Page 18

A hard knock at the door has me sitting upright. I can tell how deeply I was sleeping by how disoriented I feel.

“One moment,” I yelp, swinging my feet over the edge of the bed.

The door opens swiftly, revealing a small fairy floating in the doorway. “Not necessary,” she says with a thick, mesmerizing accent. Her delicate wings carry her into the room, and some form of magic closes the door behind her.

“I’m not dressed.” I grab the blanket on the bed and pull it closer, my cheeks heating. The nightgown I’d pulled on last night doesn’t offer much in the way of coverage.

She bobs her head, snapping tiny fingers. A fresh set of field clothes appears on the end of the bed. “First, bathe. You reek of a brothel,” she instructs, shooing me out of bed and into the bathing chamber.

She’s right. I’ve smelled better.

Now that she’s closer, I can see how striking she is. She has piercing green eyes and auburn flowing hair. She can’t be more than ten inches tall, and her curves show under her fitted white dress. She points toward the already filling in-ground tub.

I wrap my arms around myself, feeling extremely self-conscious.

Thankfully, she notes it, and without a word excuses herself after setting out an assortment of soaps and oils.

I heave out a sigh. I should have asked her name, or at the minimum thanked her. Dropping the nightgown to the floor, I step down into the deliciously warm water. Sliding into the black-tiled tub, I dip my head back and enjoy the palate of purple and pink color the sunrise is throwing through the sky.

After using a lavender soap that smells so heavenly my head spins, I push myself out of the water and wrap a plush towel around my body. The bathing room door flings open again, the fairy flies in to scoop up my discarded nightgown and scrub at the tiled tub.

I’m so startled that I just stare, making her snap delicate fingers in my direction. “Staring is poor manners. Change. Now!” Despite her lovely voice, her words are more akin to a drill sergeant.

I do as she bade, changing into a fresh set of field clothes. She reemerges from the bathing chamber, pointing to a chair in front of a floor-length mirror in the corner. I sit, and she uses her power to float a hair brush over. Before I can tell her I’m perfectly capable of combing my own hair, she instructs her power to brush through my knotted locks.

“My name is Seeona, since you are too meek to ask.” She tsks as she starts to roughly braid my damp hair. “You have quite a mass of hair, miss.”

“Seeona is a lovely name,” I tell her, watching her finish up the long and intricate braid. “Are you a Fae?”

The look she throws at me could probably send grown men fleeing. “No.”

I blink. “What manner of being are you?”

She ignores me, sending the brush floating back to its spot on the desk. Snapping her fingers at me, she floats to the doorway. I follow her down the long hallway that leads into a formal living area.

She waves me through a short arched hallway past the living area, into a grand kitchen. I take in the floor to ceiling windows by the dining table, before turning to find a chef working on breakfast. I hesitate, still not seeing Ridge, before striding over to the counter stools. I lean on one, the chef still bent over the stove working.

One of the other workers spies me, and with a snap of his fingers, a cup of coffee appears on the counter .

“Thank you,” I tell him brightly, sliding onto the stool and taking the stoup into my hands. He jerks his head up at me, a small smile on his lips.

“Good morning, I see as usual you found the coffee,” Ridge says, leaning on the arched doorway to the kitchen.

I swivel to face him, feeling flummoxed for not noticing his arrival. “Seeona showed me to the kitchen.”

Ridge waves his hand, and a plate full of eggs, ham and bread appears in front of me. “Eat.” He points to the plate. “We need to go back to the Ravels when you’ve finished.”

I choke on the steaming brew. “They don’t want me there.”

“By they , you mean Lamond,” Ridge corrects, pointing at the plate of eggs once more.

“What if it isn’t only Lamond?”

Ridge levels a look at me. “You cannot honestly think that any other officer gives a shit if you went without an escort last night?”

Lamond acted alone. That was not standard procedure last night. I’ll rip Lamond in two if I see him, Artemis huffs down the tether. That is, if Ridge doesn’t get to him first.

“Artemis seemingly agrees with you,” I mumble into my stoup.

Ridge smirks, rubbing his jaw. “Because she’s a delightfully intelligent creature.”

Oh, I like him, Artemis purrs, earning a chuckle from me.

“Fine,” I agree, finishing the dregs of my coffee. “When do we go?”

He gestures toward the food on my plate. I roll my eyes, picking up my fork and shovel food into my mouth. When I finish, I pat my lips with a napkin, peering over at him.

“Satisfied?”

The corner of his mouth tugs up. “Not yet.”

My world shifts and swirls. When it stops, we’re standing in front of the Ravels’s entrance .

