Page 113 of City of Secrets and Shadows
Without conscious decision, I reversed direction, cutting through the water with powerful strokes. As I approached, the situation became clear: Lady Cantius had surfaced for air directly in Valeria’s path, and the noblewoman had used the opportunity to force her back underwater, making it appear like an accidental collision.
Cassia and Drusilla hovered nearby, creating a screen that blocked Varius’s view from the observation boat. It was a calculated attack, disguised as competitive jostling.
I reached them just as Lady Cantius broke free, shoving Valeria away with a strength that seemed to surprise all of them. She gulped air, her eyes blazing with a fury that transcended mere indignation. For a moment, she looked like something else entirely — not a struggling cadet, but a warrior accustomed to fighting for her life.
I was about to say something, when Livia brought her arm back suddenly and with a crack, punched Valeria straight in theface. With a shriek, she disappeared under the water, but Livia reached down and dragged her up coughing and spluttering.
“Touch me again, and I’ll drown you myself,” Livia snarled, her voice low enough that only those of us in the water could hear.
Blood streamed from Valeria’s nose, diluting in pink swirls as it hit the water. Her eyes widened with shock — clearly, no one had ever dared strike her before. Behind her, Cassia and Drusilla froze, their mouths agape.
I suppressed a smile. “Ladies,” I said evenly, “perhaps we should focus on completing the trial.”
Valeria’s face contorted with rage. “She attacked me! Did you see that? I’ll have her expelled!”
“I saw you deliberately hold her under,” I replied coldly. Though in truth I had only caught the aftermath. “Strange how Legate Varius’s view was conveniently blocked by your companions.”
Livia was already moving away, powerful strokes carrying her toward the next obstacle. The brief confrontation seemed to have ignited something in her — fear transformed to fury, then to focused determination.
“This isn’t over,” Valeria hissed, pressing a hand to her bleeding nose.
“It is for now,” I said firmly. “Unless you’d prefer to explain to Varius why you’re abandoning the trial.”
Without waiting for her response, I dove beneath the surface again, pushing through the swaying water plants that marked the next passage. Ahead, I could see Livia navigating the obstacles with newfound intensity, her movements decisive and efficient.
I caught up to her as we approached the final challenge — the waterfall crossing. Here, we would need to swim beneath the powerful cascade where it crashed into the lake, fighting againstthe churning current to reach the platform on the other side. Even experienced swimmers found this test daunting.
She paused at the edge of the churning water, her breath coming in controlled pants as she studied the falls. I surfaced beside her.
“Remember what we practiced,” I said quietly. “Stay deep where the current is weakest. Use short, powerful strokes. Don’t fight the water — move with it.”
Her eyes met mine, clear and focused despite the violence moments earlier. “I remember.”
“Good. I’ll go first, then wait for you on the other side.”
I dove deep, feeling the thunderous pressure of the waterfall above me. The current pushed and pulled, trying to throw me off course, but I maintained my trajectory, surfacing triumphantly on the far side where Varius waited with his evaluation tablet.
“Excellent time, Lord Northreach,” he noted, making a mark. “As expected.”
I turned back to watch the others. Valeria emerged next, her face still streaked with blood but her performance uncompromised. Cassia followed, then Drusilla, both completing the challenge successfully if not impressively. All three clustered together on the platform, whispering and casting glances toward the waterfall, their expressions making it clear they expected — perhaps hoped — that Lady Cantius would fail this final challenge.
But Livia had not yet appeared. Minutes passed with no sign of her. Varius frowned from his boat, moving closer to the waterfall to check for any cadet in distress. I found myself scanning the water with increasing concern, a tightness in my chest that had nothing to do with physical exertion.
Just as Varius raised his hand to signal the safety divers, a dark head broke the surface. I breathed out slowly, realising my heart was hammering in my chest. With a powerful kick,she propelled herself forward, cutting through the churning pool with clean, decisive strokes until she reached the platform.
She was breathing hard, her skin cold from the water, but her eyes burned with triumph, and I was not prepared for the sheer sense of pride that rushed through me as she pulled herself onto the platform.
“Acceptable, Lady Cantius,” Varius announced, his tone betraying a hint of surprise. “All candidates have successfully completed the water trial.”
Livia nodded, water streaming from her hair as she stood tall on the platform. The rising sun caught the droplets cascading down her shoulders, making them shimmer like liquid fire. There was a fierce pride in her stance that commanded respect, despite her exhaustion and the water streaming from her simple tunic that now clung to her body like a second skin.
I couldn’t help but stare. The wet fabric revealed every curve, every line of her body, and something primal stirred within me. I forced my gaze away, focusing on Varius as he made his final notes.
Valeria’s face twisted with poorly concealed rage. Her nose had begun to swell, the bruising already visible beneath her pale skin. “She assaulted me during the trial,” she hissed, loud enough for Varius to hear. “I demand disciplinary action.”
Varius’s gaze sharpened as he looked between the women. “Is this true, Lady Cantius?”
Livia met his eyes directly. “Lady Valeria held me underwater during the obstacle course. I defended myself.”
