The corner of his mouth tipped upward. “My little guardian. Had a taste of battle today, did you?”
She nodded, unsure what to say beneath his pointed gaze.
“Doesn’t make you reconsider trying for the 18th?”
“No,” she said quickly. “Not in the slightest. I don’t shy away from a fight.”
He nodded, seeming pleased at her answer. Pyetar shuffled awkwardly a pace away. Karvek ignored him.
“I look forward to seeing how you’ve progressed since I’ve been away,” Karvek said, his voice lower now. His smile was knowing. She tried to match it.
He studied her for a drawn out moment. Not with challenge or even approval. Just appraised her. But just as suddenly as he’d arrived, Karvek was moving on, passing through the rows of other soldiers.
Iryana took a steadying breath, heart beating oddly in her chest. She’d done well that afternoon, but would it offset whatever Darish or the rest of her teamwould have to say when Karvek spoke with them? Would he think less of her for not fitting in with her team?
“You seem pleased with Karvek’s attention,” Pyetar said, voice flat.
She glanced at him. “Well Iamtrying to join the 18th, and heisthe major.”
Pyetar snorted. “Right. Just don’t wag your tail too hard. Karvek loves to pick his favorites. Then he abandons them when they aren’t useful anymore.”
She crossed her arms. “That’s rich coming from you. Practically breaking people’s arms for stepping out of line.” His mouth tightened, but she kept going. “So don’t lecture me about sucking up to your brother when you’re the one beating people bloody to keep your brother’s boots clean.”
Pyetar’s hands flexed at his sides, then curled into fists, as he worked his jaw back and forth. “You’re wasting your time trying to get into the brigade. You don’t belong here.”
She stepped forward. “Why not? What is your problem with me?”
“It’s not you,” he snapped. “It’s what you are.”
Iryana almost laughed. “You really hate the guardians that much? I helped today. You know I did.”
“And yet you’re still going to cause more trouble between the 18th and the duchess’s settlement.”
“Oh, like you care,” she shot back.
“This may surprise you,” he growled, “but you don’t know everything. I keep your family in line so theydon’tget themselves killed. So we can keep the walls standing.”
Her hand twitched at her side. She almost slapped him.
“You are such a liar. You don’t give a damn what happens to my family. I’ve heard the threats you’ve made. Saw you slamming my cousin against a wall to make him listen. Should I be grateful you didn’t break Tonhald’s arm?”
“Your cousin was being an idiot,” Pyetar said, voice low.
“And you’ve been a liar since the first moment we met.”
He frowned, confused. “At your post?”
She let out a bitter laugh. “Years ago, when you let me think you were just some volunteer passing through.”
Understanding dawned in his eyes.
“You mean when you flirted with me?”
“I wasn’t flirting with you,” she immediately argued. “Just trying to be helpful.”
He narrowed those sky-blue eyes at her. “You told me there was a storage shed that was always empty, that it was a good place to… destress. That you couldshowme if I wanted.”
She opened her mouth to argue, cheeks red with mortification, but he cut her off. “I can recognize the look in a woman’s eyes when she wants me. You certainly weren’t trying to hide it.”
