City of Blaze (The Fireblade Array) by H.O. Charles Read Free Book Online Page B

unmatched, I believe.”
    “You? Marry for love? Hah! I’d like to meet a woman that could tame you. But you are right about gossip. Not all gossip is true, though. Not all of it should be heeded. Will you at least consider it?”
    Silar was perfectly capable of marrying for love! But to marry now, well, this had muddied his plans considerably. “I will think on it, my lady. However, there is something else. I cannot visit you again after this evening. I have made a promise to my captain and I intend to honour it.”
    She hesitated, the lines in her face deepening. “Your captain? You will not lie with me because that child told you not to? Why?” Her voice had risen considerably in pitch.
    “I need to devote more time to my duties. It’s the right course.”
    Lady Allain shot to her feet, hair snapping across her shoulders and skirt steadfastly starched. “Is that the best you can come up with to get out of a marriage?! Or do you have such a callous disregard for my welfare, thinking you can drop me whenever it pleases you? You shall have your wish. LEAVE!”
    Silar stood slowly. “But tonigh -”
    “GO!” Lady Allain gesticulated wildly with a hand. Her eyes appeared ready to leave her head.
    Silar slunk out of the room, still holding his perfect, white rose. He had expected her to be angry about an enforced nalka ; anyone would be angry about that. He had not expected quite such an explosion from her. Surely she couldn’t have thought it a lie?
    There was nothing more he could do now. The beautiful Lady Allain was lost to him. He let out a long sigh, tucked the rose into his belt and tried to think of things that would remove the issue from his conscience. The grey hallways consumed his mood once more, and their darknesses sucked all warmth from him. A flash of pale blue caught the corner of his eye. A servant? Perhaps one had proceeded down that corridor before him. Though, now he thought on it, he had not seen anybody cross the path in front of him. Odd.
    A light frown creased the corners of his face as he turned at the junction. Ahead, at the end of the hall, he observed the tail of a blue skirt vanishing behind another corner. He followed it, quickening his pace. The next corner: he could hear hurried footsteps now. This woman was definitely running from him. Very suspicious. He withdrew his sword and pressed forward at speed.
    It took another four turns before he caught up with the girl. She had trapped herself at the end of a narrow passage. The young woman was breathing hard and her eyes were wide. Silar sheathed the sword as soon as he laid eyes upon her face. It was a perfect face: pale and framed with reddish-brown hair. It took some considerable effort for Silar to smother his excitement and stuff it into obscurity. He had to be on his best behaviour now. “I’m not going to hurt you, Artemi, in spite of your attitude. Why did you run from me? Afraid I’ll make you do my washing?” He allowed himself a small smile.
    She looked to her left and right, evidently still searching for an exit. “I... Please. Leave me alone. I’m just here to do my work. Please.”
    Was she shivering? Silar moved a foot closer to her. She really was quite stunning. “Are you alright? You’re quite a fast runner, you know. Have you ever considered entering The Spring Games?” Silar’s conversation didn’t seem to be calming her. He stepped a little closer. He could see the detail in her hair now. Fiery red strands wound around deep gold ones, threatening to burn ones fingers and caress them simultaneously. “Has someone hurt you?”
    She clutched her washing tightly to her chest. “No, I just- stay back!”
    Silar took one backwards step to stand a full yard from her. “You have nothing to fear from me, girl. Is something amiss?”
    She stiffened more, if that was possible.
    Silar was beginning to wonder if he smelled particularly bad. Women were reacting to him very oddly today.
    Artemi kept her