by Olivia Ash
Ezekiel got off his bed and paced the room. He had too much energy swirling around inside to sleep. He wished their date hadn’t ended. He’d asked her if he could see her safely home, but she’d refused, claiming she was perfectly capable of walking alone. He didn’t doubt her. Anyone would be a fool to mess with her. She could easily take a man down with just a look from her intense, blue eyes. And those lips… all night, he hadn’t been able to stop watching them as she spoke. He couldn’t stop thinking about how he wanted to kiss them again, to feel them on his face, his neck. Anywhere. Everywhere.
He rubbed his hands over his face. Now, he definitely wouldn’t be able to sleep. He changed into more relaxed clothing, something he could move around in easily, and then left his room. He thundered down the stairs and ran into Howard checking on the security of the house before retiring to his own room for the evening.
“Are you heading out again, sir?” Howard asked, his tone even and surprised, as he was no doubt used to Ezekiel’s constant comings and goings.
“Yes, I’m going for a run.” He spoke without looking at his servant. Howard shifted in his sight, almost like he was jolted. Ezekiel looked at him then.
Howard’s eyebrow came up. “A run, sir? You’ve never gone running before in your life. Except for that time that spitting hornet chased you across the estate grounds when you were ten.”
He shrugged. “Well, then, I guess this is my first day of running.”
“As you say, sir.” Howard stared at him in baffled confusion, but true to form, didn’t add further comment.
Ezekiel left the estate and, once out on the street, started to jog. Over the years he’d seen Edric and Andreas along with other soldiers run through an obstacle course in the warrior commons, and the grim looks of determination on their faces made it look exhilarating. The physical movement, the sheer focus it required, running seemed like a good way to clear the mind.
And that was what he needed right now.
Soon, he’d run through his neighborhood, the market square, and into the central part of the city. He didn’t really have a destination in mind, but it didn’t surprise him when he turned the corner and ended up in front of the Metropolis again. He shook his head at himself. It was obviously going to be a lot harder to shake Sophia from his mind.
He entered the building with a special key that only three other people in the whole city possessed. When he stepped into the dark, opulent lobby, he paused. The scent of wildflowers drifted to his nose. It was how Sophia had smelled. All earthy and untamed. Frowning, he scanned the area, the feeling of being watched unnerving him.
There should have been no one else in the building, no one lurking in the shadows. He shook his head again. He tensed, wondering if he should call for a guard, and it took him a moment to realize this was all in his head.
There was no one else here—he had simply fallen head over heels for a girl he barely knew. Now he was smelling her long after she was gone, aching for her, thinking of her when he should be asleep.
After only one date, Sophia had firmly settled into his psyche. And he had a feeling it was a permanent arrangement.
Thoughts of just playing along with the contest for a bit of fun vanished. After today, he actually wanted to win their little wager. Not to dominate his lifelong rivals, but because the prize was a wonderful one, indeed, and one most certainly worth fighting for.
EDRIC
Inside his room within the castle, Edric sat at his small, wooden desk and penned a letter to Sophia’s uncle, Lord Oxford. With every dip of his quill into the ink, he felt his confidence rising. He was determined to set himself apart from the other two contestants. He was sure neither Andreas nor Zeke would ever think to do the same.
Andreas would only be thinking about how to physically impress Sophia. His size was imposing, even to Edric. Although Edric had more muscle, Andreas was taller, leaner, and if he was being brutally honest with himself, possibly even stronger. It was his wraith genes that set him apart. And Edric knew Andreas would use that to his advantage.
Zeke, on the other hand, would use his wit and his magic to impress Sophia. He wasn’t a warrior like Edric and Andreas were, but the sorcerer could definitely fight. He had firsthand knowledge of that fact. But Edric would use his other abilities to get a foot ahead in the contest.
For a brief moment, Edric thought about what Zeke had planned for the first date he had with Sophia. He would do something to show off, that was for sure. Probably some magic trick with lots of flash and show.
Edric didn’t possess casting magic, his magic involved other abilities, like his heightened senses and his ability to heal, so he planned on getting more information on Sophia. Her likes, her dislikes, anything he could ascertain to get an advantage. He would be fully prepared to woe her properly.
Andreas would likely call him a cheater. But Edric was a commander. He was well versed in war tactics. He knew when to press forward and when to retreat. He knew how to manipulate a playing field and use it to dominate his opponents. He didn’t know how to surrender.
And this was a battle with the greatest prize of them all. Sophia.
He had no doubt in his mind that she was a woman worth fighting for. Just from the few hours he had been around her at the ball, he knew she had strength of character and a boldness that called to him in many ways. She was obviously a woman who got her way, and pressed her advantage, and he respected that.
It didn’t hurt that she was beautiful. She actually had beauty that transcended physical traits. A light shone from inside her. He’d seen it the moment he’d seen from across the room. In fact, there had been something about her that drew him into that room, and across the floor. It was not a sensation he was used to experiencing.
