Page 7 of The Stygian Crown

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That evening,Kara and Serena went on a ride around the castle grounds, which extended beyond the palace proper and encapsulated a section of Lerathil’s rolling green countryside. Kara was given a fine mare from the stables to use, which made her miss Drum all the more.

It was the first chance she’d had to get a good look at the palace from a distance. Its seven white spires pierced the sky, each peaked with blue slate tiles. High white walls surrounded the palace, separating it from the city below. The scenery was beautiful, the air crisp without being cold, and Kara had every material thing she could ever want at her beck and call. Yet she still felt ill at ease.

“Thank you for inviting me to the training yard today. I needed it.”

“I figured you were probably getting antsy, being cooped up in the castle the last few weeks.”

Logan had kept her plenty entertained, but Kara didn’t think Serena would appreciate that knowledge.

“My offer still stands, you know. To join the Vespertines.”

Kara swung her head towards Serena. “Really?”

“Why not? You’re smart. And a brilliant fighter.”

Sometimes Kara wondered what the past year would’ve been like had she taken Serena up on her offer, back during the Reaping Trials. But the Brotherhood was part of her now, even if she wasn’t part of it.

“Things are still…in limbo, regarding my contract with the Stygians. I need to see that through before making any decisions.”

“Well, keep us in mind. The mercenary life is hard, and the women in the Vespertines are a good sort. I’ll introduce you at the next training session.”

AsCeline. Which meant their relationship would begin on a lie.

“Speaking of training, I don’t know that Kendrick will be of much help with the Sanguines, unless you’re just looking to get your mind off Vakarian.”

Kara snorted. “As if that’s possible.”

Serena snapped her head back and laughed. “Oh, I don’t missthatfeeling. What’s bothering you?”

Kara smiled at her. The mage was fast becoming a good friend and her sole confidante at the palace.

“The man’s impossible. I don’t know what we are, what I mean to him—if he just sees this as temporary or something more.”

“And you never will, unless he’s changed.”

“I wish he would tell me the things he says with his body. That he’d trust me more. I don’t know what he’s so afraid of.”That you’ll betray him again,her mind whispered.

“Probably the same things you are.”

“How did you deal with it, when things ended between you?”

“Ours was no great love story, Kara. I broke things off between us.”

“What? Really?” Someone had dumped Logan Vakarian? Kara’s esteem for Serena grew.

“He was never there, even when we were together. Not really. I’d look in his eyes, and he’d be a thousand miles away. Plus I’ve got some commitment issues of my own.”

“If you’d rather not talk about this, please tell me.”

“You’re fine. I’d like to help. My advice? Don’t wait for him. I worry that you’ll get hurt if you do. The clan has always been first in his heart. You’re young, beautiful, deadly with an assortment of weapons. What’s not to like? There are plenty of other men out there.”

Men who don’t know the real me. Men who, if they did, would look at me in fear and disgust, or as a curiosity to be sampled.Logan saw the beast inside her and didn’t flinch, because that beast lived in him, too.

“However…” Serena started, and Kara looked up at her. “When he brought you to me, on the brink of death—I’ve never seen him so rattled. And Vakarian doesn’t rattle easily. Nor does he promise favors,ever, and he promised one for you. I’m no romantic, but that must mean something, Kara.” Serena reached down and patted her horse’s neck. “So, you’ll probably destroy each other or live happily ever after.”

Kara barked out a laugh.Why not both?

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