Page 145 of Elemental Becoming

“But in my defense,” he counters, “I wasn’t really thinking about her, much less expecting her to start a conversation with you.”

“And yet, she did.”

I know I should drop it. I know Ardyn is part of his past, not present. But gods, I can’t help myself.

“How long were you two together?”

Thane drags a hand along his jaw, watching me too carefully. As if he’s bracing himself for the blow.

“Almost four years,” he says quietly.

It shouldn’t matter. But godsdammit it does.

“That’s a long time.”

“It was.”

“And she thought she was going to marry you?”

His lips twitch slightly, the beginning of a smile he doesn’t quite let happen, like he’s starting to see exactly where this is going.

“She did.”

“And you never told me about her because . . . ?”

Thane rubs his temples. “Because it wasn’t relevant.”

“Oh, right,” I deadpan. “Why would your ex—who was fully expecting to be Lady of the Fire Clan—be relevant to me?”

Thane’s brow lifts slightly, the golden flecks in his eyes dancing.

“Did she live here? In the capital?”

“She did.”

“She grew up in all this, then?” I gesture toward the ballroom, the nobles in their silks, the effortless grace of people who wereraised in wealth and power.

“Yes.”

My lips press into a thin line. “Is she a soldier?”

Thane blinks several times. “No, but she has been trained like one. It’s the way of the Fire Clan that noble women can learn to fight if they so choose.”

“And I bet she’s a dragon rider.”

“She isn’t,” he replies, watching me carefully.

“Well, I guess that’s one thing she doesn’t have.” I shake my head, eyes cast downward. “Sounds like she wasperfectfor you.”

“That girl is not a dragon rider because she isn’t worthy enough to be called,”Calryx cuts in.

“Good gods, Calryx! This isn’t about you! Get out of my head.”

“The moment you compared yourself to her, it became about me.”

I blink.“What?”

“Dragons choose their riders. Do you think so little of my judgment?”