Chaos Rising (The Black Blade Chronicles Book 3) by J.K. Hogan

Author:J.K. Hogan [Hogan, J.K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fantasy romance
Publisher: Euphoria Press
Published: 2022-10-19T16:00:00+00:00

12| THE WILD HUNT

“What are my duties as second?” Senne asked as they rode toward the edge of the wood.

Kasimir winced. “Do I have to say?”

Senne twisted in his saddle to look at him. “What? Why wouldn’t you tell me?”

“Because it will make you angry,” Kas said, rubbing the back of his neck as he guided Varhestar one-handed.

“Kas.”

“Fine.” He sighed. “This isn’t like a courtly duel. It’s to the death, no exceptions. The second’s only duties are to keep an eye out for ambushes and to collect the corpse of the fallen to insure it is seen to in accordance with the customs of the individual.” He spoke without emotion, as if he were reading directly from the Covenant of the Square. He knew hearing it would be distressing to Senne, so he tried to keep his own emotions out of it.

Senne had jolted Dagfinn to a stop, causing the horse to snort and toss his head. Kasimir’s jaw tensed as he waited for the explosion. But Senne always surprised him. Always. His knight breathed deeply a few times, then sniffed and squared his shoulders as he nudged his horse to walk again.

“I will do what must be done.” He paused, his mouth set in a grim line. “But you better not bloody lose, Kasimir vas Hjardar, else I’ll find me a wizard to raise your miserable hide from the dead so I can kill you myself. You hear me?”

Kasimir’s heart gave a painful thump. He’d never known anyone so caring yet so bloodthirsty at the same time. There was no one else in the world like Senne. Though they were already bound together by the tjore bond, Kasimir had a staggering realization—he loved this man. It was terrifying and crazy and wonderful…and terrifying—it deserved to be thought again because, gods, he’d never been more afraid.

Could this knight, this brave, loyal, kind, and fierce man possibly ever love him back, flawed as he was? He wasn’t ready to cast that stone. He wanted to hold this feeling to himself for a while longer before it was shattered by reality. Before they rescued Sigrid and Senne went back to his courtly life where there was no place for sellswords. Maybe, just maybe there was hope…but hope was the most frightening thing of all.

“Are you listening to me?”

Senne’s annoyance cut through his stupor, and he pulled himself together with an effort. “Sorry.” The word came out a hoarse croak, so he coughed and tried again. “I don’t intend to lose, but a second is still needed. It’s tradition.”

Kasimir couldn’t believe he managed to sound relatively normal when his world had just rocked on its axis. He had to focus because one mistake would mean his hide. He heeled his horse into a trot to cover ground faster. He wanted to reach the clearing well before midnight to scout the area and prevent an ambush. When they reached the tree line, he drew rein and addressed Senne.

“There’s a trailhead here. Should take us straight to the clearing.

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