Page 44 of In the Embrace of Dragons

Leaving Daina behind with Zephala, I head to the training yard with Ragnakor, neither of us speaking. I’m eager to get going because I don’t want to talk about the king again, or our incident today.

“Your new training sword,” Ragnakor says as we enter the yard, showing me to the wall of weapons. He pulls down a new wooden sword that’s much smaller than the others.

“Wow.” I spin it around, and it’s light and easy to wield. “Thank you.”

“Of course. Now you have a fitting weapon for your size.”

We head into the yard together, and the others working out there make space for us. There are advantages to being the queen sometimes, and it’s that you get to use the training yard whenever you want.

All eyes are on me as I enter with Ragnakor. We take our starting positions, and before I can really get my feet under me, he lunges.

I dodge, dropping into a crouch because it’s the only thing I can think to do. His wooden sword sails over my head, and then I pop up again, ready to defend myself.

He keeps me on the run like that, lunging and swiping, making me work for every block. I parry as often as I can, but he’s stronger than I am, so I can only hold him off for so long.

But then, as I twist to get away from another one of the captain’s aggressive attacks, I notice his entire side is left open. Pivoting, I aim the sword at his ribcage and tap him there.

He freezes. He’s dead.

The assembled dragons let out whoops and cheers as weback away from one another. Ragnakor looks genuinely surprised.

“Clever,” he says, an even wider smile than before spreading across his face. It sends butterflies soaring in my stomach to see him smile. “Using your speed to defeat me.”

“You move fast for a big guy, but not as fast as I do.”

He laughs a big, booming laugh, and then his brow sets in a determined line.

As we continue sparring, Ragnakor wins most of our bouts, but I eke out a few victories for myself. By the time we’re both sweating and panting, the sun is nearly down. Ragnakor sets his sword on the ground in surrender, and I wipe my forehead.

“Thank you,” I say as we both hang up our swords. “For bringing me to do this. It’s good to get out and be with others.”

Ragnakor’s soft smile fades. “I am sorry that things have turned out... poorly. I believe that the king is truly trying, but he does not know how to go about it.”

It didn’t look much like it from where I was standing, but Ragnakor does know Vizarios better than I do.

“I won’t be his broodmare,” I say quietly. If he had come to me wanting me forme, perhaps it could have been different. “Perhaps if he ever spoke to me, ever sought me out... it wouldn’t feel this way.”

I’m surprised when a bulky hand lands on my shoulder. “I am sorry. You should not feel so alone.”

When he doesn’t move that hand, my body drifts into it. “Nights like tonight certainly help,” I say.

For a moment, I think that Ragnakor might deepen the touch, like I can feel a thread between us pulling taut.

“You ought to go to bed, my queen,” he says, giving me a gentle squeeze. But then he seems to remember himself andpulls away. I can’t tell if I’m imagining the flustered look on his face.

“Yes, I guess I should. Well, thank you.” We stop together at the door to my rooms. “Next time?”

“Next time,” the captain says with a brief nod, and then he turns and strides away.

I find myself wishing that he would stay.

Chapter Seventeen

RAGNAKOR

It was tempting, so utterly tempting, to put my arms around Nissia. She clearly needs comfort, but there is only so much I can do while remaining loyal and honest to Vizarios.

But sparring with her tonight... I will hold that close. I admired the fire in her eyes as we fought, the deftness of her maneuvers, the way her quick mind works in tense situations to find the right solution.