A landshaper?
His height and large stature seemed to indicate that he was, but the lack of horns on his head seemed to contradict this. However, he could be of mixed blood.
Lannahi was sure she had heard of more than one mixed-blood landshaper, but fresh memories of the performance in the arena made her think of the one she associated with it. His neutral attire—a white shirt and black pants—wasn’t a clue, but the brown bag slung over his shoulder, which probably contained spare clothes, already was…
Facial features evoking an association with a wolf. Silver eyes. Short brown hair. Not as short as her father’s, but also not so long that it could be swept back as Maal usually did with his. A practical choice for a swordsman who foregathered with elites…
“Ashared,” she said out loud though it wasn’t her intention.
The man seemed as surprised as she was, but immediately smiled with a flash of amusement in his eyes. He bowed slightly. “I’m flattered that you recognize me, Lannahi, and at the same time, I’m ashamed that if it weren’t for your performance today, I wouldn’t have been able to reciprocate. I will take this as a lesson. From today, I will pay more attention to the Royal Albums to be better prepared to meet…” The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. “…those who are rooting for me.”
His last words balanced on the border of insolence and flirtation, but his voice sounded warm and there was curiosity in the look he sent her. Lannahi felt herself relax.
“I would venture to say that after you deprived Amal from Glasstower from participating in the tournament, in the Albums from Central Faeries, you will only find those who root for your competitors.”
Ashared laughed. To Lannahi’s surprise, the sound caused a light flutter in her stomach, and for the first time that day, it wasn’t an unpleasant feeling. It didn’t last long, though.
Ashared knew who she was. True, he was a swordsman dueling for sport, not a prince of a rival court, but if a fae from the frigid South had taken notice of her, it was more than certain that the citizens of the cities surrounding Sarkal’s kingdom had done so as well.
Just like Maal planned…
“I can go get another key if you still need a moment to cool down after the show,” Ashared said when she started slowly toward him.
…though most would think it was an artistic rivalry.
Suddenly, conflicting feelings gnawed at her. A part of her wanted to accept Ashared’s offer and hide. The other felt ashamed at the thought that if he had arrived a few minutes earlier, he would have found her singing a lullaby to herself. Another looked into his light gray eyes and was surprised to see a warm glow in them instead of the coldness that might be associated with the color. It was difficult to believe that in a place where she expected only rivalry and calculation, she found kindness.
Yet another part of her wondered if Ashared would treat her with the same friendliness if he knew of her plans. As far as she was aware, he wasn’t associated with any court, but the city she was planning to conquer belonged to the niece of his sword master.
“There’s no need,” Lannahi said in a light tone. “I was about to leave anyway.”
She became more aware of his physicality as she closed the distance between them. Accustomed to the average height and lean build of enchanters, his robust physique intimidated her as much as it fascinated her. However, these feelings paled in comparison to the anxiety that stung her heart like a pin. Ashared might possess the blood of landshapers, but he didn’t inherit their magic. He was a shapeshifter, and that meant that if Lannahi was fast enough, she had the advantage over him, but only as long as she stayed out of his reach.
Nihhal has never shown an interest in winter cities, she told herself, forcing her legs to move closer to Ashared and the door exiting the room.Why would he enchant a well-known swordsman?
When they were only a few daggers apart, Ashared stepped back, making room for her, and relief made her say on impulse, “Good luck in the duel.”
He feigned surprise. “I thought there is no one rooting for me in the Central Faeries.”
Lannahi smiled. She had to cock her head to look him in the eye, but because of what she saw in them, his physical advantage no longer seemed intimidating. It was strangely exciting.
“Wishing someone good luck doesn’t necessarily mean that one is rooting for them. Didn’t anyone tell you?”
His laughter echoed in her head long after she left him. She tried not to think about how much she liked the sound of it. Didn’t she know how deceptive a smile could be from an attractive man? She had no time for idle ponderings…
Despite this conclusion, all she thought about on her way to the Chamber of Confessions was that this was likely the last time Ashared would laugh in her presence.
In a few hours, she would become his enemy.
Chapter 6
The Chamber of Confessions was located in the part of the building opposite the arena exit, in the center of the corridor connecting two entrance halls. Lannahi and her family had passed through one of them when they first arrived to Blacktower. As she approached the closed door, the guards stationed outside looked surprised, but she walked confidently up to them.
“Is Arbiter Bastet free?” she asked.
The guard cast her a careful glance. “Yes. You can go in.” The corners of his mouth tipped up. “If you are sure of your decision.”
Lannahi sent him a brief smile but did not respond. She knocked twice and turned the knob.
