“Very thoughtful of you, Nicholas, thank you,” Melody replied, unhooking her arm and striding to her seat across from Nora, just as they’d sat at the intimate dinner during the marriage competition. Melody didn’t need to address me with my title, but I would ensure Tio did if he dared become too familiar. An assertion of rank, a reminder of the weight a title holds. Of consequences if his actions brought harm to any member of my family.
He took a seat on Melody’s other side, catching my fixation on his every move. “Thank you, Your Majesty, for allowing me into your home and to partake of a meal together. I won’t mislead you into thinking Radhak sent me for an official update.”
His eyes settled on mine. A silent communication. He’d come for Melody. The muscles in my back relaxed slightly, knowing he hadn’t come with news that might hinder our plans.
“So nothing is wrong, then? The Argora Vale residents are on their way to Solei?” Nora inquired, a hint of urgency in her voice as she leaned in to hear the answer.
He addressed her with a bow of his head. “Yes, Your Majesty. They left yesterday morning. Ravinder and half our patroltagged along to ensure safe travel and help establish them once they arrive.”
Tension slid off Nora like water dripping off after a bath. “Oh, good.” She slumped back in her chair, grabbing the buttery roll and taking a bite.
“Any word on when the remaining refugees will arrive at Rahana?” I asked.
Tio shook his head. “No, sir. Dante is escorting the convoy to the new town, and his right hand man Jasper has stayed in Argora Vale. He’s rounding up residents as we speak, but also monitoring threats in the forest. They’ll only move when they have a confirmed cleared path.”
My fingers tapped on the table. I think I’d almost wanted Tio to slip up so I could set him straight, but he remained respectful and forthcoming with information. Maybe that annoyed me more. Nora’s soft hand rested atop my thigh.
“Thank you for making the journey down here to let us know. You’re welcome to stay for as long as you like,” she said.
She and Melody exchanged a subtle glance, but I’d learned to read their silence. Melody was happy he was here, and Nora knew it.
“Tio,” I said, breaking the conversation. “My cousin and I are taking to the sparring ring after lunch. Perhaps you’d like to join us?” There was a lot you could learn about someone in the fighting ring. People stripped down to nothing but survival and ability when pushed to the brink. If this man intended on wooing my sister-in-law, I would make sure he was worthy of the task.
Marco, Tio, and I circled each other. Three sets of eyes, darting back and forth, sizing up their opponents. Our steps wereelegant and graceful, our bodies primed and balanced, preparing for that first strike that would shatter our restraint.
“Don’t go easy on him just because he’s a king now, Tio,” Marco said.
“You never miss an opportunity to humble me, do you, cousin?”
Tio smirked, watching his opponents toss verbal jabs.
“It’s for your own good, Nicky.” A wicked smile curved Marco’s lips. “Enemies in battle won’t hesitate to strike, so why should a sparring partner? Keeping your instincts fresh.”
I rolled my eyes. Not once had Marco ever gone easy on me, but he spoke as if I’d never gone toe-to-toe. A tactic. Manipulating Tio to view me as more of a target than himself. Cunning bastard. I shook my head with a chuckle.
Without realizing, that simple momentary distraction gave Tio an opening, and he took it. He moved swiftly, impressively so. It appeared he was coming to strike me, but as he reached an arm’s length away, he turned, spinning and sending a strong kick toward Marco. His knees buckled from the impact, but before Tio could center himself, I struck. He dodged my first two swings, but I made impact with the third.
Tio staggered, raising his hand to his cheek. My cocky smirk faded quickly when Marco kicked me from behind, sending me to the floor. Clearly just wanting me out of the way, Marco and Tio began a series of moves and countermoves. I rose, using the opportunity to send my healing magic to the base of my spine where pain steadily radiated. Within a few seconds, relief washed over me, as if I’d never been hit.
I studied the two before me, assessing their tactics. Marco seemed to miss the way Tio favored his right leg, how he altered his center of gravity to balance. When Tio struck Marco, forcing my cousin’s attention away, Tio’s hand flexed momentarily. Asif invisible hands grabbed Marco’s feet, he was sent tumbling across the floor.
I was on him before Marco finished rolling. With a sweep, I knocked his left leg. It went flying after Marco, thudding against the tile. Tio crumpled, and I didn’t let the revelation alter my course. I tackled him, climbing overtop and pinning him to the floor.
“Melody is a sweet girl,” I warned. “She’s not a toy to be played with.”
Fiery rage lit behind the blue-green stare, and missing limb or not, he harnessed incredible strength and forced me off him. Before I could take my next breath, we’d switched positions. He hovered over me, leaning down to whisper, “She’s a sweetwoman,” he corrected, anger searing behind his gritted teeth. I noted the way he’d come to her defense, and all it implied.
Nora had previously explained the tensions that arose with Melody before she’d been taken, how she’d assumed Melody to be naïve to the hardships of the world. She’d eaten those words when Melody held her own on that ship after we’d freed her from the cage. I hadn’t known Melody would have shared any of that with him, but it was evident in his reaction; he wouldn’t tolerate her being underestimated.
“She deserves a good man.” I considered the words the moment they hit my ears. Did that mean a man of status? Of good reputation among the court? Purely of kindness? Perhaps all three.
The rage behind his eyes subsided and his rigid posture relaxed a fraction. “She does,” he admitted, something like defeat and supplication in his voice.
Before I could say anything more, Tio was sent tumbling off me, Marco’s foot still outstretched from his kick.
“Enough,” I bellowed, having gotten what I’d needed from this meeting—an understanding and underlying promise.
Marco’s extended hand hoisted me to my feet, and I strode over to the wooden leg. I bent down and picked it up, examining it as I rose. Blood stained the perfectly rounded indent where his thigh fit. I continued my assessment of the piece, bringing myself to stand before Tio.
