One lunged for his neck.
I gripped the fence, knuckles white. The blade came so close.
Kairos sidestepped. His elbow slammed into the fae’s face, sending him sprawling. Another charged. Kairospivoted, steel screeching as he caught the axe’s edge. The female swung low. He blocked.
Then his eyes found me.
He froze.
The world did, too. His chest heaved, his gaze dragging over me like he needed to memorize every detail. My skin prickled everywhere his eyes landed.
Behind him, a sparring fae charged.
Snarling, Kairos threw out his hand. The male fell, screaming, clutching his head as blood spilled from his nose.
“Shit,” Uther muttered, vaulting the fence.
Elwen swore. “Kairos.”
The other warriors stepped back, their weapons lowered. Kairos stood over the fallen fae. Crimson mist writhed around him.
“Damn it!” Elwen dropped to the injured fae, pressing her palms to his temples. “You’re going to kill someone!”
The warrior groaned, his blood flow slowing as she worked.
Kairos turned, his gaze cutting into me. “Why did you bring her here?”
Uther frowned. “We wanted to talk.”
“You think I can afford distractions right now?” he thundered.
I’m a distraction?
“We need a word,” Uther ground out. “In private.”
Kairos’s attention flicked to me, like he couldn’t help himself. Then he jammed his sword into the weapons rack and stalked toward the covered barracks. My pulse raced from the look he’d given me. Irritation? Confusion laced with desire?
Elwen and I followed Uther into the barracks.
The inside was warmer, dimly lit by rune-lamps that hovered above a long table. Kairos sank into a seat, frowning when I took the chair beside Elwen. His eyes tracked the movement, darkening.
I met his stare.
Uther kicked out a leg casually. “The soldiers are whispering. You brought a human into the heart of Sanguir and carried her here like some battle prize. What is she?”
“This isn’t the time,” Kairos growled.
Uther’s grin faded. “When is? You’ve barely spoken to the clan heads. Won’t meet with the council. You just brood and train.”
“He’s your war chief,” Elwen said patiently. “He needs to know what we’re facing.”
Kairos shot her a look. “Elle.”
“They deserve to know why they’re preparing to die.”
The mist around Kairos coiled tighter. Finally, he let out a rough exhale. “A century in chains teaches you to stop hoping. You accept that freedom is a dream.” Kairos raked his fingers through his hair. “I stopped being anything except the blade in Vaeron’s hand.”
Elwen’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
