Warrior of the Drowned Empire (Drowned Empire #6)

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

LYRIANA

I pulled my soturion cloak closer as I settled onto the back of the gryphon in the courtyard. Surprisingly, this one had several harnesses attached.

“You mean I could have been buckling myself up this entire time?” I asked, securing the belt around my waist. That would have certainly improved my flight experiences.

“Obviously,” Dario said, as he climbed on, and took the harness in front of me. “What, you think we’re savages?”

“Well then where were these the other night?” I asked, double-checking that I was secured.

“You tell me,” he said, tightening his strap. “That was your gryphon we rode—maybe ask your Lord Rhyan why he didn’t provide any harnesses for you, my lady.”

Because we’d stolen the gryphon from Aemon. But I couldn’t say that.

Instead, I spat, “Sorry, we were a little too busy saving your life.”

Artem, the stable master, finished untying the gryphon’s rope, and handed it to Dario.

“Are you going to be needing transport for the lady each morning?” he asked, looking me up and down.

“Imperator’s orders,” Dario said. “She’s Rhyan’s novice.”

Artem nodded. “Not staying in the soturion apartments for training then?” He lifted a bushy white eyebrow.

“No, she’s not permitted to,” Dario said. “Any more questions, Artem? Or can we start our day?”

“Just an old man being nosy. Have a good day, my lord.” He slapped his knee. “My lady. I’ll have Lord Rhyan’s gryphon ready next,” he added, looking me up and down carefully.

Dario leaned forward, ignoring the last remark. It had been unnecessary for him to mention. It didn’t concern Dario. He wasn’t in charge of Rhyan’s escort. I realized, it had been for my benefit.

A clue that Rhyan was near and staying in Seathorne like me. Of course, his father wouldn’t trust him in the apartments either.

“Thank you, Artem,” I said, hoping to convey that I understood.

He nodded, and our gryphon lifted onto its hind paws, and then raced forward, soaring into the air. The courtyard faded from view just as I made out the shadowy silhouette of a soturion flanked by two guards, stepping outside.

After the toasts and endless rounds of congratulations the day before, we’d all been whisked back to our rooms and locked inside. I sat by the fireplace for hours, practically holding my breath, terrified there’d be a knock on the door.

I expected Kane to show up and make good on his threats. When I wasn’t sitting with my muscles tense, I’d been trying to bribe my guard to give me news of Meera. I’d taken my ring off the moment I was alone. It was heavy and uncomfortable on my finger.

The next morning, I received a scroll from His Highness telling me to dress for soturion training and that once I reached the Katurium, I’d be reunited with my armor and weapons. And if I had a good day, and wore my engagement ring like a good girl, I’d get what I needed next. I stared at the offensive metal as it glinted in the morning sun, and contemplated letting it accidentally fall, letting it vanish into the pine below. But because the Imperator had ordered me to wear it, that thought suddenly seemed ridiculous to me. Even a bit painful.

I sighed. It didn’t matter. It was just a ring. And not worth whatever punishment might come next.

A few minutes of silence passed between me and Dario in the sky, before I felt that sudden plunge in my stomach as the gryphon made its descent before the Katurium. I took deep breaths. At least this time I had the protection of a harness.

Once we landed, I unbuckled and slid to the ground as Dario tied the rope to a post. He left me to stare at the Academy. It was massive. Every bit as intimidating looking as I’d imagined. The Glemarian Katurium was far larger than Bamaria’s in every way. I could barely see the sky above from where I stood.

“This way,” Dario barked, leading me inside.

I took one last look at the imposing architecture and followed Dario through the doors and down a long winding corridor to my new training room. At least this was familiar to me. Musty, and faintly smelling of sweat. In the center, on a pile of training mats, was my Bamarian armor, and my blade. But not my sword, nor my knives. Asherah’s chest plate was also missing. And I noted that I wasn’t being given new armor—no Glemarian leathers of my own.

This was my first time in a Katurium with my magic power, with my soturion strength pulsing inside me. I could feel it buzzing through my veins. For once, I actually wanted to run. Wanted to exercise. And the one time I’d be able to show my true strength, to race properly against my fellow soturi I’d have to pretend I was still slow and weak.

Because that was how Imperator Hart intended for me to be seen. And exactly how he planned to keep me. Under his control, unable to fight back.

