Peering over the edge, I watched the courtyard below. The nighttime solitude welcomed me, and I was beyond grateful forit. Stars twinkled above, celestial witnesses to the convoluted events unfolding beneath them.
"If you continue to disappear during every celebration, it might be said that you harbor a particular distaste for the company of others." A woman's voice drifted from behind me.
I flinched inwardly. I’d been so focused; I hadn’t heard anyone approach.
I turned slowly.
Elenora stood there, observing me with an unreadable expression. Her presence was always poised, her voice calm, but there was something just underneath the charm that spoke of something sharp.
I bowed in greeting. "I just… needed some time to myself. I do intend to return."
"Of course," she replied. Her words always carried a hint of amusement, but underneath lay something sharper—an observation that felt less like casual commentary and more like a carefully aimed blade.
"Did you follow me?"
She laughed at that. "Presumptuous of you, wouldn't you say, Sir Lioran?"
"Yes. I apologize."
"Don't. And… yes, I did follow you."
"Why?"
She studied me with a coquettish smile. "I find you of interest."
"I don't know why that would be."
"The smallest of the knights who defeats the largest?" she asked with a shrug. "Who wouldn't find you of interest?" She stepped closer then, her gaze lingering on mine. And even though I wanted to thwart my attention, I found I couldn't. "Your duel with Sir Balan was… effective."
"Thank you."
"Not simply effective—elegant. That kind of control is rare, even among Arthur’s favored. Most prefer brute force. Blades over brains."
"It was the only way to survive him."
"Still, you succeeded in a battle that should have seen you killed. I've always believed that magical combat should favor cleverness over cruelty. But I am, after all, only a woman—so who would listen to me?"
I met her gaze evenly. "Power is neither masculine nor feminine. Only effective or not."
Her smile returned, sharper this time. "Well said, Sir Lioran."
"The king seemed pleased with the outcome," I ventured, curious to test her loyalties.
"His Majesty appreciatesresults," she replied evenly, "even when they're achieved through methods he might not initially prefer." Her gaze held mine a moment too long. "You've caught his attention, Sir Lioran."
"Have I?"
She nodded. "A mixed blessing, that."
Before I could parse the warning beneath her words, Elenora shifted topics.
"Sir Balan will likely be reprimanded."
"You believe so?"
She nodded. "Several overheard his comment after the match. And poor sportsmanship cannot be tolerated, especially during such public trials."
A chill passed through me as I remembered exactly what Balan had said to me.
