Page 43 of A Court of Wings and Shadows

Luthias, Kaila, and Teren.

The Outer Kingdoms had arrived.

Major Kaler stood near the edge of the grounds, his stance immediately hardening. The moment the dragons touched down, he stepped forward, his tone clipped.

“Why are you here?”

Luthias swung down from his green Clubtail with that casual confidence he exuded, bald head gleaming, his eyes locked on the major.

“Our dragons wish to visit the horde,” he said smoothly. “We thought we’d take the opportunity to resupply while we waited.”

Major Kaler’s eyes narrowed, flicking toward the dragons, who sat with regal disinterest.

After a long pause, he stepped back. “I see. And how long do you plan to stay?”

Luthias shrugged, unbothered. “Not up to us. You’re welcome to ask them.”

Kaler didn’t respond.

He didn’t have to. The dragons’ presence was answer enough.

Teren and Kaila dismounted next, moving toward us with easy steps and wilder smiles. Teren’s mahogany hair was wind-tousled, and Kaila had at least five new knives visible on her belt.

“There’s our favorite squad,” Teren said as they approached, smirking.

“Miss us?” Kaila added, her eyes flicking to the empty space where Naia should’ve stood.

But I wasn’t smiling.

Because I couldn’t help but wonder if Naia was still fighting for air… or if the river had already claimed her.

Teren’s smile faded the moment he saw the look on my face.

“What’s wrong, Ashe?” he asked, his tone softer than usual.

I hesitated, my eyes scanning the skies once more, still no trace of Naia.

“She hasn’t come back,” I said finally. “Naia. She went into the river before me… and she still hasn’t returned.”

Teren’s expression darkened with concern. Without a word, he draped an arm around my shoulders and gently guided me away from the others. His touch was warm, grounding, like the way older siblings calmed frightened children without even trying.

“I shouldn’t say this,” he murmured, low and close, “but the major exaggerates the trial. It’s meant to scare prospects. The truth? He’ll call for a save if someone’s actually drowning. Not all who return will be bonded, but most will return.”

I stopped walking, my boots sinking into the soft edge of the field. I closed my eyes for a second, the weight of exhaustion and unspoken fears pressing into my ribs.

“Of course,” I muttered. “You can’t trust anyone around here.”

Teren didn’t argue.

But my mind was already spiraling.

Did that mean Zander had been tasked with that chore?

Was he the one meant to watch for the drowning?

No. He’d said Kaelith told Hein where to grab me. That it hadn’t been an official rescue.

So… why hadn’t Kaelith called for the major’s dragon? Why had she only acted when I’d all but drowned?