I bit my lip, trying to prepare for what came next. “Will the rest of my armor and weapons be returned? I assume if His Highness wants me to be an actual soturion of Ka Hart, I’ll need a sword at some point.”

Dario grunted non-commitally.

“What?” I asked. “No sassy come-back?”

His eyes narrowed. He always had something to say.

“Oh wait, it’s too early for you. Isn’t it? Let me guess,” my voice filled with saccharine sweetness, “Nursing a hangover?”

“You know what!” Dario yelled. “Whatever Rhyan told you before, forget it. You don’t know me. You don’t know anything about me. And neither does he. Not anymore. So maybe, just maybe, for once, shut the fuck up.”

“Likewise,” I seethed.

His nostrils flared. “I’ll be outside. Come out when your armored up. If you even know how to put it on!”

He slammed the door.

I punched a mat against the wall. I hated everything about this. After everything I’d been through, everything I’d learned, I was back as a fucking student in a fucking soturion academy.

Then, knowing I had no other choice, I began the process of buckling and tightening each strap of my golden, seraphim armor. When everything was tightened, and my dagger secured at my hip, I walked outside to the track. Hundreds of soturi jogged by me, all taking their positions. Without fail, every single one stopped to look at me.

Imperator Hart had gotten his wish. I was a spectacle on every level. My golden armor stood out against the sea of black leather like a beacon. And the morning sun left my hair a bright flaming red.

But there was something else that made me stand out. At home, there’d been an equal number of men and women who joined the soturi. I’d never thought twice about that. But here, I had to actively search for the women. There were few and far between the men, who seemed to be moving closer and closer to me.

My heart pounded, until Dario grabbed my hand. He’d slammed his dagger into the ground, and jerked his chin for me to follow.

I did, my eyes searching desperately for a glimpse of Rhyan. I needed to see him. To see how he was doing. And to find a way to talk to him.

A moment later, he was there, marching toward me.

My heart leapt at once at the sight of him, my feet already starting to move.

But it was Dario who brought me back, who reminded me of the game.

“That look on your face,” he muttered, “better be for your betrothed. Unless you want to have a very, very shitty day.”

I froze. Kane was marching right behind Rhyan. Imperator Hart had made it more than clear that I was to convince everyone of my engagement to Kane. And that next time, he’d demand a kiss. And all at once, I could feel myself giving in. My eyes on Kane, my feet taking me toward him. I tried to step back, and immediately, felt a jolt of pain in my chest, running out through my arms.

“My bride,” Kane yelled, causing everyone in the arena to turn in our direction.

A cold front from Rhyan blew past me.

“Give me a hug,” Kane said, “for good luck before your run.”

“Thank you,” I said, and bounced on my heels, running to him. I was ready to vomit. Every instinct in my body told me to turn away. To run in the opposite direction. Or better yet, to run to Rhyan. But instead, against everything inside me, I raced into Kane’s arms, and hugged him.

He smelled like sweat. Immediately I pulled back, and waved as if the interaction were over, running back to my dagger and Dario, my fingers tensed. The ring on my finger felt too tight, too small.

But a moment later, my stomach plunged, my body feeling hollow, as a heavy arm was slung over my shoulder.

“Give me a kiss,” Kane demanded.

“No,” I said, my blood running cold. Imperator Hart wasn’t here and without a direct order from him telling me to do it, I wouldn’t. I refused. But my heart pounded, painfully so.

“If you want the scrolls Imperator Hart promised you, do it.”

The blueprints. The plans to the Emperor’s Palace. The only way I could rescue Jules.

I wanted to punch him, to break another bone. But even without a direct order, I knew I had to do as he asked. Because every rebellious thought made me sick. He hadn’t said where to kiss him though.

I stood up on my tiptoes, suddenly dizzy, and brushed my lips against his cheek, barely allowing for contact. But it seemed to satisfy the command my blood was forced to obey.

He laughed. “That’s how you kiss? You can do better.”

Tears were in my eyes—he was pressing so hard on me, bruising my shoulder.

“Arkturion,” Rhyan yelled. “Lovely morning to be back, isn’t it? I’m ready to run!”

Kane grunted, his hold on me tightening as he looked up in fury at Rhyan. He pulled me even closer then, his eyes holding a challenge for Rhyan who was walking swiftly to us.

Rhyan’s eyes sparked, the green blazing so brightly, they almost looked gold in the morning sun.

