Chapter 14
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Assembling the Team
The training yard echoed with the rhythmic clang of swords meeting shields, the grunts of knights in mid-combat, and the low murmur of observers who watched from the sidelines. Jace stood at the edge of the yard, his arms crossed over his chest, eyes sharp as he surveyed the knights testing themselves under his watchful gaze. His mind was focused, even though the weight of the past week pressed heavily on him.
One week. One week of tests, trials, and hushed discussions, each grueling in its own way. And here he was, narrowing down the candidates to the final seven. The ones who would be responsible for retrieving the eggs hidden in Manthe. The team that would carry out this mission while he and Connor sought the most powerful egg near the Voltai Sea.
Connor's idea of splitting their efforts had been practical, smart--exactly what Jace had come to expect from him. Connor was back in the Royal Library even now, pouring over the scrolls, lost in his work. A part of Jace wished he could be there with him, the quiet stillness of the library a sharp contrast to the tension simmering in the air here in the training yard.
But this was where Jace needed to be. Out here, with the steel and the sweat. He had always been better suited to action rather than studying. Better with a sword in his hand than a quill. The knights before him, all skilled in their own right, were waiting for him to decide their fate.
His mind wandered briefly, though he fought against the distraction. He couldn't afford to lose focus now, not with everything at stake. But it wasn't easy, especially after the week he'd had. A week of intense work during the day, only to spend the nights replaying the events with King Nicholas over and over in his mind.
Jace clenched his jaw as the memory of Nicholas's offer surfaced yet again. The king had asked him to stay--offered him a place at his side, leading the royal guards. It was a role that should have appealed to Jace, one that should have tempted him. But it hadn't. Not for long, at least.
He had made his decision. He belonged out there, on the road, facing the dangers of the world head-on. Not within the walls of Crown's Keep. And certainly not at Nicholas's side. Jace had moved past that part of his life, or at least, he was trying to.
His thoughts darkened as he remembered the night they had shared with Nicholas. He had known going into it that it wouldn't change anything--that his bond with Connor would remain unshaken. And it had. But still, the memory of Nicholas lingered, like a shadow cast over his thoughts whenever he allowed himself to dwell on it for too long.
"Focus," Jace muttered under his breath, forcing himself back to the task at hand. He was almost done. Just a few more evaluations, and he could return to Connor with the news that the team was ready.
A loud clang drew his attention, and Jace's gaze snapped toward the center of the yard. Two knights were engaged in an intense sparring session, their blades moving in sharp, precise arcs. One of them, a man with close-cropped dark hair and sharp features, was more than familiar to Jace.
Kael.
The sight of him caused an unexpected tightening in Jace's chest, though he tried to ignore it. Kael had been part of his life in the Covenant of Cloaked Knights years ago. They had fought together, trained together, and for a brief time, been something more. Jace was surprised to see him here--he hadn't known Kael was even living in Crown's Keep.
Jace's eyes followed Kael's movements as the knight disarmed his opponent with practiced ease, the man's sword clattering to the ground as Kael stepped back, breathing heavily but victorious.
He was good. There was no denying that.
Kael had always been one of the most skilled fighters in the Covenant, and that skill had only sharpened over the years. His brow furrowed as Kael approached him, the other knight's usual smirk playing at the corners of his lips.
"Still watching me like a hawk, I see," Kael teased, his voice light but with an undercurrent of something more.
Jace crossed his arms, his gaze steady. "Not closely enough. I didn't even see you enter the pit. I heard the commotion and...well, you always were one to put on a show."
Kael chuckled, though there was a glint in his eyes that Jace recognized all too well. "Maybe I just wanted to make sure I still had your attention."
Jace's jaw tightened, but he didn't take the bait. Instead, he nodded toward the other knights still training in the yard. "What are you doing here, Kael? When we last met, you told me you wouldn't be caught dead living in Crown's Keep. It was all `too safe and boring' for someone as adventurous as you."
Kael's smile widened even more as he unbuckled the leather padding he wore. "That's true, but I knew if I waited long enough, the adventure would find me, even here."
Jace's eyes darted over Kael's toned body. His friend had grown even more muscular over the years, and time had treated him well. His strong arms seemed to be wrapped in veins like ivy. The thick legs were almost obscene now, bulging in his tight pants. Kael towered over most men, Jace included. Kael's eyes peered directly into Jace's, bringing him back into the present. Jace turned and began to exit the pit, gesturing for Kael to follow him.
