“And we both met with Commander Braxton during the ascension feast. He seemed friendly enough, and of course it helps that his city is hosting the Candidacy next year. As soon as he reminded Ella, she forgot whatever scheme she’d been cooking up to convince me to join Ferren’s Keep with you.”
I grinned. Ella was a true Combat mage. It didn’t surprise me in the least that she had agreed to Montfort so easily after the Commander’s mention of the Candidacy. It was a tempting opportunity, and if I hadn’t been so set on Ferren’s Keep, I would have probably begged to come along. The Candidacy was how our nation determined its reigning Council of Magic, known commonly as The Three. It was also how the Black Mage, Marius, had earned his title just nineteen years before. And in one year it would be my turn.
Even if I didn’t win the robe—and the odds were I wouldn’t—the prestige that came with any victory at all in our nation’s infamous tourney was enough to elevate my status. I was a second rank now, but there were at least fifty other Combat mages with the same ranking, as I was only compared to four others of my same ascension year.
Still, if I won against even some others of my same rank, it would improve my standing. That I was better than the ones I beat, and any of the lower ranks of that person’s own year.
“All done. Stop daydreaming.” My brother clamped my shoulder lightly, startling me out of my thoughts with a jolt.
I slapped his hand away in mock protest. “What if you had missed something? That could have hurt.” It didn’t, but I wasn’t about to let him off that easily.
My twin grinned at me. “You are just jealous you don’t have my skill.”
I rolled my eyes in good humor. “Jealous? Hardly. I believe the people up north call me a hero.”
“Funny how she forgets they were talking about both of us.” Darren and Ella had appeared beside us. I watched Alex stiffen at the non-heir’s proximity. “Ella tells me you two are headed for Montfort,” the prince added.
My brother opened his mouth, and then thought better of whatever insult he was about to say when he caught wind of my expression. When he finally spoke, it was the quietest reply I had ever heard him utter. It was also the shortest. “Yes.”
“It’s a great city. Small, but accomplished.” Darren nodded to the red-robed woman on the other side of the room. “Jeanette hires most of the palace healers from there.”
“How… nice.” I elbowed my twin and he grated his teeth. “Thanks for the recommendation. It means—” Alex took a long breath and the words barely left his lips, “a lot. Thank you, your highness.”
Darren’s face was frozen in a polite smile. He was as uncomfortable as my brother, but years at court had given him the upper hand. “Anytime.”
Ella winked at me. She could read the tension just as easily as I. “Well as pleasant as this little reunion has been, I do believe it’s getting late and Alex and I have a long ride ahead of us. It was nice to see you both before we head out. Darren, I’m sure we’ll see you in Montfort with Ry for the Candidacy next year?”
The lines seemed to leave Darren’s shoulders—not much, but just enough to betray the real anxiety he had felt just moments before. “Of course.”
I exchanged a quick embrace with my best friend and brother, and then watched them go.
As soon as they were out of sight Darren turned to face me. “He still hates me.”
“Give him time.” I squeezed his hand. “Alex has had the wrong opinion of you for so long. And he’s never liked anyone I courted.”
“He liked Ian.”
“Ian was…” I paused, unsure how to begin. “Well, he’s…”
The non-heir studied me in my hesitation. “He is everything I’m not.”
“Ian is what Alex wants,” I amended. “Not me.”
Darren was silent.
“I chose you.” I jabbed at the non-heir’s chest with my finger. “I want you.” I jabbed again. “I love you, you—” Jab. “Silly—” Jab. “Stubborn—”
Darren caught my finger with a straight face. “That’s enough injuries for one night, don’t you think?”
“Do you believe me?”
The corner of his lip twitched. “Gods know I am in for a lot of misery if I’m wrong.” He tilted my chin up to his face and for once his eyes were serious. “I am going to miss you, Ryiah.”
I looked down, heart sinking. “You could still come with me.”
“You could still stay.”
We were back to the same conversation we’d had all week.
Darren looked toward the ceiling. “Out of all the women I’ve met I would pick the only one who is too stubborn to enjoy my father’s court.” He returned his gaze to me, defeated. “I suppose there’s no talking you around?”
I shook my head.
“I didn’t think so.” The non-heir groaned. “You frustrate me, you know that?”
I smiled. “And you are the most difficult person I’ve ever met.”
He raised a brow. “Second only to yourself, of course.”
“Darren.”
“Yes?”
I sighed. “I’m going to miss you, too.”
Chapter Two