Page 86 of Bloodguard

“Hi-ho, Bloodguard,” a voice calls. We pivot our horses as a dwarf approaches. He has wealth. It’s evident in his clothes and bearing and in the way he holds out his hand to Jakeb as if they’re equals.

“Lord Kaysoon.” Jakeb clasps the dwarf’s hand and then makes some symbol with his fingers before lifting his arms skyward.

I look around nervously. Last thing I need is to draw attention. My leg feels like it’s been ripped off and used to clobber my arm.

Despite the time I’ve spent in Maeve’s care, I’m not fully recovered. Between the venom and the deep wounds to my legs and my slow progress at regaining full mobility in my left hand, I may never be.

“I’d hoped to see your next two bouts,” the dwarf tells me. “It’s been a long time since a gladiator of your ilk made it to the last matches. Hoped that other fighter, the one from Witoria, would’ve won, too. I’ve been tracking his career for years. A fine fighter, he made.”

Sullivan.

“Are you heading out?” Jakeb asks, sparing me from having to answer.

Kaysoon nods. “Things are…changing. Tensions are running high, both in Libur and among the other realms.”

Jakeb nods solemnly. “May the lands be replenished and peace prevail.”

Kaysoon makes that odd hand gesture again. “We, too, pray for peace.” He gives me a short nod, then offers one last parting bit of advice to Jakeb. “But prayers go unanswered. Preparedness wins wars. Keep a close eye on the princess. I fear for her safety, and shecannotfall…”

chapter 31

Maeve

“Gladiators don’t dance,” Leith tells me flatly.

It’s been a few days since the night of the parade, when I fell asleep beside him on the couch in my bedroom.

I think he was expecting something else when I told him to come with me this evening. He didn’t protest when I led him to the manor house for my father’s dinner party. Truth be told, with his mouth on mine, I’d been thinking of something else, too.

I’mstillthinking of those things.

I close my eyes and imagine his strong hands streaking across my skin, his mouth following. I rub my legs together, a delicious ache throbbing at my core.

Leith’s mouth curves into that little smirk like he can sense what I’m imagining.

But this soiree is one my father planned, and I want Leith to be here with us.

He turns from where Father’s mastery of the lute sweeps a melodious tune through the open glass doors. The sun has started its descent, painting the faded dark wood of the manor’s exterior in hues of peach and gold.

It bathes Leith, making his hair shine and eyes sparkle. All in black, he remains this imposing, unyielding force of wrath. Except now that we’ve kissed, I know he does yield, at least to me.

“You said supper, Princess. Not dancing. ‘Dancing’ never came out of your mouth.”

I wag a finger at him. “You’re in another embarrassingly cheery mood again, aren’t you?”

The way his thumb grazes over the back of my hand broadens my smile. He bends to kiss my cheek.

“You’re lucky I like you,” he says, and my whole body flushes.

He looks ahead, his eyes focused on a distant point.

“I need to be a Bloodguard,” he whispers, his lips brushing the top of my head. I start to nod, but then his next words hold me in place. “I need to be your king.”

“Yes, you do,” I whisper.

His smile fades as we pass our large dining room and enter the ballroom, but mine stays firmly intact. Though we’ve wrestled with when to tell my family that our relationship has evolved, since they still perceive Leith as dangerous, I’m desperate to shout it to the world.

Musy and Pasha step to the joyful song Father plays on the lute. Sonu, our groundskeeper, claps his hands with delight. He’s quite buff for a human his age. And Pega, dressed in a silky yellow shirt and breeches that match her spiky yellow hair, jumps in place in front of Sonu. I think she’s trying to dance… Never mind, it appears her breeches were getting better acquainted with her womanly butt crack.

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