Page 18 of Wings of Ice and Steel

‘So… how did you spend your afternoon?’ Nieve asked. ‘After our…performance in the yard?’

Ariadnne remained silent for a moment, then shifted.

‘You won. You know that?’ she said, still looking away. ‘You should have taken the moment. You deserved it.’

Nieve’s brows drew together. ‘No… something happened. You faltered. You are the most impressive fighter I’ve taken on in I don’t know how long. If you hadn’t frozen, I’m not sure I would have tripped you.’ She shifted her feet. ‘It doesn’t matter, anyway.’

Ariadnne’s mouth twitched as though she was about to say something, then thought better of it. She shrugged instead. ‘Regardless, at least we impressed D’avant.’

Ariadnne’s eyes jumped to Nieve’s before slipping towards the hall where some of Ariadnne’s company danced within sight of the doors. Her shoulders lowered and she sighed.

‘I should find Melixanthe before she sends someone looking for me.’

‘Why don’t you wait and see how long it takes her to find you? It seems to me like you deserve a bit of space.’

If she didn’t know better, she’d assume Ariadnne were a prisoner rather than the revered warrior she knew her to be.

Ariadnne turned to her with a stern glint. ‘That wouldn’t be fair to Melixanthe.’

‘The other varanyen seem to have an easier time of it.’

‘I’m aware.’ Ariadnne rolled her eyes. ‘They aren’t me.’

Nieve made a mental note that Ariadnne was protective of her handler, and not to push. Perhaps Melixanthe was a better person than Sol’s avoidance led her to believe. She suddenly wanted to know. She wanted to know everything about Ariadnne’s life, and how she was treated, because she was getting the growing impression that her life wasn’t at all what Nieve had assumed.

‘So…Melixanthe?’

‘Hm?’

‘She’s… good to you?’

‘She is.’ Ariadnne nodded. ‘I’d trust her with my life. I know she has high standards, but she has never done wrong by me.’

Nieve considered her words. ‘Then she has my loyalty.’

She turned back to the view, aware of Ariadnne shifting closer.

‘If she does see me out here, she’ll undoubtedly be curious. I’m not known for socialising.’

‘We’re two soldiers enjoying the view. What’s wrong with that?’

‘Is that what this is?’ Ariadnne’s fingers brushed Nieve’s on the railing and Nieve’s heart leapt into her throat, thudding so hard she was sure Ariadnne could hear. She was trying so damn hard not to cross any lines…

Her spine froze as Ariadnne leaned in.

‘Nieve—’

They were interrupted by a panicked voice.

‘Ariadnne! Melixanthe needs you.’

Nieve ripped her eyes from Ariadnne’s to stare at the messenger. Damn his timing…

‘Ariadnne,’ he repeated. Oh, he was the boy from Ariadnne’s company. Han. ‘Please, come. Melixanthe says she needs to see you now!’ He stood at attention, but his desperate need to please his general and get Ariadnne moving was palpable. Ariadnne glanced at Nieve, who nodded.

‘Go,’ she said quietly. ‘I’ll be right behind you.’

In the hall, Melixanthe was surrounded by flustered captains and an irate Lord D’avant, skin sparking in wrath. From their heightened comments, Nieve gathered they were at odds as she slipped into the crowd to listen.