Page 73 of Daughter of the Drowned Empire

Galen rubbed his arm, lips pursed.

Before I could react, an aura swirled through the room—powerful, predatory. The soturi of Ka Kormac stilled, their muscles tensed, their focus on a single point. Viktor was the only one who seemed unaffected as a sneering smile spread across his face.

I was slow to look; I already knew the face of the man who’d entered the Dining Hall. I knew the deafening pulse of his lupine aura. It was the man I most feared.

The Imperator.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

"ISHOULDGO."Igrabbed my things, and rushed through the doors, praying the Imperator wasn’t there to see me. Rhyan was already down the hall, turning the corner, before he entered what would be our private training room. I caught up and closed the door behind me.

Rhyan stalked through the space like an angry cat, surveying the equipment. The armory was full of mostly dull weapons, stacks of mats, punching bags, gloves, wooden blocks, and a very tiny first aid kit. He hauled a giant mat leaning against the wall to the ground. Then another. He looked like he was trying to line them up evenly, but in his anger and frustration, he only half accomplished the goal before storming toward a window to open it.

I bent forward to fix the mats, groaning a little from the movement.

He spun on his heels, golden afternoon light streaming in through the window behind him. His dark brown hair had taken on a golden halo, and as his emerald eyes fixed on me, the hard edges of his mouth softened.

“How’s your stomach?” he asked.

My cheeks reddened. “I’m keeping my lunch down.”

“Good sign.” He stepped onto the mat. “We’re going to focus on basic training. First thing we need to do is increase your strength and stamina.”

My hands twitched, still sore from Pavi. “My stamina didn’t do so well today.”

Anger burst across his expression, his nostrils flaring. “That was not your fault. Pavi was completely out of line. So was Turion Dairen. Prick.”

I joined him on the mat.

He stepped closer, assessing me. “But, considering where you’re at and that you seem to have a target on your back, we need to increase it.”

“Where I’m at? The worst in my class…in all the classes in the history of the Academy.”

One eyebrow narrowed. “I didn’t say that, and I will make you do a second run if I hear any more nonsense. You’re just untrained.”

I could feel my cheeks burn. “Same difference.”

“Lyriana.” Rhyan laced his pronunciation of my name with his northern lilt, almost like there was an extra syllable in the middle but not quite. It was more of a heartbeat. I lifted my eyes to meet his. “If there was a battle of wits in the arena, those soturi would be dead before they took their first breath.”

“You think I’m that smart?”

“Come on, partner, we both know you are.” He stalked toward me. “Now let’s use that brilliant brain of yours to become a strong soturion. And your stamina was impressive. But we can do better. Stand straight.” He reached for me, ready to make an adjustment to my posture. Our door opened before he could touch me. Aemon walked tersely into the training room, followed by the Imperator.

All the air left my body.

Rhyan dropped his arms. “Your highness. Arkturion.” He bowed low in respect.

Pulse pounding, I bowed as well.

“The Imperator is here to report to Emperor Theotis on your progress,” Aemon said.

“What progress?” Rhyan glared at the Imperator. “It’s her first day.”

“Yes, well, if I don’t see where she begins, how will I know how far she’s come?” The Imperator swept his black and golden cloak behind him. “I’ve already received report of your performance this morning.”

“She started where we expected,” Rhyan said. “Why don’t you stop wasting my time and see where she is come spring when the Emperor arrives?”

“You’ll do well to remember that you are also here with privilege,” the Imperator bristled. “Circumstances that can be reversed on my pleasure. If you truly mean to prove your devotion to Bamaria, I’d stop offering insult to my Ka. They’re sacrificing their lives to protect this school.” His wolfish eyes slid over me. “Now our greatest wish is to see Lady Lyriana, forgive me, Soturion Lyriana, fulfill her end of the bargain.” He waved in dismissal. “Proceed.”