Page 96 of A Court of Thralls and Thorns

I swayed, my breath hitching as the world tilted slightly. “She didn’t fully,” I admitted, my frustration leaking into my voice.

Zander jaw flexed. “She said she did what she could,” I continued, but I struggled to hold myself up.

He muttered something under his breath before leveling me with a look that felt like a goddamn hammer to the chest. “You can’t use your powers. They’re too volatile until you’re properly anchored.”

I felt something inside me snap.

“Sorry, but that fae asshole didn’t get the memo. He was trying to kill me, I was trying to stay alive.”

Zander’s eyes flared, his lips pressing into a hard line. “And you almost died, Rebec. If your dragon had truly anchored you, you wouldn’t be standing there about to collapse.”

I gritted my teeth. “You think I don’t know that?” My voice rose, raw and filled with exhaustion-fueled anger. “You think Iwantedthis? That I called on a storm because I was in the mood to put on a fucking light show?”

Zander took a step closer, his presence crowding into mine. “I think,” he said, voice controlled but simmering, “that you are reckless. And if you keep acting like this, you’re going to get yourself killed.”

My fists clenched. “Oh,I’mreckless? You set an entire battlefield on fire, butI’mthe problem?”

His jaw ticked. “I know my limits. You don’t even know what you are yet.”

That hit harder than it should have. My chest tightened, my hands shaking.

“Yeah? And whose fault is that?” I shot back. “No one will tell mewhatI am. I’m just supposed to sit back, shut up, and hope my dragon decides I’m worthy before my own power kills me.”

Zander’s nostrils flared. “Then learn control. Until Kaelith fully anchors you, youdo notuse your magic. Understood?”

I wanted to slap that authoritative tone right out of his mouth. “Understood,Lieutenant,” I snapped. “Next time I’ll ask the Blood Fae to schedule my murder at a more convenient time.”

A muscle in his jaw twitched. For a second, I thought he might say something else, but instead, he turned away.

“The dragons are returning. We will rest while we fly. The storm is subsiding.”

I stared at his retreating back, my pulse still hammering. My squadmates stood in silence, watching the exchange like they weren’t sure whether to intervene or let us kill each other.

Ferrula grunted as Jax finished tying off her bandage. “You sure know how to make friends, Ashe.”

Jax let out a low whistle. “I thought he was going to strangle you.”

Riven nudged me lightly. “You okay?”

No. Not even close.

But I forced a smirk anyway. “Never better.”

The wind cut against my face as Kaelith landed, her powerful wings beating in steady, controlled movements. I gritted my teeth, hoisting myself up with what little strength I had left. My arms ached, my body a sluggish mess of exhaustion.

Jax’s hand pressed against my upper thigh, shoving me upward with ease. “Need a boost, Snowtop?”

I shot him a glare, but he only winked before jogging over to Koddos, already adjusting his saddle.

I gripped the rope I had secured to the pommel of my saddle. My fingers fumbled with the leather strap, as I wrapped it around my hand. The moment we left the ground, my limbs grew heavier, my exhaustion clawing at me like a lead weight.

Stay awake. I ordered myself, blinking against the haze creeping into my mind.

Kaelith’s wings sliced through the air, the rhythm of her flight almost lulling me into unconsciousness. I swayed slightly, my vision flickering. My fingers tightened around the rope, but my grip was weak.

Snap.

Kaelith jerked her neck sideways, a growl vibrating through her throat.