AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Edmund’s forehead wrinkled as his eyebrows shot up. “You’ve done this before.”
Viktor’s calculating gaze washed over each of us. “I practiced in Salvius.”
Edmund’s eyebrows pinched in the middle. “We were told you came from a farm. Why would a farmer’s son need to use weapons?”
Viktor arched a dark eyebrow. “I could ask you the same question.”
“We’re often put in at-risk locations,” he recited, as if he were explaining to the council, again, why we needed to keep the training program. “There may be situations where we need to defend ourselves, and there are so few of us, we can’t afford to lose someone.”
Viktor nodded slowly, an appreciative smile unfurling on his lips. “I like the way you think. It’s good to know my mentor is competent.”
Edmund stood, unfazed by the half-hearted compliment. “I’ll ask you again. Why did a farmer’s son need to use weapons?”
I couldn’t help but grin. Nothing got past Edmund, and if Viktor thought flattery would work on him, he was in for a surprise. Viktor glanced at me, then looked back at Edmund. “I had to protect the land from beasts in the woods who’d try to slaughter our cattle,” he explained, although it didn’t make sense as to why he’d be able to use throwing knives of all things. “Over the years, I learned not only to train with a sword but the agility and speed that came from learning the art of attack. I would fight in rings with the locals for dramair.”
It had been a long time since I’d heard dramair used in a sentence, the currency used in Salvius. I remembered the large gold coins and the smaller silver and bronze coins. I had mostly used the latter, as we were too poor to have a coin purse filled with gold.
He continued. “Over time, I practiced with more weapons. It became a hobby of sorts.”
Edmund paused, tapping his fingers against his knee. After a minute of painful silence, he nodded. “All right. In that case, I will instead focus on honing your skills.” He gestured toward me. “Elle, would you like to give it a go?”
“Give what a go? Him?” I looked at Viktor wide-eyed. “I guess I can.”
Maddox chuckled, and even Edmund laughed. My cheeks heated again. “That’s not what I meant. I meant?—”
“We know what you meant, Elle.” Edmund cleared his throat, stopping his laugh, but his amused smile didn’t waver. “Yes, I want you to fight Viktor. Let’s see if he’s as good as he says. You’re best with a dagger and pistol, but we want Viktor in one piece, so let’s stick with the dagger for today.”
I felt the first splash of rain. Pillars of black blotted the pale blue on the horizon. As fast as the pretty day had come, it fizzled into gray. I’d gotten used to it. Sunshine and clear skies seldom lasted for more than half a day.
Viktor gazed up, then looked at me. “A storm’s coming.”
“We don’t let rain stop us,” Maddox said from under the cover of a tree. “Else we’d never get anything done.”
He was right. It rained more in Fairwik than anywhere else in Istinia. With our vast forests, glacier-blue lakes, and gray coastline, we lived in the most beautiful part of Istinia, but the weather kept most away. I was glad. I didn’t want crowds of people taking over our pretty towns dotted between areas of forest.
Edmund handed Viktor his dagger, then gave me a curt nod. “Don’t hold back.”
“I won’t.” I gripped it tight, my determined stance poised to fight.
Viktor stepped forward. His blue irises were swallowed by the glittering darkness of his pupils. His penetrating stare locked onto mine, menace in his eyes as his fingers gripped the hilt of the dagger. The blade shone in the corner of my vision. “I’ll go easy on you.”
I scoffed a laugh. “Please don’t.”
Challenge flashed in his gaze. “Have it your way.”
He was bigger than me, so I’d have to use my speed to beat him. Brute force wouldn’t go in my favor. My heart raced as Viktor pushed his blade forward. He grabbed my wrist and tugged me closer. I twisted my wrist in his fingers, twirling to his side. I tried to knock the blade from his hand, but he was too fast.
“Nice move.”
“I’m usually fast.” I looked down. “Not quick enough, apparently.”
“Don’t beat yourself up. I’ve had a lot of practice.” He let me go. “Try again.”
A daring glint crossed my expression. I tried to back away as he stepped to me, but his arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer. His blade trembled for a moment. I’d have missed it if not for my adrenaline-fueled state. Everything was sharper as blood pumped through my veins, sending my heartbeat into a frenzy.
A faint smell of pine and leather accompanied him as he pressed it against my chest. I gazed into his eyes, and something in them changed. His lips parted, and his grip on the blade loosened a fraction enough. I tore it from his grasp and pushed the blade against his throat. The smooth edge of the dagger pressed against his windpipe, the sharp edge against his skin.
A trickle of blood trickled down his neck as a smile stretched his lips. “You win.”
