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I shivered, understanding why Rhyan had been reluctant to explain this first thing in the morning.

“I was ordered by Aemon to track the nest in Elyria all day yesterday. Even with all the changes, akadim nests don’t last long. It was urgent to be on the scene as quickly as possible, so that’s why I…. I’m sorry for canceling our first training.”

“You went to Elyria yesterday?” That was a full day’s trip. He had to be exhausted. “When did you get back?”

“Late last night.” He lifted his good eyebrow when I only stared in response. “Or one might say early this morning. Let’s just say the sun hadn’t risen just yet.”

So, he’d gotten absolutely zero sleep and had spent a day traveling to another country and tracking akadim.

“But you look perfect,” I muttered. Realizing what I’d said, I stared down at my tea mug. “I mean, you look—”

“Like I didn’t drink my weight in wine last night?”

“I didn’t drink that much,” I scoffed, looking back at him. “What happened?”

He sighed. “We destroyed the nest.”

“Did you…were there any akadim?” My stomach twisted, but not from nausea—this time, it was with fear. The idea of Rhyan going near even one akadim left my heart racing and my body cold despite knowing he’d killed one. I didn’t doubt his strength or skill, but akadim had the strength of five soturi, were brutally vicious, and were giant. Anything could happen. To anyone. There was nothing more dangerous or sinister than these ancient and immortal demons. Of all the things that had drowned in Lumeria Matavia, they should have been the first.

“No,” he said. “We tracked a few for a while. They weren’t near any of the cities, staying in the woods to avoid the sun. But it looks like they escaped through the hills of Korteria.”

So now they were Ka Kormac’s problem. “But why were you sent to Elyria? Why didn’t the Soturi of Ka Elys handle this?”

“They were. But since I, um, well—I am the most recent soturion to kill one, at least the most recent south of Numeria, so they asked Aemon if he’d send me.”

“I don’t like that, the idea of you just being pulled around on someone’s whim, just thrown into a dangerous mission for another country.”

“It was to stop a threat. It’s a good cause. I’d rather lose a night’s sleep than learn some innocent person lost their life.”

“I still don’t like it. Your place is—” I cut myself off before saying here. “I mean, you should have a say in where you go.”

“Thank you.”

“And you weren’t hurt at all?” I asked, still concerned. Knowing Rhyan had killed an akadim when I’d barely known him was one thing, but knowing Rhyan had gotten close to one now—had been inside a nest—even if it was empty of the demons, that was leaving my heart pulsing.

“I’m fine. I wasn’t in any danger. I promise.” He eyed my discarded mug. “Done?”

I debated saying no and prolonging having to get up and push my body through training on what was previously my day off. But I was committed. I had to be. And, of course, some small, wildly traitorous part of me was looking forward to the day, excited to simply be with Rhyan.

“If I say yes, does this mean I have to train?”

“We’ll wait until your headache’s gone.”

“It’s better,” I said.

“Good. I’m going to go. I’ll be on the track waiting. I think it’s better if we arrive separately,” he said grimly. “Eat something, too, okay? Promise? As soon as you’re ready, meet me there.”

He closed the door behind him a moment later. The magical wards buzzed to life. My stomach finally grumbled, and I stood to find he’d left a bowl of fruit on my kitchen counter: apples, pomegranate, and figs.

I picked up an apple, touched. We didn’t have a ton of apple trees in Bamaria—they grew better farther up north. I knew Rhyan enjoyed them and wondered if he’d found time to bring them back from Elyria. But remembering he’d been in Elyria made me worried again as I returned to my room to get dressed. Now we had akadim entering the mix of things to worry about in Bamaria. I exhaled a sharp breath, determined to put it all out of my mind. I could only do one thing—train, get stronger, and prepare for the Emperor’s test.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Thirtyminuteslater,Iwas stepping out onto the track inside the Katurium dressed in my practice tunic, leggings, and soturion-issued boots. Unsure if Rhyan wanted to spar or not, I’d packed my armor in my bag. He was in the center of the arena moving swiftly and elegantly through the 108 Postures of Valya, his powerful legs holding him in the deep stretches as he rose and fell, twisting and turning through the positions with more grace than I’d ever seen another soturion possess.

The pole caught my eye as I moved toward him. A shiver ran through me, and a foreboding sense of panic and pain ran through my back. The bite of the whip. The feel of the Imperator’s fingers. I shook them off. I was here to make sure I never ended up in that position again.

“Partner!” Rhyan yelled jovially. “You’re alive.”