Chapter 20

20

REYA

T his morning has been complete torture. I throw down the crochet ring and it bounces along the grass until it stops by a sturdy pair of black boots. My eyes trail up his body until I meet those now familiar grey eyes. He wears an amused expression on his face.

"What is the cause of this tantrum?" He bends down and picks up the crochet ring and studies my pathetic attempt before placing it back down on the blanket beside me.

"Good day, Commander," Saveya sings, smiling up at him. I roll my eyes. Why do all women melt in his presence? He's rude, arrogant and pig-headed. "Reya is struggling with the basics of crocheting, and I am trying to help her."

I snort. Struggling is an understatement. How do girls find this to be an entertaining hobby?

"I think Reya would prefer to be over in the training grounds with my men than crocheting her initials."

I sigh and stare across the vast mansion gardens. "I miss it. I miss holding a sword in my hand and besting my opponent."

Raegal's open hand appears in front of me, and I glance up at him with my brow wrinkled. "What?"

He wiggles his fingers. "Come, I am tired of seeing you mope. If dirt and swords are what you need, then so be it."

I arch a brow at him, a flicker of hope lighting in my chest. "You'll take me to the training grounds? But this is my punishment for this morning!"

His lips quirk into a half-smile and he nods his head. He taps the side of his nose and his gaze lands on Saveya. "Then we mustn't let Moryen find out. We'll need Saveya to protect our secret, though." He looks over at Saveya expectantly.

Saveya nods her head and winks back at him, her crochet ring all but forgotten. "It'll be our secret."

I look at his waiting hand and place mine in his, and he pulls me to my feet. "If Moryen asks where she is, I'll tell her she's gone for a walk around the grounds."

He tugs me into his body and wraps a hand around my waist. "Hold tight, my little terror."

"Terror?" I repeat with a brow raised.

"Yes, you look like you want to create terror when you can't do what makes you happy." His shadows whirl around us as he shadow weaves us to our destination.

I can't fight the grin that breaks out on my face when his shadows disperse, and I spin on the spot to take in where we are. There are a couple of Asen soldiers sparring over to our left, and they nod their head in respect when they notice Raegal.

The sparring ring is a large circular space surrounded by tiered seating. My eyes drift upwards to the top of the arena that is open to the elements. Large tusks decorate the roofline.

"What creature did those tusks belong to?" I ask pulling my eyes from the ring and turning to Raegal. I shuffle when I find his eyes on me, watching me with a lazy smile on his face.

"They are the claws of flame dragons."

I blink and stare back at up at them. "I'd heard the stories about the legendary flame dragons. It's hard to believe they are so big."

Raegal snickers, kicking at the dirt beneath his boots. "Try having one charge at you at full speed from out of the skies."

I shake my head, barely able to imagine what a frightening sight that would be. "Have you killed any?"

He frowns and looks up at the dragon claws. "Unfortunately, yes. They are majestic creatures, and I took no joy in ending their lives, but when their riders are aiming for you and ordering them to burn you to a crisp or eat you whole, it's a matter of survival." He coughs and gestures towards a tunnel to our right. "Come and choose your weapon."

Brimming with curiosity and excitement, I follow behind him. He looks back at me and smirks. "You're like a child in a cake shop."

Just inside the tunnel there is a wall of hooks filled with shields, daggers, swords and spears. All blunt, of course. This is a training area, after all. I walk up and down and examining each, before I stop at a set of daggers with smaller handles than the others. I reach up and take them, testing out the feel of them in my hands. All the while, Raegal is watching me.

"They are a perfect size for your hands," he says, as he walks up beside me and selects a wooden staff. "You prefer to fight with daggers to swords?"

I gaze down at the dress I'm wearing and sigh. "Fat lot of good they'll be when I'm in this stupid dress."

I frown at him when he snickers, before holding his hands up in apology when I glower at him. "Wait here. I'm sure I can find something more suitable. And Eretreya," he says over his shoulder as he disappears off down the tunnel. "Don't go wandering off on your own."

I roll my eyes at him and turn my attention back to the wall of weapons. Finally, something fun to do!

Raegal returns in no time at all and tosses a slim tunic and trousers at me. "These should do. I borrowed them from a young stable boy of similar size."

