I should not have stared at Isi when I first entered, however. I could’ve pretended she was any other warrior. But the moment my gaze locked on hers, I felt that wrench in my chest. The snap of something breaking loose.
Fates, the sight of her was a kick to the ribs.
She stood with her back straight, her chin lifted like she could command the sun not to rise. Her braided golden hair hung in aswish down her back, and the black leathers I’d commissioned for her clinging to curves I’d already memorized. And that heady defiance in her eyes, as if she was daring me to make her flinch… I could not resist.
She didn’t move when I entered. Didn’t avert her gaze. She met it head-on like a blade kissing a flame.
Fates help me, I’d kissed her. It should’ve been enough. Instead, I craved her even more.
The memory was a brand across my soul, searing hotter each time she looked at me.
I’d made it worse by claiming this team for myself.
I let my expression settle into a mask, but not for her. For Isi, I let the edge slip in. If she was still pretending we were nothing, I could pretend right back.
Her brow twitched the moment I smirked. Perfect. We were both lying now.
I clapped my hands once and let my voice cut through the silence. “First, welcome. If you don’t know, I’m Trew. Second, I want to tell you how proud I am of your achievement. You survived the Rite of Bonds. I’m glad to see you’ve earned your place and your bonded companions.”
Isi winced and glanced around.
No minxpip in the vicinity. I’d already looked. I could speak to the Beast Council about her companion, but I wouldn’t—yet.
“Please introduce yourselves,” I said. “Let’s get the awkward part over with.”
They glanced around at each other, unsure who should start, until a lean man with a scar carved across his cheek stepped forward.
“Crey Vexen,” he said. “My companion is Ashmaw.”
A wyvern about the size of his head perched on his shoulder, his black scales gleaming like polished stone. He dipped his head toward me.
I nodded to them both.
A tall woman with close-cropped black curls and brown eyesgave me a welcoming smile. “I’m Fenna Rell. This is Nexxa.” She dipped her chin to the lizard tucked against her neck. The stone-colored creature blinked once in acknowledgment.
I offered them the same warm welcome. They’d made it through the trials and might be bloodied and battered, but they were alive when many of their friends were not.
The rest knew each other already but they introduced themselves to Fenna and Crey. It was good to see them starting to loosen up, smiling. A few shaking hands. To function well as a team, they had to feel comfortable with each other.
“Every warrior has already proven something most magic-wielders never do.” I swept my gaze across all eight. “You showed restraint. Endurance. Worth.”
I didn’t look at Isi as I said it, but I felt her flinch.
The heat in my chest spiked every time my gaze snagged hers. Fates, I was furious. At her, and at myself. She’d kissed me back, and all I could think about was pushing her against a wall and claiming that sweet mouth again.
Our kiss had meant something.Shemeant something. I just needed to prove it to her.
I clasped my hands behind my back, pretending her presence didn’t scrape against every nerve I had.
“Welcome to the Strikers,” I said. “Are you ready to get started?”
“Can’t wait,” Bryson said, sending Isi a grin.
“We’ll do some combat training before we break for lunch,” I said. “Your strategy class will take place in the largest classroom attached to the back of the training hall.” I tipped my head toward the arched wooden door behind me.
Eight sets of eyes tracked me. Some nervous. Some eager. Isi’s unblinking.
I gestured to the four sparring mats on the floor. “I’ll assign sparring partners. Crey, you’re with Kerralyn.”
