Bastial Steel (40 page)

Cleve hadn’t considered himself and Rek marching into enemy territory on their own. But again, the Elf was right. They couldn’t risk being seen until their loyalty had been proven…and that was one way to go about doing it.

“We’ll take all the time we need,” Cleve agreed. “But no matter how long it takes, I’m not sure it will ever change the way I think about Welson Kimard.”

Cleve must’ve been asleep when Rek finally responded, for he woke to the Elf calling his name.

“Cleve, Cleve? Did you hear me?”

“Can’t you tell if I’m awake or asleep with psyche?”

Rek grunted. “I’m tired. Psyche takes effort.”

“What was your question?”

“You said you’re not sure time will change how you feel about our king. But you promised you won’t kill him.”

But Cleve had been careful in his responses to Rek throughout their conversation. There were a few simple words he’d made sure to avoid…it was a bad idea to reveal this to Rek, he knew, but he was too tired to think of something better.

“I never actually promised I wouldn’t kill him,” Cleve said.

Rek began to say something, but his breath just came out as the start of a surprised whisper, nothing intelligible.

The sound of the ship rocking was all that could be heard as Cleve started drifting back to sleep. Then Rek muttered something that was barely loud enough for him to understand.

“Oh, Bastial hell.”

End of Book 2

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The next novel in the series follows the same perspectives as in Book 1,
Bastial Energy
: Effie, Steffen, Zoke, and Zeti (and possibly Cleve…). The timeline of the novel begins around the same time as Cleve’s journey did in
Bastial Steel.

Jek and the Takarys will be back later in the series.

Author Information

I would love to hear from you. All feedback is welcome.

Please email me at [email protected]

Visit
btnarro.com
to view maps and other info on the Rhythm of Rivalry series.

Acknowledgements

Getting into the minds of Cleve and Jessend involved exploring many feelings and affairs that I myself have had little to no experience with. Therefore, I want to thank my friends who so patiently helped answer my interminable questions, as personal as they were.

To my editor: I didn’t think I would get even more stubborn and demanding by the third novel, but I have. Thank you for your unending patience and hard work.

To KMM: for your enthusiasm and vigor. Thank you for your continued support and feedback, and for your wonderfully helpful comments on this novel.

To MJV: I strongly believe everyone needs a friend like you. Your support toward my writing and your all-around life advice has been invaluable…and at least comical when it hasn’t.

To anyone who has recommended one of my novels to a friend, written me an email with their feedback, or written a review, thank you. Having my novels read, shared, discussed, and, of course, enjoyed is a dream come true.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is coincidental.

Copyright © 2013 by B.T. Narro

Cover art by Ricky Gunawan

Maps by Annette Tremblay: midnightwhimsy.deviantart.com

All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written permission of the copyright holder.