“Let’s start with the purpose of such tournaments, which were mostly used to foster relationships between the different Lines. In fact, it wasn’t even compulsory to attend, but most Lines went, if possible, to ensure their young people could interact with others from around Ebrus. Many marriages were mutually agreed upon between rounds…”
All too quickly, my brain was tuning out his words. Honestly, Instructor Perot was probably justified in his dislike of me. But Boellium seemed so inconsequential, now that I knew I could turn back time. That I could predict the future, even if it was only a few minutes right now. It seemed redundant to be learning about an ancient tournament, when the new iteration was less than a week away, and had a much more important purpose. We weren’t battling for just bragging rights in some redundant tournament; we were saving lives, with a side of political subterfuge.
The heaviness of it weighed on me, though I’d never mention it to the guys. They’d been born knowing that the fates of theirLines rested on their shoulders, on their ability to make the right decisions when they needed to be made.
I wasn’t born to be a savior. In fact, I’d spent my life perfecting my ability to be invisible.
Hayle threaded his fingers in mine. Sometimes, I felt like he was inside my mind.
Swallowing hard, I gave him a weak smile. Despite what I’d wanted when I first arrived, I wasn’t unhappy that it had ended up the way it did. I had two men who loved me; at the beginning of the year, I would’ve laughed in the face of any person who suggested I’d have the hearts of two of the most powerful Heirs in Ebrus.
Fate had her plans, I guess.
I’d missed most of the lesson by the time we stood and shuffled out of the lecture hall. Lierick brushed past me, winking in my direction. My cheeks flushed, and I swallowed hard. I didn’t know what to do about Lierick’s flirting. I thought perhaps he did it naturally—the way some men seemed to flirt in the same manner they breathed, frequently and without much thought—but he disregarded most of the other female conscripts who tried to catch his attention. Women were drawn to him like flies, despite his supposed Lower Line affiliation. It’s like they could tell he was someone important, someone who’d stand out in history.
I was happy with my two Heirs. Besides, I could never be sure if Lierick was flirting with me because he liked me, or because Ellanora Halhed had decreed that we should be together—or suggested it cryptically, at least.
I didn’t want him to want me just because I was some prophesied being who was going to change the world. I wanted him to want me because I spoke to his soul, like Hayle. Or because he couldn’t help himself, and was still slightly annoyedby the fact, like Vox. Not because some woman who’d been dead for a hundred years said it was so.
Lucio threw his arm around Shay, pulling her close to his chest. She glared at him, but it looked more amused than anything. Sighing heavily, Vox joined us too.
“You’re a brave man, Lucio. There’s a greater chance of Shay stabbing you between the ribs than hugging you back,” someone called from the crowd behind us. I turned, ready to defend Shay, but I couldn’t tell who spoke.
Vox stood taller, like he was about to remind them who was in charge, but Lucio just grinned. “That’s why I like her, Selphin. Because she’s strong, capable, and deadly. A real predator. There’s a thrill of not knowing if she’ll hug me back or cut my throat.” He said it adoringly, and Shay rolled her eyes.
“The latter is looking good right now,” she muttered beneath her breath. It was a little-known secret that Shay had absolutely no interest in Lucio at all, or any of the members of the opposite sex. But somehow, she had a soft spot for the effervescent Third Line man, which meant he was safe from her sharp knives and even sharper tongue.
Lucio, showing he was either brave or stupid, just leaned over and kissed the top of her head. Shay flushed, but didn’t push him away.
Vox shook his head, coming to stand beside me and Hayle. He let his knuckles brush mine, but that was as much contact as I’d get in public. I hated it with every fiber of my being.
“If I didn’t know she’d rather gut him in his sleep than marry him, I think they make a cute couple,” Hayle whispered, lifting his chin toward the seconds.
Vox grunted his agreement, but he looked tired. It took everything in me not to wrap myself around him, to fall into his arms and let him hold me like I was vital to his very existence.
“I received a missive from the Baron this morning,” he said softly. I didn’t need to know which Baron he was referring to; there was only one who made him vibrate with aggravation and fear simultaneously. “He wanted to know why we were being so amicable. I replied that with Shay was currently dating someone so high up in the hierarchy of your Line, Mother had almost smeared the letter with happy tears at our good fortune. Hopefully, that’s an adequate enough excuse for him. He isn’t scared of my mother, but he knows that it’s better to keep her happy and entertained than to allow her to grow bored and restless. He had to kill half of her personal guard last time.”
I didn’t want to know why. The disregard for human life that was rampant in the First Line wasn’t news to me.
Hayle grew solemn. “Lucio likes her, but not like that. I don’t pretend to understand their dynamic, but if he provides her some kind of protection, then no matter what happens later, it was worth it.” He looked over at Vox. “Did the Baron say anything else of importance?”
Snorting, Vox ushered us both toward the training ring. It was time for artillery lessons, and I was fairly sure they were going to try long-range weapons today. “Only the normal threats. You’ll be glad to know that he isn’t attending the tournament personally. However, he is sending Yaron to ensure that I don’t embarrass the Line.”
I could feel the tension vibrating off Hayle at the mention of Yaron Vylan. The First Heir of the First Line had a reputation of a different kind to his father, but he was still capable of cruelty. He knew there was a power imbalance between himself and the rest of his Line, and he was more than happy to take advantage.
Hayle’s fist flexed at his side. “He has to be kept from Avalon at all costs.”
Vox nodded. “On this, we entirely agree.”
A week later, there was a crowd of Boellium conscripts from all Lines on a ship, heading toward the Port of Eaglehoth. Although there must have been close to twenty people on the deck, plus the ship’s crew, not one person looked over at the small armada of boats docked in open water off Boemouthe. It was like the Second Line had shrouded their ships in an invisibility cloak. It was impressive and terrifying in equal measures.
Master Proxius had given dispensation for all Heirs, and close family of Heirs, to attend if they wished; either to participate if they were a spare Heir, or to cheer on their kin if they weren’t. Lierick had suggested that he was the favored cousin of the second Heir of the Eleventh Line, and who was going to contradict him?
Shay and Lucio had remained behind, but unfortunately, both Eugene and Ephily—plus several of their sycophants—had managed to attend. I’d been excited that Acacia was also with us; I’d learned she was the granddaughter of Ingrid Uhlson, Baroness of the Twelfth Line, though she said they had a more democratic process rather than going through bloodlines. Whoever she wanted to succeed her just got adopted into the family to maintain the prerequisite that an Uhlsen had to sit as Baron of the Twelfth Line.
It made more sense to me.
Acacia leaned on the rail beside me, looking out disparagingly at the ocean. “I don’t like it.”