Turning to Ridge, I give him an incredulous look. “Seriously? You could have warned me.”

“And risk arguing with you over it?” He gestures toward the door.

I ignore him, turning toward the door to attempt opening it. It clicks open to my relief; the Block sliding away so we can enter. Ridge walks alongside me as we make our way down the narrow hall. He brings me to a closed door I assume is one of the briefing rooms.

“This is where I leave you.” He pushes the door open for me, leaning over.

Lamond and the Major turn my way, and I want to beg Ridge to take me back to the seaside estate.

“Ridge, stay,” I whisper, turning wide-eyes toward him. I don’t know why I ask him to, but he provides more comfort than the two males in this room do currently.

He arches an eyebrow at me, but steps into the briefing room. Hesitating before continuing to the table, he leans closer to my ear. “Remember that you make fucking light in the darkness. You don’t need saving.”

He pulls away slowly, snatching the oxygen from the room with him.

I’m circling above the Overhang should we need a quick getaway, Artemis says tightly.

Let’s hope it’s not that dramatic. I finally find my breath, claiming a seat next to Ridge, across from the Major.

Artemis huffs, It’s so boring around here. I try my best to block her out.

“Do you know why we’re here, Aledrya?” the Major begins, bringing me back to the room.

I clear my throat. “I was pleased to be able to gain admission to my own home this morning.”

Oh, the quick getaway will be necessary, it seems, Artemis titters. I block out my tether again, not even aware I’d dropped the barrier around my mind.

The Major looks at me for a long moment before proceeding. “Did you disobey orders from a ranked officer?”

“Yes. ”

He leans forward on the table. Narrowing his gaze. Drumming his fingers on the table. As if he can’t quite get comfortable.

“Our most promising Novice disobeying orders. We have given you plenty of freedom. Why would you deliberately go against what was asked of you?”

I can’t help my snort. “I hardly think that asking me to bring an escort into town is freedom and certainly isn’t something that the others have to do.”

Something like surprise passes over the Major’s face, but it evaporates quickly. He leans back, eyes still focused on me.

“An escort,” he says the word like he’s testing it out. “Do enlighten me.”

My face scrunches in thought, as I consider if this is a game. A trick to coerce me into saying something I shouldn’t.

“I was instructed to bring an escort into town, so I requested Laz go with me. Nalin was also there, on Lamond’s behalf”—I shoot a look at Lamond—“I wanted to leave early. It was upsetting that Lamond didn’t trust I had respected his orders. When I left, I asked Laz not to follow me.”

The Major stares at me emotionlessly. The wrinkles around his green eyes deepen. As if snapping out of his thoughts, he turns to Lamond. “Is this true?”

Lamond nods wordlessly, his eyes never leaving mine.

“Why would you instruct her to bring an escort?”

He finally turns his gaze to the Major. “I was concerned for her wellbeing. She was going out in attire that would have made her vulnerable.”

Ridge makes a strangled noise next to me. I can practically taste his thirst for blood.

“I’m not quite sure I understand how her attire is any of your business.” The Major blinks at Lamond for a moment, before shaking his head. “How did you know to punish a Novice, when you were not even present?” The Major interlaces his fingers over a bent knee, watching Lamond with an intensity I hope is never on me.

Lamond sucks on his teeth, crumpling a piece of parchment on the table. “Nalin informed me at my request. ”

“That seems like abuse of power to me,” Ridge finally cuts in, capturing the attention of the room. He leans his forearms on the table, the mood in the room darkening. “And it would behoove you to never speak of how she dresses again. Are we clear?”

“Crystal,” Lamond retorts through clenched teeth.

Ridge holds his stare for a moment before relaxing back into his seat. His thick, silken hair is slightly tossed, but still somehow not out of place. It’s then that I notice he’s whittling a small piece of wood with a dagger. I can see his shoulders are tense, his movements deliberate as he carves the wood.

The Major softens as he observes Ridge; the intensity dissipating. “I would be inclined to agree.” When his analyzing stare is back on me, my stomach flips. “It’s clear you two have personal matters, and I have ignored it until now.”

“Oh no, sir, we aren’t—” I interject, but he holds up his index finger.

“It’s not typical procedure, but Aledrya, you are not to fraternize with any officer while you are here, or you will not be allowed to stay and train.”

My jaw goes slack at this new stipulation, but he continues. “While we don’t necessarily approve of any relationship between the Novices, we turn a blind eye to them. However, we certainly do not align ourselves to allow officers to become intertwined with students. Do you both understand?”