"What have you been up to since the Dark War, brother?" Jace asked his fellow member of the COCK.
"After the Covenant agreed to officially place Nicholas on the throne, I was placed here on his King's Guard for a year. I think everyone was worried about the remaining members of the Veiled Shadow infiltrating the city, but I found no trace of them during that year. Nicholas decided the threat was minimal, so he sent me out with a team to canvas the realm."
"What were you looking for?" Jace asked as they continued to make their way through the halls of the castle.
"We kept our ears to the ground, listening for any rumblings that the Veiled Shadow was reassembling. We watched for any major levels of dissent in the countryside. We knew the remaining members were exiled to the Shadowlands, but Nicholas wanted to be sure they weren't creeping down into Banford or Kepstead. I returned every year to inform the king of our findings, and then I'd be out again, searching for threats. Last month, I received word that the king's Venamage had been killed. I rode in yesterday and was briefed, but I'm guessing most of the other recruits know nothing of the..." Kael's voice lowered to a whisper, "...the egg."
Jace was grateful for Kael's discernment.
"It's true," Jace replied. "Most of the men here know they're being considered for a very important team, but we've let the details remain unspoken."
By this point, Jace had led Kael to the chamber he shared with Connor. Jace looked around to ensure they weren't seen before quickly ushering him inside and closing the door behind them.
Kael raised an eyebrow. "The halls have ears?"
Jace gave a curt nod, his voice firm. "You know as well as I do."
There was a pause, a flicker of something crossing Kael's expression before he smiled again, though it didn't quite reach his eyes this time.
Jace studied him for a long moment, trying to read between the lines of Kael's words. But the other knight remained unreadable, his calm exterior betraying none of the emotions Jace knew must be simmering beneath the surface.
"Whoever killed the king's Venamage and stole the egg--it must have been a member of the Veiled Shadow posing as an ally. There are very few I trust here, namely Nicholas, Vazzo, Connor, and now, you."
"Ah yes, I heard whispering of this Connor," Kael said slyly. "It seems you've finally taken a mate." He winked a brown eye mischievously.
"I wouldn't dare to speak for him, but I myself am quite taken by him, it's true," Jace replied, now feeling somewhat awkward discussing this with a former lover.
Kael closed the distance between them as he leaned in close to Jace's ear.
"Does he take care of you the way that I did?" Kael said as Jace's breath quickened. "Does he sink to his knees and service your thick cock?" Kael whispered as he knelt on the ground and placed his hands on Jace's waist. He unbuckled Jace's pants and freed the cock that was already rigid and leaking precum.
"Kael," Jace began to protest but couldn't finish his sentence as he felt Kael's warm mouth completely enveloped his hard cock. He lowered his gaze and saw Kael sucking him intently, eyes closed as he bobbed back and forth.
"Look at me," Jace said as he brought his hand to Kael's cheek gently.
Kael opened his eyes and stared up, looking directly into Jace's. He was in ecstasy, moaning around the lengthy member in his mouth. The massive, burly knight seemed so submissive on his knees before Jace. His pace quickened as he sucked even harder.
Jace felt Kael's hands reach around and begin to knead his buttocks. He squeezed Jace's muscular ass and pulled him in even closer, as if trying to take Jace's cock even deeper down his eager throat. The added stimulation caused Jace's cock to grow even harder with each squeeze of Kael's hands on his ass. He knew he was getting close.
Kael pulled off suddenly, leaving Jace's cock throbbing between them.
"Does he beg for your cum?" Kael asked, his voice sounding ragged and desperate. "Does he need it in his throat, as I do?"
It was all too much for Jace, and he wrapped his hands around Kael's throat as he rammed his cock back into Kael's waiting mouth. Even with his mouth stretched around the massive tool, Jace could tell that Kael was smiling, knowing he was about to get the load he so desperately desired. Jace began to flood Kael's mouth as he exploded. He continued to thrust, fucking Kael's throat forcefully, ensuring every last drop was swallowed.
Finally, Jace withdrew his cock from between Kael's mouth and watched as Kael's tongue darted over his lips, savoring the taste.
Kael stood up, smoothing his wrinkled tunic, and smiling contentedly. "Well," he began, a glint of mischief in his eyes, "did I make the cut?"