He’d courted other women. Jasmine, who had been on his arm that night, was one of those women. He’d taken her out a few times and had enjoyed her company for the most part. Her father was a powerful man, a senator in the courts of law, and Edric had thought it would be a good match, an advantageous one as well. But the moment his gaze landed on Sophia’s, Jasmine, and every woman he’d ever courted, kissed, talked to, faded from existence. Sophia was who he wanted. No one else could ever compare to her.
He sealed the letter, using melted wax and his family crest stamp, fully willing to use a few of the favors he’s amassed over the years to win this contest. It would take some time, but Edric had friends in high places, and he could get even the elusive Lord Oxford to speak with him… eventually.
Chapter Seventeen
Sophia
The training was running late, and Sophia impatiently watched the sun tick across the sky as Grindel forced her to stand on a board precariously balanced over a wine barrel as he shot arrows at her. She deflected each of them with her magic, almost reflexively.
Another arrow came whizzing toward her head. He was obviously getting impatient with her, and she pushed the arrow away with a small blast of her magic from her hands. Her control was getting to the point where she didn’t even need to direct it with her hands, her intention seemed enough for her magic to obey. She hoped that meant she was healing more of her broken soul. She did feel stronger since meeting the three men. The piece of her soul definitely called to her, she just didn’t know from which of the men yet.
Finally, after another slew of arrows were batted away, Grindel sighed. “If you’re not going to focus, you might as well go off and do whatever is so important that you aren’t paying attention to your training.”
Relieved she jumped off the board and was about to run off when he fumbled with a small, wrapped package he had tucked in his robe. He shoved it into her hands. “Here. It’s for your birthday. Open it later.” He cleared his throat, then nodded farewell, and took the path back to the cabin.
She shook her head at his obvious distress with any sign of affection. She unwrapped the scarf the gift was swathed in to reveal a beautiful ornate dagger inside. The intricate gold inlay on the hilt was stunni
ng and wildly expensive. There was ancient writing along the blade, in a lavish style that must’ve been an enchantment, faintly glowing at her touch. Grindel must have saved his coins for years to afford something like this. Smiling, she slipped it into her belt, undeniably pleased at her teacher’s affection for her, whether he’d admit to those feelings or not.
Excited to finally be on her way to her date with Edric, she ran from the training ring deep in Witch Woods to find Haris waiting for her on the outskirts. She jumped on his back, as it would be faster to get to Nighthelm. She was wary, of course, of Grindel following her, but on Haris, not even horses could keep up.
She arrived roughly an hour late. After sneaking in, she found a fountain to quickly wipe down, then changed into her Lady Oxford clothes. Once she arrived at the garden, she was relieved to find Edric still sitting on the edge of the fountain, carving a piece of wood with a knife. As she approached him, he looked up and smiled. “I’m so sorry I’m late. It was impossible to get away,” she said.
“I figured you were just trying to test me.” He chuckled. “Did I pass your test?”
She gave him a coy look.
He winked at her, and then presented her with the beautiful rose carving. “A beautiful flower for a beautiful woman.”
She took the flower between her fingers and said, “Thank you.”
As they strolled through the gardens, Edric set his hand on the small of her back, it was a possessive move, and Sophia was surprised she liked it.
“Do you like it here in Nighthelm?” he asked.
She gestured to the scenery. “Oh, yes. It’s such a pretty city. I love it most at night, though.”
“Really?” His eyes narrowed. “Why?”
She had to watch what she said. She couldn’t tell him about sneaking through the shadows in the city, climbing onto roofs and watching people; people whom she protected; people she knew would condemn her if they knew what she was. She couldn’t tell Edric how she watched them do mundane things, like have a family dinner, or play a game; things that she’d never done, and would never do. She had to pick her words carefully to protect her true identity.
“Because it’s quiet but there is still so much going on that most other people don’t see. They’re too busy with their lives to fully appreciate what is around them. The flowers, the trees, the buildings. The history of the place.”
He smiled. “I completely agree.”
The warm buzz of his hand on the small of her back drew her to him. She liked being around Edric. She felt comfortable in his presence.
Through her periphery, Sophia spotted Winston lurking nearby, watching them. It wouldn’t have surprised her if he had been following them through the garden. He had that way about him. Jealousy seethed off him like heat waves. When he saw that she’d noticed him, he turned away in disgust and then stormed down another path. She was going to have to watch out for him. She wondered if she should mention his skulking to Edric. They were both elite castle guards—Edric a commander—maybe he could do something about Winston. She’d have to think about whether or not bringing him up was worth the risk.
As Edric escorted her through the grounds, he asked her questions about her interests and her family. She told him she liked dancing and reading, and had an interest in archery. She left out her love of sword play and hand to hand combat and magic. Answers about her family were even more difficult to answer as she had to trust that Edric didn’t know much about her family either.
“My parents weren’t involved much in my upbringing. They traveled a lot to other cities on business. I have a good tutor though. He’s taught me,” how to fight, how to strike a man down with a sword, how to use a bow and arrow, “a lot about the realities of life.”
