Page 41 of Kingdom of Shadows and Wings

Although I arrive at the stable ten minutes early, he’s waiting outside, leaning against the door with his arms crossed. The picture of impatience.

I stifle a yawn with the back of my hand and ignore his body language. It’s too early to indulge his grumpy tendencies just yet.

Determined to get through the next hour, I give myself a mental pep talk.

Don’t engage. You can survive his attitude for an hour. One. Tiny. Hour.

I produce a sunny smile. “Good morning, Instructor Thorne.”

His narrowed eyes roam over me like he’s sizing me up. “You’re late.”

I blink. “What? I’m ten minutes early.”

He snorts his displeasure, reminding me of one of the alicorns. “You’re twenty minutes late, Duchess.”

Just like that, my resolve to be agreeable fizzles. “You told me to meet you an hour before breakfast. And here I am, an hour and ten minutesbeforebreakfast. I don’t know what kingdom you’re from,sir, but here in Aclaris, that means?—”

“An hour beforemybreakfast. The instructors eat thirty minutes before the recruits do.”

My jaw unhinges. “How was I supposed to know that if you didn’t tell me beforehand? It doesn’t count if you tell me after the fact.”

He raises his gaze skyward, like he’s praying to the gods for patience. “Are you always this argumentative?”

“What can I say, you bring out the best of me.” My temper rises. “Are you always this arrogant?”

His jaw ticks, and he pushes into my space. My muscles tense with a strange anticipation. “I don’t like babysitting you any more than you like being here. But if you want to survive your time at Flighthaven, it’s in your best interest to cooperate.”

I suck in a breath. If I want to survive? Is he threatening me? “What is that supposed to mean?”

His chest rumbles. “It means I’m trying to keep you alive.”

“By yelling at and browbeating me?”

He rakes a hand through his thick, shoulder-length black hair, which hangs loose this morning. I find myself distracted, wondering if the waves are as soft as they appear. “Do you seriously have to ask me that?”

I open my mouth, but the look he gives me snaps it shut. Okay. Maybe I am being a little argumentative. I blame him. He evokes a strong reaction in me.

“Sorry.” My muttered apology makes me sound like an ungrateful brat.

“Enough,” he tugs on my arm, and I have no choice but to follow, “we’re wasting valuable time. Let’s go.”

Once inside the stable, my irritation evaporates when I spot the never-ending rows of stalls on either side of the massive structure. Morning light filters in through the windows, illuminating the powerful creatures stirring in their stalls.

Out of instinct, I step back. My heart rate kicks up.

Horses. They’re just giant horses with wings. And horns. Enormous, sharp horns and huge wings they use to fly…and I need to stop already because this isn’t helping.

I tell myself that I rode one last night and am still in one piece. The reminder actually calms me a little.

Thorne thrusts a pitchfork in my hand. “Here.”

I grip the tool. “What’s this for?”

He rolls his eyes. “And here I thought you were smarter than you looked.”

“I don’t know if anyone’s ever told you this, but you really have a way with people.”

A surprised blink, followed by laughter. The rich, throaty sound stuns me at first before wrapping around me like a snare. I’m certain this is the first time I’ve heard him laugh, and the transformation that occurs on his face mesmerizes me. His features soften, and the tawny skin near his gold-flecked eyes crinkles. If I thought he was attractive while scowling, laughing makes him downright breathtaking.

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