Page 52 of The Last Dragon King
“Cal.” I nodded.
He reached out and touched the small of my back, leading me away from the busy crowd and to a side door. After opening the door for me and waiting until I walked through it first, he met me in the silent hallway.
“Be honest,” he asked me as we walked down the corridor and past the library. “How awkward was that for you back there at the ceremony in front of everyone?”
I laughed, instantly liking his realness. “So awkward. Regina didn’t warn me that there would be that many people.”
“She likes to see the new pups squirm.”
“How long will I be called a pup?” I grumbled.
He chuckled. “Until you’ve seen your first battle.”
I puffed my chest up. “I’ve killed a Nightfall warrior while riding on the dragon king’s back.”
He gave me a side look that indicated he was impressed.
“I heard. Wait until you’ve killed a dozen of the enemy in the span of a few minutes. Then we will no longer call you a pup.”
A dozen? The thought made me sick, but I was a member of the Royal Guard now so I’d have to get used to it.
Kill or be killed.
I nodded and he opened a door at the end of the hall, stepping outside. We crossed the courtyard to another building and then stood before two giant iron doors.
“Thad!” Cal pounded on the door and it opened, revealing a short man with a giant belly who was holding five wooden swords.
“Training swords?” Thad asked.
Cal nodded, plucking one of them off of the pile and handing it to me, then taking the others to bring them to the training field.
It was heavier than I expected but not as heavy as the king’s blade. I didn’t want a little weak training sword, especially not after the king said I needed a proper sword and bow and arrow, but I kept my mouth shut.
“Have there even been any other women in the Royal Guard?” I asked as we walked across the green rolling lawn.
Cal gave me a serious look. “No, lady. Just you and Regina.”
I hoped that wouldn’t be a thing… I wanted to be accepted like any of the rest of them. I was a good hunter, and I was sure I’d make a great fighter given some proper training.
“You must have great power for the king to have asked you into the Royal Guard,” Cal said, and I suddenly grew quiet, holding the sword awkwardly as we continued our trek.
“I guess,” I mumbled.
Cal stopped and faced me, which caused me to stop as well and meet his blue eyes. “The king doesn’t allow women in the Royal Guard unless they are so powerful he fears not having them close.”
I swallowed hard, because it sounded like a warning. “Is Regina powerful, then?” I tried to steer the conversation away from me.
He chuckled. “She’s got the most power out of all of us. She could burn a tall building with one breath if she desired.”
She could breathe fire that large? That was incredible.
“So Eclipse clan?” he asked, looking down at me incredulously. “I thought… I mean, how is that possible?”
I didnotwant to talk about that. He was sweet and he meant well, but I had to be careful here. “I have no idea.” I shrugged, spotting Regina off in the distance. I waved to her, even though she wasn’t looking at me. “Coming!” I shouted, and took off at a brisk walk.
The king had outed my Eclipse clan lineage because the men might eventually see my blue fire and wings, but they didn’t need to know any more than that.
When I made it to the training field, Regina was barking orders at a few men who stood before her.
