Her voice was calm. Controlled. But I caught the faint tremble in her fingers.
She exhaled loudly through her nose. “Narvea knows the truth of these accusations. That is all that matters.”
Her dragon’s name lingered like a vow in the air.
Jax took a step closer. His hand twitched as if he wanted to touch her, shoulder, wrist, anything, but didn’t dare. “I’m glad you’re back.”
His voice was awkward, like he wasn’t sure if comfort would be accepted or rejected. “I never doubted you.”
Ferrula’s gaze flicked to him, cool and unreadable.
Then, ever so slightly, she softened. Barely.
“I know,” she said, and turned her head before the emotion could crack through her mask.
Jax stood there, trying not to look too relieved.
And Ferrula pretended not to notice.
Chapter
Seven
Zander broke away from the Crownwatch cluster, his cloak snapping behind him like a storm in motion. He moved with purpose, his jaw set, the anger still simmering beneath his calm exterior. Cade lingered behind for a moment, then peeled off in another direction, giving him space.
He came straight to me, cutting through our squad. “We need to find Lady Belana’s killer, and hopefully the spellcaster who weakened the wards,” he said without preamble.
I crossed my arms, nodding. “You think they’re the same person?”
Zander’s mouth twisted into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “I certainly hope so. It would save us some time.”
Before I could respond, a familiar voice joined us.
“This is a total clusterfuck,” Remy muttered as he strode into the circle, his dark coat half unbuttoned, his dragon nowhere in sight. He looked tired. Edgy.
Zander grunted in reluctant agreement. “It is.”
Remy glanced toward the castle, then up at the sky where Epsom had vanished not long ago. “The riders don’t know who to trust. And the dragons…” He shook his head. “They’re uneasy. More than I’ve ever felt.”
Zander’s eyes narrowed. “They feel the fractures before we do. They always do.”
I looked between them, Remy with his usual dry disapproval, Zander with his coiled fury, and realized how much ground had shifted beneath us.
“So,” I said, squaring my shoulders, “where do we start?”
Zander’s gaze locked on mine.
“There is a banquet being held tonight in Theron’s honor. You and I are going to attend.”
Cordelle glanced down. “I was told to attend. My father just sent a courier with an invitation. The lorekeeper is to record royal gatherings, and I am to learn court protocols for such events.”
Remy’s gaze drifted toward the towering keep, the royal balcony now empty, the shadows stretching long across the Ascension Grounds. “This is the first event Theron hasn’t invited me to.”
His voice was casual, but the tension beneath it was obvious.
Zander didn’t miss it. “He’s unsure where your allegiances lie.”
He turned, folding his arms. “As are many of us.”
