A Trial of Sorcerers: Book One by Kova, Elise (universal ebook reader .txt) 📕

of the Crystal Caverns and the rebuilding. So, if you tell me what you know through your experiences and family’s stories, I will impart some additional knowledge that will assist you tomorrow.”

“You’ll help me cheat?” Even though they were the only ones in the large room, Eira’s voice dropped to a whisper. Every shadow felt like it was listening.

“I am technically an organizer. I don’t think it can be counted as cheating if I give information to whomever I deem fit.”

Eira mulled this over. Perhaps he was right? Ferro had no reason to show her favoritism. Marcus had his own advantages from Fritz already. Really, she was just leveling the playing field as her brother was her only real threat. Eira’s logical contortion stretched far to justify her actions.

“But,” Ferro continued, “I do want to stress again that no one can know of these meetings.”

“I doubt anyone would think you’ll help me cheat.”

“I don’t want anyone to think poorly of you at all,” he said smoothly. “If anything, I’d like to protect you.”

“Protect me?” she repeated, heart fluttering.

“Yes.” Ferro shifted in his seat, glancing away from her as conflict took over his features. “You know how a young woman meeting a man in the dead of night might look.”

Did she ever. That was exactly what was becoming the foundation of some of her new fantasies. Her imagination went wild when his violet eyes returned to her and Ferro gave her an almost longing look through his lashes.

“I want to see that your honor as a competitor and a woman is preserved.”

“Thank you,” she somehow managed to say. Her throat was gummy.

“So we will continue keeping these meetings secret? No matter what’s said?”

“Of course,” Eira said quickly, perhaps too quickly. “You have a deal, Ambassador. I don’t want these meetings to stop.”

“Good. I knew you wouldn’t let me down. Just like I know you won’t let me down tomorrow in your run.” He eased back in his seat, relief taking over his face. Pride swelled in her. “One last thing.”

“Yes?”

“Call me Ferro. Ambassador seems too stiff to be used between friends.”

“Are we friends?” Her heart might not be able to handle the answer.

“I would like to be, if that’s all right by you?”

“More than.” Eira couldn’t stop a smile and it only grew larger as Ferro returned it.

“Now, about this obstacle course. There are a few tricky segments you’ll want to think about how you’ll tackle before going out there…”

Eira tried to commit his every word to memory. She repeated several of the key elements back to him to make sure she understood. The entire time Ferro was patient, allowing her to phrase things several ways and question the more particular parts of the course. Especially the parts that seemed…shockingly dangerous.

But this competition was a friendly display to celebrate unity. Eira trusted that they wouldn’t allow anything too dangerous to transpire.

After, she answered his questions about the aftermath of the Mad King Victor and what happened to the Crystal Caverns. Solarin had been in a rough state, as was most of the southern tip of the Empire. Oparium had remained fairly insulated, which helped get the capital back on its feet faster, since Oparium could support sea trade with Norin—the old capital of the West.

On Eira’s second yawn of the night, Ferro stood and said, “I should allow you to turn in. It won’t do if you’re too exhausted to perform tomorrow.”

Eira stood and stretched. “I wish we could talk all night.” She sighed wistfully and, as Ferro’s expression shifted into something thoughtful, her words registered. “I…I didn’t mean… What I meant to say was—”

“I feel the same,” Ferro said softly. The words had a tender ache that hollowed out something in her gut. Something she desperately needed filled. “It is lonely here. You’re one of the few who will speak with me. And, among those who will share a word with me, none do so candidly as you.”

“I apologize for how Solaris is treating you.”

He shook his head. “It’s understandable. I am still seen as the strange outsider.” Ferro forced a smile. She knew it was forced, because she had practiced such smiles in the mirror many times. “It will get better. Hopefully, the tournament will help ease tensions between our nations. I shudder to think of what might happen if Meru and Solaris had picked up swords rather than the pen.”

“As do I.” Eira crossed, starting for the door, but she stalled. Ferro slowed to meet her pace. “Your guard…you and she could—”

“Deneya?” Ferro let out a deep laugh. “Deneya is not someone with whom I make conversation. She’s much too cold for that.”

Eira chuckled softly. “Usually I’m the cold one.”

Ferro hummed and reached for her hand. Eira didn’t stop him as his fingers closed around hers. Once more, he brought her knuckles to his lips, holding them there for several long seconds more than normal. Then, he shook his head.

“Warm, just like last time. I could never think of you as cold.” He certainly made her feel hot all over.

“How do you think of me?” Her voice was a whisper.

“As my light in this dark land of Solaris.”

Eira swallowed, her throat tight. “I hope—” she cleared her throat “—I hope that you will be able to return home soon, so it’s not so lonely for you. Good night, Ferro.” She forced herself to move, walking through the door, head down. Playing pretend was fine as long as she guarded her heart and didn’t get in too deep.

“I hope when I go home, you will come with me.”

The words brought her to a halt. Eira turned, looking back for one last glimpse of his stunning eyes. But Ferro had already slipped between the shadows.

Yet, the thought of him lingered with her all the way back to the Tower like the remnants of a delicious dream.

Eira was too awake to even think about going to sleep. His words were in her head, emboldening her. She was a competitor and she