Page 159 of A Court of Curses and Queens

I let out a short laugh and turned, just in time to slam my boot into a guard’s chest. He staggered, then dropped. The smell of fire and blood was everywhere.

“Move away from the men,” Zander called out, his voice a command wrapped in Dark Fire. “Now.”

We all obeyed, backing up to our dragons, weapons still raised.

Then Hein opened his jaws, and fire erupted across the line of Crimson Sigil. The heat blasted back against us, but we stood our ground as men screamed, and ash filled the air. Kass joined from above, his flames engulfing the roof and swallowing the last remnants of the stronghold.

Cordelle groaned from where he lay beside Kaelith, and I dropped to my knees beside him.

“You’re safe,” I whispered. “We’ve got you.”

His lips twitched, barely conscious, but his fingers curled weakly around mine.

And around us, the enemy burned.

We stood back, giving Kass room as he circled low, his massive wings beating a slow rhythm through the scorched air. Ash drifted like snow around us. When his claws finally touched the ground, the little dragon’s snarl had quieted into something soft… protective.

I knelt beside Cordelle. “Can you fly?”

He nodded weakly, his face pale and streaked with soot. “They drugged me… I couldn’t connect to Kass. It was horrible.”

My throat tightened. I offered my arm, and with Zander’s help, we lifted him onto Kass’ back. The moment Cordelle settled in, he slumped forward and pressed his forehead to Kass’ warm neck. His fingers curled on the green scales like a lifeline, and Kass rumbled deep in his chest in answer.

“I would never leave you,” Cordelle murmured, voice cracked and barely audible. “I’m alright.”

Zander gave me a look and mounted Hein, and I scrambled onto Kaelith, her body still coiled with the energy of battle but steady now. Riven and Remy followed, ready.

Kass lifted off first, his flight unhurried as if every wingbeat was a promise not to jostle the rider curled on his back. The rest of us rose behind them, forming a protective arc around the pair. The wind tugged at our hair and cloaks, but Kass didn’t falter.

The smallest dragon in the squad was carrying the most precious burden. And we would keep them both safe.

A horn shattered the stillness as we approached the castle, its mournful wail echoing off the stone towers. The sky had begun to bruise with the first hints of twilight, and the castle grounds below were swarming, guards sprinting, guild members shouting over one another, steel flashing in the fading light. But as our dragons descended, their powerful wings stirring the dust into miniature storms, the chaos changed. People scattered like leaves in a gale, diving behind posts and archways, scrambling to clear the field.

They weren’t just making way.

They were afraid.

Kaelith landed first, her body humming with leftover energy, claws scraping against stone. I swung off her back as Zander eased Cordelle down from Kass’ back. Our smallest dragon remained crouched, still guarding his rider like a living shield.

Major Ledor was there in seconds, his bald head slick with sweat, his eyes bloodshot and wild.

“Where were you?” he barked, scanning us with disbelief.

“Cordelle was abducted,” I said, my voice biting. “We tracked the Crimson Sigil to an old warehouse on the edge of the village. We fought them and rescued him. Kass set fire to the building.”

The major sucked in a quick breath. His eyes snapped to Cordelle, who sagged against Remy, still pale. “You were only gone a short while. That won’t clear you.”

“Clear us?” I asked, the weight of his words coiling in my chest. “What’s going on?”

The major looked like he might be sick. He turned his gaze toward the castle as if dreading what he had to say. “Theron’s bride… Lady Belana of Prina… she’s been murdered.”

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