“I figured,” I murmured, enraptured by how Nyktos moved. There was a predatory gracefulness in how he used his large body, springing forward and back as if he were light as air.
I watched, thinking of how he’d saved Saion and Rhahar through clever trickery. What price did he pay, though, once Kolis’s amusement faded? Because even though Kolis believed Nyktos was loyal to him, he had still impaled gods on the Rise.
Nyktos brought his sword down on his opponent’s with enough force to disarm the guard. He caught the other sword, then aimed both blades at the man’s throat.
A restless yearning swirled through me as Nyktos clasped the man on the shoulder. I looked away, quickly finding Rhain and Ector paired off with unknown guards. There’d been days in Lasania when I’d had to drag myself into the east tower to train. Days I’d wanted to spend doing only what I chose to do. But training had kept me occupied and maybe even helped to keep those moods I experienced at bay.
I wasn’t used to existing like this, with my only options to pass the time sleeping, reading, or roaming around while annoying others with my presence. I wasn’t used to not having apurpose.
“Thought you were headed to your bedchamber,” Saion reminded me.
“I was.” I nibbled on my lower lip as Nyktos motioned another guard forward—one thickly muscled and fair-haired.
“Was.” Saion sighed. “Past tense. Great.”
I ignored that. “How often do they train?”
“Every day, usually for a few hours in the morning.”
“I used to train every day.”
“Congratulations,” he replied dryly.
Training wassomething.And I should be training, keepingmy reflexes honed. There was only so much I could do alone. I looked over my shoulder at Saion, my mind racing. “Would you rather stand outside my chambers staring at a blank wall or train?”
He glanced down at me. “Is that a trick question? Of course, I’d rather be training.”
Determination seized me. “Then let’s train.”
His brows shot up. “Train. With you?”
“Yes.”
Saion made a choked sound. “Sorry. Not going to happen.”
I frowned. “Why not?”
“Because I’d prefer not to be gutted by Nyktos, which is exactly what would happen if I raised a sword against you, training or not.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“It is what it is.”
I gaped at him. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Did Nyktos give that order?”
“Not in so many words, but it’s not one that needs to be spoken aloud to be known and understood.” Saion sighed as I turned back to Nyktos and the guards. “Why do I have a feeling you’re about to do something ill-advised?”
Maybe I was, but I didn’t care. I wouldn’t spend another day wasting away in my chambers. Icouldn’t. I would no longer just exist, becoming a lifeless spirit that roamed halls instead of the woods. Not when I was done living as if I had no say in my life. And hadn’t I already decided that? Spoken it? It was time to act upon those words because things had to change. Pushing the doors open wide, I walked outside.
“Knew it,” Saion muttered.
The halves of my gown fluttered around my legs as I stalked across the courtyard. Several of the guards immediately noticed me, halting as I drew closer.
Nyktos blocked a blow with the side of his sword as his head snapped in my direction. His features were all cold lines and angles.