Page 139 of This Monster of Mine

“That last one. He’ll be disfigured for life!”

“Hopefully. I held the brand on his face for at least a quarter hour.”

“You—” The other man raised his hand, and she saw Kadra hold still, waiting for the blow to strike. Gritting his teeth, the man whirled away, spitting on the ground.

“Well done, Father.” The word held a wealth of mockery. “After all, we’re in public.”

She winced.

“Why do you think Aelius invited you tonight? I warned you that targeting his men would get you in trouble. When you go tonight, go expecting death.”

“And a few Guildmasters and noblemen will be witnesses. And you, of course. Tell me, what will you do when Aelius drives his blade home? Fawn at his feet? Or will you finally grow a spine?” Kadra didn’t sound like he cared either way.

His father’s jaw visibly clenched. “You think the bloodshed you unleash is ‘growing a spine’? What of the people who watch that, thechildrenwho’ll grow to believe that emulating your violence is right? You’re only spreading hurt and violence, and you’re corrupting them all.”

“I am.” Kadra shrugged. “Don’t you have duties to attend to?”

“You—”

Sarai couldn’t hold her tongue. “I wonder,” she broke in, peering over the fence. “Is it really right to coddle a child and assure them that the world is theirs for the taking, only for reality to push them into despair later on? Wouldn’t it be kinder to equip them with the tools to navigate reality from the outset, even if that means opening their eyes to its grimness?”

Kadra whirled around.

“Who’s this?” His father jerked a finger at her.

She faltered under Kadra’s stare. He had the sharpest eyes she’d ever seen. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude.” What did one do with upper-class folk? She dived to the ground, prostrating herself.

“An outsider.” Kadra’s father sighed. With a sound of frustration, he swung onto his mount and rode off.

“You can stand up now,” Kadra informed her.

She climbed to her feet, grimacing at the mud along the hem and knees of her trousers.

Kadra’s gaze narrowed. “Have you eaten?” he asked brusquely.

“Not for some time, to be honest.”

“Give me your hands.” When she stared, he took them anyway. Fishing several aurei from a pocket, he closed her fingers around them. “Have—”

“Tibi gratias ago, but I cannot accept this.” She shoved the coins back into his hands. “If you insist on charity, a few denarii is enough.”

“You’ll hurt yourself if you go on like this,” he informed her.

She drew herself up to full height, affronted, and he appeared mildly taken aback. “I know how I look, but that’s only because I just arrived here, and it’s been a rough journey. I’m not entirely without coin.”

“Where from?”

“The north.”

His eyebrows rose. “That’s a difficult journey for a child to make on her own.”

“I’m fourteen,” she said indignantly.

“Why here?”

“The Academiae.” She beamed. “I’m going to challenge the entrance exams.”

“Hmm. It won’t be easy,” he warned her. “They aren’t kind to charity students. Or northerners.”

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