Rise of the Seven (The Frey Saga, #3)(6)

“Why do we not simply cast–” Anvil’s words were cut short as an intensified version of the glare narrowed on him.

“Again,” I stated as clear and loud as possible without leaving the range of civil, “there will be no use of spells on or near me without absolute necessity.”

Steed raised his hand. It wouldn’t have been funny if I hadn’t spent time in the village, but I had, and it was a struggle not to laugh. Ruby smacked him.

“If you are planning to inquire as to why, don’t,” I warned.

He nodded.

So far, this was nothing like Asher’s meeting of the guards.

I moved on. “The banquet is settled. Is there any news to table?”

Grey spoke up. “There is word of the new council. Whispers of Juniper’s plans have flooded Camber.”

“We have heard such as well,” Rider put in. “It is said she has gathered a following, not only among the villagers, but some of the rogue southern clans.”

“There is no evidence,” I said.

“You’ve seen her cloak,” Anvil said in a decidedly non-confrontational tone.

“She is no longer of Grand Council, what else would she wear?”

They were silent for a moment. I couldn’t help but defend her. Junnie was all the family I had left. She’d given up leadership in Grand Council to protect me, stayed near me in the village. Sure, she had disagreed with what they were doing. They had killed my mother when, by right, she was owed their protection. Junnie took umbrage with their attack on the North, she had suspicions about their plans, but she’d given up everything. Besides, the villages and forests were none of my business. I wasn’t Asher.

I dismissed the subject and the meeting, with a reminder of practice at dawn. As the others left the room, Ruby stopped to examine a book on the wall shelves. I sat at the head of the table, thinking of all to come. My showing at the banquet would have to be severe. Not only did my mere existence as a half-human cause issue, but now rumors of a new council were running rampant. A stronger council to replace that which nearly destroyed the North. Even I had seen Junnie’s sigil. I could not deny the possibility. I would have to assert my rule without doubt tomorrow, despite my differences.

I felt the corner of my mouth pull up.

“Ruby,” I asked, “how would you like to start some trouble?”





Chapter Four


Practice





We met in the largest practice room. The sight of the others there reminded me so much of the group practice session when I’d been bound, I had to laugh. I had been so certain then that one wrong move could have destroyed me. But that wasn’t the way of it.

Chevelle had chosen these men. I understood now that he’d trusted them all with my life. He’d had to, when an errant thought or moment of temper could cost you your sparring partner. I knew they could not hurt me now, but I had not realized then that their magic would never have actually touched me in more than the annoyingly painful way they had used it to teach me.

I tried to keep in mind they’d been doing it to protect me.

“Me first,” came from Ruby right away. Apparently, my promise of trouble for this evening had not sated her.

I smiled. “Ready when you are.”

I could feel a tingle running up my back and knew she’d attempted a sneak attack. I squelched her flame but raised my hands to the side and ran my own flame down my arms to light in my palms, as if I’d stolen hers. If she wanted to play dirty, I had my own bag of tricks. The floor lit behind her as she readied her next attack. I flung my outstretched arms forward and released the fire. Ruby didn’t even flinch. Until it turned to icy blue mist that showered against her.

She cursed and pulled the whip from her side. Oh yes, I thought, I do owe her.

The tongue lit as it curled around and she began to rock, priming herself for another attempt. She cracked the whip at the right side of my face, missing it by a hair’s breadth, while simultaneously throwing a fireball at my left thigh from the side. A burst of white stopped the flame from touching me and another headed toward her stomach. She leapt quickly out of the way and then set the room ablaze.

Flames surrounded us, engulfing our section of the practice room. It was impressive.

I had planned to smother the fire, but something went wrong and the floor beneath Ruby fell. She caught herself and the conflagration immediately died.

“Not okay, Frey,” Ruby chided.

I stepped forward to help her. “It wasn’t my intention.”

When she was on her feet, we stared into the hole in the floor.

“Where are the stones?” Ruby asked.

I shrugged.

“Are you sure this is safe?” Grey asked.

No one laughed.

When I looked up, I caught the concern in Chevelle’s eyes. “Maybe I’ll just practice on my own from now on,” I suggested.

Rhys spoke up. “I believe it will be safest if we assist you.”

All eyes fell on the two tall, slender elves.

Rider explained. “Though we are not twins, we are brothers and share a connection. We have the ability to combine our powers.”

Stunned silence followed. Finally, Steed spoke up. “How does that work?”

“Usually, only one of us has control. Clearly, we cannot both command it. We essentially borrow the other’s power while directing our own,” Rhys explained.