The class finished and another lot of students filed in. I went through the basics with them, then the more advanced strikes with a lot of second year cadets who were scheduled with me after that. Lesson bled into lesson, until the blessed sound of the lunch bells rang and I was off, shouting instructions to make sure all the practise swords were put away, but willing to do it myself later, if it meant leaving the classroom now. I’d memorised Fern’s schedule when I helped her find her room, so down the stairs I went, taking two at a time, fighting the tide of students to find Christian’s history classroom.
Only to see another rider had the same idea.
Slade pushed himself off the wall and strode forward, offering Fern his arm and that flush in her cheeks? I thought she did that for me alone. That rush of betrayal, it didn’t make sense. I’d barely spoken a damn word to the woman, and we certainly hadn’t made any promises to each other.
“Looks like someone else got there before you.”
In the practice room, I was calm, contained, but Kael’s sneering voice hit differently now. My glare was met by a slow smirk on his part. Lorien clustered in closer, obviously amused by all of this, but the big fellow, Dain, stayed silent.
“You’ve got a lot to say for a man that couldn’t land a blow this morning,” I replied and while Kael frowned, it was only for a second.
“Maybe I was distracted.” He turned to stare after Fern. “Perhaps by the very same lass that’s got you looking all hot under the collar.”
“Watch it.”
That growl came from the depths of me, a place I tried my best to keep stuffed down.
“Or you’ll what?” Lorien grinned as Kael stepped closer. “You only fight for coin, don’t you, sellsword?”
“There was no coin paid to me for the ‘service’ I performed the other day.”
I looked meaningfully at the thin red line under his chin. That had his smile fading, Lorien’s too, as he glanced at the two of us.
“Careful,” Lorien told his friend. “You know what happens if you poke a dragon too many times.”
“I’m not afraid of burning,” Kael said. The sound of Fern’s laughter killed off any reply I might have. The way she rested her hand on Slade’s arm then leaned closer, it felt like Viridian had breathed acid all over me, because why else would my skin burn so hot? “Nor of sharing.” Kael pushed himself away from the wall and sauntered off after them. “We’ve got that on you, sword master.” He looked back over his shoulder at me, his friends following along behind him. “The three of us? We’ve always expected to share a woman and if it’s with another rider, well…” He shrugged. “A woman like that would always be too much for one man. Perhaps we’ll have a sit down with this fellow, see if he has what it takes to keep our girl satisfied.”
Our girl?Viridian usually kept out of my head when I was at work. He was preoccupied by his own pursuits, often looking for ‘treasures’ in the earth.Auren’s rider does not belong to these males. She has not selected her mates yet, despite the wishes of the wild dragons.
Nor has Fern.
I strode down the hall, making my way to the mess, only to find an officer telling the three silver riders that cadets ate on the floor below with all the rest of their classmates.
“Unless you’re in the company of a rider, you don’t come onto this floor, cadets,” the man said, then shot me a surreptitious wink. “Is there anyone willing to vouch for you?”
That was the moment when Kael and his comrades turned around, just in time for me to sketch them a brief salute.
“Gentlemen.”
Lorien’s mouth opened and shut again as I strode past andinto the mess, but he and his friends’ expressions weren’t what I was focussed on, but Fern’s. She was flushing again, though I wasn’t sure if it was from pleasure. Without a word, I pulled out the chair opposite them and sat down.
“Lance.”
Slade’s tone was tight, but I didn’t look at him. Instead, I leaned forward, closing the gap between Fern and I.
“The general says you’re to ride with Auren in the morning and begin your battle training.” Her eyebrows shot up, but I knew I had her entire focus in that moment. “Viridian and I would be honoured to take you up and show you the ropes.”
A sidelong look at Slade made me wonder if he’d asked her the same thing, but a simple nod from her had me forgetting all about that.
“Thank you, Lance. That’s very kind. We’d love that.”
Chapter 24
Dain
These visions were the worst kind.
“No…!”
