Page 108 of Kingdom of Shadows and Wings

Relief trickles into me, allowing my shoulders to slump the tiniest bit. If Torno had any idea what thelessonI just had entailed, surely she’d march us both to Bigley’s office.

Fighting some strange urge to laugh, I don’t dare move or speak.

“Axton’s finally caught up enough for our one-on-one training sessions to end.” His tone drips with measured indifference. “I’ve been going over a few additional safety issues with her this morning.”

My heart squeezes at how easily he switches off his emotions. But despite the mask of arrogance and aloofness he slips on, I’ve caught a glimpse of the real Sterling Thorne. At least, I think I have.

Torno’s lips set in a thin line. “And do you feel that she’s an asset to her unit?”

Seriously? I’m standing right in front of you.

“I do.” Sterling’s quiet for a moment, like he’s choosing his next words carefully. “I am confident that her flying skills will serve her unit well.”

My insides warm at his appraisal, surprise and satisfaction filling me. Even if he was trying to save his ass with Torno’s conversation-interrogation, I know he’d never say what he did unless he believed it.

So why does frigid disappointment freeze the warmth inside me? The extra training sessions had to end at some point since catching up with my unit was the whole point of the lessons.

“Axton,” Torno levels her gaze on me, “do you have a question?”

I’m not following. “A question?”

“Yes. Do you have a question about your training?”

Is this a trick? Am I supposed to have a question? I sneak a quick peek at Thorne, but his expression gives nothing away. “Um, no. Not at the moment.”

“Then why are you still here?”

“I—”

“You’re dismissed, Axton.” With the intensity of Thorne’s cold, cutting tone, I half expect to see ice crystals materialize on my skin.

His reaction is a ruse. It shouldn’t hurt my feelings. I understand this, and yet, my heart still twinges. This icy, impersonal version of Thorne is my least favorite. “Yes, sir.”

I reach the door as a commotion kicks up outside. Shouts, followed by a cry of pain. My legs launch into action without conscious thought, racing toward the ruckus as my heart beats double time.

Torno yells after me, but I don’t catch her words. I burst outside with my hand already reaching for my dagger and my head swiveling to locate the threat.

There. Between the alicorn stable and the dragon aerie.

Two large, cloaked men lead a third smaller man by a chain. The restrained man appears worse for wear. A rust-colored substance—maybe blood?—mats a lock of dark blond hair, which is longer on the top and short on the sides. Purple and blue bruises bloom on most of his swollen face. Wrinkles, dirt, and bloodstains compete for space on his gray tunic. He limps as he struggles with his captors, yanking on the chain that attaches to his cuffed wrists. The reek of acrid sweat, unwashed body, and vomit wafting from him makes me fight off a gag.

At this early hour before breakfast, the campus is quiet. No one else is nearby to intervene.

I perform this quick assessment as I race toward them. “Hey! What’s happening here?”

Chapter Thirty-Seven

The cloaked man closest to me swivels around and lowers his hood, revealing closely cropped dark hair. From beneath a broad forehead, hard hazel eyes appraise me. “We’re conducting confidential business for the king. Please turn around and go about your business.”

He opens the cloak to show his Flighthaven uniform. A dragonrider insignia glimmers against the navy fabric, just below his left shoulder.

Torno pulls up beside me. “Rider Millyk, please excuse this interruption and carry on.” Her hand circles my bicep. “Let’s go, fledgling.”

She pivots and tugs on my arm to follow. The tension in her grip and urgent movements lead me to believe there’s a hidden danger here. Or maybe something she doesn’t want me to see.

“You! You’re the one.”

The raw, scratchy voice halts me in my tracks. The hair on the nape of my neck lifts. Surely, he doesn’t mean me. Why would he? I’ve never seen him before in my life.

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