A blatant lie. Kaidren always has an ulterior motive, and judging by the way he’s shamelessly flirting with me, he’s willing to toy with my emotions to get what he wants.
He could just treat me like the rest of the Honorate and pretend I don’t exist. This is crueler. I’d rather a man ignore me than play me for a fool.
Still, I flutter my lashes and duck my head with a shy grin like I don’t see him for what he is. “Really?”
He chuckles. “You sound surprised, but I told you I want us to be friends.”
“I thought you were just being kind.”
“I wasn’t.” His gaze is bright and earnest. “I couldn’t help but notice you and your father seemed to be having an intense conversation.”
Right on cue. His seamless transition from friend to snoop. “You overheard us?”
“No, but it looked serious. Is everything all right?” He hands me my finished plate.
“Thank you.” I’m not actually hungry, so I pick at it idly and keep my focus on him. “We were talking about the Tournament and how thrilling it’s going to be. You must be excited.”
Kaidren’s usual confidence sputters. It’s subtle, but for a moment he looks nervous, before that carefully crafted smile returns. “I saw the last Tournament. Just a glimpse. My aunt took me up the mountain to watch. We sat in the very back of the arena, but I could see everything.”
“What was it like?”
He hesitates for a few moments, considering. “It was exhilarating. One of the most exciting things I’d ever seen.”
Heat. I trail my eyes over his face, searching the nuances of his expression, trying to guess what he doesn’t say. “You must’ve been young. You weren’t scared?”
He seems surprised by the question. “I— well, maybe a little.”
I raise an eyebrow, waiting.
He wavers a bit longer before releasing a sigh and a rueful grin. “Fine. You caught me. I was terrified. I still have nightmares from that day.”
“Nightmares about what?”
He shudders. “Watching someone die.”
His voice is raw—real. It terrifies me.
The last Tournament was ten years ago. News of its brutalityreached my mother and me in Ophera. That year, there were four candidates. Two of them nearly died, and at least seven aikkari soldiersdiddie.
At the time, I didn’t care. Powerful men are violent and irrational. If they wanted to kill each other, so be it. Now . . . the powerful man in question is Luc, and the person responsible for keeping him alive is me.
“But you don’t need to worry.” My words are directed at Kaidren, but I’m trying to reassure the both of us. “Honorate don’t die in the Tournament.”
“No, but soldiers do.”
“You’ll protect them. I was just telling my father how I was nervous for my brother. He reminded me that Luc received all the training he needs at Holsbane. I’m sure whatever academy you attended prepared you just as well.”
“Um—” Kaidren’s smooth surface cracks as he clears his throat, looking uncomfortable. “Yes. You’re probably right. Is your brother nervous?”
“No, he couldn’t be more excited.” I speak absently, hardly paying attention to my own lie. I’m distracted by the sudden heat coursing through me. Kaidren didn’t attend an academy. An Honorate who didn’t study in Virdei is unheard of. When the rest of the mountain hears about this . . .
Kaidren’s eyes fall to something over my shoulder. He chuckles. “Your mother is glaring like she wants to murder me. Does she—”
It takes me a beat too long to realize he means Yelina. I’m snarling before I remember myself. “That woman isnotmy mother.”
Kaidren blinks at me, startled by the outburst.
My eyes widen and I duck my head, shamefaced. “I-I’m so sorry.” I can’t believe I just did that.
