Page 125 of Tides of Shadows

“I overdid it. But your face was priceless.”

I rolled my eyes and we walked on. In the library we settled in our usual armchairs by the window.

“Don’t worry, you’ll get a break from me soon,” he said.

“You are riding south?” I asked, raising my brows.

“Of course. I will not leave Aidenar alone. How long can one sit here. I have heard great tales of southern girls. I must see if the legends are worth the sin.”

I snorted.

“Besides,” he added suddenly, and his gaze grew serious, “Aiden wouldn’t leave me alone with you.”

“You hold a very high opinion of your own charm.”

“Oh, darling. I haven’t even begun my efforts with you.”

I grabbed a book and swatted the back of his head.

“Don’t call me a darling. And save your tricks for the southern girls.”

“As you wish, my Lady,” he said with a smile.

While Aidenar was busy with campaign preparations I waged war with myself. I went to the training square and sparred with the brothers. My mind circled endlessly around Malric, the south, my promise to Dricus.

I began fighting with Brenn. I struck him again and again. Sweat trickled down my temples. The wooden swords groaned beneath each blow. I fought without reason, driven purely by aggression.

I had grown sick of waiting and retreating. Brenn saw my irritation but refused to relent, answering instead with doubled force. As if he wanted to prove that how I was acting was senseless. But I was not merely human. He struck with full strength and knocked the sword from my grip, nearly dislocating my wrist. I didn’t wait. In return, I pulled water from the barrel that stood nearby and swept his legs out from under him. A second wave crashed into him and tore the sword from his hand. I approached slowly as the water began circling around me in a forceful ring. I stepped toward Brenn, placed my boot upon his chest, and gradually drew the water closer to his face. I saw fear flicker in his eyes.

“Nerissa!” I heard Aidenar’s voice cut through the air. “Enough.”

The water spilled across the ground. I blinked as though waking from a dream. I extended my hand to Brenn and helped him to his feet. Shame flooded through me. I should not have done that.

Aidenar approached.

“What is happening?” he asked. “Why are you training like this?”

“You know why.”

He let out a sharp breath, “You cannot be serious. You are not still thinking of riding south?”

I stood with my head lowered.

“I gave my word,” I said quietly. “I told him I would come.”

“You gave your word? To whom?”

“To Dricus.”

Aidenar went still. His eyes darkened.

“Leave us,” he said. Everyone fled the training yard in haste. We remained alone.

“What did you promise Dricus?” he asked through clenched teeth.

“That I would not abandon him. That I would come to his aid. He cannot fight there alone.”

“That’s why I am riding south! He wants to drag you into the heart of the coming war.”