Theron continued, “Zander’s prowess as a rider, his loyalty to the realm, his skill in combat…” He let the words stretch, letting each one land like a stone dropped in still water. “They speak for themselves.”
I blinked.What in the actual hells…
Zander’s expression mirrored mine—shocked, wary, his lips parting as if to speak, but no sound came. His brow furrowed like he didn’t know if this was some kind of trick, or if Theron had been dosed with something strong enough to melt logic from his brain.
“But while Zander’s birth may be... unconventional,” Theron said, “his strength, his blood, and his magic are valuable. He is bonded to the largest living dragon, and that alone makes him essential.”
He paused.
“I wish to name Zander Rayne the new Commander of Fourth Guild,” Theron declared. “He will report directly to me.”
The field exploded in murmurs and stifled gasps.
Major Ledor moved like he’d been slapped. His mouth opened, then closed. His fingers twitched violently, as if he wanted to slice the air open and climb through it just to escape the moment. He stormed to Theron’s side, his hands gesturing wildly, his lips moving too fast to make out words.
Riven leaned closer and muttered, “Is it just me, or does Major Ledor look like he’s about to have a seizure?”
Naia chuckled under her breath. “I haven’t seen anyone twitch like that since Cordelle tried fae coffee for the first time.”
Cordelle scowled. “It was a strong blend.”
I didn’t laugh. My eyes were on Zander.
This doesn’t make sense,I whispered into our bond.
None of it does,he answered, still standing stiffly, eyes locked on Theron like he was trying to peel back the skin and find the motive underneath.
Ferrula crossed her arms. “Zander’s new post will make ordering him around... difficult.”
“Yeah,” I said, the knot in my gut tightening, “the question is—why would Theron want that?”
Because if there was one thing Theron never did, it was hand someone power he couldn’t control. And Zander? He was the one man Theron would never tame.
So why put him at the top of Fourth Guild?
And why now?
Theron raised both hands, fingers splayed like he could calm a storm with a simple motion. “Riders,” he called, his voice slicing through the murmur of shifting banners and too-loud whispers. “I understand this may come as a surprise, but I assure you it is a necessary strategy.”
My spine stiffened as he turned toward the crowd, his expression too smug to be mistaken for anything but satisfaction.
“I have entrusted my brother,” he gestured toward Zander with a practiced sweep of his arm, “with a very important task. One that will shift the tide of this war.”
Zander’s shoulders tensed beside Hein, who emitted a low rumble. He didn’t move, didn’t speak, but I felt him freeze.
“He will infiltrate the Blood Fae Isle and retrieve any weapons or magics that can aid us in the coming battles. My father—” he paused, the calculated weight of the wordfatherthick on his tongue, “—has been researching a weapon. One powerful enough to annihilate the Blood Fae.”
I felt the blood drain from my face.
A few paces to my left, Ferrula stood like a mountain carved from fury, and to my right, Tae hissed a curse under his breath.
“Fuck,” he whispered. “He promoted Zander so he could be in control of our mission.”
My eyes didn’t leave Theron. “Of course he did,” I bit out. “If we’d gone on our own, we could’ve kept anything we found for the crown, or used it ourselves, if it came to that. But now…”
“Now,” Ferrula growled, “we’ll be watched. Tracked. Every move we make will be under scrutiny.”
“Theron will be waiting on the Ascension Grounds the moment we return,” I said. “Hands open. Demanding.”
