Page 35 of A War of Three Kings

Aldrin used my dirty trick. The realization makes my heart leap.

Aiden crashes to the pavers. Aldrin steps over him, placing a boot on his chest and pointing the blunt sword at his heart, both hands wrapped around the pommel in a simulation of a killing blow.

He swiftly sheathes the sword and holds out his hand to the guard.

Aiden stares up at Aldrin, eyes wide and lips parted in shock. He slowly takes Aldrin’s hand and is pulled to his feet. The moment isn’t lost on me.

“I could have had you if it wasn’t for that wield,” Aiden mutters.

“Exactly. That’s why I am teaching you this,” Aldrin replies. “A small wield can turn the tide of a fight.”

Bodies move around me, and a broad-shouldered man with a ruddy face pushes through into the fighting circle.

“That was cheating!” He points a thick finger at Aldrin.

Aldrin turns narrowed eyes on the man. The humans flanking him cower away from that simmering gaze. I can’t help the prideful smile that grows on my lips at their fear.

Aldrin cocks an eyebrow. “Did we set any rules?”

“You haven’t shown us that trick yet! It wasn’t a fair fight!” the man insists, and others call out in agreement.

“There are no fair fights in war,” Aldrin snaps back.

“This clearly isn’t working,” another voice calls out. “None of our people can beat you.”

“That’s not the purpose of this session.” Aldrin whips around to the man who spoke, but another guard elbows the first in the stomach and chastises him.

A woman pushes forward, as tall and broad as most of the men. “Why are we wasting our time learning your parlor tricks when we have a war to prepare for? Maybe that is what the fae want.” She turns around, trying to gain the support of the other guards. “The Protector Guard distracted while more fae creep into our realm and steal our women!”

“Don’t worry, Glenys, you’re safe. No fae men are coming here to stealyou,” someone snickers, and others laugh.

The color drains from Aldrin’s face. It breaks my heart to see him treated like this. It also stokes my rage.

I shove people out of my way to get through the mass. I’m going to kill them. I’m going to kill them all. I don’t care that they are my house’s personal guard. Because no one,no one, speaks to my sweet man like that. I will tolerate no degradation toward him.

“They wouldn’t be bloody training us if they were planning to attack, now would they?” Liam calls out, and I want to hug him.

A ripple of animosity travels through the crowd as the guards argue among themselves, splitting down the middle as half take Aldrin’s side.

I step out of the packed bodies and into the clearing next to Aldrin, turning on the guards sneering at him.

A flash of cold fury runs through me. Embers flicker at the tips of my fingers. A breeze wraps around me, tossing my hair and swishing the hem of my split skirts.

“ENOUGH!” I bellow, positioning my body in front of Aldrin and facing off against the others. A ring of low flames bursts out around me in a wide, protective circle that has only the two of us in it, setting a clear divide from the crowd. “You will speak to Aldrin with respect, or you will be tossed out of the Protector Guard. Since when do we blindly discriminate? When do we not appreciate help from an ally? Especially one who has no stakes in this war.”

A hush falls over my people as their eyes flicker from me to the flames and back. I am practically pressed against Aldrin’s chest, and as I take a small step forward, he peers into my face with a self-satisfied smile on his lips. Those amber eyes glitter as they drink up my rage.

He is enjoying my display of fierce protectiveness.

Aldrin holds up a hand, circling a single finger, and a sudden, localized spring rain douses my fire. I turn to him, open-mouthed, as he drags the moisture right out of the air. He moves around me with a lightness in his step.

“If you want to see how theseparlor trickswill aid you in battle, then maybe we fae should do a little demonstration. Anyone here care to do a duel with me, where I don’t hold back an ounce of magic?” Aldrin turns and points to the woman who accused him of being a distraction. “How about you? No?”

The guards mumble and shuffle, but no one volunteers.

“Silvan?” Aldrin calls out. “Care to spar?”

“Fuck yes.” Silvan cracks his neck on either side, then stalks over. “I have some frustrated energy to get out.” Those beady eyes turn a dark look back on his students.

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