Page 18 of A Kingdom of Fire and Fury
Ben snorted. “No shit.” He cleared his throat when I scowled at him. “One big happy family, right?”
“Did Luther give any other orders?” Nimue asked Kieran.
“We’re increasing patrols closer to the border.” Kieran sent me another unreadable look. Probably hating how much I fucked up his life. “Andova is going to lose their shit now that Umara’s claimed someone. And a loose cannon at that.”
I smiled at him. All teeth.
The next day, my body felt like it’d been trampled by a caravan of carriages. I hauled myself out of bed and forced my aching body into my uniform. Now that I had time to think about it, it was weird Kieran hadn’t immediately sided with Luther. He wanted me dead, so why argue? Maybe it was some sort of pissing match between the two of them, and Kieran’s only issue was Luther commandeering his team. I could see that.
When we got to the training grounds, Kieran was as ruthless as ever. Even though I expected it, it still sucked. He didn’t bother hiding his sheer disdain andpicked on me. I ran more than everyone else. Even when I managed not to come in last place, he was still pissed off and made me run additional laps for not being faster.
The man was trying to kill me.
“She’s had enough,” Nimue snapped at him while I laid on the ground and struggled for breath.
“I’m looking forward to the flight.” Aurelia hummed in amusement. “Perhaps then she’ll finally realize she doesn’t belong here.”
I hated that I was too exhausted to argue. I didn’t want them to think they were superior, but… how the hell could I ever get to their level? They were like machines rather than humans.No. They’re like fae.With their pointed ears, perfect skin, and enhanced abilities, they were completely beyond me. I looked nothing like them.But I will.And I wasn’t sure if I liked that realization or not.
Kieran dismissed the others but ordered Ben and I to stay behind. He folded his arms and studied us. I willed myself not to feel intimidated.
“How long are you going to stand there silently threatening us?” Ben asked finally. “Because I’m not afraid to admit I’m intimidated. Unless that’s the wrong answer. Then I’m totally not intimidated at all. Proceed on.”
Kieran shot him a look that could make a flower wither and die. “She’s more hopeless than I thought, and at this rate, regular training will only slow down our own growth. You’re the best weapons fighter we have. You’ll give her additional training each day afterour own.”
Ben frowned. “Why am I being punished?”
Maybe I was wrong. Maybe Ben was an asshole too.
Kieran leveled him with a glare. “You know how dire the situation is. Andovawillattack, and in her current state, Selena is useless.”
Damn. He didn’t hold back at all. “Gee thanks, asshole.”
“You have no Gift to wield or experience in the field. Don’t delude yourself into thinking you’re more powerful than you are. That’s how you wind up dead or getting your team killed.” He stalked toward me and offered me a blade. “You have two options. You can accept your mediocrity and die, or you can stand up, swallow your pride, and fight another day. Only the latter will allow you to see your sister again. So, little thief, what will you do?”
I snatched the knife from him.
“Don’t fail me,” Kieran said to Ben. The shadows overtook him, leaving us two alone.
Ben flashed me a grin. “Don’t worry, I also think he’s an asshole.”
Ben wasn’t a monster like Kieran.Hehad patience.Hedidn’t feel the need to belittle or mock me. Or push me until I wanted to throw myself off a cliff. And yet… Ben didn’t have the same fire Kieran held. I could tell that while he took the training seriously, he wasn’t invested in my growth like Kieran was.
Which gave me a hell of a lot more questions that I didn’t want to think about. Because of that, I didn’t question the session and instead slunk off toward the bathing chambers. The shower did wonders for my aching body.
I knew the guards were watching my every move, but even so, the illusion of privacy inside the chamber was nice. I looked down the stairs. As much as I didn’t want to go back to the dragonsguard’s wing, I needed to. If they knew I was avoiding them, I wouldn’t put it past Kieran to tell Luther to restrict my movements.
Today was all about breaking me down. I’d seen it in Kieran’s mocking gaze. I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction. I clenched my hand into fists. My muscles might be screaming at me, but tomorrow, I’d last longer. I’d be faster.
A hand shoved my back.
A shout ripped through my throat as I tumbled down the stairs. I lost control, helpless to the fall. Pain zipped through my body. My shoulder. My head. My ribs. I couldn’t do anything to stop it.
Thud.
I groaned as I landed on my back at the bottom of the stairwell. I turned my head, pain shooting down my neck, and spat blood. For a moment, all I could do was lie there and stare dazedly up at the ceiling. What just happened?
Someone tried to kill me.
