Page 5 of A Court of Thralls and Thorns

“Excuse me?” Riven said, arching an eyebrow as the noble, with a flick of his hand, continued unabated.

“I find enlistment day so tedious. Everyone’s strutting around like it makes a difference to the dragons what kind of crest is sewn on your leathers.”

Riven shot a quick glance in my direction before turning her attention back to the noble. “Are you a prospect too?” she asked, a playful glint in her eyes.

The noble grinned and extended his hand. “My name is Tae. I was recruited last year, but some... inconsistencies about my birth have pissed off Iron Fang, and I was just reassigned to Thrall Squad.”

“So Thrall Squad is all the commoners?” Riven asked, her tone half-teasing, half-curious.

Tae nodded, his eyes twinkling mischievously. “And me,” he added with a shrug.

“Sorry,” Cordelle interjected from the side, a wry smile tugging at his lips as if he found our banter endearing.

Tae’s smile widened. “Don’t be. Royals are as much fun as running through a cornfield naked.”

“Do you have a lot of experience with that?” I asked before he winked at me.

“Sure,” he replied with a lopsided grin, “but so far, the husband has never caught me.”

We all laughed except Ferrula and Naia, whose expressions remained unreadable.

My jaw dropped slightly as a small red dragon swooped gracefully in front of us. “Look at that,” Riven said, her tone excited.

“He is beautiful,” I murmured, barely able to tear my eyes away from his shimmering scales that caught every ray of light—deep-ruby hues shifting into scarlet as he moved. Yet, his tail was plain, lacking any defining markings.

“What species is he?” Jax asked, his voice edged with genuine curiosity.

Tae nodded toward the dragon. “That is Siergen. We call him the courier. He’s a Swift—tasked with retrieving items for the hatchling grounds. He’s the smallest dragon you’ll see in the horde. He goes where he wants.”

“I thought Swifts were usually a bit bigger,” Naia said, her eyes never leaving Siergen.

“They are. We assume he was chosen as the courier because none of the larger ones could maneuver inside the castle walls to collect supplies.” He motioned to the outer walls that surrounded the castle courtyard.

Then, as if the moment weren’t surreal enough, a soft, teasing voice spoke inside my head.Hello, beautiful.I glanced around, half-expecting to find someone nearby, but saw no one. The red dragon winked at me, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

“Can you speak telepathically?” I asked in a hushed tone.

Of course,his smooth, inner voice replied.It’s how dragons communicate with their riders. You can speak to me this way as well.

Am I your rider?

Oh goodness, no,he retorted.Though you are quite fetching, and I’d be happy to take you for a ride.

Was this dragon toying with me or flirting with me?

Do you speak to everyone this way?I pressed, trying not to let my shock filter through my tone.

Not at all. Most are not worthy of my time, but you are special, sugar plum,he shot back with playful arrogance.

I coughed, my voice laced with exasperation.Seriously? If you knew me, you’d come up with a more appropriate pet name.

I will work on it,he promised with a mischievous glint in his eyes, as his wings arced in a regal display.

With that, Siergen strutted toward the castle, leaving our group in quiet wonder. Not a single royal spared him a glance, his freedom and charm unchallenged by the pomp around us.

A half hour later two more squad members joined us.

“I’m Lauren, and this is Eilvin,” one of the soft-spoken commoners introduced themselves as we stood in the Ascension Grounds. Their gentle voices barely registered before a man strode onto the small podium at the front.