Page 59 of Sun, Moon & Shadow

“You read my mind.”

Lucan scoffed and turned to lead her out of the garden.

“Play nicely, you two,” Nox called after them as they left.

A handful of minutes later, Nova and Lucan walked side by side, each gnawing on a roll stuffed with thick slabs of ham and slices of cheese. Both were silent except for Lucan, who occasionally identified points of interest through mouthfuls of food.

“Those are the stables. Obviously. The barracks. And here we have the training yard.”

Nova surveyed the sandy field enclosed by a tall metal fence. A force of roughly fifty guards stood in formation, running through a defensive sequence in unison.

“This is Nox’s personal guard,” Lucan said, throwing his shoulders back and puffing out his chest. “We have squadrons running patrols all around the territory. Most of our forces live in districts outside the Estate. They report for training several times per year, and we can raise them at any time if necessary.”

Lucan led her through the gate to an area along the side of the field with equipment laid out on racks and tables. He sorted through a stack of chest and shoulder armor, selecting the smallest one he could find and tossing it to her.

“That should be a good fit for a lady,” he said as he sauntered over to a cabinet and yanked the doors open. Nova slipped the chest plate over her head and fastened the straps along her ribs. It was a bit loose around the waist and not designed to accommodate breasts, but it would serve its purpose.

“Are there female soldiers?” she asked, tugging at the stiff leather material.

“Of course there are. But most have their armor specially made to accommodate their unique qualities.” He shrugged and removed something from the cabinet.

“I believe these belong to you.” He held her dagger and the sword from Callan.

Snatching the weapons from his outstretched hands, she unsheathed her sword at once, checking the blade for damage.

“I took them from the Nivalian vessel. Both are passable weapons,” he conceded, though admitting it was clearly a challenge for him. “Do they have sentimental value?”

“The dagger belonged—” Nova caught herself before she referred to Anson Greenmore as her father. “To the man who raised me. The sword was a gift. Forged by the legendary smiths of Nivali,” she added proudly.

Lucan held his hands up, palms facing her.

“Too bad they’re known for their steel and not their ships. Otherwise, you might have outrun us,” he quipped, cracking a smug grin.

Nova stared at him, stone-faced, until he cleared his throat and moved on.

“If you insist on using those blades, then I have something else for you.” He produced a small sheath and pulled out a dagger of Silvergardian steel, the blade slightly curved like a crescent moon. Nova ran her thumb over the pommel, inlaid with a small, round moonstone, as smooth and shiny as a marble.

“It’s beautiful,” she said, raising a wary eyebrow at him. Lucan waved a hand in the air as if sensing her gratitude and deeming it unnecessary.

“I’m only hoping to prove a point that Silvergardian blades are far superior. Now, follow me to the sparring ring. No need to have an audience before you’re any good.”

When they entered the training room, Lucan instructed her to show him what she’d learned so far. He observed her silently from the edge of the ring, scrutinizing her every move as she performed the various sequences and maneuvers Callan had taught her with a wooden sword.

The moon ambled lazily across the dark sky. Before she knew it, hours had passed, and the drills concluded. Nova stood watching Nox’s guard, a mix of males and females as Lucan had said, as they filed off the field toward their other duties.

“So, does agreeing to train me mean you like me?” She panted, beads of sweat gathering along her hairline and rolling down her forehead, stinging her eyes.

Lucan smirked and threw himself down on a dusty incline at the edge of the field.

“It means I’ve decided to tolerate you. You’re important to Nox. Nox is important to me. So, I’ll tolerate you.”

“But you don’t trust me.”

“I told you already: I’m more animal than man. My primary concerns are food, fucking, and defending my territory.” He held up a finger for each item as he listed them off.

“In that order?”

Lucan continued, ignoring her. “I’ll protect Nox until my dying breath. Given your family’s legacy, you can hardly blame me for not welcoming you with open arms.”