49. Nicholas
49
Nicholas
T he royal convoy stopped at the end of the curved road between Sunvale and South Harbor. With a repeated command, the guardsmen stayed with the carriage and horses. I couldn’t recall the last time, if ever, I’d walked the streets of Highcrest dressed with no intention of hiding my identity.
The morning sun beat down, soft dirt giving way beneath my boots. Insects chirped from the tall grasses off the roadside while a faint whiff of salty sea air drifted between the few houses framing this end of the city.
It all painted a portrait of serenity.
A moment like this could easily distract from the glaring horrors currently wreaking havoc upon my people. One day, I hoped to restore enough justice that all my citizens could look upon a day like this and take in its beauty without worry or fear.
A parcel of land on the outskirts of South Harbor; that’s where I was headed this morning. The walls of the castle held nefarious intentions these days, and I found it more and more difficult to relax and unwind. Training had provided that for me in the past, and after yet another restless night in my bed, I had to do something about it.
My pace held no hint of urgency, maybe because I wasn’t entirely sure what I’d say once I arrived. Or maybe the stain of shame that I couldn’t seem to wash away seemed more noticeable under the exposing sun.
I found my thoughts wandering to a certain beautiful woman who navigated these streets with the prowess of a panther and wondered what she got herself up to on a gorgeous day like this. I assumed she might still be sore from her journey home and hoped that played a factor in the reason she denied my request to meet. Maybe I’d been selfish asking her for her time after such a taxing journey.
A more realistic part of me knew that even if she’d broken both of her legs, but had the desire to meet with me, she would have made it happen.
I’d decided to give her space, not that she gave me much of a choice over the matter. I had to believe this would just be a small hitch, that she could eventually remember who we’d been to each other under the cover of darkness and not let my position corrupt that.
I reached the small, humble home surrounded on the farthest side by forest. Faint smoke wafted from the chimney, and the fragrance of spices dusted the fresh air, but it was the smoke appearing above the treetops that grabbed my attention.
I walked between the sparse trees beginning to sprout new greenery. Ahead in the clearing, I saw my old friend and trainer, focused and honed in on whatever metal work he was forging on his supposed off-day.
Seeing him instantly brought a smile to my face. Once I got close enough where I wouldn’t need to shout, I said, “Looks like I should have kept better tabs on you. It seems Efemena’s cooking has replaced our endless sparring sessions.”
Odion whipped around, stunned surprise lining his face before a robust laugh burst from his sturdy chest. He dropped the hammer in his hand and approached me with open arms. “Nicholassss,” he growled with a smile before clasping me in a hug that made me regret questioning his physique. The clapping blows to my back rattled my lungs. “What brings you here?!”
An appropriate question. We pulled from our embrace, the man’s dark skin glistening with the sheen of hard labor already. “Do I need a reason to visit an old friend?”
His hands slammed down on my shoulders. “Of course not. It’s good to see you. I appreciate your orders throughout the years, by the way.” He grinned, pointing at me with a facade stripping finger as he went to grab a towel to dab himself.
I stalled for a moment. “What do you mean?” I feigned curiosity, knowing my cover had been blown.
“Well, I had my suspicions when my very first customer ordered enough equipment to sustain me for an entire month. Then knew without a doubt when I started seeing my handiwork around various shops. When I’d ask the owners why they’d purchased that specific material, they said an anonymous donation had been made, to spread the news of an up-and-coming blacksmith on the strip.” He tried smothering his smile, but it broke through. “I’m surprised it took you this long for a visit.”
Without admitting anything, I continued, “I hope I’m not intruding. I was told you close shop this day every week, and didn’t expect to find you busy working.”
“It’s not work when you love it.” He toweled his hands, beaming with a pride and happiness I’d dreamed he had these days.
“How’s Efemena and the kids?”
He paused, staring over my shoulder toward his home. “They’re incredible. Every day is a gift.”
Something about the way he spoke spurred a longing in my chest, a reminder of why I’d come. “I’m glad to hear it. I actually came because I am in need of a sparring partner.” Clasping my hands behind my back, I began strolling the perimeter of the open field, perusing the collection of weapons and parts.
