Page 66 of Kingdom of Shadows and Wings

My brain whirls. I need to get him money—and see that book—as soon as possible. How, though? Time is critical, and Flighthaven students can’t just up and leave whenever they want. According to the rule book, new fledglings must remain on campus for four weeks before requesting permission to leave. The only exception is for a death in the immediate family. Short of faking my mother’s untimely demise, I’m officially stuck here for the moment. That leaves me with the unofficial route.

Sneaking my way out.

I’m still brainstorming how to accomplish this feat when the horn announcing the end of lunch blares. A steady stream of fledglings flows past my spot. I join the herd, arriving at the alicorn stable and stopping near the paddock as the others hurry inside to prepare their mounts. Biting my lip, I wonder how Thorne plans to get me out of class today without looking suspicious. I can almost taste how close I am to flying, but I’m not ready to join the other fledglings yet. I hopeherealizes that too. Or at least doesn’t decide that I need a sink or swim scenario to leap over those last few hurdles. If he tries to force me to fly an alicorn right now, my lungs better be ready to suck down water because I’m pretty sure I’d drown.

Thorne strides out of the stable. Alone. Not that I was checking, because that would be foolish. He’s my instructor, and I’m his student. Even if I wanted more between us—which I don’t—it’s forbidden. So what if I’m attracted to him? That just means I fit in with all the other women at Flighthaven. Only someone without eyes could fail to see the man’s physical appeal.

I groan, digging the heels of my palms into my eyes. Why am I fixating on this? Moody or not, Thorne could pick just about anyone to hook up with. Am I truly arrogant enough to believe that someone as unsophisticated as me could hook his interest? Sure, the chemistry between us doesn’t feel one-sided, but what do I know? Confinement at Castle Axton limited my experiences with romantic entanglements and sexual attraction.

To my surprise, Thorne calls the class together to make an announcement. “I have to step away from training this afternoon, so Mortimer will be in charge. Mortimer, please run them through the drills we practiced last week.” When a visibly pleased Helene nods, Thorne shifts his attention to me. “Fledgling Axton. You’re to come with me.”

The whispers and conjecture bubble up the second we turn our backs. “What was that all about?” I whisper-yell as my shorter legs work to keep up with his long strides.

Ignoring my question, he tugs on my arm. “Come on.”

“But what about?—”

“Just this once, could you follow orders without arguing or pestering me with questions?”

Half running to avoid getting dragged while Thorne marches along, I last a mere ten seconds without speaking.

“Where’s the fire?” Nothing. “Where are we going?” Silence. “Could you at least slow down a little?” I swear, the bastard speeds up.

I open my mouth to verbally prod him yet again, snapping my lips shut when I catch a glimpse of his profile. A vein in his temple bulges, and for once, I have the good sense to bite my tongue and not piss him off more.

Finally, he stops outside an enormous stone building that reaches high into the sky. My jaw falls open. The dragon aerie. He led us to the dragon aerie.

When we first walked up, everything remained quiet. Now, the ground rumbles beneath my boots, and subdued roars and screeches clash together in an ungodsly chorus. Like, even through the thick stone walls, the dragons can sense our presence.

My mouth dries, and I wait for the onslaught of fear to envelop me. But it never comes.

I take a deep breath. “What are we doing here?”

Thorne regards me with an impenetrable expression. “You said you wanted to visit the dragons. We’re visiting the dragons.”

I blink at that unexpected reply. “Wow. Just like that, huh? So, if I said I wanted a bed made of gold and a handsome prince to whisk me away on a snowy white steed to a glittering palace, would you make that happen too?”

His eyes narrow. “What use is a bed that’s too hard to sleep on? And you’d annoy the handsome prince so much, he’d dump your ass off his horse long before you ever made it to any palace.”

“I’m guessing that’s a no.”

His low growl lets me know he’s nearing the end of his patience.

As a peace offering, I hold up my palms. “Sorry, sheesh. Thank you for agreeing to show me the aerie, even if it’s making you even testier than usual. Can we go inside now?”

“I’m not just showing you the aerie. You’re going to help me feed the dragons.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

I gape at my flight instructor. “Is that…allowed?”

He can’t be serious. As far as I know, only the dragonriders and a few high-ranking officers have permission to feed these powerful creatures, and for good reason. Such as not getting barbecued or cooked into a bite-sized dragon appetizer…like human tartare.

He shrugs. “It is now.”

“Are you always so flippant with the rules?”

“No more than you are.” His mouth twitches into a hint of a smile, and my ridiculous heart stutters. “Come on. I’ll show you what to do.”

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