Page 2 of The Storm of the Empire (Flyers Of The First Kingdom #3)

ONE

LUKA

I stopped dead in my tracks and stared. The most beautiful fae I’d seen in my life walked ahead of us in the corridor, turning into one of the training rooms.

“Are you even listening to me?” Zaria demanded, stopping a little ahead of me when she realized I’d come to a halt.

But I had no words.

Zaria joined me in the doorway of the advanced weapons training room and sucked in a breath. “Oh, no. Nope. Don’t even think about it.”

I darted a glance at her and frowned, not lingering for more than a moment before setting my eyes back on the incredible female inside. “Why?” I asked absently, already knowing I would ignore whatever reasoning she had.

“Because she is a good friend.”

“I’m a good friend, too,” I ventured like that would convince her. “Surely you want good things for all of your friends?”

“Luka,” Zaria grumbled in warning.

“Who is she?” I breathed as the fae worked through a set of combat forms with a fluid grace I’d never seen in any warrior. She was a sight. Deadly and beautiful.

“She’s the top weapons instructor in the King’s Army,” Zaria said sternly. “Which makes her off limits for your games.”

“Does she have a name?”

Zaria sighed. “Hazel.”

I wanted her.

No, I needed her.

I needed to fall to my knees and drink honey from her skin, worship at the altar of her body.

“It’s not polite to stare.” Hazel’s musical tone filtered through the air, but she didn’t falter or miss a step.

“I can’t help it.” I stepped into the room against Zaria’s warning glare.

“Goddess spare me, I can’t watch,” moaned Zaria, and I heard her footsteps retreating, but I didn’t take my eyes off Hazel’s movements. I walked toward her, venturing into the space she used, leaning out of the way of her sword while I studied her movements.

“What are you doing?” She didn’t pull any of her cuts. It was a practice sword, after all.

“You won’t hit me.”

“You shouldn’t trust me that much.” The tip of her sword flew a millimeter from my lips as I leaned so it didn’t hit me.

“I trust myself.”

She snapped to a stop. “Aren’t you the new fae they found in the ruins?” Her gaze danced over my features and down my body.

“Yes.”

“I heard you train here, but you’re not a ryder?” She searched my eyes.

“That’s right.”

“Whose favor do you have?” She resumed her practice, making me duck and barely miss her stab.

“The General’s.” My heart hammered in my chest, but I didn’t let it show in my voice.

“For what purpose?”

“I have my uses.” I let my smile reach my eyes.

“Hrumpf.” She turned away, dancing in her sword play to the other side of the mat.

“I’d like to join your class.” I’d been missing out, and I’d had no idea.

“What makes you think you’re good enough to join my class? You haven’t even been here a year.”

I picked up a practice sword from one of the bins, testing it with a few cuts before mimicking the form I’d seen her do.

She stopped again and watched as I worked through some movements. “How do you know that move?”

“I saw you do it.”

“Who taught you?” she demanded, almost annoyed.

“I taught myself,” I spoke while moving, not stopping like she’d done. I stopped opposite her, my sword was in the same position as hers.

“What’s your name?”

“Luka. And you’re Hazel.”

The second my blade lowered, she launched herself at me. I barely got my weapon up to block the attack. She struck relentlessly, testing for weaknesses. Blow after blow, she chased me across the mat before her tip found my sternum. She’d pulled it, but I’d have a bruise.

“You’re good.” She wiped her brow with the back of her hand.

“I would be better if you taught me.”

“Flattery will get you nowhere.” But she hadn’t said no.

“I’m not flattering you so that you’ll teach me. You’ve already decided to do that.”

“Sure of yourself, aren’t you?”

I shrugged.“Confidence is different than arrogance.”

“Well, you can’t flatter your way into my class. You have to earn it.”

“It’s not flattery. I’m flirting so you’ll let me take you out, but that’s totally aside from wanting to be in your class.”

She rolled her eyes. “No.”

“Please? Just one date.”I wasn’t usually one to beg, but with her, I had to.

“No.” Her eyes locked onto mine. “I know your type.”

“You can’t possibly know my type. There is no one like me here.”

“They all think that,” she huffed. “It’s always the same.”

“They all grew up in a cult and then worked for smugglers before coming to the First Kingdom? That’s interesting. I really thought I was unique here.” I made a face like I was embarrassed.

She narrowed her eyes, but I had her attention. “No, they are all imbeciles who run through females like wine. I have no use for males like that.”

“I’m not like that.” Maybe a little, but I had one difference. “Those males don’t care about their partner’s pleasure.”

“Isn’t that what they all say?” She lifted the tip of her sword level with my mouth. “I’ve heard you’ve been working your charm around the palace.”

I grinned, taking a step forward so the blunt metal tip sat on my lower lip. “It’s you who flatters me.”

“It wasn’t a compliment.”Her dark eyes could have pierced my soul if she tried hard enough.

It only made me want her more.

“It wasn’t a no either. You’ll have fun, I promise.” I dropped my voice as she dragged the tip of the sword down over my chin, stopping it at my throat.

“You can’t guarantee that. You don’t even know me.”

“Let me kiss you once, and you’ll know what a good time I can give you.” I lifted my chin, exposing my throat to her.

She didn’t say anything for a long moment, and then she smirked. “Fine, if you can convince me with a kiss, I’ll let you take me out.”

“No, I think I’ll wait until after our date to kiss you.”

She traced over my Adam’s apple with the tip of her blade. “Who said I’m going on a date with you?” she countered. “You said one kiss. That’s not a date.”

“You didn’t say where I could kiss you, and since I don’t plan on it being on your lips, I figured I’d at least buy you a drink first.”

Her mouth dropped open.

“Well?” I urged.

She swallowed. “I’ll see you at seven.”