Corbin's hand tightened around the hilt of his dagger, and Dorian almost laughed. Hagen caught it as well, his lips lifting at the sight of it.
"No offense, Belwark," Hagen smirked, and he looked back to Dorian. "I'll allow you to train between trials. There are three."
"Sounds like a liberty," Dorian said. "Are you sure you're looking for me to lose these?"
"I would actually prefer you to win," Hagen said. "From what I hear, you're a great fighter. A king in the making... And like I told you, I have my own reasons for wanting you here. You will be secluded to this Temple and the Ring for training, of course. Dag will show you around. The first trial takes place in four days. Make sure you're ready."
"Will you tell me what I'll be up against?"
Hagen smiled back at him. "I don't think I will."
Dorian couldn't help but grin as Hagen left him there.
"You've just been told you'll be put through trials to determine whether you're a trustworthy being, trials that mean to kill you, and you're smiling?" Reverie asked.
"I told you he does that," Corbin muttered. "What will you have us do during your trials?"
"Help me train," Dorian replied. "Keep an ear out for anything from Magnice." He turned to Reverie. "Do you think your sisters would tell you if anything was amiss at home?"
"What—like write them?" Reverie scoffed. "They would think it out of the ordinary. That something was wrong. We've never been close."
"Right," he uttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Stick close to Corbin then. Listen out for anything we might need to know. Nadir's traders should be coming through every other week or so as long as things are normal. If you could find out any information on my sister, that would be great."
"You don't trust the Commander?" Corbin asked.
"I know my sister well enough to know that the first mention of someone telling her it is their duty to protect her will send her into a spiral. I'd like to know what sort of stupidity she throws herself into when they do."
"And if you do find out she's over her head in some situation?"
"Then I'll know to start with the Umber when I set the southern coast on fire."
CHAPTER TWENTY
A NAP HAD taken Nadir and Nyssa after their lengthy surrender the night before. Her backside was sore and pink, clit aching and satisfied, muscles weak. There were bites on her collar and breasts. She honestly didn't want the sun to come up over the horizon.
Waking early, Nadir had only given her a kiss on her cheek and a firm grasp on her ass that nearly picked her up off the mattress before leaving the bed. She’d smiled into the sheets and shoved him off after the obscene comment he made in her ear, only to have Lex come in an hour later and wake her by pulling her by her ankles onto the floor. Lex had also given Nyssa a slap on her ass but left her with a demanding, "We're losing sun, Nyssari," before leaving.
At least practice with Lex was more of a success than the day before. With some of her frustrations waned, Nyssa allowed herself to relax into her training, firm with the determination in her bones.
Until the people began to gather on the beach to watch her.
Lex had sensed it and pushed her harder. Nyssa didn't mind. She appreciated what Lex was doing. Helping her. Knowing the best way Nyssa responded to her was to challenge her. Noon rolled around, and after nearly vomiting from the ache in her body— from holding herself steady and straight on her horse and hitting the targets back to back with arrows, using every muscle to keep her body upright— Lex gave her a firm clap on her shoulder. One that Nyssa knew she had earned.
"Keep this up, and they'll be wondering why they ever questioned you," Lex said when she handed Nyssa the water canteen.
Nyssa poured the cool water over her face, letting it wash the sand off her and drip on her tongue. "Does that go for you as well?" Nyssa asked.
Lex eyed her, but she didn't respond directly and instead started wrapping her hands. Nyssa watched her curiously.
"What’s that for?" she asked.
"I want to keep my hands from bleeding when I punch you and the trees later," Lex replied.
"Why are you punching me?"
"You'll find out after lunch," Lex said. "Go. Have a bath. Fuck the Commander—“ Nyssa caught her wink “—Rest a few hours. I'll come get you when I'm ready."
The bath hadn't felt that good in weeks.
