slyly.
I stopped abruptly and glared at him, the fire gnawing to get out. I’d like to charcoal him like a hot dog, and I swore I would once we got outside.
“Yes, yes, I know. You threw yourself over a cliff in a tantrum, and your killer of a boyfriend took his own life to save yours. Get over it. It’s over. It happened. You’re the Oracle, and your kingdom needs you. Start acting like you use your brain, and not your ridiculous heart, to live by. Your antics will get us all killed, and I’m sorry, but that’s not acceptable to me. You need to move on.”
I reached my hand out and to slap him across his smug face, but he was quick—extremely quick—and caught my hand before it even made it halfway to its mark. He shoved me hard against the wall, and the air gushed from my lungs.
“Take your anger to the training grounds, not the hallways. If you wish to put me in my place, there are other ways to do it,” he whispered dangerously in my ear. “Your title means nothing to me when we face off. I cannot wait to have you to myself in combat.”
“What’s going on here?” Soran’s curious voice cut in.
Tarek backed away from me, released my hand, and gave me an even stare, daring me, challenging me, to try him again. I swallowed, trying to hide my anger.
“Nothing, Prince Soran. I was only showing the princess how easy it is to be overcome by someone when she’s inexperienced,” Tarek stated idly, focusing his attention on my brother.
“Ah,” Soran said, his gaze shifting over to me. “Are you well, sister?”
“Yes,” I answered through gritted teeth.
“I’m sorry I’ve been unavailable this morning, and I apologize for having to leave again,” Soran started, and I stared wide-eyed at him.
I reached out for him and pulled him aside, out of earshot of Tarek. “You cannot leave me with Tarek,” I whispered urgently.
“Why not? He’s one of the best warriors in Dar’ish. He’s highly respectable, and he knows what he’s doing. He trains all our soldiers, Analia. I trust him with your life, or I wouldn’t have sent him.”
“He’s an ass, Soran,” I huffed, glancing at Tarek quickly.
“Well, he is an acquired taste, but he means well.” Soran chuckled. “Besides, it’ll only be a week or two until Kellin returns, and then he can take over—”
“Wait. You said Kellin would be back tonight.”
“Yes, I know,” Soran sighed and ran his hands through his hair. “It seems there was an attack on a small village near the edge of the kingdom. Kellin rode with troops to provide aide. He won’t be returning until he’s certain the threat has been neutralized. It appears there have been small attacks on all the villages which line the kingdom’s borders.”
“He could be killed,” I said horrified. “If it’s Zaros, they will kill him.”
“Calm down, Analia,” Soran said reassuringly. “Kellin is an extraordinary fighter. He will fare well. Don’t worry for him. He wants to get back here just as much as you want him to. I dare say he’ll fight tooth and nail to get back to you.”
My face heated at Soran’s words, recalling how Kellin had professed his love for me only weeks ago, and I’d turned him down and chosen Calix.
“Now, go train with Tarek, and try to not give him a hard time,” Soran continued, a smile on his face. “I’ll see you in a few days.”
“What? A few days?” I blubbered. “You can’t go. I don’t know anyone here but you.”
“Analia,” Soran said, resting his large hands on my shoulders and staring me in the eyes. “You’ll be fine. I promise. Do as Tarek says, OK? When I return, I’m going to want to see what you can do. So will Kellin.”
“Calix already trained me, Soran. I told you that.”
“We spoke of this already, Analia. I don’t know what he showed you. I want to be certain you can handle whatever comes your way because, baby sister, it is coming, and it is one hell of a storm.”
Chapter 11
I grumbled the entire way to the training grounds. Soran’s news had put an even bigger damper on my already crummy mood and being stuck with Tarek magnified it by about a million.
“Why can’t I change into something else? Why does it have to be a dress?” I huffed as we stopped in a wide-open space deep within the palace grounds. There were dummies and targets and various other