Kivrin looked as stoic as ever when she said it. She didn’t think she’d wounded him. He didn’t have a heart to hurt.
Then, she strode through the door and back out to the party. But she was no longer feeling festive. She couldn’t see her friends to tell them where she had gone. Instead, she slunk out a side door and grabbed a carriage back to the mountain.
The ceremony was in six days. She wouldn’t have to deal with her father or his delusions about Lorian… or any of it ever again. Just six more days.
9
The Flight
“You just left!” Hadrian cried.
Kerrigan nodded. There wasn’t anything else to say to this ambush. Hadrian, Darby, and Lyam were all staring down at her as if she had lost her mind.
“You left and told no one,” he continued.
“We were worried,” Darby added.
“Clearly, I’m fine,” Kerrigan said.
“Yes, but we didn’t know that,” Lyam said.
Kerrigan rose to her feet and sighed. “I had a confrontation with my father.”
All three of them sucked in a sharp breath. They knew what that meant.
Darby sighed. “I’m sorry you had to deal with him.”
“He’s such an asshole,” Lyam grumbled.
Hadrian put his hand on her shoulder. All of the fight had gone out of him. He always seemed to understand without having to say anything.
But her father just made her want to scream. She didn’t want understanding. None of them could really understand. She just needed to get away. Get away from everything in her life that had made this complicated.
“I have to go check on Fordham. He’s my responsibility for the next six days,” she told them, taking a step back. “I have cleanup later, and then I’ll be around. We can do dinner.”
Hadrian nodded sympathetically. Darby just looked sad. Lyam… well, she couldn’t even really look at Lyam. She’d disappeared in part because she wasn’t ready to hear what he had to say. And she’d avoid it as long as she could… just like her father.
Kerrigan hastened out of the House of Dragons’ quarters and down toward the base of the mountain, where the tournament competitors were being kept. She’d missed their introductions yesterday, so she didn’t even know who else was competing alongside Fordham. She’d likely know at least one of them. Offspring of Society members frequently entered the tournament. She’d known Alura of Venatrix and Walston of Bryonica five years ago.
Kerrigan wandered the halls until she came to the line of tournament rooms. Helly had sent a message that morning with instructions to Fordham’s bed chamber. Servants were assigned to the tournament and all competitors had access to them, but fear was powerful, and none wanted to go near him. So she was to continue her duties to help Fordham through this first week while he was training.
Kerrigan glided down the row of rooms. Some were open with competitors lying on their beds or reading or studying. She could hear the clink of swords from the practice space beyond. Fordham’s room was the last one on the left. His door was closed. She wondered if that meant he was in or out.
She sighed and knocked. Nothing happened. She waited before knocking a second time.
“Fordham,” she called. “It’s Kerrigan. I’m assigned to help you.”
The door next to Fordham’s opened then, and a woman peeked her head out. Kerrigan froze in place. Her skin heated, and she was sure her cheeks turned pink. She had wondered if she would know someone. She hadn’t suspected it would be Audria Ather, Third of the House of Drame.
Kerrigan hoped to the gods that Audria didn’t remember her from when they had played as kids in Bryonican castles.
“Hello,” Audria said with an easy smile on her pink-painted lips.
“Hi,” she squeaked.
“I believe Fordham left for training this morning.”
“Th-thank you.”
Audria tilted her head, her blonde hair swishing around her shoulders. Her bright blue eyes narrowed. “You look familiar. Have we met?”
Kerrigan shook her head and remembered to curtsy. “No. I’m a Dragon Blessed. I was assigned to Fordham by Mistress Hellina.”
“Oh, I adore Helly. I wish she were administering the tournament this year.”
Kerrigan swallowed. “I… should be going.”
“Of course. Of course. I saw a few other people scurrying around. Everyone thinks he’s so terrifying, but he just looks like a man to me.” Audria shrugged. A smile alighting her features. “Good luck!”
She nodded and then hastened away from Audria Ather. Another ghost of her past come out to play.
Kerrigan found Fordham exactly where Audria had suggested he would be. He was in the training room, holding a hefty sword in his left hand. He still wore finery, even in training. His black cloak had been discarded on a bench, but his sleek clothing clung to him, exposing powerful thighs and thick biceps.
She swallowed and tried not to think about how attractive he was.
Fordham was stepping easily through his paces. Like he had been sword fighting his entire life. He moved with grace and elegance. A prince he certainly was.
She waited until he finished his last round of movements before striding across the practice room. “Good morning, Fordham.”
He whirled his practice sword toward her, placing it under her chin. She stilled but showed no fear. He didn’t move. She watched something recede from his gray eyes.
“What do you want?”
“A good morning would suffice.”
He tipped her chin up, and she felt the steel just barely pierce her skin. “What do you want?”
“As I mentioned, I’ve been assigned to you. Since everyone else thinks you’re some terrifying monster, I was the person put in charge of your well-being. Lucky me,” she spat.
“You don’t think I’m a terrifying monster?”
“I think you’re an arrogant, overconfident princeling who could deign to learn some manners.” She swatted the blade aside. “We don’t point these things at other people.”
“Don’t call me a princeling.” He sheathed the sword.
“Fine. An arrogant, overconfident jerk.”
His eyes narrowed. “You have a mouth on you.”
“I’ve been told that a few times, yes.”
“I don’t need anyone to be in charge of my well-being. Definitely not you,” he sneered.
Kerrigan gritted her teeth. “Well, too bad. That’s what I’m here for.”
Fordham shrugged as if unimpressed and then began to walk through another set of forms. She didn’t recognize these. They were different from the sword training she’d received. She preferred hand-to-hand combat and magical training. Both served her better in the Dragon Ring anyway.
Kerrigan stepped off to the side and watched. If he needed something, well, she was here. That was her duty.
It was another hour before he stalked out of the ring, grabbing a jug of water on the way out. He said not one word to her, but she followed him all the same. He walked straight into his room, and before she could even think to ask him a question, he slammed the door in her face. Gods, he was stubborn.