She smiles down at me, and I pant out the pain piercing my back in clipped breaths. “I know. I know. Never take your eyes off your opponent.”
Her smile stretches. “You know, if it wasn’t for Devlan’s handsome face, I’m not sure I would’ve won in the end.” She bats her eyes at me several times, and I flip her off me. She laughs.
My face heats as I get to my feet, then I look down and extend my hand. She takes it and I pull her up. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. His face isn’t that handsome.” She smirks, and I quickly change the subject before she can land a comeback. “And you would’ve taken me, anyway. I was barely hanging on there.”
“Zara. I’ve trained nearly my whole life.” She tilts her head, studies me. “You’ve only trained for two weeks. Devlan’s correct. You’re amazing.”
My face flushes so hot at her praise I fear it’s glowing in the dark. “Thank you, Fallon.” It’s all I can say to the Rebel leader. She nods, and I sheath my dagger. I walk to the river, sink my hands into the cool water, and splash my face.
Footsteps rustle the leaves along the ground. I look over as Devlan squats next to me. “I can’t believe you lasted that long with her.” He shakes his head. “Fallon is fierce and rarely beaten.” He nudges me. “That was most impressive.”
“I had a good teacher.” I beam at him. “But don’t allow that to go to your head.”
He holds up his hands. “Never.”
I smile, enjoying our banter. Ever since I began training, Devlan has been too serious, even more so than before I discovered he was a Rebel. True, it’s a serious time, but I always see another side of him when in the company of his friends. I wonder if one day he’ll consider me as such, or if I’m only ever going to be his duty.
I stand when Fallon approaches us with Xander and Silas in tow. The Rebel leader fists her hands on her hips. “Devlan, I believe Zara will be ready in another week. She’s a natural.” She glances at me. “Like her father, through and through.”
My chest aches with pride, and I blink a few times to clear my blurring vision. “You really think I can do it.” It’s not a question.
She nods once. “I do.”
I look to Devlan, and his face falls, his features quitting their earlier relaxed expression. His form tenses as he straightens his back and squares his shoulders. “I’ll have her ready then.”
Fallon turns toward Silas and extends her hand. He places a small vial with a clear substance in her palm. She hands the vial to Devlan. “I brought this along, just in case Zara was ready.” She looks at me. “As promised, we’re giving you all the help we can.”
As I watch Devlan hold the vial up to the moonlight, my body shudders.
Help or not—this is it. In less than six days, I face King Hart.
TWENTY-SIX
Before the start of the first tourney, I take off on the horse I now call my own. I named her Sterlyn, because her coat is a silvery, luminescent white, like the illumined ring that surrounds the darkened moon during an eclipse.
She’s my light in a world of darkness. I ride her every free chance I get.
Sebastian gave her to me last week, along with a key to the stable. It was tempting, at the time, to ride her out past the wall and disappear, but it was only a fleeting thought.
Nothing can deter me from my mission.
I ride hard, clearing my mind of all distracting thoughts. My new personal guard, Xander, gallops his gray horse behind me.
The irony that Sebastian has placed yet another Rebel as my guard hasn’t escaped me. Although I’m sure Devlan had some say in who would take over his post, I haven’t yet seen him to ask.
I press my palm against my chest, feeling the communicator tucked inside my bodice. I know he’s just the push of a button away if I need him, but I’ve become used to having him with me at all times. I feel as if something is missing, hollow—and I constantly look behind me, searching.
At least I don’t have to keep up pretenses around Xander. That would be too exhausting while also dealing with the knowledge that I only have five nights left to train.
Glancing up at the morning sun, I gauge how much I’ve already used of the day, wishing it would sink completely and I’d already be on my way to meet with Devlan.
“Whoa, girl.” I slow Sterlyn as we near the stable fence.
Xander trots his horse up next to us. “I’ve just been informed that Sebastian requests your presence at the tournament.”
I close my eyes for a moment, savoring the still quiet, then nod. “Let’s get this day over with.”
After we stable the horses, we make our way toward the back of the castle. The training gr