Kane huffed, his hold on me growing more painful by the second. But he pushed me away. And I stumbled toward Rhyan as Kane headed for the center of the field.

I tried to keep my breakfast down, while I fought the urge to wipe my mouth on my cloak.

Suddenly, there was a cool cloth against my neck. Rhyan was by my side.

“Partner.” He shook his head, his aura pulsing.

I blinked back my traitorous tears, swallowing the bile in my throat.

His eyes were roving across my shoulder and collarbone, assessing. He knew. He knew the damage Kane could inflict with a simple touch.

“When it’s time for him to die,” Rhyan said, his eyes still on my shoulder, “It will happen slowly. Over days.” He slid his hand from the towel up the nape of my neck, his fingers pressing against my head beneath my braid. I leaned back, arching into his touch.

“Rhyan,” I gasped. “Don’t. It’s too risky.” But still, I pressed against his hand, desperate for any form of contact. For touch that was gentle and welcome, and not Kane’s. Not Shiviel’s. Not one commanded by Imperator Hart.

“You say the word,” Rhyan said. “You say it, and we’re gone.”

I closed my eyes, biting my tongue before I said yes, before I threw myself into his arms and let him take me away. Because I knew if I did, I wouldn’t just let him, I’d beg him.

Shifting my neck, I could feel his own engagement ring, cool and hard against my skin. At last, I pulled away, far too aware of the soturi who watched the exchange.

Dario moved beside us, making a small attempt to block Rhyan’s touch from public view.

He glared, “Are you two actually that stupid, or just farther than fucking Lethea? You’re supposed to dispel the rumors, not make new ones!” He stomped back to his dagger.

Rhyan’s eyes slid up and down my body, stopping where Kane had touched me. “Can you run?” he asked, voice low.

“Just a sore shoulder. I’m fine.”

His eyes narrowed, blazing with anger. “Just remember,” he said quietly. “You have to be the worst one out there.”

I smiled sadly, remembering our first ever run together. He’d said something similar then, trying to get me to focus.

“At least, this time I’m trying to be the worst, and not actually.”

He took a step back, his eyes shining. “You’d be the best, if you were allowed to be. The strongest soturion in the Godsdamned Empire. That day will come. But for now, remember, no winners. It’s not a race. Don’t let them get to you. Don’t let them trick you into running faster, or giving up the game. No one out there, not a single one of them is worth it.”

Kane called everyone’s attention to him, while more soturi watched me from the corner of their eyes.

Dario was suddenly alert, shooting death glares at everyone in our vicinity. His eyes caught Rhyan’s, and something passed between them. A second later, Dario moved so I was sandwiched between him and Rhyan.

He was an ass. But at least he took his job as my bodyguard seriously.

The bell rang. Rhyan offered one final anguished look at me, and then he took off. I breathed out slowly, my power dancing through my veins, my feet feeling so light I swore I could fly. I wanted to tear the track up, I wanted to outrace everyone. I wanted to see the smug look on every soturion’s face fade away as they ate my dust.

But I took a slow, measured step, and then another.

And I was the worst one out there.

I could barely focus the rest of the day on all the classes I was forced to sit through, and the bland lunch I could barely keep down, while Dario’s eyes shot daggers at me across the table.

I’d almost believed I’d get to be alone with Rhyan in the training room. But a familiar hiss in the corner shattered that fantasy at once.

We were both sweating by the end, second guessing our every move. Trying to perform each exercise, to keep up with Academy guidelines, all while we knew his father’s snake was memorizing everything to report back.

When the final bells rang, there was a knock on the door.

Kenna’s cousin, Soturion Baynan, held a scroll closed with a wax seal stamped with the letters H.H.I.H.

His Highness, Imperator Hart.

Rhyan’s eyes widened as he closed the training door behind him. I broke the seal, unraveling the parchment for us both to read.

To Lady Lyriana and Lord Rhyan,

Come to the courtyard immediately following the combat clinic tonight.

A gryphon will be waiting to take you to the Library of Glemaria. There, in a reserved room only the head librarian can unlock, will you find the items we discussed. All information you need will be stored there.

No materials are to ever leave the premises. You must memorize everything you need. I have chosen my men to assist you. They will join you tonight, along with Lady Meera. Use your time wisely. You have only one chance.

H.H.I.H.

Rhyan’s eyes met mine, the same determination brewing in them that I felt running through my veins—more powerful than his father’s command. Then he crumpled the scroll.