Page 38 of Fate and Flame
We ran through the castle, down the stairs and to the main study where the others had gathered. Fen started giving orders, settling into his role as a leader, while I waited. Listened. After several minutes, we spread out, searching the castle for any sign of them. Several times I passed Kai and Lichen as they hunted together. Greeve cleaved through the castle on his own. After hours and hours, we ended the search, finding absolutely nothing.
“I don’t understand,” Fen said, as we all sat eating in the dining hall later that day. “We have a guard schedule. The guards below are not changed at the same time as the guards above. There should have always been at least four on duty.”
Greeve and I exchanged a glance. There had been no guards below when he and I had gone down to the dungeons. It was possible they were still above and the guards below were switching shifts, but I couldn’t believe we had just gotten that lucky.
“There’s nothing we can do about it now. We will just need to keep our eyes open and be sure that everyone reports anything fishy,” Tolero said.
“Pun intended,” Kai followed, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes.
King Tolero clapped him on the back while Fen stepped forward, taking his commanding tone once more. “I want all guard duties doubled up. Each point, twice as many sentries. They will take shorter shifts to balance the time, and Kai, I’ll need you to help Brax in training. Ara and I will be visiting Sabra and Wren today. It’s time to start training the refugees.”
“They didn’t come here to fight, Fen,” Lichen said, his voice neutral, though the consternation on his face said far more.
“No, but they came here to live, and with that comes an obligation to help protect the court. I won’t force anyone, but I think we all know Morwena’s move against us will not be her last. King Autus isn’t far behind her either. They are making war plans. I can promise you that. Ask Gaea.”
“You ask us to trust a northerner?” Lichen bit out.
“He doesn’t have to ask your permission for shit,” I answered.
Easy,Fen said down the bond.
The disappointed look on the king’s face caused mine to flush.
“Gaea can be trusted,” I said more calmly. “She trains with me and Wren every day. I haven’t seen a single red flag, and believe me, I’ve been watching. Don’t you think so too?” I asked Greeve, searching his face for a hint of solidarity.
He nodded once and the discussion was dropped.
“It’s time,” Tolero said. “With or without the trust of theformernortherners.” He dipped his chin to me and I smiled. “We have to start preparing this kingdom for the inevitable. That includes theformernortherners. Just as we do not use the terms lesser and high fae in this kingdom, we will stop referring to the newcomers as northerners. They are all southerners now. Accept it.”
He looked firmly at Lichen, who shrunk an infinitesimal amount in his chair.
Looks like you made a friend.Fen grabbed my leg under the table, and I sent him a mental image, sticking my tongue out at him.You’re training with me today, just for that.
Don’t threaten me with a good time, Prince.
Later, we stood facing each other in the lists. Each time I had come, the crowd swelled. Fen had teased me that beating up the males had become a southern spectator’s sport.
I didn’t care. I hoped it made all the females feel stronger.
“Begin,” Brax called from the side.
Fen conjured his infamous fire magic, and, as always, I sent magic forward, smothering it. The crowd loved a good show. We had agreed ahead of time to make it fun, lighter, in lieu of the bad news. But something was happening. I could feel it each time I used the magic. Like a pinprick of pain. I kept it to myself. Since Nealla, I’d only ever used the magic in small amounts. A hint of pain was nothing to fear.
Fen shook his head and swirled his fingers as a dust storm brewed between us. I dodged to the side, leaped forward, and smacked him on his bottom with the flat part of my wooden sword. The onlookers cheered as he spun around, and I punched him right in the gut. He didn’t even flinch. It always hurt me more than him to slam my fist into that solid wall.
The ground below me rumbled, and I looked to the giant first, thinking he was doing it, but he stood still, watching. I jerked my head to Fen, who laughed as I nearly lost my footing. He used that opportunity to swing his sword. I barely blocked it, giving him the time and space he needed to lean in and kiss me quickly. The crowd cheered again as he beamed. I used my magic cautiously against him. The last thing I wanted to do was actually hurt him. He insisted that I wouldn’t, but I was not convinced.
We fought, teasing each other back and forth for quite some time, until Kai and Greeve ran in and pinned him to the ground while I pretended to jab him repeatedly with my sword. We stood, bowed to the crowd, and walked out. We could have gone on for hours, but Fen and I had to meet Wren soon.
“Ready for your hot date tonight?” Kai asked Greeve as we waited for the lists to empty so we could leave undercover.
“You convinced her?” I asked.
“Convinced who?” Greeve said warily.
“I basically had to pay her, but she said she would go for a drink.”
“Who?” Greeve asked again.
