Duel of Fire (Steel and Fire Book 1) by Jordan Rivet

Author:Jordan Rivet [Rivet, Jordan]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2016-03-30T06:00:00+00:00

15.

The Bridge

AS the hour grew late, the revelers trickled out of the parlor, many of them swaying and stumbling. Kel and Bolden left with their arms around each other’s shoulders, singing loud drinking songs. Dara made Kel swear not to tell anyone about her and the prince, but she wasn’t sure he’d remember in the morning. Chala curled up on a couch beneath his traveling cloak, determined to stay the night with his arm wrapped around a bottle of wine. When Lady Tull rose to go, Siv kissed her hand and offered her an elegant bow. He sauntered over to speak to the Fire Warden, who hovered in the corner like a dark bird, while Dara searched for her cloak.

She found Pool sitting on a bench in the entryway with his arms wrapped around Lady Atria. Atria sat partway on top of Dara’s cloak, but she didn’t seem to notice Dara waiting politely beside them. Pool and Atria kissed in the half-light from the lanterns, making wet smacking sounds. Feeling embarrassed, Dara cleared her throat a few times to get their attention, but they didn’t budge. Finally, she grasped the edge of her cloak and tugged on it until Atria shifted onto Pool’s lap and the cloak popped loose.

She returned to the underground parlor, where Siv was taking leave of Zage.

“I’m just going to walk my dueling partner to the bridge,” Siv was saying.

“Take care, my prince,” Zage said. “The night is dark, even on the Fire Mountain.”

“Never fear,” Siv said, throwing his arms wide. “I’ll be bright-eyed as a burrlinbat at our next lesson.”

“Farewell, then.”

Siv lurched slightly as he joined Dara at the door. Zage’s eyes glittered in the semi-darkness behind him. Once she was sure the prince was following, she hurried up the steps, wanting to get away from Zage as soon as possible.

“You don’t have to walk me home,” Dara said.

“Nonsense,” Siv said. “I could use a bit of fresh mountain air. Where’s Pool?”

“He and Lady Atria are . . . busy.”

“You don’t say? He’s been pining after her for ages.”

They walked toward the front of the greathouse together. Siv grinned widely when they reached Pool and Atria.

“Pool!” he shouted.

Immediately, Pool leapt up, his face smeared with Atria’s red lip stain.

“My prince! I am at your service, ready to defend your life at every moment, Sire!”

“Sit back down, Pool,” Siv said. “We’re just walking to Fell Bridge. Take your time, and catch up to us.”

“My prince, I couldn’t possibly—”

“I’ve got one of the best duelists in Vertigon with me,” Siv said, forcing Pool back down on the bench with both hands. “Say a proper good-bye, and I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

“Yes, my prince. I will take my leave of my most benevolent and sublime lady and join you shortly.”

“As you were.” Siv chuckled as he and Dara headed out the door.

It was the hour past midnight. The street outside the parlor was empty. Siv and Dara’s footsteps tapped a quiet music in the stillness as they passed the elaborate gates of the Fire Warden’s house.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.