“Now why would you want to get yourself hurt like that?” he teased, and I found myself laughing. A pure, genuine laugh that brightened the darkest parts of my soul—the feeling only an old friend could give.
“Maybe all this fresh countryside air has diluted that memory of yours,” I tossed back.
He chuckled. “Is there no one at the castle to hand your ass to you?”
My smile faded into neutrality. “The castle is the last place I wish to be right now.” Suddenly, the gleaming silver before me became the most interesting thing in the world.
“Ah, I see.” Odion didn’t pry, as I expected. Instead, he stalked over to my side, crossing his arms as he reviewed his own inventory. “Well, you have two options.”
We stood unmoving, and I waited.
“You could work it out with words, or…” He approached the rack and lifted a perfectly forged sword. “With steel.”
My lips cocked to one side as he extended the blade and I didn’t hesitate to accept.
Sweat slid down my brow. The sun reached the highest point in the sky somehow, a couple hours of training passing in an instant. It served its intended purpose, since my mind hadn’t felt this clear in weeks. Odion lunged, and I parried, our executions slowing from when we’d first begun.
He stumbled forward, and in a lazy attempt to end it for both of us, I flung the sword until it hung in the air inches from the back of his neck.
He laughed, accepting the defeat. “This body can’t give what it used to.”
I wiped the sweat from my face using my sleeve. “Apparently neither can mine. Losing you as a trainer will always be one of the greatest tragedies of my life,” I huffed, and Odion barked a laugh. I craned my neck to the side, stretching the cluster of tension.
He rose to his full height, bending back slightly to stretch his stiff back. “Maybe you need to come down from that castle more than once every few years, eh?”
A rush of air barreled from my nose. “You have no idea.” For too long I’d remained behind those walls, under the impression that things had been fine. Separated from the truth, barricaded by my privilege. Nora had opened my eyes to the state of things and taught me that one person could change the world.
Because she’d changed mine.
I strode to the water barrel and cupped my hands, splashing my face and the back of my neck to cool my heated skin, and wash away the thoughts of her that ached before grabbing a spare towel.
“There’s my girl!” Odion called.
I turned, expecting to see his wife. My eyes focused on an image I thought couldn’t possibly be real.
“Nora,” her name escaped my lips. There she stood, dark hair braided back, casual tight-fitting clothes revealing her exposed daggers clearly. Finally it clicked why her fighting had seemed familiar. We’d had the same trainer, just over the span of a few years.
“Nicholas,” she breathed.
Odion noticed the familiarity between us. “You two know each other? Oh, right, the bride competition.”
“It’s not a competition.” I hated the way that sounded. Like I esteemed myself a prize.
The Nora I expected would have scoffed, or rolled her eyes at the mere mention. But she didn’t. She stood, frozen, as jarred to see me as I was her.
“Sorry, Odion, I didn’t know you had company. Your Highness.” She dipped her chin a fraction before turning on her heel, the cold use of that title sending a chill over my sweat-slicked skin.
“Wait.” I took a couple steps forward, reaching my arm toward her, though she was yards away.
She stopped, and my heart raced knowing I didn’t have anything to entice her, a reason to convince her to stay. All I knew was that I didn’t want to watch her go.
“If you’re here to train, I’ll leave,” I said, the sentiment already crushing.
She faced me, crossing her arms in front of her. “Fine.”
If hurt flickered across my face, I didn’t bother to hide it. I glanced down at the borrowed sword, and pivoted to return it to its rack.
“Nora, if you had gotten here sooner, I would have been more than happy to spar with ‘ya today, but phew .” Odion rested against his workbench. “Our generous prince has run me ragged.” The burly man continued to pat himself down.
The last thing I needed was to have ruined her training day. Something else to add to the list of acts by a selfish prince who only contributed to taking from her and his people. I whirled around to address her. “I’ll spar with you. No weapons.” Maybe giving her the opportunity to throw a couple punches would help dissolve her anger. I definitely wasn’t up to dodging her malice filled dagger jabs, but I’d take some of her hits. Even if she broke a rib or cracked my jaw. Any opportunity to have her near me was worth that cost. “Surely you wouldn’t object to smacking me around a little?”