"Is there somewhere I can change?" I ask him after we stand there for a moment in silence. His brow arches and he cocks his head at me. "If your shadows even attempt to come anywhere near my clothes, I will cut your balls off, Lord Commander."

He snorts, giving me his back. Like the idea that I could even get close enough to hurt him is ludicrous. Keeping my eye on him, I change in the tunnel as quickly as possible, hanging the discarded dress on a hook on the wall. The dress can stay there as I'll be taking the stable boy's clothes back with me.

"You can turn around," I tell him, as I tighten the laces on the boot. They are a little big, but they'll do.

"Ready to show me what you've got, little terror?"

I blink. Wait, I'm sparring with him?

"Who else did you think I'd let you play with?" he says, answering my silent question. "Not scared, are you?"

I snicker and narrow my eyes at him. "Don't flatter yourself." I roll my shoulders and straighten my spine. "Let's do this."

I stride into the arena with much more confidence than I feel inside. My late father's mantra resounds in my head: ‘If you act fearless you become fearless.'

We both come to a stop in the centre of the ring and face each other. Raegal spins the wooden staff in his hands and winks at me. He's amused. Probably thinking it's hilarious that I think I stand a chance against him. I grip my two wooden daggers and flex my wrists, getting used to the feel of them. Tension sizzles in the air as we both stare at each other, waiting for the other to make the first move.

He strikes.

Fast, like lightning.

One minute he's still. The next I'm on my back, winded, with his foot on my chest.

He tuts, looking down at me. "Disappointing."

I glare at him as I shove his foot off me. He offers me his hand, but I bat it away, jumping to my feet. Smug bastard. I bounce on my toes, not taking my eyes off him.

"No cheating and using your shadows, Commander," I say. "To make the odds even."

He fights a smile. "If you say so, terror. Well, come on then. Show me what you've learned over the years."

We circle each other, weapons ready. I attack swinging my arm around, aiming to drive my dagger into his neck, but he blocks me with ease, barely blinking. I spin, trying to come up behind him and then I leap, my daggers raised, ready to sink them into his back and use them to get my legs around his neck in a vice hold. He anticipates my move though, and as I'm mid leap, he ducks, rolls, and has me in a chokehold on my knees.

"So obvious," he says, chuckling into my ear, and I growl in frustration. I swing my elbow up and under into his ribs, but he doesn't even flinch, releasing me with a shove that has me staggering to stay on my feet. I grind my teeth together. I want to smash his smug, handsome face in. I spin to face him just as he attacks. I attempt to block him but miss. He's just too damned quick and with one swipe across the back of my knees, he takes me down. Before I can even think about getting back up, he's straddling me, and pins me in place with his staff against my neck.

"Yield, yet?" he asks casually, like this is child's play to him.

"Oh, we're just warming up," I reply, trying to catch my breath.

He grins. A slow, confident grin that part annoys me, and part excites me. "You're sweating an awful lot for just a warmup."

I chuckle. I know what he's doing. He's trying to make me mad. What was it Arkynn's father always said? The moment your anger controls you, is the moment you lose.

I grin back at him, pointing my daggers at him. "Do you creatures even sweat?"

He laughs, and it goes straight to my core. "You tell me you've got close enough to smell me. Want another sniff?"

We jump to our feet and we both charge each other, meeting with a clash. I go to undercut beneath his arms into his stomach, but he blocks me, his staff catching my elbow, Raegal swings out with his foot, knocking me off my feet once again, as I hit the floor with a thud. He's on me again before I can blink, pinning my arms above my head and leaning over me.

I fake gag. "Oh wow, yes, you smell…"

"Of virility and stamina," he suggests, arching his brow.

"Of stale krim and slutty women," I reply, bucking my hips to get him to lift off me.

He laughs, licking his bottom lip. "Ah, by slutty you mean Asen women. I don't bed Asen's."

I wiggle my arms to get out of his hold. "What a tragic loss to us all," I deadpan.

"It really is."

I buck my hips again and he growls at me, slamming my hands back down into the ground above my head. "Do you yield yet?"

"Never!" I hiss, lifting my head so I'm nearer to his face. "I'd fight to the death rather than yield to one of your kind."

