Page 42 of The Throne Seeker

The air around her swirled with a new rich, thick coating, making it difficult to breathe.

“Why are you telling me this?”

His face relaxed a bit. “Because I’m afraid for you. And despite my distance, I care for you and your mother. My best advice to you, Lady Versalles, is to find out the answer soon. Not just for yourself, but for all of Vallor.” He bowed to her, entirely unnecessary given their positions in court, but for some reason, he had always done it for her. “I should go. It’s getting late.”

And with that, Lord Barron dismissed himself, turning around and heading back the way he’d come. She wanted to thank him, but the words failed to form before he vanished around the corner.

She retreated to the opposite corridor, retracing her steps to her room as she stewed over the high council’s conversation.

While they might be correct about her inexperience, that was where the truth ended. Their doubt stoked a fire within her that she hadn’t known was smoldering, filling her with a renewed determination to show them how mistaken they were.

It was clear now. She had to prove she wasn’t merely a foolish girl from Canteran, that she was capable of far more than their narrow, trivial minds could imagine. That if she desired, she could become the most formidable queen that Cathan had ever seen.

She’d almost forgotten Zareb was walking alongside her when he said, “We start your training tomorrow.”

CHAPTER 19

Somehow, in nothing short of a miracle, Zareb kept his promise to train Rose. The night’s cold front had left a delicate frost on the ground and trees, but as the sun crested the hills, it warmed the ground, creating a light fog. The servants were barely putting out the torches when Rose and Zareb entered the stables to ready their horses.

“We’re going to train in the forest. It is a bit of a ride, but under present circumstances, I think the distance is best if you want to keep the element of surprise,” Zareb stated, scanning their surroundings for any onlookers. “Did you bring a change of clothing like I told you?”

“Yes,” she confirmed, gesturing to her shoulder bag. She swung her leg up and over, mounting her horse.

“Good.” Zareb checked her saddle straps to confirm they were secure. “Those dresses will only hinder you in a fight.” He eyed the green fabric draped over her horse.

They traveled along the main road until Zareb veered into the dense trees. Eventually, they came upon a small, open meadow with a narrow creek on the far side. They guided their horses to the water, allowing them to drink first.

“Change here,” Zareb instructed. “I’ll wait for you in the clearing.”

She made quick work of the swap, replacing her dress with a fitted tunic and pants, the same ones she wore while training with her former mentor, Warren. The black fabric hugged the lean muscle she’d built while she was away. Not that her muscles were large by any means, but the modest dresses she wore dissuaded questions they’d rather not answer. In a way, her sparring clothes were liberating. They gave her permission to be someone different. Someone bolder.

She threw her hair into a ponytail and rejoined Zareb in the middle of the meadow.

Zareb turned to offer her a sword but paused mid-motion as soon as he caught sight of her. She couldn’t tell if he was judging her or if he was simply surprised. A flush crept onto her cheeks.

He cleared his throat. “We’ll start with the basics and go from there,” he said, handing her the sword. “I want to see how skilled you are.”

She grasped the hilt, becoming accustomed to its weight, relieved to find it similar to the one she’d used sparring with Warren. It’d make it easier to get used to.

“You advance first,” Zareb said, taking a few steps backward. “We’ll keep going back and forth until it flows naturally.”

Warren’s encouraging voice filled her thoughts as she paused to take in her surroundings.The first thing I always want you to do, no matter what you are doing or where you are going, is observe your environment. Awareness of where you are will always be vital in protecting yourself and others. There can be advantages and disadvantages; if you’re aware of them, you can maneuver yourself to deflect or attack better.

She looked to the sky; she could use the sunlight as a blinder, making it harder for Zareb to see her. Her gaze shifted back to the tree line. It could serve as a shielding barrier if necessary.But natural obstacles could also pose a terrible risk, potentially blocking off escape routes and restricting her mobility—cliffs and water especially.

She refocused on Zareb, observing him as an opponent. She couldn’t compete with his strength, so she’d have to play to her own advantage. Throughout her training, she’d learned the importance of speed and precision, which she’d honed lethally—at least according to Warren. He had ingrained it into her with countless drills and footwork exercises. Being smaller had its benefits: less mass to target, a lower center of gravity.

She searched for a weakness, but she doubted Zareb had many, if any. Her one advantage lay in the element of surprise, which she had learned to exploit to the fullest.

She widened her stance and rotated her hips toward him. Firmly grasping her sword, she bent her elbows, keeping them tight against her sides. In a flash, she lunged forward, keeping her arms tucked inward to prevent overextending. She aimed for his exposed left side.

Just in time, he blocked her strike, the clash of steel resonating through the trees.

Undeterred, she tried again, now more confident, swinging her sword toward his other flank. Zareb countered her blow, pushing her attack back. She jabbed at him again.

Almost immediately, she realized her mistake.

Zareb sidestepped, jamming his sword’s hilt into her side.