"Does that count as a second hit then?"
He released my wrists, the ache from his tight grip loosening causing a groan to hiss out. He leaned back, but didn't get off as a shadow of regret darkened his eyes, his attention caught on the slight bruising he marked upon my body. He quickly stood, hand reaching down to help me to my feet. Gingerly stretching out my sore muscles, wincing now that the adrenaline that had been coursing through me receded, I realized I would definitely need a healer for some of the pain. Potions simply wouldn’t do the trick this time.
"Where'd you learn to fight like that?" His tone was curious with a hint of something I couldn't quite place.
"My cousin wanted to make sure I could defend myself if the need arose and I fell in love with it. You should see what I can do with these.” My voice held a teasing note as I waved the dagger in my hand beforesheathing it. Glancing at him, at the darkness that passed over his face as his gaze once more caught on the faint bruising at my wrists, I softened a fraction as I drew his attention back to my eyes. "I appreciate you not taking it easy, that was the most exhilarating fight I think I've ever had. Besides," I gestured to the marks, "it's nothing that can't be healed."
Surprise flitted across his face before he quickly schooled it back to his usual facade of icy distance and shrugged. “Next time we'll see how good you are with the daggers."
I raised a questioning brow. “Next time?"
"You're good," he acknowledged, "but you have the potential to truly be lethal, if you wish to be."
Before I could respond, a voice called out and I turned in confusion, eyes locking with a certain golden gaze.
Prince Kairen Soleil approached, his smile fading the closer he got, his steps slowing. His brows rose as his stare moved between the two of us and I felt my face flush at the thought of what we must look like.
Feral, Roan had called me, and I was sure that had to be an accurate description from the disbelieving stare of the Prince. My shirt was practically soaked through with sweat, my hair tangled and plastered to my skin. I had no doubt I was covered in sand from the way I itched, and I nearly groaned at the thought of trying to wash all of it from my body after this.
Kairen’s focus flicked to the Captain’s split lip and the blood that trailed down his chin. "I asked you to assess her level, Roan, not brawl in front of all your recruits."
Glancing around, my stomach dropped at the hundreds of gazes that had been watching for who knows how long, my skin crawling for an entirely new reason now. My nails picked at raw skin as I avoided meeting the eyes of anyone in the crowd.
He merely shrugged, the cut splitting even more when he gave a sarcastic, unapologetic smile. "And now we know that she's perfectly capable in a fight if we get attacked on the road. She could do with a few lessons to temper her rage and hone more into her skillset, but she has good instincts and sheisskilled."
Kairen glanced warily my way, but I too only shrugged. "I started thebrawl, as you call it, so if you're going to be upset it should be with me."
A smile crinkled his eyes. “Is that how he got the split lip then?" I glanced over at Roan, feigning nonchalance.
“No, that was from headbutting him.”
I fought the smile that threatened to break through as the Prince laughed, a deep hearty thing that was entirely too contagious.
"You two are going to be terrible travel companions," Roan muttered and I bit back my own laugh.
"Do you mind taking a walk with me, Syra?" Kairen asked, his golden eyes sparkling in the sunlight as he regarded me curiously, his laughter subsiding. I hesitated for a moment before nodding my head, reaching for my water at the edge of the sandpit.
Mumbling a quick goodbye to Roan, I joined Kairen in a slow walk leading from the training grounds.
Glancing back over my shoulder, I was surprised to find that green and silver gaze locked onto our retreating forms, boring into me. His arms were crossed and though I couldn't see his face clearly, I wondered what thoughts were running through his mind, but I quickly turned back around.
Realizing Kairen was waiting for an answer to a question I hadn't heard, I rushed out, "Sorry, can you say that again?"
"I asked how you thought the assessment went?" No hint of irritation laced his tone at the inconvenience of having to repeat himself.
Hesitating, I tried to think of an acceptable answer, before finally settling on, "It was intense, but I think it was good. At least it felt good afterwards to have that outlet, he also gave me a few good pointers."
Kairen nodded slowly, his hands clasped behind his back. He was so different here than that time he had come into the shop seeking help. He was the perfect picture of sophistication and brutal elegance. His brown skin shone in the early sunlight, his red robes stitched with golden thread that perfectly fit his body as if they were made for him and I realized they probablyweremade to perfectly fit his measurements. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye, taking in the unruly black hair, the slight uptilt of the corners of his eyes, and the high cheekbones.
I didn't see many similarities physically between him and Rena despite the blood relation, but perhaps they took after the parents that weren't related to each other.
"Was there something you wanted to discuss?" I asked suddenly, not feeling quite comfortable with the silence we had fallen into.
"Actually I wanted to apologize for not being around much since you've come to do your trials. I wanted to give you space to come to a decision, but l've also been busy making preparations for the journey."
Humming thoughtfully,I said, "Can I ask you a question?"
"Anything.”