He rolls his eyes heavenward and scoffs. Releasing my hands, he climbs up off me, keeping his staff pointed at my neck. I move to sit up and he keeps it at my throat as I stand. "If this was a real weapon, you'd be dead in the next five minutes. Know when to quit."

Applause pulls both our attention, and I look up into the seating area. "Jasiel! When did you get here?" I ask, knocking Raegal's staff away from my person.

"Not long ago. I heard a whisper that the Lord Commander was fighting a girl in the arena and, well, I had to come and check it out," he replies, winking at me then grinning at his commander.

It's then that I notice a group of Asen soldiers sitting over the other side of the arena who have also been watching me spar with their leader.

"Were people concerned about their commander getting seriously injured?" I ask him, handing my daggers to Raegal, who simply tuts in amusement and returns the weapons to their rightful place.

Jasiel swings over the wooden railing and onto the arena floor. "I think the fact that there's a female in here fighting is more what caused the excitement."

Raegal scowls at his words and barks orders at the spectating Asen soldiers to return to their duties. Jasiel takes in my clothes and his grin widens. "I can see why," he says, cocking his head at me. "Maybe our king should introduce female fights into the programme."

I place my hands together in prayer. "Anything's better than damn crocheting. It makes me want to gouge my eyes out."

Jasiel laughs at me just as Raegal throws my dress to me. "Change in the tunnel and then I'll get you back to the academy."

I look down at the dress bunched up against my chest. "No way am I putting this impractical thing back on," I tell him, walking backwards towards the exit. "Besides, I'm not ready to go back yet."

Raegal's eyes darken as he watches me retreat towards the entrance. "Where do you think you're going, Terror?"

I shrug and hold my hands upwards. "Anywhere but the stuffy mansion." But my foot doesn't get to take a step over the exit. His shadows snake out, ensnaring me by my wrists and ankles, and he pins me to the wall of the arena.

"Mother Crystals! Release me now!" I demand, squirming and fighting to get out of his hold. Not replying, he strides towards me, his eyes fixed on mine. When he reaches me, he steps into my personal space, and I lied before—he doesn't smell of stale Krim and slutty women. He smells forbidden.

"It's not safe for you to be walking round without an escort."

It's my turn to roll my eyes. I'm formulating a witty response in my head when I catch his expression. He's genuinely concerned. "Why wouldn't I be safe here?"

He doesn't answer me. Releasing me, he turns back towards Jasiel. "I'll take her back to the mansion," Jasiel says, taking my dress from him. "Colonel Graybane Is looking for you."

I don't miss the look that passes between them. Whatever Colonel Graybane needs him for, it's something important. "Make sure you sneak her back in. I don't need Moryen on my case."

Jasiel nods and we both watch Raegal as he strides out of the ring. His shadows leak out at his feet and move to come back towards us, and I watch his hand clench at his side, and they retreat and circle around his feet.

"Your shadows, are they a separate entity, or are you one and the same?" I ask Jasiel, whilst I still stare after the commander.

"They are a part of us, just like your soul is, but they can sometimes have a will of their own." Jasiel offers me the dress and I snicker and shake my head. "Burn it for all I care." I head towards the exit and chuckling; Jasiel falls in step beside me, bringing my discarded dress with him.

"How are you settling into the valley?" he asks me, glancing up at the beaming red sun and closing his eyes. "I've missed being here."

He opens his eyes to find me studying him. "The onyx," he explains. "When we travel, we can only carry small amounts with us. Being here surrounded by all this, it's energising."

I nod my head, thinking. "So, I'm thinking of a drink before we head back to the mansion?" I ask him with a furtive and hopeful glance.

"Are you trying to get me fired, Asen?" he queries with a tilted grin.

I guffaw. "Like he would ever fire you. He's told me how close you are. That you grew up together."

Jasiel blinks. "He did, huh? Raegal isn't one for sharing." He nudges me playfully. "It must be that Asen feminine charm of yours."

"Not likely," I snicker. "He hates Asen's as much as I hate your kind." I grimace and curse myself when I see Jasiel's warm, teasing smile disappear.

"Why do you hate our kind so much? If you don't mind my asking."

I concentrate my gaze out across the valley and chew on my lip. "Honestly?" He nods.

