Library. Armory. Eastern wing. Every place he lurks with that insufferable smile.
Gone.
Of course he's gone. The one time I actually want to find my cousin, he's vanished like morning mist. Probably sensed my fury from across the palace and decided today was an excellent day for an early training session. Coward.
"YASAR!"
Glass shatters somewhere. My shadows lash at everything.
Emir materializes, falling into step without flinching.
"My lord?—"
"Where. Is. He."
"Training grounds. Since dawn. Running drills?—"
I'm moving before he finishes. Shadows pour from my skin, leaving black marks everywhere.
The main courtyard opens. Rain hammers down—when did it start raining?—turning everything slick. Thunder rolls.
"Kaan."
Elçin's voice. Concern on her face.
"What's wrong? What happened? Kaan, wait?—"
I don't stop. Don't answer. There's only white-hot need to make Yasar hurt.
My boots hit the training grounds.
Through sheets of rain, I see him—moving through combat forms with that insufferable grace. Practice leathers soaked through. Around him, soldiers spar.
He looks so fucking calm.
Time to break that.
"YASAR!"
My voice cuts through everything. Everyone freezes.
Yasar turns slowly, lowering his blade. Those unsettling eyes meet mine across muddy ground.
Recognition.
"Cousin, dearest." His voice carries despite the downpour. "You look upset. Shall I have someone bring tea? Perhaps some of those little cakes you pretend not to?—"
I don't let him finish.
Three steps and I'm on him. My fist connects with his jaw—crack.
The impact reverberates up my arm, satisfying as a prayer answered. Yasar's head snaps back, blood exploding from his split lip in a crimson arc.. But the bastard doesn't go down, he spins with the momentum, leg sweeping low in a move I should have anticipated.
My feet go out. I hit the mud hard.
"Starting without foreplay?" Yasar wipes blood from his chin, smiling. "How very like you, cousin dearest. All aggression, no technique."
"Funny," I snarl, surging upward. My shadows start to rise, hungry and eager, but I force them down. No. Not shadows. Justmy fists and his face."Your mother said the same thing about your father."