Thankfully, after her date with Ezekiel, much later in the night, she snuck into the Metropolis and located a book on the Oxford family. She’d shoved it into her bag, but before she could escape into the night, she spotted Ezekiel entering the building. He’d looked very pleased with himself, and she wondered why he returned to the Metropolis. Was he thinking about her? For a brief moment, she considered staying and watching him, but when he stopped, frowned and looked her way, Sophia decided not to press her luck. It would’ve been disastrous if he discovered her stealing a book. She wasn’t sure she could talk herself out of the situation.
So, she did what any intelligent thief in the night would do, she crept through the shadows and got out of the building before he could find her. She took the book back with her to the cabin where she stashed it under her straw mattress. Grindel would never find it. She’d gone through the latest entries of the tome surrounding “her uncle,” Lord Oxford, and found out all she could about his brothers and sisters and their children.
She obviously didn’t find a niece named Sophia, but she did find a brother that was estranged who did, in fact, live in Rheland. She’d gotten lucky there. He had two sons and two daughters. One of those daughters was around her age. He and his wife were silk merchants and traveled extensively. So, the lies weren’t too far off the mark.
“What about your family?” she asked, best to keep the questions focused on Edric, so she didn’t screw up.
“My parents are very supportive of me. My father was a soldier. My grandfather too. So, it was natural that I trained at the academy.”
“You’re the youngest in Nighthelm history to ever become commander.”
He looked surprised but pleased that she knew that. “Has the lady been asking around about me?”
She shrugged, not wanting him to get too full of himself. “Maybe.”
He smiled. “I like that.”
“What about your mother?” she asked. “What is she like?”
His eyebrows lifted. “My mother is probably fiercer than my father. She keeps everyone in line.”
“Like her commander son.” Sophia nudged him in the side.
He grinned and it lit up his entire face, and she had to tamp down the urge to sigh at his handsomeness.
“Do you have siblings?” she asked.
“An older sister.”
“Is she a soldier too?”
He scoffed. “Absolutely not.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Why not? You don’t think women can be soldiers?”
“No, that’s not it at all.” He stopped midstride. “I think women would make great and strong soldiers. My sister would not. She’s as frail and timid as a mouse. To the chagrin of both my parents.”
Sophia put her arm through the crook of his elbow again, satisfied with his answer. “Good. Then we are on the same page.”
SOPHIA
Edric led her to the stables near the castle barracks. Other soldiers gave him looks of approval as he urged her down to the last few stalls. A few of the horses whinnied as they passed by them, and Sophia knew from the similarities of Haris’s sounds, they were warmly greeting her. She wanted to pet every single one, but didn’t want to deny Edric his surprise. Because the look on his face, told her that he was eager to show her something even more magnificent. Inside the last stall, which was larger than the rest, was a great winged horse—a pegasus. Sophia gasped when she saw the magnificent beast. It was powerful and intimidating, absolutely beautiful, not the sort of creature to be tamed.
“They’re part of the royal legion,” Edric said, puffing out his chest. “Someone has to keep them ridden and strong in the heirs’ absence.”
While Edric entered the stall, she thought about the heirs and her duty to find them. The oracles had tasked her with this, and she was bound to achieve her quest. Healing her soul was part of that quest, and she would do what she must. Although, spending time with Edric didn’t feel at all like hardship. She liked him.
“Did you think you would sweep me off my feet by showing me secrets of the crown that are hidden away from the public eye?”
He patted the pegasus’s flank and the beast neighed. “Yes. Is it working?”
“Possibly,” she said, as s
he entered the stall. “I’m definitely not bored.”
He laughed. “Well, that’s good to hear. I would hate to be boring.”
“I suspect, Commander, you could never be boring.”
He gave her a sly look that had her belly clenching. Then he grabbed hold of the beast’s long white mane and hopped onto its back. The horse snorted in annoyance. He offered Sophia his hand to help her up, but Sophia had been around many wild animals before. She studied their behaviors and how to gauge their thoughts. She first approached the pegasus in the front then bowed in respect. Its movements stilled as if surprised by the gesture. Then it bowed in return.
She patted its face, and it nickered to her playfully and nuzzled her hand.
“How did you know to do that?” Edric asked.
The horse’s ears pinned back against its head, obviously not that fond of her date.
Sophia patted its face again and chuckled. “I like to read about the creatures of Nighthelm. I know quite a lot about them all.”
Edric offered his hand again, and this time she took it, letting him pull her up to sit in front of him on the pegasus’s back. He clicked to it, then they were out of the stable and running across the pasture. After two flaps of its giant, white wings, they were airborne.
Sophia laughed as the beast soared high over the city, higher than she imagined possible. Edric grinned at her obvious joy, pressing his hands tighter around her waist.
“I wanted to share what I love with you.” He gestured to the grand city spread beneath them. “Nighthelm. My city.”
“It’s extraordinary from up here.” She lifted her face to the wind as they soared over the city center.
“I love everything about this place. The buildings, the history, the people. It’s my purpose to protect it and why I became a soldier. To do my duty. To serve my kingdom,” he said.