.

“You’re in the wrong guild.”

I turned to find a tall, broad-shouldered man with a large sword strapped across his back. He was attractive, with dark curls and sharp cheekbones, probably twenty-four, a few years older than me.

I lifted a brow. “I know, but I have an early date in the ring and won’t have time to eat with my squad.”

The man sighed. “Damn. The major’s putting you through the ringer, huh?”

“Lieutenant Rayne, actually.”

The stranger huffed a laugh. “That makes sense.”

Before I could react, he grabbed my hand and pulled me past the others waiting in line, shoving me to the front.

“Go ahead of me.”

I hesitated but grabbed a biscuit and some grapes. “Thanks. What’s your name?”

He grinned. “It’s Cade.”

“I appreciate your help, Cade.”

He winked, his eyes flicking to my hair. “This really is extraordinary.”

Before I could step away, he reached out and touched a strand of my hair.

And the moment his fingers brushed against it, a jolt of power surged between us, and I was sure it wasn’t me.

Cade jerked his hand back, eyes wide, as if he’d just been burned. “What the actual…?”

We both turned as Zander walked into the dining hall.

His sharp gaze locked onto us immediately, dangerous, assessing.

“Cade,” Zander snapped, his voice cold. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

Cade lifted both hands, unapologetic. “What does it look like? I’m getting food. I saw a fellow rider and thought I’d help her skip the line.”

My jaw dropped.

“You’re a rider?”

Cade winked at me. “Of course. Zander and I were in diapers together. Would you believe he was even more of an asshole when he was three? Always stealing my toys.”