I dropped into a fighting stance. “I don’t know,” I answered honestly. Considering she was offering to help me escape yesterday, I didn’t think she would be thrilled about it.
Solas swung his sword, expertly twisting it and clashing it against mine.
“Aren’t you upset with me?” I asked, drawing back and sidestepping his advance.
He pivoted, blade slashing so close to my neck it nicked my skin.
“Deron was a good male. He didn’t deserve to die. But you were frightened. Cornered animals lash out.”
Deron.The male who had died by the Commander’s blade yesterday. It made it worse somehow, knowing his name.
Solas did not relent, his blade crashing against mine until my arms felt weak. But neither did I, because I was upset with him, too. He could have told me about the Commander, about the mating bond.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I yelled, lunging and swinging my sword. Steel flashed. In one smooth motion he caught my wrist, twisted, and my weapon was gone. His sword was suddenly at my throat, not touching me but close enough that I felt nervous.
It wouldn’t be the first time someone I had thought was my friend tried to kill me. I stood there, unflinchingly staring into his warm hazel eyes.
“I gave you so many hints, Lyra,” he said, throwing the sword against the grass.
He stepped towards me, arms open and I took a small step back. He advanced anyway and wrapped his arms around me in a gentle hug.
“I am your friend, Lyra. I tried my best without betraying the Commander.”
The fury drained out of me all at once, leaving something hollow behind as he released me and stepped back.
Hehadtried to tell me. I saw it again in my mind—the way he’d traced his mark absentmindedly, before his gazeshifted to my own. The weight in his voice when he’d explained what it meant, what it cost.
“You tried to help me,” I whispered, the realisation settling heavy in my chest, shame threading through the remnants of my anger.
“Always,” he responded with an easy smile.
A throat cleared and Caelum walked towards us in the same black armour as yesterday, arms clasped behind his back. “You fight well for a princess, my lady.” He bowed his head in greeting.
I wiped the sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand and leant against my sword.
“I am sorry for how our meeting went yesterday,” he said. “I am the Commander’s mage.”
“I didn’t realise mages still existed,” I said carefully, trying to school the surprise on my face. I thought they only existed in books; in the tales I had read as a girl. They were always the villains.
“Do not look so shocked,” he scoffed as he tilted his head at me. “I am not the first mage you have met.”
I frowned, waiting for him to enlighten me.
“Cerilla was my apprentice.”
The pieces clicked. The teas she brewed. Her healing abilities. Why her powers were blocked by the storms. The way she seemed toknowthings about me.
He smiled, watching me with intrigue. “My Lord has requested we start imbuement.”
“Close your eyes,”Caelum instructed, circling me with slow, steady steps.
Caelum had pulled a table made of stone from theground of the training yard with sheer magic and laid a sword on top of it.
My eyelashes fluttered closed despite my nerves.
“Mind if I watch?” Riven strolled through the training yard lazily, smirking as if he belonged amongst these warriors.
Before I could answer, Solas had blocked his path. “You must be Riven,” he said, extending his hand. Riven eyed his hand for a moment too long but clasped his hand around his.
