He let his head fall back, smiling through deep draws of breath.
I’d never admit how much I enjoyed the spar. Most Stav were fearful around me and would never rise to the challenge. I gave them reason to be wary. I was brisk, brutal, and Draven.
Most of all Draven.
Lyra wrapped her arms around the curves of her waist. When I came closer, she lifted her chin the way she did when she planned to be defiant.
“Sentry Ashwood.” She tried to sound annoyed by the sight of me, but there was a tremble in her tone.
I unsettled her as much as she unsettled me.
I didn’t miss the way her eyes ticked to my bare chest for a moment too long. With one knuckle, I tilted her chin to look at me, then brought one hand up for her to read.
You are not to leave your chamber unaccompanied.
She scoffed. “My escort was nowhere to be found.”
Then you wait.
“I should not be held prisoner because you wish to puff out your chest on the sparring field.”
One half of my mouth quirked.You were looking at my chest?
“Gods.” Lyra’s cheeks reddened. “You’re insufferable. More so than most men. My tower is right there”—she flung an arm behind her—“I hardly think I was at risk of being assassinated on the short walk here.”
Lyra’s breath stuttered when I shifted and pinched her chin between my thumb and finger, and gestured my retort near her cheek.That is for me to decide. Not you.
“Is this my fate, then, Sentry Ashwood?” Her words were warm against my bare skin. “Never being free to go where I like, or do what I like, without you?”
I understood her meaning, but despised the cinch it brought to my own chest at the thought of days not filled with the sight of Lyra Bien. I was a wretch, a fool, and an embarrassment to my position.
This draw to the woman was a hindrance.
But I wasn’t so certain I was alone in it. Lyra spoke like I was a nuisance, but she had not pulled away either.
A ram’s horn sounded from the tower and my stomach bottomed out.No.
“What is it?” Lyra looked about when Stav shot into action.
One possessive hand held on to Lyra’s waist. Fear lanced through me like a molten blade. The prince had not returned from his feckless trip outside Stonegate, and a warning was rising from the gates.
I whistled, drawing the attention of a few Stav, and ordered pairs to form a line at the gates.
“Roark.” Lyra looked at me with wide eyes.
I waited to speak until she was carefully focused on both my hands.This is that moment when you go straight to your tower. Lock thedoor. Do not leave unless you hear three knocks, a pause, then two short knocks.
“What is it?” She dug her fingers into my forearm when I turned to go.
She would find out soon enough.Dravens. Go.
28
Lyra
Any desire to stand againstRoark’s orders faded when Stonegate erupted into a wild frenzy. Stav Guard seemed to appear from the walls, from every corner, sealing in Queen Ingir and King Damir.
Thoughts about Kael lifting another blade for more than practice filled my head with worry. I half expected Prince Thane to round the corner and demand I join him in the tree hut to slaughter with our arrows.
