"I don't know if I'm ready for this, Nathan," Alex finally admitted quietly.
Nathan was silent for a moment, then leaned forward with a small smile.
"You don't have to decide right now. The challenge doesn't start for two weeks at least."
He walked toward the door, then suddenly paused as if remembering something and looked back.
"Oh, and one more thing Brother Alex…if you haven't decided yet, I think this might motivate you to do it. Henrik is definitely going to participate in this competition."
That is all needed as Alex's head snapped up at that. "What?"
"You heard that right Brother Alex, Henrik Bjornson," Nathan repeated with evident disgust. "Apparently Lord Edmund, despite his misbehavior is still letting him compete as part of some agreement with Lord Bjornson. Probably trying to save face, whatever. But Henrik will be there, competing for Miss Evelyn's hand."
The thought of Henrik competing for Evelyn's hand sent something spiking through Alex's chest.
