Page 77 of Thorns & Fire
‘Of courseI want to know,’ Dessa said.
Zavier gave a sly smile and nodded towards the workshop’s glass doors, where two Warswords stood guard outside.
‘Everyone’s got a thing for the Bear Slayer,’ Dessa declared with a shake of her head.
‘Not him,’ Zavier replied, his eyes on the leaner of the two warriors.
Wren’s eyes bulged.‘Cal?’
Zavier shrugged with a smile.‘He’s as straight as the arrows he shoots, but a man can dream, can’t he?’
Her gaze catching on the broad expanse of Torj’s shoulders, Wren muttered, ‘Yes she can...’
Dessa dissolved into laughter.
As they continued to work, Wren’s thoughts drifted from the Warsword to her homeland, and how desperate she was to send word to Thea.Her sister deserved to know, not only because it was her birthright, but because it had the power to change everything.
Wren was still thinking about it when the lesson concluded and Zavier nudged her with his elbow.‘You coming?’he asked, nodding to the emptying space.
Dazed, she got to her feet.‘Actually, no.I’d like a word with Farissa.Tell Torj I’ll be a few more minutes.’
When the room had emptied, Farissa shut the door and motioned for Wren to sit.‘How are you?’she asked, leaning against her desk.
‘Not making much progress, I’m afraid,’ Wren started, but Farissa shook her head.
‘I didn’t ask about your work.I asked howyouwere.’
‘Oh.’Wren didn’t know why the question caught her off guard, or why she suddenly felt vulnerable.Embarrassingly, tears stung her eyes.‘I’m alright.’
‘Are you?’Farissa pressed, not unkindly.‘I realize that you’re under a lot of pressure...’
Wren nodded stiffly.‘Any word from Audra?Am I able to contact Thea about all this soon?’
‘Nothing from Audra yet,’ Farissa replied.‘You have to hold off on telling Thea a little longer.If word—’
‘Farissa, I understand what’s at stake here, but surely it’s not a matter ofifbutwhenthis gets out?And I’d rather tell Thea myself.It affects her too.’
‘I’m in agreement with you, Elwren,’ Farissa replied.‘But wemustbe careful.A time will come when that knowledge will be more impactful than the swing of a sword.Keep it to yourself until such a time.’
Wren gnawed at her lower lip.‘You’re worried.’
Farissa pinched the bridge of her nose.‘I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t—’
Raised voices outside had both women turning to the door.
‘—the fuck are you doing here?’Torj’s voice boomed.
A second voice, unfamiliar to Wren, shouted back, ‘Lay a finger on me, Warsword, and I’ll see you removed from your station so fast that—’
There was a muffled thump followed by a louder crash, and Wren’s eyes shot to Farissa.‘Whatever’s going on out there, Torj is likely going to kill someone.’
They made for the door.Wren swung it open to find Torj in a rage like she’d never seen, and a nobleman walking briskly away towards the main building.
‘Who was that—?’
‘I see you caught up with my father,’ a smooth voice said from the other direction.
Wren turned to see Darian Devereux, looking as stately as the last time she’d seen him.His attire was impeccable, a stark contrast to the rustic surroundings.High cheekbones, a strong jaw and lips curved in a perpetual hint of a smirk gave him an air of smug amusement.Oddly, he didn’t look out of place in the academy grounds, but his eyes were fixed on the back of the man he’d called his father, a steely glint there.
