Page 45 of Wings of Ice and Steel

Dawn light cast fingers of red and gold across the ocean, the air still holding its night chill, Ariadnne’s favourite time of day, as she entered the training yard.

Garth, the weapons-master stood, arms crossed, waiting.

Heavily built, with a deep brow perpetually pulled into a frown, Garth’s long ears were pierced a multitude of times, tattoos decorating the sides of his shaven head. His size was at odds with the speed at which he could move with any weapon, something Ariadnne learned the hard way.

He tossed a pole her direction.

‘Good morning to you, too,’ she said, snatching it from the air. She didn’t expect an effusive greeting; he was a fae of few words, but she enjoyed his company and always had the impression he had a soft spot for her.

‘Aye,’ he replied gruffly. ‘Just us for now. Melixanthe will join later.’

She didn’t need to be told to take her place on the sand, and within minutes she was lunging across the gap, taking the opportunity to catch Garth off-guard. The swordmaster hadn’t been given that title for no reason, though, and blocked the blow easily. Embarrassingly so.

Soon, he was putting Ariadnne through her paces. Sweat slicked her brow, her limbs trembling with exertion and adorned with fresh bruises as the sun climbed the sky.

‘Enough! Good work. You’ve not let yourself slip.’ High praise where he was concerned. ‘Take a break.’

He waved her over to the bench where a jug of water had been laid out alongside orange slices and berries. Ariadnne poured herself a glass and picked at the fruit, grateful for the reprieve.

The side gate clanged as Melixanthe strode into the yard, lips pursing as she took in Ariadnne’s dishevelled state.

As if she would be any better after ten rounds with Garth.

‘Greetings.’ She nodded to the weapons master.

‘Ready?’ he grunted.

‘One minute.’ Melixanthe took Ariadnne by the shoulder, lowering her voice. ‘Remember, best behaviour today,’ she muttered. ‘I mean it. Show me that I’ve not made a mistake in taking on the new knight. We might be getting an audience later.’

Ariadnne’s throat bobbed as she nodded. Nieve’s place in the company depended on her. The alternative was never seeing her again.

At precisely ten o’clock, the side gate rattled and Josef entered, his long hair swept back into a neat knot at the back of his head and his training leathers immaculate, as usual. How he managed that after sparring, Ariadnne had no idea. Her own clothes were covered in sand and dirt, and dust stuck to the sheen of sweat on her face. Josef was followed by Kayla, always close behind him. Ariadnne watched as the other members of the company trailed in, anticipation coiling in her breast.

Her breath stilled as Nieve’s pale form emerged from the doorway, silver hair tied loosely at the nape of her neck. Ariadnne swallowed, eyes drifting to the way her hair fell against the curve of her throat. Spotting her, Nieve lifted her hand in greeting, disguising the gesture by pushing her hair behind her ears. She was beautiful, ethereal, and Ariadnne struggled to control her own features as the tether between them pulled taught. Melixanthe, thankfully, was too occupied to notice.

It was going to be harder than she thought, this dance of stolen glances.

Josef broke Ariadnne from her trance, clasping Ariadnne’s arm in greeting before helping himself to water. Finnick jostled Dantro, ever competitive, and Lucile shook her head in mock disapproval. They were in high spirits—but having known most of them for years, Ariadnne could see signs of grief in the lines of their faces.

Nieve feigned picking at the fruit to come and stand next to Ariadnne, almost close enough to touch. Dangerous.

‘Sleep well?’ she asked, leaning against the bench as if to watch the sparring. She gave Ariadnne a look that made her heart flutter—her eyes wide with innocence.

Gods, Ariadnne thought to herself, Nieve might be the death of her. She smoothed her features and forced herself to watch the other members of the company rather than the ethereal fae beside her.

‘Well enough,’ she replied, and rooted around for something acceptable to ask when everyone was within earshot. ‘Josef found you a room?’

‘Of course.’ Nieve took a bite of orange. ‘He moved me into my new barracks yesterday. The room is nicer than my old one.’ She glanced coyly at Ariadnne. ‘Turns out there are quite a few benefits to being with your company…’ She raised her eyebrows and Ariadnne laughed, the tension between them easing into something comfortable and easy.

‘I’m glad you think so.’

‘If I can make you laugh like that every day, I’ll count that up there too.’ Nieve grinned, then her face grew more serious. ‘Josef has been nothing but good to me. I couldn’t ask for more.’

‘He’s a good one.’

‘Hmmm. I think Kayla plans to keep him,’ Nieve said quietly, and Ariadnne smothered another laugh.

Over in the ring, Melixanthe and Garth were dusting themselves off. Ariadnne and Nieve took half a step away from each other as Melixanthe turned.