Page 14 of Soul Forge

“Then why propose?” she ground out.

“I like watching Horthan lose.”

“That’s not the reason.”

“How else was I supposed to protect you?” His fist clenched on the tabletop, the leather glove straining over his knuckles. “The Spirits chose you. Now I must keep you safe. I did what I had to.”

“I get it; you’re only here because you must be. That doesn’t mean you have to be rude,” she argued. “Wouldn’t this be easier if we were friends?”

He laughed, but it wasn’t a happy noise. There was a sharp edge to it that made her shrink down in her seat. He folded his arms across his chest and fixed her with a scowl that chilled the roiling of her blood in an instant.

“Not a chance. We’re not friends. We’re not companions. I’m the Soul Forge; you’re the wielder. You will train under my instruction, bond with your Spirit how and when I tell you to, you will learn to use your weapon, andyou will not failatthe task you’ve been chosen for. Once we’ve killed whatever the Spirits want rid of, I will leave, and you can go back to doing whatever pampered princesses do.”

His barbed comments cut her to the core. “You hate me already.”

“Hate is a strong word. Inothingyou. I’m ambivalent, uninterested, indifferent. Take your pick.” His fingertips drummed slowly against the wood. Every word he spoke was deliberate, designed to spear right into her soul and stick there. She swallowed, refusing to be weak in his presence.

“Are you the same with all your wielders?” she forced out around the lump in her throat.Do not cry,she warned herself mentally.

He shrugged. “Depends on the wielder. Some of them I actively loathe.”

“Why continue doing what the Spirits ask of you if you can’t stand us?” She hated how he made her want to cower in her seat. Her body wanted to curl in on itself and hide from him, but she kept her spine straight, hands folded neatly in her lap.

He stood, towering over her in his black armour. “The same reason you were about to sign your life away. If I stop, there’s nobody to protect the people who can’t protect themselves.”

“Where are you going?”

“Training starts in the courtyard at sunrise.” He cast a scowl at her outfit, ignoring her question. “Don’twear a dress.”

Her mouth dropped open when he stalked away from her, stopping by the king to make his excuses and then striding through the banquet hall doors without looking back. Elda’s cheeks flamed when the entire court turned to stare at her, obviously assuming she’d said something out of turn. Hrothgar’s lips pressed into a thin, angry line.

Captain Reiner returned to the dais, positioning herself beside the chair Sypher had vacated. One stern glare had the noblemenand women hurrying to return to their conversations. Only the shifters and the king continued to watch them.

Elda forced a smile at her guardian, hiding her trembling hands under the table.

“You know I know you better than that,” the captain muttered. “What happened?”

“Nothing, I...” Elda cast her eyes down. “I’m just wondering if my choice was the wrong one.”

“You made the only choice that makes sense.”

“Sypher was rude to me for nothing. He wasgentlein the hallway.”

“You need a thicker skin, princess,” Reiner snorted. “The life he’s led is a violent one. He’s seen more blood than any other creature alive today. The last thing he cares about is etiquette,especiallywhen he knows he’s about to be thrown headfirst into chaos with a princess that can’t even hold a sword properly.”

Elda scowled. “The stories you told painted him to be kind. He’s meant to be a hero.”

“I never said he was kind. Stories also say war is filled with glory,” the captain retorted. “Don’t be naïve. The world you’re walking into has no place for softness.” Reiner’s eyes followed the path he’d taken out of the room. “He’s been the only thing holding back a tide of ruin for centuries.”

“Have you ever fought beside him?” Elda asked softly.

“Once.”

“What was it like?”

Reiner cocked her head, folding her arms across her chest. The silver armour gleamed bright against her dark skin. “Brutal. The man is a living weapon. I was glad it wasn’t me at the sharp end of his blade.”

“Brutal,” the princess groaned, dropping her face into her hands. “Why would the Spirits pairmewith him?” Despite her complaining, Elda couldn’t help but think she deservedeverything that came to her. Yarrow’s screams haunted her thoughts.

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