“As I said, gratitude is unnecessary. All I’ve ever wanted was to keep you—and the clan—from harm. You’re powerful on your own, yet it’s not in my nature to stand idle.”
“It’s also out of character for you to dishonor someone’s request.”
“So instead, I found another way to intervene.” With a rueful grin, Aire scrubbed the back of his neck. “And now I’ve experienced the result. You bested me good on that field.”
I joined in his mirth, laughter welling from my throat. “We’ve botched this reunion.”
“Terribly.”
“Nothing like Poet and Briar’s… or Jeryn and Flare’s…”
The words trailed off. Expecting us to have the same experience as those couples implied something intimate. And far more graphic, considering how both pairs celebrated their historic returns to one another.
But their stories weren’t our story. This soldier and I didn’t share a tale. Hell, we weren’t even on the same page.
Aire sobered. “Yes. Well.” He tried again, quipping, “Clearly, I’ve grown too slow and old to take you down.”
My eyes had a will of their own, sketching his robust frame. My uncensored tongue didn’t behave much better. “I doubt it.”
For the barest moment, his pupils darkened. The statement dangled between us like a trap. Him charging, taking me down. Us sprawled across the ground, with our weapons abandoned on the grass and our bodies waging a new type of war.
“I watched you in the armory. You were a vision to behold. An inspiring warrior.” Nevertheless, regret diluted hisvoice. “I kept thinking how anyone wishing you an ill fate won’t temper themself, and how your proficiency warrants the utmost quality of training. Though, it doesn’t forgive my intrusion on the field.”
The question toppled from my lips. “Is that the only reason you lashed out?”
Fire sketched his features in hot amber light. “It is the only acceptable one.”
“He’s jealous.”
No, that couldn’t be true. Years ago, I might have drawn this false conclusion, getting ahead of myself like a smitten, tenderfoot girl. But time had a way of ironing out those feelings, and only fools tripped over the same rock twice.
“Actually, I owe you a second apology,” I confessed. “Seeing as I’m skipping out on another event hosted in your honor.”
Aire contemplated the empty tiltyard. “Yet you’ve headed in the wrong direction.”
“I was feeling ambitious, fantasizing about trumping you in a joust one day, then winning the whole tournament. I’ve been practicing with the army for a couple of years now, and I’m decent at it too.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re being modest?”
“No idea. Care to find out soon? You might be the champion, but I’m the rising talent and a long shot, which is more appealing.”
For this year’s Reaper’s Fest, Autumn had added a series of jousting tournaments to its pre-bonfire festivities. Competitions would occur in every corner of this kingdom, from the castle to its remote hamlets.
Aire bowed his head. “If I should ever face you across a field, it shall be an honor.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” I promised. “Anyway, using this route has become a default habit. Shorter exits are for the lazy, and occasionally I meet someone here on the way out.”
To be clear, I hadn’t intended to test Poet’s theory. But tell that to Aire, who sure as shit reacted.
The knight’s eyes slit. “Raccoon.”
I blinked. “Wha—”
“That pompous, greenhorn, imitation of a soldier.”
“His name is Rhun. The First Knight should know that.”
“New recruit introductions convene tomorrow. Forgive me if my initial priorities included the clan and my highest trusted officers instead of a spoiled, entitled rookie who can barely hold his weapon straight.”
