Page 37 of A Court of Wings and Shadows

Both stared at me like I’d just snatched their favorite toy out of their hands.

But behind Remy’s eyes, I saw something darker—rage. Focused and personal.

“You slept with him,” he said, quiet and lethal.

“Not only that,” I said, my gaze fierce. “I dosed him with Lucorin.”

Remy blinked. “What?”

Zander closed his eyes briefly, a muscle in his jaw flexing. “She didn’t know she’d been dosed.”

Remy glanced between us, voice thick with disbelief. “Someone dosed her… and she kissedyou?”

He choked on the words like they burned going down.

“Yes,” I said simply.

The heat drained from his face, leaving only cold stone in its place.

“I will find whoever did this,” Remy said, his voice cold. “They’re alreadydead.”

Zander huffed. “I’ll find themfirst.”

He glanced at me, then back at Remy.

“You can have what’s left.”

Chapter

Eight

It had been late by the time I dragged myself into bed, the confrontation with Theron and Remy still circling my thoughts like carrion birds. Sleep had come hard, and it left even harder. When Riven shook me awake at dawn, I felt like I hadn’t closed my eyes at all.

Now we stood on the Ascension Grounds, our boots damp with morning dew, the chill still clinging to the grass. The sun barely crested the horizon, casting long shadows behind our assembled ranks. Thrall Squad stood in our usual place, quiet and still. Even Ferrula wasn’t cracking jokes.

Major Ledor paced in front of the gathered squads, his voice ringing across the grounds. “Today, you will cross the River of Surrender. This trial is designed to complete the bond for those who have yet to.”

A murmur rippled through the crowd. I straightened as a lieutenant from Stormforge lifted his hand. “Sir, will those who’ve already bonded have to complete the trial as well?”

“No,” Major Ledor said firmly. “This is a prospect trial only. But be warned…” His voice dropped. “Those who fail this test usually die.”

That sobered the crowd.

I touched the pendant resting against my chest, the cool metal grounding me. Kaelith had been different lately, receptive, more present. She’d even seemed toenjoysome of the recent trials. That made two of us, though I doubted either of us would enjoy this one.

Major Ledor clapped his hands once, sharp and commanding. “Prospects—call your dragons.”

Naia and I exchanged a look. This would be the first time the entire team wouldn’t run the trial together. Some of Thrall Squad had already completed their bonds, and that meant we were on our own now.

Cordelle caught my eye across the line and gave me a quick thumbs-up before moving to stand beside Tae, his expression steady but concerned. The two who would not compete in the trial.

Kaelith,I reached out,we’re headed to the river.

I am on my way,she replied.

Moments later, the ground trembled beneath the force of wings. Kaelith landed beside Naia’s orange Swordtail, her violet scales glittering in the morning sun like molten amethyst. She dipped her head toward me, and I stepped forward to greet her, my hands already moving to fasten the saddle in place.

We mounted in silence, the usual rhythm of leather straps and tightened buckles grounding me. The sky above us filled with dragons, wings spreading wide as the last twenty prospects, only twenty left, gathered with their mounts.