Page 21 of Three Scorched Kingdoms

I’ve already sent messages both to the council and to my generals. There’s no time to waste, and if I’m going to restore us, I have to begin immediately. The training helps pass the time while I wait for a response. Not to mention letting off steam after yesterday’s failure with Constantine—a vengeance I plan to take as soon as possible. Right after I slaughter the horde.

“You’re going too hard,” Leo complains.

He’s not entirely wrong. I’ve been picturing orc faces instead of my brother’s, and I’ve been fighting with everything I’ve got since the moment we began.

We’ve gained an audience by now. I wipe sweat from my brow as I survey the guards and soldiers who’ve gathered to watch.

“We’ll handle the orcs,” Leo assures me.

I grunt. “We haven’t won yet,” I counter.

He sighs, resigned. “Ready to go again?”

I grunt, and Leo attacks.

Sweat beads on my forehead as I counter his first swing. I take a step toward him, bring my axe up inside his guard, and angle the shaft so that the axe points at his neck.

“You would be dead,” I say. “Again.”

“You sound far too gleeful about that,” he mutters, stepping back.

“We can switch over to lances if you like,” I offer.

“You always best me with those things.”

“I merely want you to become better so you don’t die when the fighting is real,” I tell him grimly.

“I…”

“You should have continued your training without me,” I add, crossing over to the collection of weapons laid out on the table for us to choose from. I pick up a lance and hold it out to Leo as I place my axe down.

“How do you know I didn’t?” Leo grumbles.

“Trust me. There’s more rust on you than…” I trail off as I sense my mate. She’s standing on a balcony on the second floor of the castle with Mag and Blossom. I wave to her, and she blows me a kiss before they head inside. I hope she’s settling in well enough without me to help her, but I can’t bring myself to call it quits for the day.

Part of me wants to fly out to the front lines. To offer assistance to the brave soldiers currently fighting in my name. Or better yet, demand the council even acknowledge that I’ve returned so I can re-take my rightful place as general of my army. So far, they’ve been completely silent.

Playing stupid fucking games.

But I can’t afford to let my emotions rule me on either front. We need a plan. And for that, I need a clear head.

I select another lance and nod to Leo. We’ve just moved into position when Ferdinand, the royal secretary, approaches. He’sbeen with us since Leo and I were kids, and his face is a welcome sight now.

“Ferdinand, good to see you,” I tell him.

“And you, Sire.” He clears his throat. “Forgive me, Your Highnesses,” he says with a proper bow. “The Council summons Prince Aries immediately.”

Immediately.

After not even bothering to acknowledge my return yesterday.

I nod to him and hand Leo my lance. “Thank you, I’ll come at once.”

“We’llcome at once.” I’m not surprised at all when Leo returns both lances to the table and falls into step beside me, Bingo at his side.

“You ready for this?” Leo asks as we walk.

I snort.

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