Page 139 of A Court of Wings and Shadows

Naia narrowed her eyes at him. “What wasthat?”

Tae smirked, sliding back into his seat. “Kateria and I were speaking the other day.”

“Isthatwhat you call it?” Naia teased, sipping her cider.

Tae rolled his eyes dramatically. “Whatever. After that, we talked about the court. Specifically, the king.”

Jax leaned in. “And what would Iron Fang have to say about that?”

“Kateria’s father is a court advisor,” Tae replied, picking up a slice of fruit without looking up. “She hears things. And things are getting bad.”

“How does she know?” I asked, already feeling the pressure build behind my eyes.

“She listens. And she watches.”

“What did you ask?” I probed.

Tae looked up, more serious now. “If Theron has the trust of the court.”

“And?” Jax asked, already tensing.

“It’s close,” Tae admitted. “Some are still loyal to Dorian, especially since the attempt on his life, and there are a few, mostly younger nobles, who think Zander should be named regent.”

I blinked. “Zander?”

Tae nodded. “He’s a rider. He’s respected. And he’s not as politically entrenched. Some see him as… fair. Strong. Uncorrupted.”

“But?” Cordelle prompted.

“But Theron’s power is growing.” Tae’s voice dropped. “Fast. He’s stacking committees. Placing his own people in positions of influence. And now with the king declining?—”

“They’re circling,” Riven finished. “Like vultures.”

“Would Zander take it?” Ferrula asked. “If they asked him?”

Silence hung in the air like a blade.

No one answered.

Because we all knew Zander wouldn’t want the crown.

But wanting had never mattered in Warriath. And nobody would accept a commoner as his bride.

My food felt tasteless as I finished it and we left the dining hall.

The morning sun spilled golden light across the Ascension Grounds as we made our way toward the central rings. The air was cool, but tension hung heavier than the mist clinging to the stones. Ahead of us, Iron Fang was already assembled, lookingsharp, uniform, and entirely uninterested in the Lowborn Squad standing awkwardly beside them.

Though they were positioned together, the divide was stark. The Lowborn Squad; Teren, Luthias, Kaila, Ayda, and Camus; stood slightly apart, like iron filings repelled by the magnetic sneer of nobility.

Major Kaler stepped forward from the sidelines, voice crisp as always. “All squads, to your assigned rings. Lowborn Squad, join Thrall for today’s training.”

His tone was neutral, but he listed the names rather than acknowledging them as a unit, and the pause afterward said more than his words ever could. They were assigned to us… but they were still being kept apart.

We walked together in silence until we reached our ring. As we took our positions, Zander broke away from Crownwatch, his cloak fluttering behind him like a shadow of purpose.

“Teren,” he called as he reached us, “I had you all reassigned to train under Thrall Squad this week.”

Teren gave a dramatic sigh of relief. “Thank the gods. I can’t stand most of Iron Fang. They act like their dragons are too good to breathe the same air as ours.”