Page 77 of To No End

“With only one male heir, what are you doing here?” I asked, knowing undoubtedly that males were favored over females when it came to lineage.

“My sister was the Offering. But when my father was finally captured, I demanded they accept me instead. I’ll be damned if my sister is ever taken to a place where her will isn’t her own, herbody isn’t her own. I am here, and always will be, so she never knows this fate.”

He paused before continuing, as if questioning whether he should.

“I am saddened for you and whoever didn’t protect you from this,” he said wincing, realizing the full meaning of his words.

Immediately he apologized. “I…I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to imply…”

“Yes, you did. But that’s okay. I understand. Could my father have done something more? It’s pointless to question that now. I know I’m far more equipped to be here than my sister, and for that I’m grateful. She is betrothed and gets to be loved, to live the life she deserves.”

It’s possible I misjudged Varro. While we did not broach the subject of the rebellion—I’d save that for another time—we had found common ground. Both of us were here so our siblings weren’t. More than that, we could relate to the deep unwavering connection to those siblings. It’s not something he needed to say, I knew he knew. I knew he felt a similar pain in being here, detached from our other halves.

Varro made his way toward the exit of the pool. I stayed tethered in my seat watching him walk away. The muscles of his back were just as much if not more defined than the ones on his front. As he walked up the steps of the pool, his soaked britches sagged low, hanging just low enough to allow the tight arches of his buttocks to peak out from them. He was truly a masculine specimen sculpted in the image of the Gods. I was glad his back was turned to me, otherwise he might have noticed just how little I concealed my gawking.

He turned to face me and continued with an inappropriate show. The drenched pants emphasized a clear outline, indicating he was very well-endowed. I watched him dry himself and shakehis curly locks. He knew exactly what he was doing, and he finally looked at me with a coy grin. I was staring and he knew it.

“Tomorrow. Same time. Same place, Moirai,” he said, before strolling out the door. He did not wait for my response, or for me to realize the words he’d spoken were in the old tongue. The sound was like a sweet caress. But despite all my learning, I did not recognize the last word.

CHAPTER

23

The next day, my body felt revived, with no hints of aches or pain. Part of me dreaded the day ahead. Nori was back, but today she would need to show some commitment to the cause.

When we arrived in the training room with Theory, she placed herself close by and followed along with all the stretches and warm-up exercises. But this was not unusual; she had already been willing to do those things. When we transitioned into sparring, I was nervous that once more she’d refuse the activity.

I walked toward Cairis, who I’d made my official partner—once he agreed to trade me for tutoring. His hair was tied up in a bun atop his head, and it was a unique look that highlighted his sharp jawline and high, pointed ears. I wanted to practice with the biggest and strongest among us, this way anything less than that would feel manageable.

Nori shyly followed me around and stood awkwardly to our side, looking for some sort of invitation. Cairis gave me a strange look, nodding his chin at her.

Before he could unintentionally destroy her courage, I chimed in, “Cairis, I’d like you to show Nori some of the basics today.”

When he made no indication of interest in my request, I added, “Please.”

“What’s in it for me?” he questioned.

I rolled my eyes. “You mean besides preparing your ill-equipped team member so they can have your back?”

Many things with Cairis always felt like bartering. This had to be the sort of thing he was raised with, never being given anything for free.

“You get Nori up to speed in basic combat, and she’ll tutor you on spiritual and religious studies.”

He looked at me, unenthused. I didn’t know what else to propose. There was little chance her gift of dreamwalking was applicable in this negotiation. I tried to play to her strengths, at least the ones I knew of.

“And after every training session, she will personally heal you. Then you don’t have to make the long trek to the bottom of the falls.”

His ears perked at the mention of this, and he nodded. I may have abused my knowledge of Leatherwings’ notorious distaste of water. I didn’t want to oust him, so I made it more about the trek than the water.

I turned to Nori, looking for signs that the deal I’d just brokered would be one she accepted, and she gave me a tiny, grateful smile.

“I can’t wait to see her dancing circles around you, Cairis. Consider this a chance to work on your endurance!” I quipped, trying to give Nori the encouragement she needed.

“Fine,” he acquiesced. “But who are you going to train with?”

I looked around the room, assessing my options. Gia and Trace were already engaged in a practice duel with blades. That left only one remaining partner.

I scanned the rest of the room looking for his bright curls. He leaned up against the stone podium, looking at me like he had already expected my arrival. I turned my back to him, rolling my eyes.

---