Page 90 of A Court of Thralls and Thorns

She huffed, eyeing me like I was something stuck to her claw.At least you’re learning your place. Though, I doubt even a rope will keep you from falling on your ass. Put on the contraption, but don’t assume I will do this every time you need to fly.

I smirked.I just love your warm and fuzzy side.

She didn’t respond, but she didn’t fly away, either. That was the closest to cooperation I was going to get.

I turned to Zander, who was already approaching the rails. “She’s agreed.”

For now,Kaelith muttered in my mind.

Zander arched a brow, but instead of questioning me, he grabbed his saddle from the Crownwatch section and moved toward Hein. “Watch carefully. This will save your life one day.”

He lifted the bulky leather onto Hein’s back, tightening the straps beneath the dragon’s belly and looping additional harnesses around his chest. The design was intricate but practical, meant to secure the rider while allowing enough mobility to adjust mid-flight.

“Grab the saddles designated by size,” Zander instructed.

I already knew what size I needed.Large.

Jax, Ferrula, and I moved to grab ours, but the moment I lifted mine toward her back, Kaelith took a step back, letting it slip from my fingers and crash to the ground with a heavythud.

I closed my eyes for a second.Really?

Zander sighed and strode over, lifting the saddle with ease. His body was close, his heat noticeable even through the morning chill. He smelled like leather and something distinctly masculine—woodsmoke, maybe, or whatever storm and steel were made of.

“You need to fasten the chest harness first,” he murmured, his voice low as he leaned past me, looping the strap beneath Kaelith’s broad neck. His breath brushed my cheek, and I swallowed hard, focusing onanythingbut the way his arm pressed against mine.

His fingers moved deftly over the leather, tightening the straps with practiced ease, but his eyes flicked to mine—lazily, knowingly. “Unless youenjoystruggling, Rebec, I’d suggest you pay attention.”

I scoffed, masking the heat creeping up my spine. “Iwasgetting there.”

His smirk was slow, deliberate. “Sure you were.”

Damn him.

I focused on the saddle, following his movements as he secured each piece with calculated precision. But when I reached for the next strap, our fingers grazed. A jolt of warmth shot up my arm, and I felt him stiffen—just a flicker of hesitation, his jaw tightening as if fighting the reaction.

The air between us changed.

A slow inhale.

A beat too long.

My pulse betrayed me, hammering against my ribs as I kept my eyes down, pretending that the charge in the air was all in my head.

But itwasn’t.

“Something wrong?” I asked, tilting my head slightly, my voice softer than I meant it to be.

Zander exhaled, fingers tightening on the strap before he tugged it hard—too hard. The leather snapped into place, jerking him forward just enough for my chest to brush against his.

A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Not at all.”

Liar.

Kaelith snorted, her irritation threading through my mind.Are you two finished eye-fucking each other? I’d like to take off before the next century.

Heat rushed to my face as I flung the rope around her neck.

Zander chuckled, the sound dark and amused. “Let’s hope she decides to keep you in the air this time.”