Page 120 of The City of Zirdai
The Water Prince frowned down at Yates for a moment. “Well, Rendor, you proved you’re still the best. However, you’re still a traitor.” He swept out an arm, gesturing to his guards. “Even you can’t overcome so many opponents. And one false move, the sun-kissed is dead.”
Yet the guards in the room didn’t appear to be upset by the defeat of their captain. The man holding Shyla no longer pressed the knife to her throat. She sensed—
Son of a sand demon!
“I’m still a captain,” Rendor said to the prince. “And these aremysoldiers. They agree with the Invisible Sword that you’re not the right person for the job.”
Shyla glanced at the four who’d helped to hold her down. One gave her a sheepish look. No wonder he’d squeezed her hand back!
The prince pulled his sword and charged at Rendor. The big man twisted. The blade missed his torso by a hair. Rendor didn’t waste any time. Within a few moves, Rendor struck the prince on the back of his head. He crumpled and joined Yates on the floor. A cheer went up.
Dazed by the turn of events, Shyla remained in place as Rendor barked orders to his men. A bunch left and a new batch arrived. How many did he convince? Was that what he’d been doing all this time?
Soon, though, he stood in front of her. “Are you all right?”
From this distance, she noted his bruises had been faked. Probably part of the plan to lure Yates into a false sense of security. She wondered if Rendor had thrown their prior fight. However, she didn’t need all the details yet. Right now the fact he’d come when she was most desperate was all the answer she needed.
“Shyla?”
“Are you here to stay?”
Rendor wiped Yates’ blood off his sword. He bowed and laid the weapon at her feet. Straightening, he said, “I’myourcaptain for as long as you’ll have me.”
His words hit her with the intensity of a magical vow, cleansing away the doubt and heartache that had lived in her soul since he’d left.
She jumped into his arms.
He caught her easily. A huge grin spread on his face as he hugged her tight.
“You’re hired,” she whispered in his ear and was rewarded with a deep rumbling laugh—the best sound in all of Zirdai.
Rendor squeezed her once more then set her back on her feet. His gaze snagged on her neck. “You’re bleeding. Timin,” he called.
Timin jerked then hurried over to them. Fear and uncertainty swirled in his eyes. “Uh, yes, sire.”
“I’m not the new Water Prince,” Rendor snapped.
“Why not?”
“I’m the captain of the Invisible Sword.”
They both looked at her.
“Oh no, not me. I’m already in charge of one organization.”
“You can’t leave the position open—there will be civil war,” Timin said. “Who, then?”
Good question. She rejected the first name that came to mind and considered the Invisible Swords, then the vagrants. Orla would make a good leader. But that first name was truly the best choice.
Rendor met her gaze.
“Jayden,” they both said.
“But he’s not…” She couldn’t find the words.
“Not what?”
She sighed. “You’ve missed a lot.” But she had as well. “You’ve been recruiting for the Invisible Sword?”
