Glory to the Brave (Ascend Online Book 4)
Page 103
Rei laughed then, loud enough that not a few among the squad turned to glare at him. He grinned in their direction, earning further glowers until they all gave their attention back to the matches.
Once they had, though, he felt the amusement slide away a little bit.
“A little bulk would be a nice bonus. But you know that not what I’m going for.”
Viv nodded once, staring ahead again. “I know,” she affirmed. “But you’ve got a cute face. Some muscle and a little catching up in the height department, and you might just be a cert-if-ied hunk.” She drew out the last two word for emphasis, and Rei knew she was trying not to laugh herself.
“Uh-huh,” Rei answered, not looking at her as he started to undo the wraps of his left arm. “You’ll forgive me if I don’t take your positive assessment of my facial features to heart. I haven’t kept track, but I’m pretty sure you’ve stolen away more girlfriends at this school then every boy in our grade combine.”
“Don’t go putting me in a box, Reidon Ward.” Rei didn’t have to look up to know Viv was smirking with what might have been pride. “Just because I tend to prefer the female form doesn’t mean I can’t handle a decent slab of man-meat when it comes along.”
Rei stopped his unwrapping, turning his head slowly to face her. “Please—for the love of the MIND and all this is good in decent in this world—never use the term ‘man-meat’ in my presence ever again.”
Viv’s smile was almost evil now, and she shrugged. Then her eyes moved to Rei’s arms again, following a longer scar than the others that traced the back of his left elbow. “Just… take it easy, okay? It’s only for the next week. Weird as you are, I wouldn’t want to get into Galens without you.”
Before Rei could respond, an intercom call pitched over the thrum of the combat and cheering happening all around them.
“Our top-scorers bout will begin in 15 minutes in the center ring. 2nd seed: William Errie of KLM Schools. 6’4”. 232 lbs. 1st seed: Viviana Arada of Grandcrest Preparatory Academy. 5’11”. 165 lbs.”
Viv sucked her lip at the ceiling, having tilted her head back to listen. “Tsch. I told them to knock 20 pounds off my weight for that announcement.” She glanced at Rei one last time. “You hanging around to watch?”
He shook his head sadly, looping his now-lose wraps around one hand again and starting to stand up. “No. I wish. I’ve got to get to work.”
Viv rolled her eyes and got to her feet too, tugging down the knee-cuts of her skin-tight combat suit that had ridden up from sitting. “So much for taking it easy, then?”
Rei winked at her. “Gotta make sure this ‘weirdo’ doesn’t have his diploma held by Grandcrest for unpaid dues.” He brought up a hand, imitating her shooing motion from early. “Go on. Get. It sounds like there’s a mountain of ‘man-meat’ waiting for you ‘handle’ him.”
There was a moment of silence.
Then Viv frowned, looking a little green.
“Okay. You were right. I’ll never say it again, if you promise to do the same.”
***
And I’m afraid that’s all we have for Stormweaver: Iron Prince’s preview! I hope that you enjoyed it! If you are looking to learn more about this new series consider joining Wraithmarked Creative’s Facebook Group where you’ll be able to all the news from both Bryce and I about it’s upcoming release!
Until then, see you all next time!
Lyrian and the rest of Virtus will return soon in:
The Threads of Fate