Page 74 of A Crown Without Mercy

“Then we have little time. Go back to your manor and do nothing. I will go to Lord Cynfadel.”

“Will you be at the ceremony?” Alaric asked.

“No, I will remain as guard for the villages, along with several other members of the Legion, as required.”

Enatta was sitting in the shade of an aged wisteria vine watching Laurent, who stepped forward and drew his sword, cutting upwards toward Ilial, his tutor. The sword glanced off Ilial’s shield with a loud clang. Ilial spun around and brought his blade down on Laurent and reversed the attack. Laurent drew back, his shoulder a mere inch from Ilial’s blade. He then brought his sword around in a tight circle and stepped forward, repeating the cut. With a resounding clank, Laurent’s sword hit the ground and slid across the dirt.

“Shit,” Laurent said, slightly breathless.

“Well done,” Enatta shouted.

Laurent collected his sword. “Well done? I dropped my damn sword.”

“Yes, you did,” Ilial replied as he patted Laurent’s shoulder. He then spun his sword in a small circle. “Let’s go again.”

“Laurent, enough for now. Would you walk with me?” Enatta asked.

“I’m training. Can it wait?”

“No. I need to speak to you.”

Laurent twirled his sword and looked at Ilial, who nodded and placed his sword back in its sheath. “Go with your mother. We will continue when you return.”

“What is more important than my training?”

Enatta wrapped his arm in hers and gently nudged him. “I need to speak to you about Mira.”

“Is she okay?”

“Yes, of course. Your father wants you to keep your distance from her for a few weeks.”Laurent stopped mid-stride and pulled his arm away. “Why would I do that?”

“Your father is not asking, Laurent. I don’t agree either. However, I cannot defy him, and neither will you.”

Laurent crossed his arms. “Explain. Mira and I have done nothing wrong.”

“We never said the two of you did anything wrong. It is complicated.”

“‘Complicated’? I’m old enough to choose whom I spend my time with.”

“This is not permanent, Laurent. It will only be for a few weeks.”

“What are the reasons for this? Yesterday, you were all about her being with us.”

“You are aware of her powers, yes?”

“Yes. Why does it matter?”

“There is not a simple answer, but for now, being around her may put you at risk.”

Laurent uncrossed his arms and paced back and forth. “Father is being paranoid. How is it putting us at risk when no one else knows?”

Enatta reached for his arm but he pulled away. “I will not allow you and father to keep us

from seeing each other.”

“Laurent, you will do as your father says.”

“The hell I will—”

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