Hiraeth

Chapter Twenty One

The sun rose the next day, spilling golden light across Sage's chamber and warming her face. She stirred, blinking against the brightness and stretching as the remnants of sleep faded. But the lingering ache in her side reminded her of last night's chaos-the fight at the east gate and the unexpected bond that had deepened between her and Beckett.

Sage sat up slowly, her body still feeling the effects of the night's ordeal, but her spirit was buoyed by the thrill of the tournament ahead. Today would mark another day of competition, and she was determined to prove herself-not just to the other suitors but to Beckett as well.

After dressing in her training leathers, Sage made her way down the stone corridors, a sense of purpose guiding her steps. The estate was alive with activity as guards prepared for the day's events. The memory of the fight lingered in the air, an unspoken reminder of the danger that surrounded them.

As she rounded the corner toward the training grounds, she spotted Kade and Fleck sparring, their swords clashing with precision. The rhythm of their movements was mesmerizing, and she felt a rush of excitement at the prospect of joining them. But as she approached, the sight of Fleck's intense focus made her heart flutter in a different way. He had an effortless charm that drew people in, and she couldn't deny the magnetic pull he had on her.

"Hey, Sage!" Kade called out, noticing her arrival. "You're just in time to see how it's done!"

"Is that right?" Sage challenged, her competitive spirit igniting. "Or do you need my help to actually win for once?"

Kade laughed, throwing down his sword as he stepped back. "Bring it on. I'm ready for you."

Fleck glanced over, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief. "You two are going to need more than a few warm-up stretches to take me down."

Sage felt a thrill of anticipation. "Then let's get started. I'm not afraid of either of you."

As they began their warm-up, she felt the adrenaline pumping through her veins. She had trained hard for this moment, and with each strike of her sword, she felt a sense of empowerment. She held her ground against both Kade and Fleck, showcasing her skills and determination.

But as the sparring progressed, she couldn't help but notice the way Fleck moved-his fluidity, the confidence in his strikes. There was a fire in him that matched her own, and it stirred something deep within her.

"You're looking good, Sage," Fleck said, a teasing smile on his lips as he parried her blade effortlessly. "I can see you've been practicing."

"I have to keep up with the competition," she replied, a playful glint in her eyes. "Can't let you boys have all the fun."

Just then, a commanding voice interrupted their banter. "Sage! Kade! Fleck!"

The three turned to see Beckett approaching, his expression serious. "We need to talk."

Sage's heart raced as he stepped closer, his presence commanding the attention of the group. She felt a rush of warmth at the sight of him, a stark contrast to the urgency in his tone.

"What's going on?" Kade asked, concern lacing his voice.

"There's been another incident," Beckett said, glancing at each of them. "We need to stay vigilant. Someone is clearly targeting us."

Sage's stomach tightened at the implication. "What do you mean? More attacks?"

Beckett nodded, his jaw set. "We need to tighten security, but we also need to prepare for anything that might come our way. The tournament is still on, and we can't show weakness."

Sage felt the weight of his words settle heavily in the air. This wasn't just about competition anymore; it was about survival.

"Let's focus on training then," she suggested, her determination surging. "If they want a fight, we'll give them one."