He nodded, and the morning chill permeated my skin. The Centerian only occurred every five years. Illucia’s most dangerous fighters would descend on Sordell to participate in the test of strength and skill. The renown for winning the tournament was unprecedented.

And here I’d thought Illucia couldn’t get any more dangerous.

“Also, I was thinking we could skip dinner tonight and go into town.” Ericen’s voice drew me from thoughts of ice-cold eyes and glinting steel.

“Yes.” My eagerness surprised me as much as Ericen, but I already needed a break from Razel. Kiva had said she was impressed at how I’d handled myself last night, but I still wasn’t Caliza. I couldn’t promise I wouldn’t let a few choice words slip. Or a knife.

“I’ll send someone for you this evening then.”

I nodded, turning to go, and almost ran smack into a black wall. My hand went reflexively to my bow as I stepped back, finding two men in Vykryn uniforms blocking my path. The one in the front smiled—the boy from dinner. He was near my age, broad shouldered but lean with blond hair and royal-blue eyes.

My guard shifted, on edge. Then the soldiers parted, revealing Razel approaching.

I stiffened. The smell of burnt flesh, a flash of fire, Kiva yelling—Stop. I couldn’t lose myself in bloody memories every time I saw her.

The training grounds quieted as soldiers saluted. Ericen stiffened, his attention jumping from the blond Vykryn to his mother. Razel drew to a halt before us, cold eyes focused on me. She wore a gilded version of a Vykryn’s uniform, her rose-gold hair pulled back in a tight braid and weapons strapped to her back.

“Thia dear, I see you’ve found the training grounds. If you’d like, I could have one of our masters tutor you.”

The blond Vykryn snorted amusedly.

My nails dug into my palms. “I’ve already been trained by the best.”

A smile curled her lips. “In that case, perhaps we could spar? Illucian skill versus Rhodairen…determination.” She said the last word slowly, the unsaid message clear: At least you try.

Logic told me to say no. Razel was the queen of Illucia, the leader of a warrior kingdom. Caliza’d said she had won the Centerian at barely a few years older than me. But at the same time, I longed for the chance to take out the anger and hatred boiling in the pit of my stomach. Even if I only got one blow in, it would be worth it.

I smiled. “I’d love to.”

“No.” Ericen stepped forward. The blond Vykryn’s attention snapped to him, and Ericen stared him down. Something silent smoldered between them.

Razel raised an eyebrow. “What was that, Eri dear?”

“Yeah,” I growled. “What was that?”