Respect glimmered in her grin, like she enjoyed that answer.
“Well, if you can’t prove your strength with power, let’s build your warrior skills. And when challenge week comes, you can challenge Moira.”
I’m sorry—whatdid she just say?
Stunned, I had no protest or retort as she handed me a sword.
Ichi was insane.
Chapter
Twenty-Three
LUCILLE
After training, Rune and I walked to the healers’ wing. As expected, the general followed along through their connection.
“I said I would go. You should trust my word.”
Rune barked suddenly, making me jump.
I’d heard her growl, pant, and whine before, but never bark. I had a sneaking suspicion that was the general’s special way of responding through his Soulhound.
“You don’t have to apologize, General. Just don’t make the same mistake twice,” I said sweetly.
Rune growled in response, but it wasn’t aggressive—more like a sulking child who hadn’t gotten her morning pets. I wondered if she could control it or not. Because if the general controlled it, I was sure it would’ve been a vicious growl.
I twirled the end of my low ponytail, a grin tugging at my lips. “Seriously, General. I forgive you.”
The thought of his expression—glaring into space, steam practically coming out of his ears—nearly sent me into a fit of laughter.
Rune growled again, this time deeper.
“Hey, now. Don’t go seething in those little boots of yours,” I teased. “You wouldn’t want Moira thinking she’s bad in bed. We wouldn’t want a dead general on our hands.”
I had no idea if he was with her or not, but it was my best guess.
Suddenly, Rune—or, most likely, the general—sprang in front of me. I tripped over her, crashing into the carpeted floor with a burst of laughter. She sat back on her haunches, tilting her head side to side as if listening intently to my amusement.
“I’m teasing,” I said, laughing. “I bet she’s great in bed, and I guarantee you are too.” I froze. “I mean you’re— You have?—”
My cheeks flushed, and I shut my mouth, scrambling to my feet and making sure to avoid eye contact with Rune.
Why did I say that?
The rest of the way to the healers’ wing was filled with an uncomfortable silence, which didn’t even make sense. It wasn’t like he walked beside me. But the thought of him hearing those words—of him knowing what I’d said—while also remembering how he felt about me, how he was my superior, and how I was trying to make him respect me, made my stomach twist.
I scurried through the doors, relieved that Rune couldn’t follow me inside. I approached a healer and asked for Sam. She led me to a bed, her footsteps quick and efficient, and told me to wait.
I lay down, trying to focus on the sounds of the healers bustling about the large hall—murmurs, the faint jingle of necklaces, the rustle of bandages and herbs—but none of them were Sam.
I stared up at the ceiling, feeling the faint weight of my thoughts pressing in. My mind racing from one worry to the next—the general and what he thought of me now. My mother and when I would be able to dream-walk to her again. Cato and knowing about dream-walking. Lucifer and the greenhouse. The possibility that we might be stuck here for more than a year.
The urgency inside me surged, making my fingers twitch with restless energy.
How could Aspen endure Lilith for another year? How was he now?
I must’ve driftedoff while waiting, because when I blinked my eyes open, I stood in our field. The thick air carried the sweet scent of grass and wildflowers, their whispers brushing against my skin in the blue moonlight.
