And for once, the enemy wasn’t hiding in the mist.
They’d taken our outpost.
Now we were taking itback.
Chapter
Thirty-Three
Zander strode toward the major, posture relaxed—but there was an edge to his voice when he spoke.
“I’m taking Thrall Squad on a training run.”
Major Ledor didn’t even glance up from his ledger. “The newly bonded?”
“All of them,” Zander replied, already anticipating the pushback.
The major finally looked at him, eyes narrowing. “The Lowborn Squad can remain here. They’ve had enough excitement for one week.”
Zander’s jaw twitched, but he gave a curt nod. “Understood.”
He turned back to us, silent confirmation that the others—would stay behind. This wasourmission.Ourburden to bear.
We spread out across the Ascension Grounds, the call going out silently between rider and dragon.
I didn’t try to be soft this time.
No warmth. No hope.
Just duty.
Kaelith.
I didn’t ask. I didn’t beg. I didn’t try to win her favor.
Because there was no favor left to win.
We were stuck together.
And I would do my duty.
But that wasit.
She didn’t respond.
Not with words.
But seconds later, her wings carved through the air above me, slicing across the sky like a blade dipped in dusk. She landed with a thunderous beat of wind, violet scales glinting beneath the moonlight.
The others joined her—Hein, Temil, Narvea, Kass, Lola, Koddos—the dragons assembled without hesitation, ready.
Zander didn’t mention saddles.
Which meant the outpost wasn’t far.
I reached for the rope tied to Kaelith’s ridgeline, looped it through my fingers, and hauled myself up.
No words between us.
