Page 9 of The Heir's Bargain

Today was the day the leadership saw me for who I was.

Seven more yards.

I could taste the victory on my tongue, the salt dripping into my mouth as beads of sweat rolled down the contours of my face.

Five more yards.

I ran faster. Faster. Faster.

Two yards.

My heartbeat echoed the sound of my feet slapping the ground.

One yard.

"Nice job, Captain Ferrios."

I skirted to a stop a couple of yards past the finished line. Holding back the need to keel over, I saluted Major Kentos, forcing my body to remain still as I looked at him. My legs trembled, but I wouldn't show any sign of weakness. Not now. Early on in life, I learned that it wasn't merely about your performance on the training course that mattered, but what you did afterward that counted even more. It was about how you carried yourself after you had won and stripped off your uniform. So, I held my head high and prevented the bubbling excitement filling my body from spilling over.

Major Kentos nodded once before returning his attention to the finish line and jotting down Gabriel's time as he crossed it next.

I forced my shoulders back as I headed toward the bench. I grabbed a canteen and took a swig of the cool water. Only when the canteen touched my lips did I let the smile appear.

I had beaten everyone. That promotion was mine.

Gabriel joined me as we waited for the next group of soldiers to finish. I passed him the canteen, and he nodded in gratitude before pouring a stream of water into his mouth.

After he wiped his face, he exhaled a small laugh. "By the gods, Captain Ferrios, I never thought I'd see the day someone would beat me on that course."

My lungs throbbed as I chuckled. The air was ice-cold in my lungs despite the early spring heat. "Can't always be first, Lieutenant Celris."

"True, but I never thought a huntress would be the one to beat me."

I snorted.

It was a common misconception that the gift the gods gave me meant that I simply excelled at tracking people and animals. While that was true in part, my abilities expanded beyond my gift. Tracking down game in the woods taught me to be patient and still my body and mind. That skill helped me train and push my body to excel beyond my gift's capabilities.

"My ability has nothing to do with why I just kicked your ass on the course."

Gabriel laughed. "Don't worry, I'll get my title back next time."

"Better get ahold of your fear of blood first," I said, cocking a brow as the mere mention of blood turned Gabriel’s skin green.

Shaking my head, I turned my attention to the course. Several other soldiers had finished and were either drinking too much water that would no doubt cause a cramp soon or were heaving behind the bushes. Five of the soldiers in my company crossed the finish line, making it into the top twenty-five. Pride sparkled in my eyes when they saluted Major Kentos with their backs straight before walking over to their canteens on steady feet. Only when they were at the benches drinking water did they let their fatigue show.

I beamed.

There was no way I wouldn't get this promotion.

Gabriel nodded and left to stretch somewhere away from the heaving soldiers. Two familiar faces joined me, canteens in hand.

"Lieutenant Monistare and Captain Torian, took you two long enough," I said.

"Oh, shut it, Ferrios," Moris mumbled as he bent in half, his breathing heavy and his face red.

Quint patted him on the back. "Arms up, Lieutenant."

Moris grunted, but he straightened. He rubbed his fingers across his short, tight black curls before lacing them behind the back of his head as he inhaled.

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