"The mining accident in Terleigh when I was twelve. It claimed the lives of a lot of men from our town. Good men with wives and children. There had been concerns raised about the depth they were mining to, but it fell on death ears with the mine supervisors. The demand from your kind to keep mining was the reason they were going so deep, but no one would listen.

"I grew up without a father because of your kind's constant greed for more and more crystal supplies." I kick at the dirt, letting that anger consume me once again. "And then there's all the young men that march off to fight in your war. The ones that never make it back home. They die fighting for a cause that isn't their own. And why? Because you dangle the promise of a better life for their families."

Jasiel, having listened quietly, and without interruptions, continues to study me as we walk. "I can see why we might not be popular, but the decisions about the mines lie with the chiefs of each town. We ask for a certain amount for each turn of the seasons. So, if your chief was mining in excess, then it was through his own greed to sell it on the black market."

I frown. "You expect me to believe that our town's chief was responsible for the loss of so many?"

Jasiel gives me a poignant look and shrugs his shoulder. "Isn't it much easier to blame others than to accept responsibility for your own actions? I'm not saying everything we have done during our time here on Asen has been without consequence, but we're not the bad guys the rumours make us out to be. Do you know how much helping your crops to prosper costs us? You seem to think we can just make your crops grow with ease. We can't. It takes vast amounts of magic."

Jasiel comes to a stop, and I glance around realising we are standing just beyond the grounds of the mansion. I didn't realise how far we walked, being so engrossed in our conversation.

"Want a peg up?" he asks with a grin, glancing up at the wall. I scoff and shake my head at him as I take a running leap and grasp onto the top of the black brick wall that surrounds the mansion. "Oh, and Reya." I pause as I am about to disappear over the other side of the wall. "When you can get Raegal to the ground during sparring, then I'll treat you to a krim at the alehouse."

I roll my eyes as he turns on his feet and heads back the way we came. I drop to the ground and quickly check across the vast gardens to make sure none of the groundsmen are around. I smile to myself as I head back towards the mansion, keeping deep within the treeline. As much as I hate him, I enjoyed this afternoon. I felt alive. My stomach sinks at the thought of my life being one of a wife and breeder. I want more. I want adventure and action. I haven't seen all the amazing places that Asen has to offer. The breath-taking waterfalls of Halomere, and the sandy beach at Dewsburn. Until I came here, I'd never travelled farther than the neighbouring towns and villages near Terleigh. I wanted to explore and see all the hidden beauties of Asen.

I make it back to my room without being spotted and I release a breath of relief.

"Boo!"

"Holy Mother of Crystals!" I yell, jumping back in fright to find a grinning Saveya. She was hiding behind my door when I entered. "You scared the crap out of me! How long have you been hiding out here?"

She chuckles and gestures to the window. "I was looking out of my bedroom window when I saw you sneak back in." She grabs hold of my hand and tugs me towards the black velvet chaise lounge in my room. "Tell me everything! Did he take his tunic off? I bet he is a sight to behold! Did the two of you get up close and personal during sparring?"

I shake my head at her. I mean, she isn't wrong. "You are ridiculous," I say with a light-hearted laugh. "We sparred. He got me to the ground every time, but…" I grin, waggling my brows. "I did at least get one hit in."

Saveya frown and waves her hands at me. "I'm not interested in your fighting technique. What does he smell like?" She sighs and takes in a deep inhale. "I bet he smells of leather and strength."

"I wasn't aware strength had a smell. Besides, he smells of leather and musk." I realise my mistake the minute she grabs hold of my hands and squeals with excitement. "I knew you'd smelt him!"

I roll my eyes and gently pull my hands from hers, before rising to my feet. "I need to shower, and you need to quit daydreaming about the Lord Commander. For your information, he doesn't bed Asen women."

She shrugs her shoulders and grins wickedly at me. "I bet you could convince him to change his mind!"

I pretend to retch. "Goddess, no! I'd rather take my chance at the reaping than bed him. He is rude, obnoxious and ignorant."

Saveya bobs her shoulders. "He may be all those things, and you can deny it all you want, but he is also the finest specimen of a man I've ever set my eyes on."

I throw my shirt at her in response as I head to the shower. "He isn't a man, though. He is a Shadow Borne, with dark magic."