Chapter Fifty-Three
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
Mira
The muscles in my arms burned as I ran through a series of practised movements. I pivoted and struck at an imaginary attacker before whirling around, sidestepping and—
‘You’re improving.’
I completed my final strike and lowered my sword. ‘I had a good teacher,’ I replied, slowly turning to face him.
Aric’s hair was longer than I remembered, his muscles more defined, and the sun had deepened his skin to an even richer golden-brown that matched his eyes. But what really stood out to me was the way he held himself. As if he had become a true Warrior in the time he’d been gone.
He was watching me closely, too. His expression softened as we stared at each other, and he moved towards me, as if he felt the same pull I did.
The sounds of the training barracks – the clash of steel, the conversation of Warriors watching from beneath shaded arches – faded to nothing as I stared up into Aric’s face. In that moment, a shared understanding passed between us.
And I knew that he had missed me as much as I had missed him. That we both regretted the way we had left things.
My fingers rose, itching to run through his hair. I didn’t care about our audience, or the consequences. I wanted to bring his lips down to mine. Wanted to show him how I felt without words coming between us.
But Aric’s softness disappeared as his gaze dropped to my hand – to the ostentatious ring on my finger.
‘I heard rumours, but I didn’t actually believe them.’ He stepped back from me, a bitter smile twisting his lips. ‘I suppose I should have known better.’
‘You don’t understand,’ I said quickly. ‘I don’t love Cassius. It’s not like that. He’s—’
‘—a means to an end?’ Aric finished. ‘Another way of getting closer to his father, to your revenge?’
‘Not entirely.’ I took a breath. ‘It wasn’t my choi—’
‘I didn’t expect to return and find you’d come to your senses,’ Aric cut in, anger bringing a flush to his cheeks. ‘But this . . . this is going too far, Mira. Even for you.’
‘The emperor suggested the marriage. What was I supposed to tell him? No? ’
‘You can’t have it both ways!’ he snapped, ignoring the Warriors who looked in our direction. ‘If you want to be with the prince, then be with him. I can’t stop you. But I’m not going to watch it happen.’
He turned to leave, but I was already blocking his way.
‘ Move , Mira.’ Low and dangerous.
‘No,’ I said, planting my feet. ‘I let you leave once. I’m not making that mistake again.’
Aric took hold of my shoulders, and I had the sense he wanted to shake me. His grip tightened instead. ‘I’ve given you plenty of chances. If you felt even a fraction of what I feel for you, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.’
I sucked in a painful breath. ‘That isn’t fair.’
‘Maybe not. But it’s true.’ Aric released me abruptly. The hurt in his face almost broke me, but I refused to let him make me the villain.
‘Have you forgotten everything I had to do to get here?’ I demanded. ‘I have blood on my hands, Aric. Innocent blood. And I can never get it off .’ Silence fell, broken only by my heavy breathing. ‘You have no idea. No idea what I’ve sacrificed.’
‘Don’t I?’ Aric’s eyes blazed with molten fire. ‘I’ve returned from battle, where I’ve seen men cut down by the hundreds. Some of the insurgents I killed were even younger than I am, and they had families too, loved ones who mourn them like I mourned Kain.’ His jaw clenched, so tightly it looked like it might break. ‘You’re not the only one with blood on your hands, Mira. Both of us have had to sacrifice to fit into this monstrous place.’
‘I don’t want to fit in here,’ I hissed at him. ‘I want to destroy it. Every inch of it.’
‘Well,’ he said sharply, ‘I’m sure that justifies everything. I’m sure that makes it all worth it.’ He looked like he was going to say something else, but then his gaze shifted over my shoulder.
I swung around to see Cassius stride into view, accompanied by two guards. Rather than a tunic, he wore fitted black leathers. Fighting leathers, I assumed – until I took in his shiny black riding boots.
Calculating dark blue eyes raked over us, and I knew it looked bad. My face was flushed, and Aric and I were standing too close together; it looked like we’d been interrupted doing something more passionate than talking. I moved hastily away from Aric, trying to regain my composure.
‘There you are,’ Cassius said, no inflection in his voice. His gaze lingered on Aric before returning to me. ‘I had thought you could accompany me on a hunt.’
