Maybe that’s how Tara was burying her pain over Madoc’s continued absence.
Tara reached toward me, lifting a golden strand of hair in my ponytail. “Your hair looks so pretty with all that new gold in it.”
I clenched my jaw. The outward sign of the bond between Rykr and me was so … profound. Like we belonged to each other.
Except we didn’t. And never would.
“I don’t like it,” I rasped, shifting my legs in front of me. I sipped my wine, thinking about the way he’d acted around Ciaran—who had been avoiding me ever since. “And it’s just one more reason for him to act like he owns me when he doesn’t.”
“Personally, I’d love to trounce his pride, but you’re married to him. You’re allowed to touch him. Even sleep with him,” Tara said. “You should get in there and fight him. It’d be good for you.”
“Darya ordered my squadron into the sparring rings this morning, so it seems like I have no choice.”
“You’re going to fight Rykr?” Amahle’s expression turned dubious.
“I may as well. He won’t let me forget it if I don’t.” And hopefully I’ve gained some skills from the past few nights. Right?
Who was I kidding? He knew all my weaknesses. He anticipated my every move. And now, anything I tried would be things he’d taught me. I could only hope he’d show some compassion.
I eyed the ring master as the man sparring with Rykr went flying against the ropes, then fell to the ground with a slump, unconscious.
Wonderful. I’d bonded myself to a weapon.
A Lirien weapon. I cut my eyes at Rykr as he wiped his forehead with the back of his wrist.
A Lirien weapon who didn’t have a Bloodbinding mark.
What had Rykr said?
“Sometimes we can’t see what’s right in front of us, Seren.”
The only Liriens who didn’t have Bloodbinding marks were Ederyn.
His hair had once been golden, and the Ederyn were known for it.
Of all the realms, the Ederyns were the ones most universally hated and admired. Their exemption from the Bloodbinding made every other realm resent them. But they were also free.
Rykr being Ederyn made every single bit of sense—down to his arrogant swagger.
But why was he Sealed with the Pendaran symbol?
Clapping interrupted my thoughts and Jabari lifted Rykr’s hand in victory again. I sighed and stood as Tara watched me closely. “May as well get it over with.”
I was growing impatient at the thought of having to watch several more fights if Rykr was going to keep winning like this.
I handed Tara my wine then slipped into the ring and took out my sword.
Jabari gave me a steely-eyed look. “You’re not on the list, Seren.”
“You going to stop me from challenging my husband?” I quirked a brow at him.
Jabari grinned, then stepped back, gesturing toward Rykr. “As you wish. I’m assuming you’d like to challenge the champion with weapons?” He looked back at Rykr.
The challenger of every round could decide what type of fight they wanted. Most challengers played to their strengths.
Rykr’s face was expressionless as he took me in. “You sure you’re ready for this?”
I gritted my teeth. The sound of him filled my body with heat. “Get out of my mind, Rykr.”
