Kaler’s face went pale.
I stepped forward instinctively, my voice a whisper. “What’s going on?”
Siergen’s mind touched mine like a whisper wrapped in fire. Calm. Absolute.The major has been informed that should he choose to interfere with a mated couple again, I will break the treaty, have his dragon break its bond… and kill him.
I stopped cold.
So did Zander.
“You ordered his own dragon to kill him?” I asked aloud, stunned.
Siergen’s response was matter-of-fact.Yes. He has no right to interfere with the reproduction of our species. It was part of the treaty formed when dragons agreed to serve riders. His actions have just broken it.
Major Kaler seemed to finally find his voice. “I did not intend?—”
Mysan growled.
It was deep, bone-rattling, and utterly final.
The major sputtered, turned toward us, his expression caught between disbelief and humiliation.
“I… I have made a mistake,” he said tightly. “Hein and Kaelith cannot be separated from now on.”
He exhaled, avoiding Siergen’s gaze. “It appears Prince Zander will need to be reassigned… permanently. To Thrall Squad.”
My mouth parted, a smile already tugging at the corners.
But it vanished just as fast.
Zander had just been demoted.
Stripped from Crownwatch.
Thrown to the lowest-ranked squad in the kingdom.
Ours.
And he didn’t flinch.
Not once.
The moment the words “permanently assigned to Thrall Squad” left Major Kaler’s mouth, Kaelith growled.
Not a warning growl.
A promise.
Hein answered her immediately, his deep, rumbling snarl shaking the stone beneath our feet. The air grew hotter, the tension crackling like lightning just before it hit. Flames flickered at the edges of Hein’s mouth, his wings twitching like he was ready to take flight, not to leave, but to strike.
Despite Siergen’s very clear warning, they looked like they still wanted to kill the major.
And the worst part?
Mysan didn’t look like he disagreed.
The massive red Striker, Kaler’s own dragon, turned his head toward his rider, and stared at him like he was something worth scraping off his claws. His nostrils flared. A thin stream of smoke curled from his maw.
Major Kaler took a step back.
