Page 6 of The Stygian Crown
Aidan glanced up. “Ah. I’ve grown inured to it. Do you spar regularly, Lady Grey?”
“Please, call me Celine. And I do, from time to time. I enjoyed many outdoor activities in the country.”
“I’ve been to Briarcliff. The land there is wild and beautiful.”
Shit.She needed to be careful about bringing up the earl or Briarcliff before she had the opportunity to learn more about them. “But not so beautiful as the palace, of course.”
“If you say so. I find I prefer the ruggedness of country living as I age. Pray tell, what tempted you out of it?”
“The threat of spinsterhood.”
Aidan cracked a smile, transforming his face. Kara blinked at him. No one should look that good while touching their toes. She was beginning to understand what the ladies of the court had lined up for.
“And you? What brings you to the palace?”
“I command a portion of the royal army that’s stationed here.”
Kara forgot herself for a moment when she said, “For a man so fond of nature, you seem to have chosen the wrong profession.”
Surprise flickered across his face. “Indeed. Army outposts grow fewer as mercenary control spreads. But you’re familiar with that, with your borders so close to Dreadnettle’s.”
Kara nodded. “They certainly contribute to the wildness. Perhaps you can retire to a hermitage.” She finished stretching and dusted her hands off on her pants. As a captain in the army, Aidan seemed unlikely to be a Sanguine sympathizer. But honor often knelt to coin. And hewasrelated to Jasper.
“You must be an accomplished swordsman. Would you care to spar?”
“I wouldn’t want to hurt you—”
“Nonsense. You insult me, my lord.”
“Very well, Celine.” The way her new name rolled off his lips was seductive.
Kara caught Serena’s eye as she and the viscount took up practice swords. The mage was in the middle of a cluster of Vespertines, giving them instructions for their workout.
She and Aidan began slowly, going through a set pattern of attacks and deflections. His gaze was bored, unfocused. His eyes flitted between the other groups of people around the yard. Kara gave him a quick rap on the collarbone to wake him up.
“I said I wanted to spar, not trade blows like children.” Kara deviated from the pattern again, darting in to give him a cheeky poke to his inner thigh. She was going to have to threaten him to get him to take her seriously. Aidan deflected the swift blows she followed up with, his eyes widening.
“You’re fast. Who did you train with?”
Keep it vague, Kara.“The man who taught me to ride was an excellent swordsman.”
“And you an excellent student.” Aidan began to duel her in earnest, increasing his speed and varying his blows, though she sensed he was still holding back. If he’d trained with the same tutor Jasper had, he’d be quite the swordsman.
The thudding of the wooden practice swords meeting soothed her with their brutal lullaby. She almost missed the feeling of Aethyta’s gaze on her back, the clap of her hands ringing in the air. A pang went through her as she wished Jon or Logan were here to spar with. They always challenged her.
A few of the Vespertines gathered around, watching them fight. Kara wanted to show off her full skills to impress them, but she controlled herself, pulling her swings and letting Aidan score hits she’d have normally blocked or dodged.
They continued for several more minutes, then Kara pulled off, acting winded. She could slowly escalate Celine’s abilities and stamina, just as she had her own. She might already be pushing it.
She wiped sweat off her brow and smiled at Aidan. “I’m afraid I’m spent. Thank you for humoring me.”
“Any time, my lady. Your skills are impressive. I look forward to our next bout.”
Kara paused. Aidan may be able to give her more information on the situation at the palace, but she’d need to be alone with him if she wanted him to be candid with her.
“Could I interest you in giving me a tour around Lerathil sometime, Lord Kendrick? I have had little chance for tourism, and you must know the city well.” Kara had no memory of her trip into the city, when Logan had rushed her to the castle as she bled out. The heads of the court ladies twisted around like owls, listening in. This wouldn't win her any fans amongst them—Kendrick was obviously a hotly contested bachelor.
Aidan blushed. “Of course, Celine. It’d be my pleasure.”
