Page 46 of A Court of Wings and Shadows

“Major Ledor found him bleeding in the streets two days later. Took him in. Not because he pitied him, but because the crown had been watching. They saw something in him. Gave him a roof. Weapons. Training.”

“Why?” I asked, though I already knew.

Teren glanced sideways at me. “Because they had a mission in mind. And they needed someone who could lie, kill, and command without looking like royalty. Remy’s been training for that since he was ten. And the fact his mother was a royal made his presence in the castle… acceptable.”

My hand brushed the pendant at my chest. “I know what his mission was,” I said quietly.

Teren’s eyes narrowed, curious. “How?”

“Because it was to infiltrate the Order and I unknowingly helped him maintain his cover.”

He stared at me for a moment, then let out a slow breath. “He used you?”

Because that was who I was.

Always the blade in someone else’s sheath.

The pawn helping someone else keep their secrets.

Even when it broke me.

Chapter

Ten

Naia’s orange Swordtail crested the ridge like a streak of flame, her wings trembling from strain as she dipped toward the Ascension Grounds. Her landing was rough, slightly off-center, claws scraping the stone, but she stayed upright, and for a breath, none of us moved.

Then—

“Naia!” Jax shouted, and we all ran.

Tae got there first, but he stopped a respectful few feet back, giving her space as she unfastened the saddle straps with trembling fingers. She slid down her dragon’s side and hit the ground hard, knees buckling slightly, but Cordelle was there instantly, steadying her with both hands.

We swarmed her after that.

Arms wrapped around her from all sides—Jax, Cordelle, Riven, Tae, and me last, the relief hitting so hard my knees almost gave. Her cheeks were pale, eyes rimmed red, and her braids were soaked and clinging to her skin.

“What happened?” Jax asked, voice quiet now.

Naia took a long, shaky breath. “It didn’t go well.”

She glanced around at us, her expression tight with frustration. “I lost control near the far bend. The current was too strong and I went over the waterfall.”

Gasps rippled through us.

“But the major grabbed me,” she said, voice soft. “Swooped in with that oversized dragon of his and pulled me out before I cracked my head open.”

I touched her arm. “Gods, Naia…”

“It wasn’t the trial,” she muttered, anger curling beneath her words. “It wasme.Temil said…” She looked down, rubbing a hand over her arm. “He said dragons bond in their own time. And that my magic has to be more mature before it’ll happen.”

Teren stepped in beside her, his voice low and reassuring. “He’s right. It’s not about passing or failing. Dragons don’t care about timelines. They choose whenthey’reready.”

Naia gave him a half-smile, grateful but still visibly shaken. “I just… I thought I was ready. But I guess I’m not.”

Her words echoed in my head like thunder.

My magic has to be more mature.