Page 29 of Of Nightmares & Fire (Elusive Umbra #1)

“Let me worry about myself. I know how far I can push things. You can't push at all.” With that, she relents with a nod and pushes the door open. The court master announces my arrival loudly, making me wince. The aching behind my eyes is still ever present, but the entire room grows silent. All conversation becomes hushed as chairs protest loudly on the stone floor, and everyone stands in unison at my entrance. Great, I’m late.

Breakfast is not like the lavish dinners my father hosts.

The formal dining room is much smaller in comparison to the great hall.

All the back windows along the large room open to a balcony much like the library.

The thought makes my eyes search for Kyros automatically.

The light champagne dress I wear flutters the same as the white sheer curtains that hang along the long wall of open air.

I’m grateful for the cool breeze. It’s not every day we are blessed with one, and sometimes the desert air can be scorching without it.

None of the other people from dinner were invited to be guests for breakfast. This is only for me, my father and his trusted, the suitors, and theirs.

I catch sight of Zinya standing just beyond the sheer curtains, on the balcony.

Her blonde pleats in place as though she is going to war, and the same can be said for her attire.

Fully suited, just as she wanted me back at the tavern.

I smile just a fraction at her, and she nods just as imperceptibly.

Cole hurries off to help the dining staff after escorting me to my chair.

Kyros and Mavros stand in front of their chairs with multiple bodies between them.

While Mavros is far off to the side, Kyros stands directly in front of me and my father at my side.

I felt his gaze on me as soon as I walked in the room, and it has yet to leave me, even after my father clears his throat with annoyance.

“Thank you all for coming to breakfast today!” He exclaims excitedly.

Like they had a choice… “Sit now, let us eat!” My eyes wander down the line of guests who fill the table.

Most of them are staring past me to my father, but when I reach Mavros, he gives me his wink, causing a blush to heat my cheeks.

Shaking my head, I take a deep breath as I look down at my plate and release it as my father places a hand on my shoulder.

“As you all know, I will be announcing the next event, but first I would like to celebrate an official first win and private courting with one of the heirs of Diemos.” My father raises a glass in Kyros’ direction, and I almost miss the sneer Kyros pins him with before he smiles just as fake as my father and lifts his own glass in return.

“To new beginnings,” Kyros says, the smile on his face turning nefarious as he keeps it on my father.

Mavros scoffs into his goblet, “...and fatal ends,” he coughs to cover his words.

My eyes flick from Mavros to Kyros and then to the man they both openly taunt before I clear my throat and take a deep breath. They both have a death wish.

The staff brings out breakfast, thankfully interrupting whatever pissing contest is happening, and the other men jump right into talking business with my father.

Marginally including me in conversation.

I don’t listen to most of it. My awareness lingers on the man in front of me, and my mind constantly thinks of what happened last night.

Had it not been for the balm, I wouldn’t have been here this morning.

I would have survived, but the cost of my survival would have been high.

Definitely higher than I would have been willing to pay.

A nudge of my foot makes my eyes jump forward.

Kyros gives nothing away if it was he who touched me.

Maybe it was an accident. He’s not looking at me for once, instead keeping his eyes narrowed on my father as he talks animatedly to Cadoc of Iroworth.

Cadoc has leaned forward looking my way several times during the conversation, probably hoping I pay him attention.

All of the suitors want my favor for the next challenge, and while I find him kind and funny at times, he also seems very keen to want my father’s attention, just as much as mine.

When the nudge happens again, I jerk a little less subtly because it is much higher on my leg this time.

Most certainly intentional. Kyros tilts his head, eyeing me, and I can't tell if he is messing with me. I look around nervously as the touch on my leg continues to trail up the outside of it, lifting my dress in its wake. My breathing hitches, my lips parting as I keep my hooded gaze on the one man in the room I have felt drawn to since I ran into him at the market. When Kyros pushes his chair out a fraction and shifts in his seat, exposing the fact that whoever the foot belongs to couldn’t be him, my gaze shifts to my left down the line of suitors.

None of them are looking at me, but Mavros stares a hole into the side of his brother's head.

Feeling more and more uncomfortable, I push my chair out, calling all attention to myself by default.

Lifting my chin, I don’t let any distress over whatever was happening show.

I smile broadly, thank everyone for coming to the breakfast, and look to my father, hoping that he will get on with the announcement.

It's been some time after everyone has finished their meals.

Might as well be now. My father stands, easily gathering the attention of the room.

“Thank you, sweet daughter. As Princess Astraea has mentioned, the reason we are here is other than to celebrate the win of Kyros.” He tips his chin at the man mentioned, then continues.

“I want to also call attention to the next challenge. As the winner of the last challenge, Kyros of Diemos will be sitting out this round, ensuring that the next winner is someone new. You may re-enter the challenges in the next round.” He says, and I watch Kyros as his jaw feathers, but he doesn’t remove his gaze from my father.

“Additionally, the next challenge will be a bit of a journey and will not take place in the arena as the last one did. The ceremony for the princess’ favor will be held at the palace gates, but your next challenge will be in the Dunes of Parreth.

” My father states calmly, smiling as he looks to the rest of the suitors.

Commotion erupts around the table with the announcement.

Pravin gleams, standing at the door with his arms crossed over his chest. This was likely his idea.

My father doesn’t leave the walls of the palace for much.

I can't see him willingly putting himself at risk.

A slow screech echoes through the room and causes the melee to fizzle out as all eyes turn to the source of the sound.

Kyros holds a dagger about the size of my forearm in his hand, the sharp point digging into the stone table in front of us.

It scratches loudly, gaining the attention he clearly wants.

“I will go on this journey and do whatever challenge you ask of the rest of the men here. I will not take to sitting back and playing a waiting game. I came here to win.” He growls low, and everyone’s eyes widen or brows hike.

Everyone but my father and Mavros. No, the opposite is said of them.

Their faces are stern with the anger they aim at Kyros.

“ Brother .” Mavros utters through gritted teeth.

“You have to play by the king's rules here in Eathian. Stay here and keep the princess entertained for me until I get back and claim my win.” He says this with that same damn wink in my direction. The brothers lock eyes, and my father tilts his head. Interested in the dynamics of the two, no doubt. I’m sure this is a way to torture Kyros, but as it appears, the two brothers may not be as close as my father probably hoped.

A tension-filled silent moment passes as a seemingly short conversation is had between the two Diemos men through their glares.

Everyone in the room is waiting to see what happens.

Hoping that one of them will mess up. Hoping that one of them snaps.

That they say the wrong thing in the presence of my father and get themselves killed before the challenge begins.

“When does this challenge take place?” Kyros growls.

“We leave at dawn.” Pravin announces stepping up to the head of the table with a wide stance and a grin aimed at my father.

“You have the rest of the day and the night to prepare with whatever you see fit. The journey will take two days to get there. The challenge should be relatively quick, then two days of travel back, given that there are no severe injuries. Tonight we will host another formal dinner and entertainment.”

“Fine.” Kyros growls. “Please, excuse me.” He does not wait to be dismissed. He wrenches open the door and storms from the room without another word.