A Study in Smolder

Why these tropes fit

When a dragon mating frenzy pulls rider Banyan into an intense triad with Slate and Odion, the Quorum responds by ordering the men apart for the war effort, forcing Banyan and Odion to suppress their feelings for Slate while completing a dangerous mission. The narrative blends a why-choose bond through the frenzy's aftermath, dragon-rider politics, ice zombie combat, school skirmishes, and weighty reflections on leadership and the cost of war.

Evidence from the source

• Dragon Romance: “Dragon mating frenzy, and it affects the riders who are bonded to them.” source
• Why Choose: “Mf, Mfm, mmf, and mm activity in this book.” source
• Forbidden Love: “Banyan and Odion are told, for the sake of the war, for the sake of the safety of the Trinal Kingdoms, forget about Slate.” source
• High Heat: “Complex, sexy, dark” source
• Fated Mates: “Now that Banyan has bonded to Slate Nightwing's dragon, she is caught up in that madness” source
• Dark Romance: “dark, and like nothing you've ever read” source
• Forced Proximity: “Banyan and Odion are sent off alone to get their dragons to mate each other” source
• Magic Academy: “more school skirmishes” source

Metadata source: Google Books. Quotes are used only to verify the tags.