I open the door and a sense of dread ripples through me. Sticking my head out, I look both ways. The hallway is mostly vacant, and my guard nowhere in sight. With all that happened between Kyron and me last night, my embarrassing blunder with Zek became an afterthought. I’m not ready to face him and apologize again for my drunken mistake. I need to use a delicate hand to reform the line between us. That isn’t going to happen thismorning.
As I step out of the barracks, the sun peeks over the mountains to the east, not high enough in the sky to chase away the chill of night. Birds chirp in the trees and the farm animals on the far end of camp call for their morning feeding. I pull my jacket closed and walk the dirt roads, passing the plain wooden structures that house the armory, mess hall, and uniform tailor. As I near the field, clipped commands carry through the vast space as the soldiers suited in their armor stand at attention.
The morning assembly is nothing new. Basecamps leaders take a moment to update the troops with the latest news from the king and developments in the war. Thankfully, all has been quiet with Allaji since the attack in Stigian over a week ago. Micah and Esmeray are taking advantage of every peaceful moment, hoping to diplomatically resolve the issue before more lives are lost. But the same can’t be said for those gathered on this field. It looks like a warzone. The Stigian warriors stand in their formation on one side while the Lucent army occupies the other. The tension is as frigid as a winter’s night and as easy to cut through as stone. Neither army appears comfortable sharing a space with their long-time enemy, not even the small group of leaders standing between them.
Greer faces Kyron, her body ramrod straight and her hand awkwardly resting on the hilt of a blade strapped to her thigh. Ulric and Terro flank her with a small group of high-ranking soldiers behind them, including Leif and Wel. A dozen warriors stand at attention behind their prince, who is the only person that looks at all at ease.
Kyron has an arm resting across his upper stomach with the elbow of the other propped on top. He rubs his lips with his long fingers as he studies the gathered men and women.
I stop in the back of the Lucent formation, not wanting to disturb whatever is transpiring between the leaders. Kyron and Greer speak to each other in quiet voices, and from where I stand, it appears to be a civil discussion. I clasp my hands behind my back and tilt my head, trying to make out the movements of their mouths. I’m curious if she is maintaining a fraction of civility toward her ex-best friend.
The soldier in front of me stirs, glancing back as inconspicuously as possible. He whips back around when he spots me and taps another on the shoulder. Before I have a chance to tell them to remain at attention, the entire Lucent army makes a path before me and takes a knee.
“Shit,” I whisper with a tight smile. The last thing I wanted was a grand entrance. My intention was to merely observe. With no other choice, I pull back my shoulders, lift my chin, and make my way to the center of the field.
The Lucent leaders also take a knee as I approach, leaving Kyron and his warriors to stand. There is a glint in his eyes, like he enjoys watching me squirm under the attention of so many.
“Good morning, Your Grace,” he says, not bothering to tame the crooked smile on his face.
“Good morning.” I turn to my army and say, “You may stand.”
Like they’re all controlled by the same string, everyone rises and resumes their prior stance.
“Why are we standing here? Shouldn’t we begin training?” I ask.
“We should,” Greer says. “But we had a scuffle this morning between our soldiers and theirs, and neither side is ready to play nice.”
Kyron runs his hand over the back of his neck and blows out a long puff of air. I question if he was really amused by my discomfort at everyone’s attention or if he was happy to have it diverted from him. It’s not often that one gets the opportunity to see Kyron LeFur at a loss. The man has plans for plans. He has schemed so much that he has managed the impossible, placing conflicting armies on the same side of a battle.
I now understand the appeal of watching my overly confident parah being put on the spot. “I thought you had this all worked out, Your Grace.”
He snickers and shakes his head. “I have the training all worked out. But when it comes to getting them to share a field, I’m at a loss.”
“They just need to see that there’s nothing to fear,” Ulric says.
Isn’t that the first step to overcoming all hurdles, letting go of the fear that they mean you harm? I understand the worry on both sides. When I first came to Basecamp, I was presented with a Stigian general leading my father’s army. It wasn’t until I let my guard down and trusted my father’s choice to put Kyron in charge that I thrived.
I click my tongue and say, “I feel like a sparring match is in order.”
Greer throws her hands up and looks at me like I’m not getting the point. “That would be great if we could get any of them on the field.”
“Not them,” I say and turn to Kyron. “What better way for them to see that it will be all right than to watch their future leaders have it out in the sparring ring?”
“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea,” Kyron says.
“Afraid our future queen will beat your smug ass?” Greer asks, her entire face alight with the possibility.
Leif quirks his lips and cocks a brow. “My money is on Elle. Seven months of pretending she was slicing you open has got to pay off.”
Feeling like I’m invincible with my friends wagering on me, I place my hand on my hip and adopt a tone that Kyron has taken with me more times than I care to count. “Don’t worry, prince, this time, Iwillkick your ass.”
Kyron takes a step forward and that sly smile returns to his lips. “You said that the last time I challenged you to spar, and it didn’t work out in your favor.”
My heart does an entire tumbling routine. I will never tire of his presence. It invigorates me, fascinates me, makes me want more. I move closer, leaving a sliver of space between us and meet his black and amber eyes. “The last time we sparred, I didn’t know that dirty tricks were on the table,andI hadn’t spent months training to kill you. I’m feeling confident the odds are in my favor this time. That is, unless you don’t want your warriors seeing you get your ass handed to you by a Lucent princess.”
He curls his lips between his teeth to stifle a laugh. I love that look, the way his dusty-pink blush spreads over his cheeks while he fights to keep his composure. I would wager my crown that none of his warriors have ever seen him like this. Knowing Kyron, he has held firm to a stoic demeanor, wanting those he leads to believe he will rule with the same ruthless hand as his mother. But I know better.
He leans in so only I can hear him. “What’s on the table if I win?”
