Page 8 of Daring the Drakarn Warrior Lord
"How many do you think will attempt it?"
"Attempt? Dozens. Actually reach it?" He shrugged, wings rustling. "Maybe three. Maybe none. The inner sanctum'sdefenses are particularly creative this year. And they'll have to get by us."
I raised an eyebrow. "Creative how?"
"You'll see. I'm not spoiling the surprise."
"Nyx."
"Warrior Lord." He matched my tone perfectly, mockingly formal. "Some things are better experienced than explained. Trust me, the trainees will have quite the challenge."
I did trust him. Nyx had been designing trial courses for longer than some of the trainees had been alive. If he said it was challenging, bones would probably be broken. Non-fatally. I hoped.
Nyx knew as well as I did that war was coming. We needed to test our warriors, not end them.
I moved around the forge, examining the setup. Everything was precisely arranged, tools hung in order, the blood-flame's cradle positioned for optimal heat exposure. Nyx's work always had that quality, meticulous and uncompromising. It's what made him such an effective Shield, both in title and practice.
"Race you," I said.
Nyx's head snapped up. "What?"
I nodded toward the blood-flame. "First one to the inner sanctum and past all your traps wins."
"That's sacrilege."
"That's a challenge." I grinned, feeling something loosen in my chest. When was the last time I'd done something purely for the joy of it? Not duty, not politics, not carefully calculated leadership. Just two warriors testing each other because they could. "Unless you're worried I'll win."
That did it.
Nyx's eyes flashed. "You're on."
We moved simultaneously.
I launched myself toward the passage leading deeper into the Temple, wings snapping open to catch air in the high-ceilinged chamber. Nyx went low, using his smaller frame to dart through the forge equipment, taking a route I couldn't follow.
The inner sanctum lay three levels down, through corridors that twisted and doubled back on themselves. I knew the path. So did Nyx. The question was who could navigate it faster.
I tucked my wings and dove into a narrow passage, claws finding purchase on walls as I half-ran, half-flew through the space. Behind me, I heard Nyx's talons clicking against stone, gaining ground. The corridor opened into a vertical shaft, and I spread my wings fully, spiraling downward in a controlled fall.
Nyx dropped past me, wings folded completely, trusting gravity and his own reflexes. He snapped his wings open at the last possible moment, pulling up with precision that would've been impressive if it wasn't so damn annoying.
He hit the next level first.
I followed, landing hard enough to crack the stone beneath my feet. Nyx was already moving, and I chased him through a series of chambers that blurred together. Heat crystals flashed past. Carved pillars became obstacles to dodge. The Temple's sacred quiet shattered under the sound of our passage.
Nyx took a sharp turn into a side corridor, and I realized his strategy. He was using the defensive measures meant for the trainees, the traps and barriers that would slow anyone who didn't know the sanctum's secrets.
I took a different route, one that required squeezing through a gap barely wide enough for my shoulders. My scales scraped against stone, and I felt something tear, but I was through. The shortcut put me ahead, and I poured on speed.
The inner sanctum's entrance appeared before me, a circular door carved with protective sigils. I hit it with my shoulder, and it swung inward, revealing the chamber beyond.
The empty pedestal where the blood-flame would soon rest stood in the center of the room. I crossed the distance in three strides, reaching for it, ready to touch and claim my victory.
Nyx slammed into me from the side.
We went down in a tangle of wings and limbs, rolling across the sanctum floor. I got an elbow into his ribs. He raked claws across my shoulder, not deep enough to seriously injure but enough to sting. We grappled, testing strength against strength, and I remembered why Nyx had earned his title.
The bastard was immovable when he wanted to be.