“That’s a kind offer, Nick, but I don’t think Nora would feel comfortable—”
“Deal,” Nora agreed before he could continue.
I lit up with joy even as she stormed toward the center of the field, unstrapping her weapons with a ferocity in her eyes that promised she wouldn’t take it easy. Excitement and adrenaline coursed through me. The first glimpse of a crack in the wall she’d been building since the reveal, giving me an opportunity to tear down her defenses. And I wanted her hands on me, no matter how she’d give them.
Odion straightened, no doubt noting her approach and recognizing that fire. I tossed him a look that asked him to pray for me, and he gave one in turn that said, good luck .
We started circling one another, and though rage glittered in those dark eyes, I also saw a glimpse of that masked girl in the night. The one who, for whatever reason, chose to trust me.
She was mad, yes, but she knew this thing between us still lived. Perhaps that’d been a reason she’d gotten so angry, all of it becoming complicated when it’d been so easy and natural.
While I admired her and reflected upon our connection, she moved as quick as a lightning flash and struck. My hands barely raised in time to smack her fist away from my face. I stepped back when she advanced, her hands up between us, readying for another attack. The little minx had seen my wavering focus and used it to her advantage.
I couldn’t contain my smile, the pure elation that she elicited by giving me a morsel of her attention. While I gazed upon her furious beauty, her leg swiped, striking my ankle. Before I could rebound and regain my balance, her elbow had come up, knocking into my cheek.
I stumbled back out of reaction, and could have sworn a glimpse of a smile started forming on her pretty face. “Is that all you’ve got?” I taunted, knowing she could have hit me a lot harder. Encouraging her to unleash herself, to gather all her rage and cast it into her punches. If that’s what it would take for her to let some of it go, I’d stay until I could no longer keep myself standing.
My comment struck its target as effectively as a punch. She expelled a combination of rapid movements, my tired body hardly moving fast enough to keep up. Not one ounce of guilt graced her face when she advanced on me again.
This time, instead of smacking her blows away, I grabbed her wrist and yanked her forward. It caught her by surprise, and with her own momentum, sent her flying into my chest. I wasted no time locking my arm around her waist, pinning her to me.
“That’s uh… a new technique,” Odion commented from the sidelines.
I gave her a scoundrel’s smile, knowing it would only fuel her. I hadn’t expected her to stomp on my foot, which made me release her as I yelled out. Before I could blink, her heel jammed into my kidney. With a throbbing foot and shooting pain to my side, I collapsed onto the ground, trying to hold myself up. I’d never seen someone execute a roundhouse kick so fast. A moment later, she tackled me, pinning my splayed elbows with her knees, just as she had that night in the market.
I could have crossed my legs and twisted, sent her rolling off me. Instead, I remained still, panting in recovery from her blow. Her fists were balled at her sides, and she looked down at me with cold indifference.
“Do it, Nora. I deserve it.” I swallowed down my guilt for all the ways I’d inadvertently hurt her, preparing to pay the punishment.
That broke her trance. She blinked a few times, coming back into herself, releasing all that’d been pent up but not spent. “I don’t want to,” she whispered, as if it was some sort of shameful confession. Her hands relaxed.
I should have considered this a victory, taking it as evidence that she did, in fact, care for me in some way. Yet, it stung like loss. To see that sorrow in her beautiful brown eyes, to sense that she felt like she betrayed some part of herself for allowing her affection toward me to influence her.
“I’m sorry, Nora. Tell me how to make it right.” I’d run out of my own ideas, but I needed to know.
“There’s nothing you can do,” she admitted, quieter than before.
My chest cleaved in two. “There has to be,” I begged, my vision blurring, the words nearly clogging my throat.
She hauled herself off me, wasting no time getting to her feet. I attempted to sit up, but my hand flew to my side. She’d gotten me good. By the time I worked through the surge of pain, she’d made it halfway across the field and shouted her goodbyes to Odion.
The sight of her fading into the distance kept me on the ground for a while.