‘A hunt,’ I repeated slowly.
The prince smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. ‘Yes. Unless you’re otherwise occupied?’
‘No,’ I said immediately. ‘Of course not.’
I crossed over to Cassius’s side, expecting us to leave. But he was still watching Aric.
‘The Warrior too,’ he announced, his tone setting off warning bells in my mind.
Cassius turned on his heel and I reluctantly followed. As I did, I risked a glance in Aric’s direction.
But he refused to meet my eyes.
*
The Warriors were already waiting at the stables, sitting astride hulking black stallions.
Cassius strode over to one of the stable hands, conversing in a low voice and motioning to Aric. The servant darted off, returning with another horse and saddle. His hands trembled as he tightened the straps, and I wondered if he was afraid of the prince or just nervous in the company of nobles.
‘Your steed, Your Highness,’ a young boy said to me, bowing deeply.
‘Thank you,’ I said, running a hand over the horse’s soft mane.
With the boy’s assistance, I climbed into the saddle. I’d ridden horses before, but never a creature such as this. The Zigilian stallions were huge, and though I was in awe of them, their size unnerved me too. Not only were they fast, but they had a reputation for being temperamental.
‘Don’t worry,’ Cassius said. ‘I’ve been assured that your horse has cantered this track many times. All you have to do is hold on to the reins.’ He twisted in his saddle, his attention shifting to Aric. ‘Since it’s your first hunt, no one expects much from you. Just do your best to try and keep up.’
While the words were polite, I heard the challenge in them. So did Aric.
‘Thank you, Your Highness,’ he said, his face hardening, ‘but that won’t be a problem.’
Cassius raised a blond brow. ‘You’re a confident rider, then?’
‘Confident enough.’
The prince smiled. ‘Then perhaps you’d be interested in a race?’
Again, I tried to catch Aric’s attention. But he was focused on Cassius, and the glint in the prince’s eyes made me very, very nervous. ‘What do you propose?’
Cassius waved a gloved hand. ‘Nothing too dramatic,’ he said easily. ‘How about this: whoever reaches the herd of wild boar first wins.’
It sounded like a terrible idea. I was about to say so, but Aric beat me to it.
‘Deal.’
‘Good,’ Cassius said, still smiling. He raised his voice to address the guards: ‘Stay back. I don’t want anyone interfering.’
A horn sounded as the dogs were released into the woods. Then Cassius and Aric urged their horses forward, and the race was on.
The Zigilian stallions moved like the wind. I quickly lost sight of Aric and Cassius as they burst into the forest, the Warriors and their mounts thundering behind them.
I galloped alone over fallen logs and along well-used paths, the baying of the hounds growing closer. My horse carried me faithfully through the trees, moving at a breakneck pace that made my heart race in exhilaration.
‘Faster,’ I cried, spurring the stallion on. ‘Faster!’
I bolted into a clearing and the howling became deafening. I had a glimpse of Aric up ahead: he had beaten Cassius to the herd. But my pride was short-lived as a huge, tusked male launched itself at his leg.
Aric’s stallion reared and his saddle lurched to one side.
I didn’t even have the chance to scream before he fell, his head smacking the ground as he rolled to avoid the stallion’s pounding hooves. I wanted to do something – to dismount and run to him, anything to help Aric as he shuffled backwards, trying to put some distance between himself and the grunting boar.
‘Stay in position!’ someone shouted.
It took all my willpower to remain where I was. My desperate gaze went to Cassius and the two other Warriors, each with spears in their hands. What were they waiting for? And why hadn’t Aric been given a weapon? He was a Warrior too. Had it been because he was new to hunting, or—
Cassius threw his spear. It struck the first boar through the heart, and it fell quickly. I twisted to search for the others, but the guards were already taking aim, their spears launching through the air.
Once the animals were dead, I dismounted and raced to Aric’s side. As hard as I’d tried to push my emotions down, to leave my past behind, it clearly wasn’t enough. Because right now, my heart was screaming at me.
‘Are you alright?’ I asked frantically. ‘Are you hurt?’
He blinked up at me dazedly. ‘You look like an angel,’ he said, and went limp in my arms.