I close my mouth, pressing my lips into a hard line. “We were never involved, but yes, Major.” I know my words are curt and rude, but I’m still reeling from the gall to make such a demand.

“Lamond?” The Major glares toward Lamond, waiting for confirmation there, too.

“Yes, sir,” Lamond says quietly, staring down at the table in front of him.

Ridge is still pitched back in his seat, saying nothing as he sheathes the dagger.

The Major looks at me one last time, hard lines creasing his forehead. “I mean it. No more of this nonsense.”

Standing from my seat, I find Ridge holding the door open for me. I silently walk through it, making it a few feet down the hall before stopping. I turn to Ridge, but he’s gone .

Slipping through my fingers in more ways than one.

“I can’t believe you got in trouble, and you didn’t even get laid,” Lotog deplores, throwing his arm around my shoulder. “Also, I’ll be accepting my appreciations for not throwing a hissy fit over your second disappearance in the form of a drink.”

I can’t help but roll my eyes as I scrunch further into Lotog to avoid running into other Novices. Deah snorts from in front of us as we make our way into the cramped training hall. I reach forward to grab Deah’s shoulder. “What is happening?”

We stop behind the wall of Novices, nervous energy filling the atmosphere. Deah turns to me, confusion lining her face. “You forgot today is Star Sparr, didn't you?”

My heart collides with my chest cavity.

I’ve been so distracted lately, I’d forgotten about our sparring competition.

“Shit.”

Lotog slaps me on the back. “I’m sure it’ll all be fine. I’m challenging Nalin. I’ve been watching him train, and I found his weakness.”

A wave of dizziness settles over me. I’ve been prepping for this during sparring training, yet my mind had been elsewhere all morning. All Novices are to challenge an officer of their choosing. It’s a good way to test our strength outside of other beginners, and officers tend to place bets amongst themselves.

I glance around the crowd, the officer’s line the opposing side of the training room, while the Novices are all crammed on this side. We outnumber them, and officers could be challenged by multiple Novices. I spot Ridge with the rest of the officers—he and Laz stand shoulder to shoulder, chatting. He appears relaxed, head thrown back, chuckling at something Laz said. I can’t help but stare at him.

He fits in perfectly here, yet I have no issues finding him in the crowd .

Running his hand through his thick hair, a strand of it falls back to his forehead. At this point, I’m unabashedly gawking.

“Who are we staring at?” Deah whispers, bumping my shoulder to lean into my field of vision. She follows my line of sight across the room. “Are you admiring Laz?”

I break my ogling to look at Deah, finding unease in her eyes. “No, ack. He’s like an irksome older brother.” I pull a face, then furrow my brow. “Wait, why do you seem concerned about me looking at—oh.” I put the pieces together halfway through my train of thought.

“It’s nothing,” she says quickly, putting her hands up. “I would bet he has someone already. I just think he’s obscenely good-looking.” She sighs, looking longingly across the room before her eyes turn to saucers. “Were you staring at Ridge ?”

A smile tugs at my lips. Despite the conversation today, I can’t help but daydream about him.

“Maybe.” I lower my voice as I turn to Deah, finding her still hovering closely. “Is this stupid considering the conversation I had with the Major?” I glance around to ensure no one is listening.

“Beneath, no.” She beams, but her grin turns mischievous. “I don’t know much about Ridge, but I do know he outranks the Major…” She wiggles her eyes at me, but her next words are lost to the commotion at the other side of the training hall.

“Listen up.” Officer Gredian claps from the center of one of the sparring mats. The room falls quiet. “Welcome to Star Sparr!” The room erupts with exhilarated cheers. The entire floor quakes with stomping, the Novices full of nervous energy as they hoot and rally.

Did you need something? Ridge’s cool voice fills my head, and I fight against the urge to find him in the crowd again.

Why do you ask? I mentally shoot back, half listening to the rules and limitations of Star Sparr. I peek in Ridge’s direction .

He meets my eyes for a brief second before casually looking back to Gredian. Do you typically stare at people when you don’t want their attention?

Why am I not surprised? You think every female wants your attention, I quip back, thankful my mental voice is less timid than my physical one would no doubt be.

I watch him stiffen. You should be paying attention. Deciding who you want to challenge. His voice is so gruff, it sends a shiver down my spine.

Just as I’m thinking through how to respond, I spy Lamond shifting in the front row. My heat is replaced with seething rage seeing him here, and of all things, looking like he’s ready for a fight.

“We’ll go alphabetically. Remember, fist to the mat when you tap out. There will be no dying today.” Gredian looks at the officers. “And no summoning powers. Physical strength only .”

