Page 30 of Crown of Iron
Terro throws his arm around my shoulders and flashes a boyish grin. “I'm in awe of you, Elle. No one has ever faced Kyron their first time on the field.”
My stone-like expression doesn't waver as I lift his arm and step out from under it. I know where loyalties lie with the three. No matter how brave they think I am for challenging Kyron, they will always remain on his side. But I also can't forget how Terro and Ulric stood up for my work ethic with Kyron during the conversation I overheard. Maybe there is hope of swaying them to my side. Today will be the tipping point.
Greer smooths the braid that starts above her forehead and ends over one shoulder. She steps toward me, and I force my feet to remain planted. Leaning in and looking past my shoulder, she whispers, “He's fast, with quick swings and small steps. If you feel overwhelmed, make him reach for you, it’ll buy you some time.” With that, she walks to the other side of the field.
“She likes ya,” Ulric says, patting me on the back.
“She has a funny way of showing it,” I reply.
I wish it were true. Greer would be a powerhouse player in a rescue mission. She is strong and takes no shit from her soldiers. Having someone like her in my corner would make me feel unstoppable, but that's a hurdle to overcome on another day. Right now, I have a general's ass to kick.
“Where's Kyron?” I ask.
“Finishing up on a morning briefing. He'll be here,” Terro says, turning to look behind him.
Soldiers flood out of the living quarters with exuberant laughter and buzzing power. Not one of them heads for breakfast in the mess hall. All eyes are on the field where they hope to witness a spectacle of a fight.
“Is nothing a secret around here?” I say, glaring at the group headed our way.
Ulric crams his hands in his jacket pockets. “This is quite the occasion. Kyron normally trains alone and the only time he wields a sword is on the battlefield. It's not every day they get to see his skill on display.”
“Statera help me,” I mutter.
My insides flip and bubble like a nasty concoction ready to burst. I didn't consider how trained Kyron is with a sword. During morning drills, he’s never on the field. A part of me hoped that he was comfortable in his high position and his skills rusty. I pace the distance between the two officers, watching as almost every soldier closes the distance between us.
Gaggles of people line the outer edges of the field, standing on tiptoes to see from the back. They wave fists of coins in the air, setting wagers about how long it will take me to fall.
My pacing stops when a bulky figure pushes through the crowd, his sandy hair disheveled, and his uniform hanging haphazardly.
Leif stalks across the field, grabs my arm, and pulls me aside. “Are you crazy?”
“No,” I say, ripping away from his grip. “This is what I have to do if I want to train.”
“There's no way you're going to beat him, and all these people are here to watch him wipe this field with your ass.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“Elle, I know better than anyone that you can hold your own in a sparring ring, but Kyron is different. Not many soldiers can take him out, especially not a new one.”
Challenging Kyron is a longshot. I have nothing to gauge him on and the only advice I have, I received from a woman who hasn't so much as smiled at me. This might be a fool's errand, but I've got to try.
“Give me another option that will put me in a better position to start training,” I say.
Leif opens and closes his mouth, but nothing comes out. It's clear this is my only option.
I spin on my heels, saying, “I have to do this.”
My retreat comes to a crashing halt. The solid roadblock knocks the breath from me, and I stumble back. Firm fingers clench my shoulders to steady me, and I lift my chin, taking in the black unlaced tunic and matching leather jacket. My gaze sweeps over Kyron's strong jaw, his full lips with a perfect Cupid's bow, and his eyes…they are like the sun setting against a midnight sky, hindered by a new moon.
“You're late.” I mean the words to criticize, but they flow from my lips with an airy exhale. That feeling, invoked by his touch and the stroke of his gifts, sizzles through me. Despite my questions last night, I take a moment to gather myself and step out of his hold.
“So I am.” He sidesteps me and nods at Leif. “I just received word your fiancée has gone missing.”
I stiffen, locking my gaze on a cabinet housing an array of wooden weapons. This is it; my time at Basecamp is coming to an end. Instead of a showdown with Kyron, I’m going to be sent home to face off with Micah.
“What do you mean she's gone missing?” Leif replies, not missing a beat. He even sounds concerned. This is the kind of situation he knows how to maneuver through without causing alarm.
“No one has seen her in almost a week. Her family says she’s gone to the Sibyl Temple, but no one has been able to find her there.”
