Wings of Fate

30. Losing Self

    Kalian slammed Asar into Bellamy's iron sword, relishing how the move jarred his limbs. The pain and soreness were a welcome distraction from...himself. Kalian flipped backwards, his wings dragging through the dust. Bellamy circled him as he straightened. Kalian wiped sweat from his brow, then tugged his shirt off.

    Spring would last for a few more weeks before summer set in, but already, the heat was less than bearable. Today was even hotter than the day they'd gone swimming, and Kalian doubted swimming was going to be an option. More thunderheads loomed on the horizon, promising another brutal storm.

    The coast had been plagued by storms for several days now, ever since Kalian and Samson had buried the Day Faeries. This was a rare reprieve from the rain, though the humidity remained. Kalian pushed hair out of his face and reformed his grip on Asar's hilt. The blood ruby in its engraved crossguard flashed in the sunlight.

    "The Commander hasn't said much to you of late," Bellamy remarked, readying himself for a strike.

    "We argued again. Sort of."

    "About what?"

    "Personal matters."

    "Oh." Bellamy's gaze darkened and he lunged. Their blades locked with a resounding clang. Kalian snapped his glamoured wings out to steady himself.

    "How goes your pursuit of Samson?" Kalian asked through gritted teeth.

    "Far better than Delilah's pursuit of you."

    "That doesn't take much."

    Bellamy flashed him an amused look. "I know." He whirled behind Kalian, aiming a kick at his lower back. Kalian rolled in time to dodge it. "We're going into Selcouth tonight. Just the two of us."

    "What about the storm?"

    There was a slight flush in Bellamy's face as he answered. "We don't plan on coming back until tomorrow."

    Kalian lifted his brows. "Things are definitely going well then."

    Bellamy nodded and their swords clashed once again. Sweat gleamed on Kalian's skin, but he didn't bother to wipe it away. His senses were honed in on Bellamy, anticipating his every move and ready to counter them. Bellamy ducked beneath one of his blows and popped up a few feet away.

    "Samson and I discussed the night you were gone, and when he saw you leave the Commander's tent the next morning," Bellamy said, keeping his voice quiet. "He says you claim nothing happened."

    "Nothing did," Kalian confirmed.

    "Then where were you?" A grin crept onto Bellamy's lips. "There's no shame in it, you know. You'll be a legend. The only man who was allowed to sleep with the Commander and didn't lose his limbs or his life in the process."

    "I didn't sleep with her," Kalian repeated. "I mean, I did, but not like that. We didn't fuck. We just slept."

    "And she didn't kick you out or kill you?"

    "No. She wanted me to stay. She asked me to."

    "Why?" Kalian pursed his lips, wondering just how much he should say. Bellamy shrugged the next minute. "Don't worry about it. It's none of my business anyway." Kalian gave him a grateful smile and they carried on sparring. "I am curious though. Is there something going on between you two?"

    "Nothing that will end well," Kalian sighed.

    "You never know until you try." He gave no response. "Are you holding back because of your wife?"