Fireblood

TWENTY-FIVE

“How can you be sure Hart doesn’t know?” I ask Devlan, taking a seat on the log. The meadow is dark and the chilly air pervades my bones, sinking Hart’s announcement deeper into my being.

Devlan crosses his arms over his chest and faces me. “Hart has moved up the marriage ceremony at the request of Sebastian,” he says, his brows furrowed. “This has nothing to do with him suspecting an attack.”

“How can you be so positive?”

He releases a heavy sigh and walks the river bank. Devlan’s lack of response infuriates me almost as much as the smug look Sebastian wore all day.

Shaking my head again, I look down at my black pants, run my palm over my thigh. We’re anxiously waiting for Fallon to meet us, and Xander awaits her just as anxiously as he lurks near the woods, keeping watch. Larkin remains at the castle, making sure we get in and out of the court grounds undetected. We’ve trusted him all this time to do so, and so far he hasn’t given Devlan a reason not to. I’m still unconvinced of his loyalties, but I have no choice if I’m to continue my training, for however long I may have.

Everyone is in an uproar as to what should be done. The wedding date being moved up means the mission is moved up. We have little time left.

I have little time left.

All day, my mind has been a muddle of conspiracy theories. The only reason for King Hart to move up the wedding is because he suspects the Rebels are up to something, and somehow crowning Sebastian as king sooner will halt our efforts. It’s the only logical explanation.

Hart wants Sebastian—a stronger, unconfined leader—to take out the Rebels.

I kick at a rock on the ground. “Devlan, I’m going mad. I had over a month left to train, and now I may only have a week.” I walk up to him. Stand right before him. “I demand to know what your brain is deducing of this.”

“Is that an order, princess?”

I scowl.

He groans and glances at Xander, then takes my arm and leads me farther into the woods. When we’re out of earshot, he stops and faces me. “This has nothing to do with Hart suspecting anything. Sebastian fears your affections are for another. He wants to ensure you are his wife soon.” His brow creases. “That’s all.”

“Ridiculous.” I look to the moon peeking through the treetops before meeting his eyes again. “All this because Sebastian fears I have fallen for someone else?” He nods once, and I scoff. “And just who does he fear I have eyes for?” I ask, but the answer had already wormed its way into my mind earlier today.

Devlan stares into my eyes. “I’ve been removed as your personal guard.”

My mouth parts, and I’m about to deny it—my mind already working to remedy the situation—but he continues past the uncomfortable silence. “So. There it is. Hart knows nothing. Though that doesn’t change the predicament we’re in. We’ve argued when the right time to commence the mission would be, and now it looks as if that’s been determined for us.”

“Devlan,” I say his name calmly. “If you believe Sebastian’s paranoia over my affections is the only reason, then nothing has changed. I’ve been insisting we should do the mission sooner. Maybe not so soon as a week…” I cringe. “But it’s all right. We’ll wait until Fallon and you think I’m ready.”

His face sets hard, determined. “No. Something else can

be done—”

I place my finger over his lips, halting what I’m sure will be a rant, then slowly lower my hand. “This does not change the mission. It will proceed on as planned.”

His lips twist into a stubborn frown. “Regardless, Zara, this adds another complication.” I raise my eyebrows. “Sebastian will be made king. Hart will take him into his confidence after he’s crowned. If we wait, we’ll no longer be eliminating only Hart.”

He’s right. No matter what Sebastian wants for Karm—his dreams, his visions—all will be lost when his father reveals his wishes for him to take over Outside. Even if Sebastian tries to fight it, in the end, Hart will find a way to force his son into submission. He is that evil.

If I want to save my father and all those Outside, along with Sebastian as well, I have no choice but to meet Hart before the ceremony. I will not put my dagger to Sebastian’s throat. I will not kill Devlan’s friend, no matter the bad blood between them, and allow Devlan to live with the guilt.

“Fine. I wanted the mission to take place sooner.” I finally meet his eyes and suck in a deep breath. “I’ll train harder this week. You’ll teach me all that you know, and I’ll make Sebastian take me to Hart.” I glare at him. “On the last day of the tournament.”

“Zara—”

“No more.” I shake my head. “I’ve made my decision.” I stalk toward the river bank before he can see the tears glistening in my eyes. If I’m to be strong and fearless, I can’t allow the Rebel first knight to see my fear.

A rustling calls our attention toward the forest, and Fallon and Silas step from behind the treeline, the moonlight bathing them in a haunting glow.

Xander and Fallon spot each other, and they look at one another only a moment before they rush into each other’s arms. Xander pulls back slightly, running his hands along her face. A tiny seam in my heart tears as he pulls her to him, his lips caressing hers passionately. I’ve never witnessed—nor felt—that kind of love, and my heart swells with renewed commitment to complete the mission for their sake.

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.

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.