Boring , Artemis puffs haughtily.

I actually agree with her.

My attention is still honed in on Lamond when I hear Gredian clap, then grab the parchment from another officer. “That means Aledrya, you are first up.”

Taking a deep breath, I begin pushing my way to the mat in the middle of the room. Others may have spent years on this mat, but they didn’t have Deah and Emmy instructing them. I think of all the times I longed for a sparring partner, instead of imagining one in the valley outside of Torrent.

Today, I’ll relish sparring.

“I challenge Lamond.” My declaration is as loud as it is firm, and I find him scowling from the edge of the crowd.

Gredian peers at me, as if inspecting that I’m mentally cleared to fight today. “Are you sure, Aledrya? You have the first pick, you have so many options.”

“I’m quite sure.” My voice has turned guttural, my eyes sear into Lamond like the fire that burns under my skin.

He balls his hands into fists at his sides. “Fine,” he growls, shaking his head. “I accept.”

What are you doing? Ridge’s growl reverberates through my mind .

I stiffen, Lamond making his way onto the mat. He drops his knives and sword to the floor. Ridge’s urgent tone makes me question my decision instantly.

I find Ridge’s eyes, his face unreadable. You made your choice, however stupid it may be. He pauses briefly. Go for his left knee.

I bite down on my lip before it can tug upwards. Lamond and I meet in the middle of the mat and shake hands. Lamond’s eyes are wild, his nostrils flaring at me as he grips my hand.

Gredian looks between us, shaking his head. “For the record, I do not approve of this match up.” He steps off the mat, raising his arms. “Spar!”

I block out the murmuring through the crowd, block out my friends who are likely stupefied.

Lamond drops his stance low, his voice with it. “Why are you doing this?”

I lunge forward, throwing a punch Lotog taught me a few weeks ago. It lands, but Lamond jumps back before it can inflict pain. “You can’t be that dense.”

Lamond bounces forward, swatting at my ankle with a toe in a motion that sends me backwards. I learned from last time with Ridge though, and I roll away before he can pin me.

“Nice, Ale.” I hear Lotog call from the sideline, and I try to shut out any other noise.

“I was trying to protect you,” Lamond says, his eyes full of sadness. I ignore it, doing the punch-kick I’d seen Emmy do a hundred times. He dodges both easily. “You’re going to need to be faster for that one.”

The rage threatens to take over my decision making. I don’t let it. Yet . “You don’t trust me, even though I’ve never given you a reason not to,” I seethe, spinning and landing a kick to his jaw. The blow sends him reeling—he flings his arms out for balance. Satisfaction creeps in.

I use his lack of balance for my own benefit and hook his left knee. I fall to the mat with him, pinning his arms under my shins. “Give me space to make mistakes and learn, Lamond. Stop hovering over everything I do.” My words are a hiss between clenched teeth .

To anyone else, this might look intimate. My face leaned close to his, our chests heaving with frustration and exertion.

Lamond has decades against me in fighting, and he moves faster than I can react. Bucking his hips up, I fling forward, somersaulting away from him. We circle once more, my rage frothing at the mouth to escape, the tight leash threatening to snap.

Fire sputters to life at my fingers. Lamond drops his stance for a fleeting moment, cocking a brow at me.

“None of that,” Gredian warns, snapping his fingers at me.

Dropping the flames comes easier than summoning them, thank Above. With my power released, Lamond and I lock eyes again, circling.

I’m once again begging you to not die today. Artemis sounds dutifully fed up with me.

Trying not to. I jump back at Lamond’s swipe for my knee, narrowly missing his aim and barely saving myself from careening off the mat. I can feel his half-baked efforts in his movements, which makes me more indignant.

I launch at his middle, landing a bony shoulder into his gut with a whoosh sound leaving him. My breath is stolen when we topple to the floor with a heavy thud, but I use the jarring landing to my advantage. He’s still winded, so I lock his arms under my knees once more, scowling at him.

“I’m tired of this song and dance, Lamond.” I keep my voice low, eyes focused wholly on him.

He taps his fist on the mat as best he can with me holding him down. Gredian calls it, and as I rise, I offer him a hand.

As soon as he’s upright, I shove past with my head down off the mat. I ignore the cheers and the congratulations from Gredian, and keep marching myself away. Every step releases another fraction of tension.

Hallway. Five minutes. Ridge’s voice fills my mind as I spot my friends.

Nothing good can come from meeting him.

Every interaction with him leaves me feeling exasperated and breathless. I should go back to my friends and keep my head down.

Yet my feet carry me out of the training hall and into the corridor.