Page 73 of A Court of Thralls and Thorns

The training session had just begun to feel manageable—if getting my ass kicked by Zander could ever be considered that—when he suddenly halted, his head tilting as if listening to something only he could hear.

I barely had time to catch my breath before he turned to me.

“We have to head back down to the Ascension Grounds. My brothers wish for a meeting.”

I tried not to groan.Great. More royals to deal with.

Still, I followed him down the winding stone steps, my legs already protesting after climbing all the way up here earlier.

The warder barracks occupied most of the lower tower levels, rooms carved into the curving walls. As we descended, a familiar face stepped out of one of them—a young man with light-brown hair and kind hazel eyes.

I recognized him immediately.

“Hey,” I called, slowing my pace. “It’s Quinn, right?”

Quinn turned at the sound of his name, brows furrowing as if he didn’t quite recognize me. But after a second, something clicked in his eyes.

“Yes,” he nodded, studying me. “You’re a dragon rider?”

“I am,” I said, falling into step beside him. “We were just training at the top of the tower.”

Zander had already walked ahead, disappearing down the stairs without bothering to wait for me. Which meant I only had a few moments.

“How are you?” I asked. “They treating you good around here?”

Quinn’s face lit up, his posture straightening with something close to pride.

“They’re so good to us,” he said, almost beaming. “I was worried about being one of the first commoner warders, but they treat us as if we’re nobles.”

I stilled for half a second, trying not to let my surprise show on my face.

“Huh. That’s great,” I said slowly. “Can’t say it’s the same for dragon riders.”

Quinn’s smile faltered just a bit. “I’ve heard the infantry and healer commoners have some… struggles, too.”

Yeah. That was interesting.

I forced a wry grin. “Well, I have to go. Nice seeing you, Quinn.”

He waved cheerfully as I picked up my pace, jogging the last few steps to catch up with Zander.

The yelling reached me before I even stepped out of the tower.

Not just one voice, but several, echoing across the Ascension Grounds.

Zander was already ahead of me, his shoulders tense as he strode toward his brothers and the assembled officers.

I exhaled slowly, bracing myself.

Whatever this was… it wasn’t good.

By the time Zander and I stepped onto the Ascension Grounds, the argument had already reached a boiling point.

Two men stood at the center of the storm—Prince Dorian, clad in his usual black leathers, and Prince Theron, dressed in full military regalia, his broadsword strapped to his back.

Soldiers from First Guild stood behind Theron, their faces set in tight, uneasy expressions, while a mix of dragon riders and commanding officers gathered near Dorian.

Zander barely had time to take it all in before Theron turned to him, rage burning in his dark eyes.