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Standing at a towering height, he seemed giant-like in his size, his broad shoulders and muscular frame drawing my eyes up and up.
He was scowling down at me in a way I wasn’t used to seeing from most people. Especially not from the men in the training courtyard who were all accustomed to my presence.
“I beg your pardon,” I said coldly and waited for his apology.
Instead, he snorted rudely. “Watch yourself next time,” he snapped.
I could feel my jaw dropping.
The stranger’s face was framed by wavy, black hair that fell to his broad shoulders in a carelessly tousled manner, while his skin was a rich, warm brown that seemed to glow in the sunlight. Encased in training gear, he wore a sturdy leather jerkin. The dark brown material molded to his chest and back in a way that accentuated his broad shoulders and trim waist. The leather armor fitted him perfectly, hugging his muscles and showing off his raw strength. With his square jaw shadowed by a day's worth of stubble, there was an edge of danger to him that was somewhat off-putting.
As he moved to go around us, I locked eyes with Lancelet who looked as stunned as I felt.
“Excuse me,” I started to say.
He stopped and glanced back. I swallowed, suddenly feeling the full intensity of his gaze. His eyes flickered over me with a keen, assessing look that set my heart oddly pounding.
And then his expression becomes dismissive. Whatever he saw as he looked at me clearly didn’t interest him.
Without another word, the man turned away, striding off with an ease and grace that contradicted his large size.
“Well, I never,” Lancelet said hotly. “Doesn’t he know who you are? Why didn’t you tell him?”
“I...don’t know,” I said slowly.
Sir Ector approached us.
“Who the hell was that?” Lancelet demanded of him before I could say anything.
Sir Ector looked behind us calmly. “Oh, I see you’ve met one of our new recruits. He’s a farm boy from the lowlands. I’m given to understand he shows a great deal of promise. Lord Agravaine put in a good word for him.” Sir Ector looked a little sour at this. He and Lord Agravaine did not get on. “He’s certainly doing well in training. I suspect he’ll be chosen as a member of the Royal Guard.”
“A farm boy?” Lancelet gave a loud snort. “I’ve never seen a farm boy that looks likethatbefore.” She elbowed me. “Have you, Morgan?” She raised her eyebrows at me with a smirk that said she’d noticed my extended gaping.
“I am not sure I would describe him as ‘boyish,’” I managed to say.Rude, yes. But there was no doubt in my mind that he had been a man. Full-grown. Overly so.
Sir Ector shot Lancelet an amused look. “And you pay attention to men like him ordinarily, do you?”
“Well, no, but when they’re built like a brick house it’s a little hard not to.” Lancelet put her hands on her hips and tossed her head. “He was quite rude to Morgan.”
Sir Ector glanced at me protectively. “Is that true?”
“It’s fine,” I said quickly, feeling my face growing hot again. “He didn’t know who I was.”
“Well, he’ll learn soon. And then I’m sure he’ll feel like a proper idiot,” Sir Ector said. “Would you like me to go and speak with him?”
“No!” I blurted. “Absolutely not.” I shook my head vigorously. “As you’ve said, he’ll learn soon.”
“You might go up against him in the training ring.” Sir Ector’s expression turned thoughtful. “Dame Halyna and I want the new recruits matched with all of the squires. Good practice.”
Lancelet and I exchanged a glance. “Even me?” I asked. I was not, technically, a squire.
Sir Ector scratched his grizzled chin. “Well, no. Not unless you really wished to...”
“I do!” I wasn’t sure the words were going to come out of my mouth until they did. “It’s part of my training, isn’t it?”
Not that I wanted to go up against... whatever that was. But I certainly did wish to be included.
“Very well. I don’t think Halyna will object.” He smiled and there was a hint of pride there that sent me glowing. “It’s likely you’ll both best most of the squires. The new recruits though... Well, most are full grown men.” He gave us a measured glance. “I suppose we’ll see.”
