Theron’s glare lingered a moment longer, like he wanted to hurl another threat, but he knew the moment was lost.
Not with Hein standing behind Zander.
Not with every rider and dragon watching.
He turned with a swift sweep of his cloak and descended the podium, his entourage scrambling to follow. The ground seemed to exhale once he disappeared through the castle gates.
Zander waited only a moment before turning and walking toward us, Hein lumbering a few steps behind before returning to the cliffs again, still alert.
Our squad straightened instinctively as Zander approached. His expression was calm again, composed, but something simmered behind his eyes. Something angry and tired.
“The major usually allows the squads a day’s rest after the final bonding trial,” he said. “Time with your dragons. To acclimate.”
He glanced between us, eyes settling on me for a breath before moving on.
“Since Thrall Squad is now fully bonded, you’ll receive your official banner in the morning.”
That brought a ripple of excitement through the group, even as we tried to play it cool.
Riven grinned and leaned forward. “What wasyourbonding like?” she asked, unable to hide the curiosity in her voice. “You and Hein are like… legendary.”
Zander huffed a breath, not quite a laugh. “He didn’t speak to me for the first three days,” he said. “Every time I reached for him, he shut me out. Made it clear I wasn’t worthy.”
Ferrula raised a brow. “And you still tried?”
“Every day,” he said simply. “Until the trial. I rode into that mist certain I would die.”
“But you didn’t,” Cordelle said.
Zander gave a faint smile. “No. Hein caught me when I fell. But the bond didn’t seal until I apologized.”
“Apologized for what?” Naia asked.
“For assuming I deserved him.”
That silenced us.
I looked around then and realized something else.
The other squads all had lieutenants, second-in-commands appointed after their full bond. Leaders who trained under the major’s direction to help guide the others.
But us?
We had Tae.
He sat just beyond the circle, legs outstretched, arms propped behind him as he squinted toward the sun, pretending not to eavesdrop. But I could tell he was listening to every word.
He’d been bondedbeforeany of us, sure.
But he’d also been forbidden to practice. To talk. Tousehis gift.
He wasn’t much further along in his education than the rest of us. Not really.
And suddenly I wondered?—
Whowasgoing to lead us?
Because our dragons might’ve chosen.
