Page 33 of Crown of Iron
I sip my bitter tea and breathe in its floral scent. “I train on my own and challenge Kyron again. Maybe I can choose a spear next time and use he longer reach to my advantage.”
“Micah is looking for you. It won't be long before the guards arrive and drag you back.”
“Then help me with the limited time I have left.”
Leif rubs his hand along the back of his neck and releases a long sigh. “My hands are tied, Elle. Maybe it's time to go home. You've met the soldiers looking for your father. You know they're the best.”
“I have seen no such thing. Not once has anyone here spoken of him or gone on a rescue mission. They're not doing enough.” I slam my palm against the tabletop, cringing as more pain rattles through me.
“He's not their only priority, or did you forget we're at war?” he counters, the volume of his voice matching mine.
The needs of our kingdom come first is a lesson pounded and massaged into every fiber of my being. My wants can act as a hindrance to our people's betterment. It's the reason I've never made a fuss about marrying Leif. My duty has always been at the forefront of my mind until my family was ripped apart.
“I didn't forget, but he'smyonly priority, Leif.”
We stare at each other, with our mouths set in firm lines. I'm not looking for his rational thoughts on the matter. This is a moment where I need my best friend—the boy who seeks big adventures and righting the wrongs in the world, not the analytic army captain. I harden my gaze, willing him to admit I'm right, and he leans back, crossing his arms and not giving in.
A knock comes from the door, and Leif looks away. He walks across the room with an annoyed sigh and yanks open the door. His burly frame blocks my view, but the voice on the other side is unmistakable.
“I need to talk to her alone.”
Leif opens the door wider to let Kyron in and gives me one last look. He isn't ready to let go of his belief that the army is doing everything it can to rescue my father. I can’t back down from my beliefs either. More can be done. Itneedsto be done.
With a curt nod, he walks out.
Kyron places his hands behind his back and paces my small room. His boots make a steady beat on the wood floors as he watches every step. The longer strands of his black hair shield his face, leaving me to wonder what his expression is underneath.
When the quiet becomes too much to bear, I say, “I want a rematch next week.”
His shoulders shake with what I assume is a chuckle before he replies, “You're completely maddening.”
“Are you denying my request?”
He stops and runs his hand over his face. His hair flows through his fingers as he brushes it back, and his gaze meets mine. “Yes.”
“Fuck you, Kyron!” I spring to my feet and the pain in my leg flares, sending me into the edge of the table.
He bolts across the room and pulls me to his side before I hit the ground. I grip the front of his jacket, the buttons digging into my palm, andI try to focus on the discomfort rather than the euphoria I feel in his touch.
“I'm all right, just a little dizzy,” I say, continuing to use him as a crutch.
“You're lying.”
“Don't read my emotions!”
“Then don't be so stubborn! For Statera's sake, I think you're concussed. I should take you to the infirmary.”
“Please don't.” The words leave my mouth so quickly I scramble to justify them. “Everyone saw me make a fool of myself today. I don't need them to know just how bad the damage is.”
“You didn't make a fool of yourself,” he says, helping me to my bed and pulling back the sheets.
I glare at the ceiling and grind my teeth while he removes my boots and tucks the blankets around my aching body. I hate feeling like a helpless child. Then again, I put myself in this position, and I’ll do it over and over again if it means I get to finish what I came here to do.
“I was no match for you, and it was stupid of me to try without more training. But I can't train because I have to clean stables and feed chickens. Do you see the conundrum I'm in?” I ask.
The corner of his mouth ticks. “Even with a real sword in my hand, none of my opponents have fought as hard as you did.”
The pride that swells in my chest quickly deflates under the pressure of reality. “But it wasn't enough.”
