Tavrik sighed as he stepped inside.Theo, on the other hand, just grinned and strolled right past me, heading straight for the platter of fruit.
“Tavrikmademe.”He popped a berry into his mouth, chewing lazily before flashing Mira one of those stupid, charming smirks.“Hi, Mira.”
Poor girl forgot how to breathe.
Tavrik shook his head, a hint of fond exasperation in his eyes.
Mira, still floundering like a fish out of water, blurted, “Join us!”
I squeezed her arm, biting back a laugh.“She means we’re going to explore a bit.Would you like to come with us?”
“I’d love to join you both,” Tavrik answered smoothly.
Meanwhile, Theo was still laser-focused on Mira, his smile turning wolfish.
“Of course.Howcould I ever say no.”
Mira, fumbling like her life depended on it, gestured for us to follow, only to crash straight into the door handle.
We took a different route this time, the path winding lower and lower.My legs burned with every step down the endless stairs, until we finally emerged through a large stone archway and onto a wide balcony.The golden sunlight was blinding after the dimness of the corridors.Warm rays cascaded over the space, the heat soaking into my skin like a blessing.
I could’vekissedMira for bringing us here.Theo looked like he actually might.
A handful of people were leaning over the railing, tense with anticipation.Their eyes fixed on whatever lay below.Once we stepped through, deep grunts and roars of exertion filled my ears.A rhythmic chant rippled throughout the open space.
Thrown aback by all the noise, I glanced at Mira, one eyebrow raised.
“The fighting pits are down there,” she said, gesturing with a small movement of her chin.“It’s where they train…where theyblow off steam.”
Tavrik didn’t even wait to hear the rest of the explanation.He nudged past us, practically bounding toward the railing with barely contained excitement.Theo was right on his heels, elbowing his way through the gathered crowd for a better view.
Men.
I took my time, drawn forward by the pulsing energy of the scene below.The closer I got, the louder the sounds became.Flesh on flesh, swords clashing, bones crunching.
Tavrik was leaning so far over, I half-expected him to tumble right in.Curiosity itched at me until I finally peered over the edge, gripping the warm railing.
The pit was massive.A sunken arena of packed earth surrounded by towering, jagged stone, as if the mountain itself had split open.Dust kicked up in swirling clouds, clinging to the gleaming sweat of the bodies below.
And in the centre of it all, standing like a sculpture of war itself, was Dalkhan.
He wore nothing but leathers wrapped around his strong legs, his bare torso a canvas of rippling muscle.His scorched bronze skin glistened with perspiration, catching the light with each shift.His hair hung loose down to his shoulders, damp strands sticking to his temples.
He was waiting, a predator in his element.
“Come on!”His voice boomed across the pit, rich with amusement.“Who can take me?”
A mix of warriors and reckless souls circled him like wolves, their bodies tense and eyes burning with the thrill of the challenge.
One by one, they charged.
One by one, theyfell.
He moved like liquid fire—shifting, twisting, striking with terrifying precision.His flame-wrapped fist collided with another’s chest, sending the man hurtling backward with a thunderous crack against the dirt.
Another came at Dalkhan at full speed.The king sidestepped, grabbing their arm mid-swing and slamming them into the ground in a bone-snapping motion.
The way he fought was mesmerising, each attack lethal yet effortless, like he was made for it.
