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"But, my lady, if something is amiss, do you really think it best?" The soldier held her hands in front of her stomach, the act eerily similar to how the servants stood in front of the king. Was this what it would be like to be queen?
Then again, no one question Domitius’s commands.
Kallie glared at the woman, her gaze cold, words clipped, gift at her fingertips. "Take me to them."
The woman's eyes glazed over. Her arm rose and Kallie grabbed onto it for support as they hurried to the stern.
Frenzian soldiers had formed a semi-circle around whatever was going on in the epicenter. Their feet stomped the ground, a cacophony. Their weapons gripped firmly in their hands, the taste for blood laced their shouts growing louder with each stomp.
Kallie had seen many brawls in Ardentol’s taverns. And by the sound of their hollers and the sickening feeling growing in her gut, Kallie knew she would not enjoy seeing whatever she found in the center.
The woman guiding Kallie pushed aside a pair of soldiers who grumbled angrily in response. But when their eyes fell upon Kallie, they tilted their head down and backed away, eyes darting to the floor. As they parted, an opening was created for Kallie and her escort. And Kallie's breath caught in the center of her lungs.
Sebastian stood at the center of the crowd, facing the ship's railing with his back to his crew. And beyond him, broad shoulders peaked out. Then as Sebastian began to circle, his sword out in front of him, the moon’s rays shone on his opponent.
Fynn stood before Sebastian. Herbrotherwas surrounded by his enemies. His hair disheveled, ash smeared across his cheek, the same black soot she had seen at the palace covered his clothing.
He should not be here, Kallie thought. He promised Dani he would leave if he was in danger, not run straight toward it and board an enemy ship.
Without Sebastian's body hiding Kallie from view, Fynn’s eyes instantly locked on hers and a plethora of emotions coated his face, the most prominent emotion being the blazing determination. And Kallie wanted to burst into tears.
He had come for her.
He had fought for her.
And now he had taken his eyes off the enemybecauseof her.
Having noticed the distraction, Sebastian took advantage of the opportunity granted to him and struck. And if his opponent was anyone else, Sebastian would have hit his mark. If he was anyone else, his opponent would have already been bleeding out. But Fynn was no ordinary man.
With a quick side step, Fynn avoided the attack. Sebastian swung again, but Fynn dodged beneath it. Her brother pivoted on his feet, then jabbed at Sebastian, pushing him backward.
And the crowd shifted back a step as their leader neared.
Sebastian grunted in frustration and swatted Fynn's sword down. And the corner of Fynn's lip twitched as Sebastian aimed for his chest.
And when Fynn blocked the strike yet again, Kallie knew her brother was reading Sebastian's mind, knowing Sebastian's every move right when Sebastian thought of it.
Time and time again, Fynn dodged each attack Sebastian threw at him.
Sweat beaded on Sebastian's forehead, the crowd tensing as they watched one of their leaders miss every strike. As their leader continued to fail.
This time when Fynn fought, he did not have a fresh wound hindering his movements. This time, the true fighter was revealed and it was a wondrous sight to behold. And Kallie hid the smile creeping onto her face from the surrounding Frenzian soldiers.
Sebastian's cheeks reddened, his frustration building as the two men continued to circle each other. His moves became tenser, more reckless as he struck his sword through the air.
Nearing his wit's end, Sebastian grunted, then charged. But Fynn continued his dance around the sword, dodging and blocking every swing, every slice, every jab with that all too familiar smug smile.
The soldiers began to shift on their feet, unsure of whether they should help their leader or stay planted where they stood. But alas no one in the semi-circle seemed brave enough to find out what would happen if they intervened.
Then one man shouted, "Shall we get the grenades, Commander?"
"And risk blowing us all up or blowing a hole through the ship?" Another soldier asked in horror.
Grenades?Kallie had never heard of those before and she had the strange suspicion that whatever they were, they had caused the horrendous sight at the palace. And by the way Fynn's movement stuttered for a moment, he had experienced them too.
"No grenades, you imbeciles!" Sebastian shouted at his soldiers, his voice taking on a higher pitch. “This is my fight. Let us show our guests what it means to be a Frenzian." The corners of his lips quirked up, forming a cold, heartless smile.
Fynn now was a few feet away from her, his back to her. And Kallie's heart thudded against her chest. She didn't know what to do. She didn't know how to help.
