Page 34 of Wings of Ash & Flame
“Dawson and Alaire.”
The world dropped out from under her.No. Anyone buthim.
Alaire jolted upright. “Absolutely not. I amnotworking with him.”
“Considering your lack of magical ability, Dawson is the most decorated veteran of his class and best equipped to assist in your training. This is nonnegotiable if you intend to pass my class.”
Across the room, the prince smiled, infuriating and smug. She wanted to drive knitting needles through his eye sockets.
Alaire refused to give Dawson Knox even the slightest inclination he affected her.Because he doesn’t.Instead, she sat taller.
Kaia stepped on her boot, fanning herself in ahe’s-so-hotgesture.
Alaire widened her eyes and dragged a finger across her throat. Kaia was going to hear about this later. A swift kick to the shin would cure her of any wild ideas.
There was no way the spoiled prince would do anything but brood from the perch his ego had built him. He was dangerous and, more than that, an ass. She had no interest in being partnered with someone like that.
Professor Leslie cleared her throat to call the next pair: “Caius and Kaia.”
Alaire didn’t bother concealing the enormous smile that split her face. Karma was swift and tasted oh so sweet.
Until she saw Kaia’s throat bob as her grip tightened on her knees.
The brief taste of victory soured. Alaire leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Are you okay?”
Kaia blew out a slow breath. Her gaze dropped to the floor before she straightened, shoulders squaring. “Yeah,” she said finally. “I’m not exactly looking forward to being paired with cranky pants, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”
The flicker of vulnerability disappeared as Kaia gave her a sly grin. “We could use this to our advantage.”
Alaire smirked. Knowing and exploiting Dawson’s weaknesses would only serve her interests. Every piece ofknowledge was a weapon—and Alaire intended to be heavily armed.
Even the mightiest oak had its gnarls and cracks. Discovering those vulnerabilities—his impatience, or that stoic mask she was sure would slip when pushed far enough—would give her the upper hand.
I’m going to show you exactly why you should never underestimate me.
“You have twenty minutes to get to know your partners,” Professor Leslie announced.
She felt the weight of his gaze before she saw him.
When she turned, he loomed over her like a cloud blotting out the sun, lips curved into a smirk—just enough to be insufferable, not enough to be charming.
“Get up. We’re going to the Serenity Gardens,” Dawson said abruptly, his tone brooking no argument.
She tilted her head, crossing her arms. “Serenity Gardens? Didn’t take you for the zen type.”
“Charming. But no. We’re going. Stop wasting my time.”
“Why?” she asked, not moving. “What’s wrong with staying here like everyone else?”
“The Serenity Gardens,” he repeated, words clipped. “Unless you’d prefer to argue with me for the next twenty minutes?” His voice dropped slightly, a challenge curling at the edges. “Although I’m starting to think you would enjoy that.”
Her pulse stuttered, but she covered it with a smirk. “You caught me. Nothing thrills me more than following orders from a fae with a superiority complex.”
His jaw flexed, the only sign her words had landed. “Did you forget Professor Leslie’s instructions? I’m training you, which means you defer to me.”
“And did you forget this partnership is supposed to foster loyalty and trust?” she shot back. “Newsflash, Dawson—barking orders doesn’t inspire either.”
His gaze raked over her, deliberately sizing her up. “You’re going to make this miserable, aren’t you?”
