Page 89 of A Court of Thralls and Thorns

“Zander, are you sure it’s not the Blood Fae?” His voice was soft, but there was something weighted in his tone.

Zander swallowed the food in his mouth before answering. “There are no guarantees, but there has never been an attack on Thubia.”

Cordelle’s fingers tightened slightly around his fork. “This could be the first,” he whispered.

Zander’s sharp lavender eyes flicked to Cordelle, narrowing slightly. “Why are you convinced this is a fae attack?”

Cordelle hesitated for a moment before taking another bite of food and shrugging. “Just a feeling.”

Jax, who was sitting beside the young poet, threw an arm around his shoulder. “Don’t worry, Cordy. If the Blood Fae attack, I’ll drop Koddos’ ass on them. Trust me, that is a lot of dragon ass.”

Cordelle’s lips twitched, and Riven laughed, nudging Jax. “No kidding. That armor of his looks thicker than a mountain buffalo’s skull. And twice as hard to crack.”

We chuckled, the brief tension lifted, and finished our food. But Cordelle’s words still lingered at the back of my mind. He had that look—like he knew something, but wasn’t sure if he should say it.

Zander stood, brushing off his hands. “Let’s go. We have to saddle our dragons for a longer flight and load supplies.”

I choked on my drink. “A saddle?”

Zander arched a brow at me. “Yes. Call your dragons.”

I sighed and followed him out of the dining hall, reaching for the familiar thread in my mind.

Kaelith, how do you feel about a saddle?

Her response was immediate, dripping with venom.

May you burn in the mouth of a volcano while I feast on your bones.

I groaned.Great. That’s exactly what I hoped you’d say.

Chapter

Seventeen

The Ascension Grounds buzzed with energy as the squad called their dragons. The air rippled with power as the bonds between rider and beast connected, an unspoken command sending them soaring from the Dragon Isles. I exhaled through my nose, focusing on the familiar thread in my mind.

Kaelith?

Silence.

Then a roar echoed from the horizon. I looked up just in time to see her burst from the green oasis of the isles, her massive form shadowing the sun. She wasn’t alone. Hein led the flight, his enormous silver wings slicing through the air, Zola right behind him. Riven grinned as her dragon kept perfect formation. Koddos, dark-blue and nearly black, barreled through the sky like a storm rolling in, while Temil, Narvea, and the others filled in the spaces between.

Then, at the tail end of the formation, a flash of ruby red caught my eye.Siergen.

It was a sight to behold—dragons of every color forming a massive arc in the sky, the morning light reflecting off their shimmering scales. Like a dragon rainbow, fierce and untamed.

They descended in a flurry of wind and power, kicking up dust as they landed. Kaelith touched down last, her dark-violet scales darkening in the shade as her golden eyes locked onto mine with pure irritation.

I approached her cautiously.How do you want to do this?

Her nostrils flared.Preferably, with you staying on the ground where you belong.

Not an option.I crossed my arms.We have a long flight. You’ll be carrying me one way or another, so we can either make this easier or more painful for both of us.

Her tail flicked, sending a sharp gust of wind my way.You assume I care.

I resisted the urge to rub my temple.Fine. I won’t use a saddle. Just the rope. And I’ll carry my supplies in a rucksack instead of attaching them to you.