Never had Kiora picked up a needle in her life, but she had picked up a bow and arrow. She was telling me she had joined the ranks of the Sparrows, that her skill was as impeccable as those who had come before her.
“There was never any doubt in my mind that you could achieve greatness at whatever you set yourself to.” I smiled.
“I won’t keep you from your celebration any longer.” Kiora’s lips gained a fierce curve, matching the unwavering certainty in her eyes. She hugged me once more.
“We will catch up soon,” I replied, not wanting to let her go.
“Definitely,” she agreed, her attention moving briefly to the Lysians. “Enjoy the party.”
Kiora disappeared into the sea of bodies moving throughout the room.
“Why did she not return here for such a long time?” Kole asked after she was no longer visible, and I nearly thought I had perhaps imagined her into existence.
“Her family moved away,” I replied.
“Yeah, but they are here now. Surely, she could have come to visit, or you visit her.”
I was not sure whether he was suspicious or simply could not comprehend. “Fraser would not allow for me to make that trip. As for her family . . . you have to understand we were forced to follow our previous Superior. That did not mean that they wanted to. Sometimes leaving was a way to keep the peace.”
“It was that bad that your citizens avoided the capitol?” Kole’scrystal eyes watched me as I considered how much I wished to share.
“Taxation has gotten steep, and for no reason other than Fraser wished to widen the gap between himself and those he viewed as beneath him. We have also had a population decline. Fraser began encouraging reproduction efforts. As a result, some began viewing women as currency. Those living outside the capitol found ways to avoid some of these changes. The closer to Fraser, the more likely to be required to aid in his efforts.”
“Do you have children?” Iver asked curiously.
A bitter smile curved at my lips. “I was spared because the price of my womb was a bargaining chip Fraser enjoyed wielding.”
Kole and Iver appeared disgusted, and I couldn’t bring myself to look at Erik to see what he thought.
Kole decided to change the subject saying, “By the way, you were remarkable today.”
“Yes, very savage but lovely,” Iver voiced before draping his arm across Erik’s shoulders, and pulling him in. “I think this one nearly fainted.”
My cheeks flushed, embarrassed that they witnessed me like that. I don’t know what got into me when facing Shal. Never had I behaved in such a manner before. It was suddenly difficult to meet the Lysian King’s eye.
“That reminds me.” I dug into my pocket, desperate for something else to focus on. Pulling free the blade, I held it out for Erik. “Thank you for this.”
Dark sapphire eyes observed the beautiful silver dagger in my hands before rising to view me. Reaching out, his hand pushed my fingers, curling them over the hilt. “It is yours to keep.”
I couldn’t keep the surprise from my face. I wasn’t certain what was most shocking: that he was gifting me something of his, or that he thought me so nonthreatening that he allowed me to keep a weapon.
“You’re sure?” Never had I seen a blade like it. Intricate carvings etched the silver with a detail that would have taken someone a great deal of effort to make. The weight of it felt good in my hand, perfect even.
Erik nodded. “After tonight, that blade is more yours than it ever was mine.” His lip quirked up at the edge.
My cheeks flushed. “Where did you get it?”
“It belonged to my father.” He smiled.
“Erik, I can’t have this.” I held it out to him once more.
“You already do. Besides, it’s not like my father did not have an entire room of weapons.” He nodded towards the dagger. “But you should probably pocket it for now. You wouldn’t want someone running up to hug you and ending up with a blade in their gut.”
“Ariana is not that careless,” Willis said from beside us, surprising me with his presence.
“Willis!” I exclaimed.
“Superior.” He dipped his head. A single dimple pressed into his cheek with his smile.
