As they continue to greet each other,
my face flushes, and I glance at Devlan. He’s trying to give them their privacy also as his eyes search the trees, then they meet mine. We stare at each other for an awkward moment while the couple reunites in front of us. My face flames hotter, and I walk away and sit on one of the logs.
Devlan joins me on the other log as I toss a rock into the river. “They’re very in love.” I peek over at him.
He smiles. “Yes. Rather quickly, too. But I believe it’s real. Only”—his eyes sweep the couple briefly—“it can be dangerous.”
I tilt my head. “How so? At least if nothing else, they’ll have each other if this whole thing falls apart. They won’t have to suffer alone.”
He nods. “True. But when you allow your heart to rule your actions, sometimes you don’t make the wisest choices—what needs to be done—for others.” His forehead wrinkles. “I fear that kind of all-consuming love can only cause complications.”
I hear what’s he’s saying, and I do agree. I glance back at the couple as they finally separate and make their way toward the center of the clearing, hand in hand. I can’t see either of them sacrificing the other if they were faced with a choice between their mission and their love. It’s logical, what Devlan believes—but I long to know what it would feel like to be loved so fully and passionately.
I rise from my seat. “Come on. I want to hear what Fallon has to say.”
Devlan follows me over to the Rebel leader, and I greet her and Silas with a nod of my head.
She nods back, then her lips twist into a mock-smile. “Congratulations.”
I frown. “You’ve already heard?”
“Even if we didn’t have the communicators”—she waggles hers—“it’s all over Karm. The realm is abuzz with the news of your marriage and of Prince Sebastian becoming king.”
“Well, thank you for the condolences.” I give her my own mock-smile. “But what do you think we should do?”
She looks at Devlan. “How is her training going?”
“She’s exceeded my every expectation so far,” he tells her, and my cheeks warm at his compliment. “But she’s not ready to face King Hart.”
My stomach sinks, and I open my mouth to speak for myself, but Devlan continues. “However, I don’t believe we have a choice on timing anymore. As you’ve clearly stressed, Sebastian can’t be factored in. It will complicate too many things. We don’t know if Hart has some trigger on the Force if both he and his son are taken out.” He straightens to attention. “I’m willing to go in her place.”
“The hell you are, Devlan.” I cross my arms and level a knowing look at him. “Sebastian won’t accommodate your wishes to see the king. I’m the only one that can do this. And I’m ready.”
Fallon steps between us. “Wait.” She turns to me. “I’ll decide just how ready you are. Show me what you got.” She nods once and gets into an attack position.
Taken off-guard, I step back, but then lower myself into a defensive stance. I run my hand over my thigh, feeling the dagger strapped beneath my black suit.
Before I’m completely ready, she lunges and grabs me around my waist, hauling me into the air. I’m so shocked that the girl who is only a couple of inches taller than me has lifted me, I forget what I practiced with Devlan. Gathering my senses, I kick her shins and break her hold. She grunts and drops me to the ground.
“Nice.” She rubs one of her legs, and then immediately comes at me again.
I block her swing with my arm and deliver my own punch. But she dips low, bending at the waist, her body absorbing the blow. She hauls my captured arm over her shoulder, and I’m sent to the ground again.
Dammit. I really hate that.
She raises her foot to deliver a strike to my midsection. I roll and she stomps the ground. Getting to my feet, I eye her, and we start to circle each other.
She crouches and unsheathes a knife from her boot. I’ve practiced with weaponry many times over the past couple of weeks, but only with Devlan. I know his moves, and I’m afraid I’ll end up really cutting her—or she’ll really cut me. From the look in her eyes, it’s a good possibility that she takes combat practice even more seriously than Devlan, if that’s possible. I push through my hesitation and take out my dagger, grabbing it through the slit in my pants that’s for just this purpose.
Fallon twirls her dagger, slashing the air before her, then swipes at me. I hop sideways and bring my dagger down in a defensive arc against her blade. The clinking of metal meeting metal echoes through the forest.
We’re nearly the same size, and she uses similar tactics to mine. It’s frustrating. I’m not sure how to come at her. Her knife carves the air above my head as I just duck. A grunt rips from my throat as my back bends at an odd angle.
Recovering, I scramble backward. We break off for a moment and stare each other down.
She glimpses the guys standing on the sideline. “Wipe the dumb smiles off your faces.” I follow her gaze. All three of them wear smirks. Xander attempts to cover his with his hand. I sneak a glance at Devlan. His lips are curled into a lopsided grin, revealing his dimples. He winks.
A sharp pain splinters the back of my head, and my legs are kicked out from under me. “Oomph.” My back hits the ground hard. Fallon straddles my stomach and sinks her dagger into the ground next to my head.