“Do you really expect me to just sit through the ceremony?”
“I would appreciate it.” Brighid’s eyes narrowed. “The last thing we need there is a slaughter.”
I looked over, remembering Quinn’s warning. Fire boiled and burned in Reese’s eyes—like the rage I’d seen when he’d butchered everyone in the glade.
Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair. “The Lecovair won’t take kindly to me asserting authority over them. You might be right, Brighid, but they won’t let it pass without a fight. They won’t like this. To say nothing of what happened with Diar.”
What had happened to Diar after we left Tsuyan? If she had survived . . . I doubted she had escaped without scars.
Bláth nodded. “It's going to be a shitshow.”
Groaning, Liam flopped onto his back, using Bláth’s lap as a pillow. He draped his handkerchief over his eyes. “I’m going to relax, before the world formally ends.”
“Hello?” Bláth glared at him. “Since when am I your furniture?”
“You didn’t stop me.”
Brighid hummed. “Furniture is a vast improvement over a pig rolling around in the mud. Congratulations on your promotion.”
“Yes, ha ha.” Bláth rolled her eyes. “Did anyone pack alcohol?”
“Mm.” I reached under my seat, sorting through my bag to find the pricey wine Liam had stolen for me. The cap came off with a satisfying pop. “I’ve been saving this for the right moment.”
“Heavens bless you." Bláth beamed. “Pass it here. And tell your brother to get off me.”
“Tell him yourself,” I said, passing the bottle to Brighid.
“Oh, good choice,” Brighid commended. “Bláth would have drunk straight from the bottle.” Reaching into her things, she pulled out a goblet.
“Why am I everyone’s training dummy today?” Bláth threw up her hands.
“Because, dear.” Brighid poured herself a glass. “You make it so very easy.”
Her voice was flush with confidence. But her fingers trembled on the glass.
Reese’s bladeclashed against mine, sending reverberations down my dominant hand. He twisted his sword, jarring Cierthine loose from my grip.
The black blade struck the ground, but I rolled and snatched it back up. Lowering myself into a defensive position, I prepared for his next strike, but he lowered his blade and stepped back.
“I can hardly believe how much you’ve improved in so short a time.”
“Improved?” I panted, rising. “I still can’t beat you, and you still haven’t used any magic.”
“No one’s ever bested me.” Reese spun his blade. “Don’t take it to heart.”
A breeze rattled the branches of the surrounding trees. Fire glowed in the distance where the others had set up camp. I glanced over, wondering if they were talking about us. About Tirnanog.
The cold had burned my skin during our winter training bouts, but the growing spring heat seemed worse. Wiping my brow, I caught my breath.
Reese looked simply criminal. He wore only trousers and a loose white tunic, the threads of its collar untied, sleeves rolled up.
“Humor me,” I said, ignoring the inviting line of his collarbone. “Don’t take it easy on me this time.”
He furrowed his brow. “You’ll need to use magic if you’re to have a chance. And you’ve seemed reluctant.”
I swallowed and spoke a half-truth. “It took me a while to fully understand my catalyst. I think I’ve got it, now.”
Sometimes shadows appeared when I tried casting with lightning. I’d been terrified to use magic around Reese, lest he see them. Lest I lose control.
