Page 20 of Wild Bond

I instantly felt affronted. “Commander Rakim thinks I’m a child?”

Zade’s face scrunched up. “That came out wrong.”

I glared at him.

He sighed. “No one thinks you’re a child. But it is your first day, and in light of everything that’s happened, I’m sure he just wants to make sure you get to your class safely.”

We had now entered the courtyard and were making our way to one of the stone buildings that connected to the lower portion of Rider Tower.

“Why wouldn’t I get to my class safely?” My mind immediately went to the council meeting the night before. Did Commander Rakim think one of the councilors would try to hurt me? Surely not. “Am I in danger?”

Skye, who had been mostly ignoring the conversation up to this point, was now paying much closer attention.

“I’m not explaining this well,” Zade said. “Youaresafe, but for now, it’s probably best if you don’t leave the rider compound.”

“I thought I wasn’t a prisoner?” Rakim had said as much.

At my look, he said placatingly, “You’re not. This is just until things settle down. The city is still in an uproar about you and your dragon.”

“And I’m guessing this uproar isn’t favorable?”

He shrugged as we entered the building and started down a long hallway. “Actually, most people are fascinated by you and Skye from what I’ve heard. Though, some aren’t too pleased about a thief being the one to bond the Jade Dragon, and no one knows what to make of you being older. You’d have to ask Rake if you wanted details, though. He’s the one with the pulse on the city.”

“I will,” I said. “Maybe during my first flying lesson. But I don’t think he’ll—”

“Wait.” Zade stopped in his tracks and turned to face me, which made me halt as well. “The council assignedRaketo train you?” His tone was incredulous. “When did this happen?”

“Last night, I guess some of the councilors called an impromptu meeting.” I shrugged. “And Rake—I mean, Commander Rakim—volunteered, actually.”

Zade’s eyes widened, then he seemed to consider me more closely. “Interesting.”

I frowned as we both started walking again. “Why is that interesting?”

Zade laughed and smiled at me. “Because, Button, Rake has never offered to train anyone.”

Something warm and confusing fluttered in my chest at this revelation. “Never?”

He shook his head, a wicked grin I wasn’t sure I liked on his face. “Never. Not to my knowledge, anyway.”

Not sure what to make of his words and their implications, I stayed quiet until we stopped at a wooden door near the end of the wide corridor.

Zade motioned to the door. “Your destination, milady.”

I could hear odd sounds coming from the other side. I could make out what sounded like the low growls and cries of several dragons and was that . . . children?

“After this class, you’re free for the day,” Zade informed me, all business now. He raised a long finger and pointed it in my face. “And don’t leave the compound. At least, not yet.” He didn’t wait for my acknowledgment of this before he stepped around me, heading back the way we had come, but not before he glanced over his shoulder and hollered, “Oh, and have fun with the hatchlings!”

Apprehension washed over me at his statement.Hatchlings?

I faced the door and tried to swallow down a sudden wealth of nerves. A wave of encouragement and comfort came from Skye, and I stroked her wing gratefully before opening the door and entering the room.

I found myself in a classroom with a dozen pairs of eyes suddenly regarding me with wide-eyed curiosity, as well as those of their dragons. This was obviously the class of younger trainees I had seen earlier on the training grounds. Now I understood what Zade had meant.

“Uh . . .” I began, each child was sitting on a cushion with a low desk before them.

“Come in, Rin,” the teacher motioned to me from where I hadn’t noticed her standing at the head of the room. “Please take a seat. Don’t be shy.” I was stunned to realize the woman was the councilor with the kind smile that I’d heard the other councilors refer to as Gemma. It amazed me that a council member, with all the duties and responsibilities that came with that position, would make the time to teach the youngest of our order.

As I took a tentative step forward, she continued, “Trainees, I want you to welcome Rin and her dragon, Skye, to our class.”

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