“What do you think, little guardian?” He leaned back slightly and patted his thighs. “Would you like to demonstrate here, or back in my room?”
Iryana glanced at her spoon, abandoned in her bowl. She could stab him in the eye with it. She could throw up her shield and abandon the rest of her team with them. Iryana swallowed. As much as she wanted to leave, she could see the predatory glint in his eye. If she ran, Gintar would hunt.
“Captain Pyetar will not like you messing with his team,” Vaneshta said stiffly, anger clear in her voice.
Voor laughed as Gintar slowly shook his head. “I outrank Pyetar. I’ve been a captain for years. And I have a few openings on my team. I have plenty of good fighters already, though, so I am looking for… other skills.”
Outrage burned within her. The rumors about her and Karvek weren’t new, but they had died off after he revealed her involvement in his takeover. She had thought so, at least.
Iryana glanced down at the rest of her team. Pepha was frozen like a deer. Vabihn looked amused, like he couldn’t wait to see how Iryana responded. Mezhimar was watching silently, and Shahn wasn’t even paying attention, just eating his stew like nothing was amiss. No surprises there. They’d be no help.
Panic climbed in her. How far would Gintar take things?
There was only one person left at the table who had a chance of stepping in. Iryana finally turned to Vaneshta, hoping she would know how to diffuse the situation.
Instead, Vaneshta pushed up from the table and turned away. Iryana watched each of her steps thudding into the floor as if she was trampling on her chest. Vaneshta left the hall entirely, leaving Iryana on her own. Iryana’s stomach twisted painfully, even though she knew she had not earned her roommate’s defense. She’d thought they were on better ground after she’d returned, but she must have been wrong.
It became abundantly clear that Iryana needed more allies in Myura River. But for now, she was on her own. Like usual. She’d have to get herself out of this.
She sat straight. “I’m not interested.”
Gintar stood slowly, prowling back around the table until he stood next to her. He leaned down so his face was next to hers.
“I’ll take far better care of you than Darish ever did. Keep my bed warm instead, and you’ll get your share without even going on missions.”
“I never slept with Darish,” she snapped. “And I have no interest in being your whore.”
She refused to turn her head to look directly at him. His hands bracketed her, gripping the table, his body caging her in.
“There are worse jobs you could be assigned here.”
“Doubtful.”
She could see the playfulness in his expression harden out of the corner of her eye.
“Are you bothering one of my soldiers, Gintar?”
Iryana sucked in a surprised breath, looking over to see Pyetar stalking toward them. His eyes were dark and shadowed, his brown hair more disheveled than usual—almost wild. He wore training armor, with a bit of sweat on his brow, like he had stopped in the middle of sparring to come. Sometimes she forgot how tall Pyetar was, how broad his shoulders were, until she saw him like this, posturing for a fight. Vaneshta trailed behind him, and Iryana realized her roommate hadn’t abandoned her. Vaneshta had gone to fetch backup.
Relief filled her, and not just because Pyetar was there.
Gintar tensed slightly, but he wore an easy smile as he stood straight behind her and answered, “Just looking to fill up my team. Thought I might take this little guardian off your hands.”
“My soldiers aren’t up for grabs.”
“This is just the hierarchy, Pyetar,” he held his hands out demonstratively. “If I want one of your soldiers, I can have them.”
Pyetar laughed as he rounded the table, a dark chuckle that earned nervous glances from other tables. From soldiers who knew better than to cross Pyetar.
“You really think you outrank me? Because, what? You’ve been a captain longer? I’m a Horvol, and my brother just claimed our legacy.” Pyetar took two large steps toward Gintar, pushing him back away from Iryana. “The general is the only one who commands me, and my brother has always liked my more violent side.”
If Iryana hadn’t known how opposed Pyetar was to his brother, she would never have guessed it from the way he spoke. He played the part of Karvek’s dog well.
Gintar took a voluntary step back at that, glancing at Voor like he was reconsidering his choices.
Iryana twisted in her seat so she could watch them better. She looked back at Pyetar, at the dangerous look in his eye.
“If you like her so much, feel free to keep her,” Gintar said as if he didn’t care in the slightest, like it was a favor he was doing for Pyetar.
