He could not help but grin. ‘Ready?’
‘You probably shouldn’t ask. That’s technically an advantage, and I’d prefer to win fair and square.’
If his smile grew any wider, he was certain his face would crack. He took off at a run, faster this time. He could see by her expression that she had not been prepared. Just before he reached the circle, he pretended to pivot before continuing straight. Blake leapt after him, fingers reaching, missing him by mere inches.
He crossed the line.
‘It’s fine,’ she called after him, breathless now. ‘I’ll get you on the third.’
She did not get him on the third, or the fourth, or the fifth. She got him on the sixth because he let her. The aim was to win, not completely crush her self-worth. He would get her on her first time through, anyway.
‘Six is fine,’ she announced confidently. ‘I can beat six.’
‘Can you now?’
‘Absolutely.’ She was really out of breath.
Harlan moved to the middle of the circle and clapped his hands together once. ‘Let’s do it.’
His training gave him a clear advantage in this game. He could tell which direction she was going to move by the angle of her body and the direction her limbs were facing. He had spent years learning how to predict his opponent’s next move. His survival depended on it.
She ran straight at him, so he was expecting her to pivot at some point. He watched her feet for any hints and saw none. She picked up speed, and he wondered how on earth she planned to get around him without popping her knee joint. She was almost within reach, to the point where he thought they might actually collide, when she suddenly tucked her head and dove forwards, rolling once beneath his arm before getting back on her feet and continuing on. He looked under his arm as she crossed the line on the other side.
Blake turned with the smuggest of smiles and hair full of dirt and debris. ‘You’re lucky I wasn’t armed or I would have sliced your leg open as I passed by and left you to bleed out.’
He turned. ‘Is that allowed? Because that changes things considerably.’
She laughed. ‘Ready for round two?’
‘You’re not supposed to warn me. That’s technically an advantage, and I’d prefer to win fair and square.’
More laughter.
‘Just so you know,’ he said, ‘you only get to pass me once.’
This time Harlan did not move one inch from the centre of the circle. He watched her closely, ready for whatever play she would throw at him. This time he noted the movement in her eyes, the way her hands balled up before she was about to make her move. This time he leapt at her before she had a chance, arms enclosing her. He angled his body so he would take the brunt of the fall and she would finish safely in his arms. He lay on his back on the ground, half laughing and half winded.
‘You’re right,’ he said. ‘It’s a fun game.’
‘I told you.’ She was breathless from laughter.
He drew her closer and said into her ear, ‘I win, by the way.’
Chapter 27
Blake woke to a light-filled room and a note on the pillow beside hers.
Catching breakfast. Back soon.
H
They had only fallen asleep a few hours earlier, because sleep felt like a waste of the precious time they had left. One more day playing together. One more night wrapped in his arms. A day later, she would be just another merchant wary of the commander strolling atop the wall.
Pushing the thought from her head, Blake rose, taking the blanket with her. Dressing was just another waste of their time.
After a quick wash, she made her way downstairs to tend the fire. She had just decided to go browse the books in the library to pass some time when she heard a horse out front. Her heart sped up, and a smile spread across her face as she ran to the front door. She tugged it open and rushed outside, pulling up with a gasp as she came face to face with Shapur Wright. Her lungs stilled, and her eyes widened. His eyes narrowed, then swept the length of her.
‘Suttone. I thought I might find you here.’
