Page 164 of Forcing Fate

“Come.”

My shoulders relaxed at his command, and I fell into step behind him. We walked through the courtyard, then the clearing toward the King’s Lake. Only a few trees obscured the view. The clearing was hemmed in on all sides by woodland.

I waited till we were out of earshot before braving my question. “Where do you wash, sir?” I asked hesitantly, fidgeting with my belt. Surely we were close enough to the secluded spring that I could still make use of it.

“Wanting to join me?”

I turned to see a smirk on his face and blushed. “No, I–”

“The men wash in the lake. I, however, bathe the same place you do. With the exception of certain times of the month.”

My blush heated, and I focused on the ground as we walked.

“Speaking of which, I’ll send Zephath for tinge berry tea.”

“Tinge berry?” I asked. I hadn’t heard of it, though I didn’t know my teas and herbs as well as he did.

“Aye. It’s frowned upon by most women.”

He stopped, and I looked up at him in question.

“Avyanna. You’re a woman. Accept that. Accept your limitations, and move on. For the love of the sun, don’t be ashamed of your womanhood.”

I bit my tongue. He spoke of womanhood with such detachment, as if it didn’t phase him in the least.

“Tinge berry tea will prevent your moon cycle.”

I dipped my head, trying to hide my burning cheeks. I did not want to have this conversation.

“Eyes up, girl.”

I looked up, meeting his sober gaze.

He continued, “It will serve two purposes. First, it’s the best option on the front. Dealing with a moon cycle in a sanitary way will be near impossible. Second, if you choose a bed mate, it will prevent a child.”

“I’m not choosing a bed mate!” I burst out.

I felt so vulnerable, so young and naïve with this man. Times like this, he acted as though he was much older and more wizened than I. Which I was sure he was. He was older than me and more worldly, but I didn’t notice it half of the time. I simply saw him as a man.

“Of course.” He arched a brow, clearly expecting a reaction from me. “Should you, I will know of it.”

I bristled. “If I do, that would be my business!” I fired back. This was absolutely a conversation that I did not want to have, especially with him, but I had to defend my right as a woman.

“Wrong.” He moved forward to crowd me. “You’re my soldier, now exclusively in my Tennan. Who you bed is my business.”

I glared and stepped forward, bumping my chest against his tunic. “How would it be your business, sir?”

“First, it would be on my time. Unless you choose to bed someone once on the Solstice before we head to the front. Second, if you bed someone from my Tennan, it would disrupt the balance. I can’t have one of my men looking over their shoulder trying to protect a pretty face.”

He grabbed hold of my chin, forcing me to keep his gaze. “You are mine. Remember that.”

We met up with Xzanth near the King’s Lake, on a long stretch of cleared land—at least two hundred paces long. Bags of sand lined the length of it.

An archery range.

Excitement flitted through me. Archery was the one thing I was somewhat skilled at. Even so, my elation warred with dread as I eyed the short bow Xzanth held. It was a powerful one. I could manage two, maybe three draws before my shots would get sloppy.

“Short bow,” Rafe said, taking a seat on one of the feed sacks that littered the beginning of the course.

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