Duel of Fire (Steel and Fire Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

babies.
    Despite her desire to poke Farr in the toe with a sword so he’d move out of her way, she couldn’t offend Corren.
    “Any idea what they’re talking about in there?” she asked politely.
    “Master Corren is going to ask Master Ruminor if I can learn some latticework from him,” Farr said, his words coming out in a rush. “I keep breaking the threads, and he wants me to try out something heavier.”
    “Hmm.” Dara doubted her father would agree to that. Like Dara, he hated anything that broke his focus. And he hadn’t taken an apprentice since Renna died. He would much rather keep the business in the family.
    “So . . . you don’t Work the Fire?” Farr asked.
    “I’m sure Corren mentioned that,” Dara said. Corren had undoubtedly filled Farr in on exactly how valuable the Ruminor name would be to an up-and-coming Fireworker. Even though she was over her disappointment at not having the Spark, she didn’t like being reminded of it every time she turned around. “I help my mother with the orders, and the rest of the time I duel.”
    “Really? I’ve never been to a dueling show before,” Farr said.
    “Competition.”
    “Huh?”
    “You mean dueling competition. It’s not a show.”
    “Right. Sorry.”
    Farr went back to shuffling his feet and cracking his knuckles. Dara held back another sigh. This fellow wasn’t promising. She wondered if he liked paperwork. Maybe Lima should be the one taking on a part-time apprentice.
    Actually, that wasn’t such a bad idea.
    Dara looked up at Farr as he took a deep breath and blurted out: “I think you’re pretty!”
    “Uh, thank you,” Dara said. “I need to talk to my mother about something. Will you excuse me?” She didn’t wait for an answer as she squeezed past him in the tunnel.
    “Will I see you at the next Guild meeting?” Farr sounded a little panicked, and words tumbled out of him again. “The discussions have been quite interesting lately. Lots of developments that could alter the future of our business.”
    “I’m sure it’s fascinating,” Dara said. “I don’t go to the meetings unless I have to. Good luck with the spinning.” Dara started up the corridor then took pity on the poor assistant. She turned around. “Look, Corren can be a bit forceful, but you don’t have to try to woo me.”
    There was enough light to reveal the blush in Farr’s cheeks.
    “Sorry I messed up. He said I should . . . Never mind. I do think you’re pretty, though.”
    “Thank you. Look, if you’re really interested in the Fire Guild, I could ask my mother to talk to you about it. She’s been keeping the Guild minutes for a decade.”
    “I’d like that,” Farr said.
    “Great.” Dara grinned. “In fact, I’ll see if she’s free tomorrow morning.”
    “That’s really nice of you,” Farr said, grinning back. He had a nice, unassuming smile, and it softened his bony features. “I hope I’ll see you again.”
    Dara jogged back up the tunnel to the shop. She should be able to get away for her duel with the prince if her mother was occupied with Farr. For her part, she was tired of suitors and guilds and paperwork. She was tired of trying to replace her sister when she didn’t have the same ability. She had to find some way to ensure that she wouldn’t be totally dependent on the Fireworking business for the rest of her life. She needed a patron—and a replacement of her own—soon. In the meantime, her mother and Farr would get along grandly. And she had a royal duel to win.
     
     

3.
    The Prince
    DARA leapt out of bed before the sun rose on the day she had arranged to meet Berg. She had almost been too excited to sleep last night. The familiar buzz she got whenever a competition approached hummed through her stomach as she peered out her window. Mist hung thick over the slopes of the mountain. A few lights burned over on Square Peak, but the castle at the top of King’s Peak was still dark.
    A low rumble came from deep within the