Page 55 of A Court of Thralls and Thorns

At least three women from the other squads subtly shifted closer, their eyes very much glued to Jax’s bare chest.

Riven muttered under her breath, “Might as well ring a damn bell and start taking bids.”

Perin, however, wasn’t admiring anything.

His smirk faltered, his confidence cracking just a little.

“I wasn’t asking you, Barmon,” he said, waving a dismissive hand.

Jax shrugged, completely unbothered. “Oh. My mistake. You sounded like you wanted a real fight.”

Perin’s jaw tightened, but he stepped back.

“Maybe next time,” he muttered, already turning toward his squad.

Jax let out a mock sigh, rolling his shoulders. “Damn. I was really looking forward to it.”

I snorted, shaking my head. “You scared him off, you ass.”

Jax smirked, flexing his arms dramatically. “Not my fault the man isn’t confident in his abilities.”

Ferrula, who rarely spoke, nodded in approval. “It’s too bad you are a part of my squad, Jax.”

Jax winked at her. “I like older women, Ferr.”

Ferrula smiled at him. “Sorry, Rookie. I don’t shit where I eat.”

We all laughed, and Jax joined in. Even Cordelle had a shy smile.

Zander whistled, sharp and commanding, and just like that, every match stopped.

“All prospects to the Ascension Grounds.” His voice cut through the morning air with effortless authority. “And call your dragons. We will start the Binding Trials.”

A thrill of anticipation rippled through the assembled prospects.

I exhaled and reached for the thread in my mind—the connection that tethered me to Kaelith.

Kaelith?

The link hummed to life, but instead of an immediate response, I felt a slow, curling irritation before she finally spoke.

Are you really so eager to meet the God of Death?

Chapter

Eleven

The air was thick with the presence of dragons, their massive forms flying over us, their wings kicking up dust in the Ascension Grounds. The other squads had called their dragons with ease, their bonds strong—trusted.

Mine?

Still absent.

Zander stood before us, his hands clasped behind his back, his lavender eyes scanning over our squad. “This is your Binding Trial. The flat stone by my feet is a conduit. It will help you maintain the link with your dragon. You will do this to strengthen your bond and discover what elemental power you wield. Most of you should have the ability to call your magic, but if your dragon doesn’t anchor you, it will kill you.”

A murmur rippled through our squad.

“Who wants to go first?”