Chapter 32
Chapter
Thirty-Two
Isat up slowly, careful not to jostle the mattress too hard. Veyna lay on the opposite bunk, her dark lashes fanned against her cheeks, the bruise along her jaw already fading thanks to her fae resilience. She looked peaceful for once, and I didn’t want to be the one to shatter that.
The door creaked open.
“Morning, sunshine,” Riven said in a half-whisper, slipping inside with the grace of a predator. She closed the door gently and padded over, flopping onto the edge of my bed without waiting for an invitation.
I rubbed my face. “Tell me that look on your face isn’t because we’ve got more problems.”
Riven sighed, crossing her arms. “I chatted with some of the other squads. Warborn’s pissed about last night’s incident, and Crownwatch is divided, especially since Cade’s accusations are unconfirmed.”
I frowned. “And Iron Fang?”
Her mouth twisted. “Didn’t talk to them. They’re icing everyone out. But the rumor mill’s going wild.”
I swung my legs over the side of the bed. “What kind of rumors?”
She hesitated, which wasn’t like her. “Some are saying Ferrula let the assassin in on purpose, that she’s sympathetic to the Varnari.”
I blinked. “What? That’s insane. She would never—”
“I know,” Riven cut in. “But Iron Fang isn’t just spreading the lie. They’ve petitioned the crown… to have her disbonded.”
The blood drained from my face.
“Can they even do that?” I asked.
Riven shrugged. “No idea. But with Theron’s support, anything’s possible right now. And Cade’s already turned half of Iron Fang into his own little band of bootlickers.”
My jaw clenched. Disbondment. It wasn’t just exile—it was betrayal. A dragon severed from their rider. It could kill the human.
“They’ll have to get through all of us first,” I said, standing. “No one touches Ferrula.”
Riven’s smirk returned, sharp and lethal. “That’s what I wanted to hear.”
“The castle isn’t safe anymore,” I muttered as I finished pulling on my boots.
Riven stood with her arms crossed and eyes glittering with something too intense to be amusement.
“Yeah, no shit. I had a feeling you’d say that.
” She pushed off the frame and walked toward me.
“That’s why I sent a message to your sister last night.
Didn’t mention Veyna—I figured that was your secret to tell.
I just said you needed help. You’re meeting her by the gate in ten minutes. ”
My heart clenched. “Thank you.”
Riven just smirked and tossed me my cloak. “Don’t make me regret playing courier.”
I got dressed in record time and all but sprinted through the lower halls, ducking the courtiers and guards whispering about the banquet, about Ferrula, about everything that had gone to shit in the last forty-eight hours. My heart pounded as I reached the gate—and there she was.
Solei.
She stood tall and unbothered, a single braid falling over one shoulder, her arms crossed over her leathers as if she hadn’t just ridden halfway across the realm on short notice. Her blue eyes locked onto mine and softened instantly.
“What’s going on?” she asked, stepping forward and grasping my forearm.
I took a breath and let it all tumble out. “There was an assassin at the banquet. It was the Crimson Sigil but Iron Fang is trying to pin it on Ferrula. She didn’t do it, Solei—Cade lied. They are trying to have her disbonded.”
Solei’s jaw tightened. “I’ll look into it. I still have a few informants tucked around this snake pit.”
I hesitated. That wasn’t everything. Not even close.
“There’s something else,” I said quietly.
“What?” Her voice shifted, sharpened.
I glanced behind me, just to be sure no one had followed, then stepped closer. “I have a sister.”
Solei blinked. “Yeah, me.”
I shook my head. “I mean another one.”
Her brows shot up. “You’re serious.”
“She’s... Veralin’s granddaughter. He took her before I was born. She’s been a prisoner since she was a baby. I found her when I rescued Elara.”
Solei stared at me as if she’d just been sucker-punched. Then, slowly, she said, “Well. That’s... a lot.”
“Yeah.”
“Is she safe?”
“She’s with my squad now. Sleeping in our barracks. She’s kind and quiet, but she’s been badly abused, Solei.”
Solei placed her hands on my shoulders. “Then we protect her. Just like we protect Ferrula. Like I’ll always protect you.”
I smiled, but my heart felt heavy with what came next.
Because we were going to need all the protection we could get.
The horn blared through the morning air, sharp and jarring, echoing off stone walls and castle towers as I reached the barracks.
I glanced at Riven, who was already on her feet beside me, eyes narrowing. “Ascension Grounds,” she said simply, and we ran.
All across the keep, riders emerged from their barracks, armor only half-done, hair tangled, faces drawn in sleep or worry. But we moved with purpose, instincts honed. Something was wrong. Again.
The full squads assembled just as Major Ledor took his place behind the podium. His face was unreadable, but the tension in his jaw betrayed more than he probably meant to show. I caught Zander slipping in near the front, arms crossed tight over his chest.
Major Ledor’s voice rang across the grounds. “I am here to inform you a ledger was recovered from last night’s assassin.”
Silence fell over the riders like a shroud.
“It is a ledger that exposes the details behind the attempted attack,” he continued. “The assassin was paid by Varnari agents. His orders were clear, kill any member of Thrall Squad except for Ashlyn Rebec.”
All eyes turned to me.
My spine straightened. I didn’t flinch. Didn’t move. But inside, my thoughts spiraled. Why spare me? What did the Varnari want? My blood, my power—Kaelith?
Beside me, I felt Tae shift, his posture as tight as wire. Riven stepped a little closer, just enough to show solidarity.
Major Ledor’s voice cut through the weight pressing down on us. “In light of this information, Cadet Ferrula Bern has been cleared of all suspicion and released.”
As if summoned by the declaration, the heavy castle doors swung open, and she walked out.
Ferrula strode across the stone, head held high, fresh bruises still coloring the edge of her jaw but her green eyes bright and unbroken. The squad moved as one, parting to let her pass, and Jax broke from the line, meeting her halfway with a hand outstretched.
She ignored it, only to throw her arms around him a second later.
We let her walk to our side. Thrall Squad, tighter now than ever.
My gaze drifted toward Iron Fang. Cade stood beside Perin, far too relaxed for someone who’d almost gotten a squadmate executed. His head dipped slightly as he whispered something in Perin’s ear.
Perin’s jaw clenched. His eyes flicked toward Ferrula, then slowly…to me.
He smiled.
A cold, calculating smile that made my stomach twist. They were planning something. This wasn’t over.
Ferrula stepped back from Jax, her fingers lingering for just a second before she let him go. “Next time,” she said quietly, “don’t be so ready to bleed for me.”
Jax’s grin was crooked and unrepentant. “Too late.”
Ferrula rolled her eyes, but the relief in her expression cracked her usual calm.
Tae leaned closer to me. “Cade and Perin looked like they’re about to start their own little war.”
Let them try, I thought as Kaelith stirred in the back of my mind. They’ll regret it.