Page 42 of A Court of Wings and Shadows

What happened to her?I asked.

She could not master what lived inside her,Kaelith said.Power like hers is meant to be balanced. Instead, she craved more. Demanded it. She pushed beyond the link and as a result I was unwilling to give it.

You broke the link before bonding was complete?

Kaelith let out a gust of air.Yes.

What happened to her?

She stole a dragon egg from the nesting grounds and forced the hatchling to bond before its time. She gained immortality and joined the ranks of the Blood Fae. In truth, she was one of the first and is second in power to the Blood King only.

The cold that swept through me had nothing to do with altitude.

That’s awful. I’m sorry.

She is his general. His blade. Her name is Seraveth.

I inhaled sharply.

You will meet her,Kaelith added.When the war begins.

My fingers gripped tighter around the saddle, breath stolen by more than just the wind.

Because this wasn’t just a story.

It was a warning.

And Kaelith wasn’t afraid for herself.

She was afraid… for me.

What is her power?

Like you, she is a Storm Reaper.

Chapter

Nine

Kaelith’s wings beat once, twice, and we dropped through the clouds with a sweep of violet shadow. The Ascension Grounds came into view, riders and dragons scattered across the stone, the scent of campfire smoke and sweat thick in the morning air.

Thrall Squad stood at the edge of the grounds, heads lifting as we descended.

We landed with a low thud, Kaelith folding her wings neatly behind her. My legs ached as I slid from the saddle, boots hitting stone hard. Cordelle gave me a nod. Tae offered a slight smile. Riven lifted her brow in that way that always meantWe’ll talk later.

But Naia wasn’t there.

Neither were a handful of other riders who had gone into the river.

Jax stepped forward, brow furrowed with concern. “Did you see Naia?”

I shook my head, throat still raw. “No. Sorry. She went before me. I haven’t seen her since.”

Jax’s jaw tensed as he glanced up at the sky. “Well, looks like our lowborn friends came by for a visit.”

I followed his gaze.

Three dragons descended from the far side of the mountain ridge, massive, sleek shapes, their wings sharp and sure. A green Clubtail. A brown Swordtail. A red Swift.