Page 152 of A Court of Wings and Shadows

Zander stepped forward, eyes narrowing. “Was it?”

“Are you pissed because he saved me, or because you know your dragon would’ve let you die?” Remy asked in a deadly tone.

Zander’s jaw ticked, and his lavender eyes flared dark. “My concern is for the innocents who got caught in the middle.”

Remy’s smile thinned. “No one in that tavern was innocent.”

Zander turned his gaze to me. “Shewas.”

Remy looked at me then, really looked, and I saw the flicker of emotion cross his face, regret, maybe. For the words. Or forus. I wasn’t sure.

“She was raised by the Order,” he said quietly. “Trust me, she’s not as innocent as you think.”

The words struck, deep and precise.

Because they were true.

And still… it hurt.

Zander’s hands curled into fists at his sides. “I think you’re the one who doesn’t know her at all.”

For a moment, they stared each other down, Remy with that simmering calm and Zander with his fury just barely leashed. Between them, I stood in silence, feeling like a battlefield neither of them could walk away from.

Then Remy exhaled, the tension sliding from his shoulders.

“You’re ordered,” he said, glancing to Zander now, “to take Thrall Squad and help with cleanup in the village.”

He turned as if he would leave.

Zander’s jaw tightened.

“You create this garbage, and her squad pays for it,” he growled under his breath. “You haven’t changed a bit, Remand.”

Remy didn’t turn, but I saw his shoulders flinch, just barely, before he steeled himself and walked away like the words didn’t matter.

“I have a meeting with the king,” he said coldly. “Then I’ll help with the cleanup.”

Zander’s lips curled with something too bitter to be a smile as he called out, “Thrall Squad, with me!”

We fell into formation, boots striking the stone with practiced rhythm. The tension coiled tighter with every step as we passed beneath the arched gates and into the street beyond.

I walked beside Zander, close enough to see the way his eyes remained fixed ahead, his thoughts far away. “Your father seemed lucid when Remy and I were in the throne room,” I said carefully. “It was strange.”

Zander gave a short nod. “I’ve noticed the same thing. Sometimes he doesn’t know his own name, forgets where he is. Then, suddenly… he’s himself again. Focused. Commanding.”

“If it’s a spell,” I murmured, “maybe it wears off and has to be recast.”

“That’s possible,” he admitted. “But I’ve never seen magic like this affect a bonded rider so deeply. And not even Eldarn can reach him. It’s like… something’s been severed.”

We walked in silence for a moment, the city unfolding around us, shops half-burned from the fire, villagers sweeping soot from their doors, children watching us with wary eyes.

I reached out and touched his arm briefly. “There’s history between you and Remy,” I said. “I mean… beforeme.”

Zander didn’t answer immediately. He stepped past a pair of guards posted at the village gate, and the rest of Thrall Squad followed without hesitation.

“Yes,” he said finally. “He’s always been a... focal point of family rivalry. Ever since my father introduced him into the court.”

“I thought the major practically raised him.”