Page 116 of A Court of Wings and Shadows

A beat later, her massive form cut through the sky and descended, her wings folding neatly as she landed with a low, echoing growl. The ground shook slightly beneath her claws.

We didn’t need saddles for a short flight. I tossed the single rope around her neck more out of habit than necessity, swinging up onto her back in one fluid motion.

The rest of Thrall Squad followed suit. Riven grinned as she vaulted onto Lola, Jax with a grunt as he pulled himself onto Koddos. Ferrula, Naia, Cordelle, and Tae, all moving with a rhythm we’d built in blood and training.

Within a minute, we were airborne.

Iron Fang lifted behind us, their larger formation more rigid, but efficient. Their hair whipped against the wind as they caught up, then surged past us, each rider trailing after their squad leader with precise, almost mechanical unity.

Zander led us in a tight descent, Hein’s wings slicing through the trees until we reached a wide, grassy clearing along the forest’s edge. Kaelith landed with a softer thud this time, letting me slide from her back before nudging my shoulder gently.

I will remain close,she said.If you so much as bleed, I’ll know.

I know,I thought back, pressing a hand against her side briefly before turning.

Zander dismounted and strode to the front of our line, gesturing toward the looming trees.

“The path is marked,” he said, his voice even but edged with tension. “You’ll enter five minutes apart. Your goal is to exit the far side of the forest alone.”

He looked at each of us. “The major has placed a field over this section, no telepathy, no magic. Communication with your dragons will be completely severed while inside.”

Kaelith’s snarl rumbled low behind me, but she said nothing.

Zander’s gaze landed on me. “Who wants to go first?”

“I will,” I said, stepping forward without hesitation.

Zander nodded once, his expression unreadable.

Behind me, Kaelith’s growl deepened, not in protest, but in warning.

She didn’t like being cut off.

Neither did I.

But this was the test.

And I intended to pass.

The forest swallowed me whole after only a few steps.

The moment I crossed the threshold of trees, the air shifted, cooler, quieter, like the woods themselves were holding their breath. The bond with Kaelith went silent. I knew it would, but the absence of her in my mind still sent a strange ache through my chest. It was like losing a limb and trying not to limp.

I found the first ribbon fluttering from a low branch, a simple red strip of cloth catching the breeze like a heartbeat. I jogged toward it, scanning the woods for movement, magic,anything.

The next ribbon came into view quickly, tied higher this time. I kept moving, boots light on the packed dirt, every sense sharp. I expected traps, illusions, maybe even some conjured creature, but the path remained clear.

Until I saw him.

Perin.

Jogging toward me, his face slick with sweat and satisfaction.

Great, I thought. I moved to pass him without a word, hoping naively, that this was some random crossing.

But when he was ten feet away, he smiled.

And pulled a knife.