Page 49 of The Heartless Archer

“Kai…” Raphael spoke up, reminding Nikolai of his presence. His eyes flew towards his grip and even though Nikolai let go of Lulva’ina’s arm, his voice sounded snotty as he spoke up.

“It’s Your Majesty.” he corrected the guard, before continuing his way down to the dungeons. The two of them followed him quietly.

A fire was spreading inside his veins as his mind forced himself to repeat the words Lulva’ina said. Girls were punished at the orphanage for misbehaving and apparently, it was no light punishing if it took a ‘wonder cream’ to heal their wounds.

He felt sick to his stomach, his back started to itch as if mocking him.

His steps became more hurried and the walls felt like they were caving in on him, it was just a matter of time before they would reach his body and crush his skull, splattering brain matter and blood everywhere.

He could feel the waves of panic rising inside him. First through his stomach, flipping it upside down, as his hands started to shake, matching the gallop of his heart.

This was not the time nor the right place to lose his self-control.

Inhaling deeply, he filled his lungs with oxygen, even though it felt like they were fighting against it, squeezing his diaphragm so there was no space left.

Though he knew this was only in his mind.

He continued to breathe until his ears got distracted by a familiar noise.

Metal clanging against metal, huffed breaths, and shuffling feet. They had reached the dungeons.

His steps stuttered to a halt as he ended up in the doorframe, leading into the training room. There she was.

He inhaled more easily as his gaze scanned in on the scene. Noora was clad in fighting gear, provided by his sister with no doubt.

Her long white strands were braided away from her delicate face, a few strands obstructing her view with every movement she produced.

Kekoa was standing across from her in the fighter’s ring, two elongated knives in his skilled hands.

He was watching her like a lion was watching his prey. Every step of his matched hers, copying her, keeping track of her, until he found a weak spot. And then he struck.

Kekoa was a skilled fighter. Being a descendant of the witch hunters, it was pure instinct for them to fight and he did not make a secret out of his skills.

His slashes were precise and quick, reaching for Noora’s chest but she matched the Sosye’s pace easily without a care in her world.

Sweat pearls were trailing down her temples as her hands swung with delicate ring daggers at the much taller and broader man.

She was a good fighter but sadly not good enough.

Without seeing it coming, Kekoa went for her knees making her stumble and the next second he was behind her one knife at her throat, her back pressed to his chest.

Nikolai found himself taking a step forward, his hand flexing as if he were holding the grip of his sword.

When the participants in the chamber noticed him stepping inside, they left their stations, bowing quickly.

Nikolai cleared his throat as he tried to compose himself of this strange sensation spreading in his chest.

Noora’s eyes dove to the place beside him, where Lulva’ina was hovering and Noora did not hesitate before jumping out of the ring. The ring daggers dropped to the mat with a deafening clatter, discarded in a matter of seconds.

“Lulva,” she breathed her name, reaching the girl and wrapping her arms around her small body.

She picked Lulva’ina up and if the child didn’t squeal delightfully, Nikolai feared Noora was seriously crushing her.

Something tugged at his chest at the open display of affection but it was quickly stomped out when Noora opened her eyes, her black gaze meeting his with an angry gleam.

What did he do now?

Chapter 20

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