“She doesn’t know when to back down,” Kole mumbled. “Sure, she started out trying to take the blame, but then once you left, she wanted to sit out here with me. When I told her to go to her room, her eyes turned cold and she was all ‘call it what you may, a beautiful cell is still a cell’ and then slammed the door. That Bavadrinfemale has some bolts loose. Are you sure you know what you are doing with her?”
“She wanted to stay out here to protect you,” I pointed out, unable to keep the amused smile from my lips. Despite being Bavadrin, Ariana continued to wish to protect Lysians. She was sweetly misguided, trying to protect those whom she needed protection from.
“From what?” Kole looked confused, as if unable to comprehend what a Bavadrin could hope to protect him from?
“From me.”
Kole glanced at her closed door and back to me, scratching his head as if the thought made his brain itch. He then shook his head. “She really doesn’t comprehend who you are.”
I chuckled, for she truly did not seem to.
Despite my temper, I was capable of self-control, most of the time. I’d never truly hurt Kole. Though if there ever was a dark day when I wished to take someone’s life, Ariana could never hope to stop me from it. For her sake, she shouldn’t ever try.
I knocked on Ariana’s door. The soft sound of bare feet on the floor pattered closer, then a pause before the door opened. Wide green eyes met mine, and I couldn’t help but notice the way her nostrils flared, taking in the scent of the healing herbs in the bowl I held. Without a word, she shifted aside, letting me pass into her room.
Silently, she moved through the space before taking a seat on the edge of the bed. With a careful hand, she removed the rag covering her shoulder, revealing a red, angry cut that left jagged marks over her skin. The sight of it fueled my anger anew.
Taking a seat beside her, I gently smeared the healing mixture over the injury. She hissed at the stinging, her hand briefly grabbing my arm before releasing it as if my touch burned her. Her hands clenched into fists in her lap, her pulse quickening beneath my touch.
“What did you do to them?” Ariana asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
I glanced at her face briefly before returning my focus to her arm. “They were put in their place, but they will live.”
She nodded, biting her lip. “Can Kole train me to fight?”
My hands paused at her request, my gaze pinning her as I considered her words. “He has agreed to that?” I asked, a hint of surprise in my voice. If Kole agreed, then I would need to have more than a few words with him about his recent behavior.
“No, I don’t even know if he would want to. . . It was just a thought.” She nearly held her breath at the request.
“Kole will protect you. What happened tonight will not happen again. Plus, you broke one of their noses. It doesn’t seem like you are without defense.” It was impressive for her to break a bone of theirs, no matter how minor of one.
“A lucky elbow to the nose is not defense,” she said with a displeased grumble, then her eyes boldly narrowed on me in a challenge. “What, are you afraid I would learn enough to take your entire kingdom down? Breaking one nose at a time?”
I smiled at that.
Her sarcasm faded, replaced by a genuine plea. “As silly as it may sound, it will help me feel less defenseless. Please.”
I watched her, considering the request. She would still be vulnerable, even with training. A slender Bavadrin woman stood no chance against a Lysian warrior. But there was something about the fire in her eyes, the determination in her voice, that made me want to grant her request.
“Fine,” I relented. “I will allow it. But Kole will not go easy on you. I doubt it will be a pleasant experience for you.”
Her eyes briefly widened as if she had not expected my response. “Thank you,” she murmured.
I focused back on her shoulder and felt her stare tracing the lines of my face.
“What’s with the earring?” She asked after a moment.
“Don’t like it?” I glanced at her.
Green eyes narrowed in open appraisal as she tilted her head. “It… strangely suits you.” Her voice was smoothed even though her cheeks flushed. “You and your brothers all seem to have one.”
“It’s my mother’s doing. Believed the Onyx would give us strength and protection. She had several stones all cleansed and blessed by some strange conjuror before she ever even had children.” I didn’t know why I was sharing any of this with her.
“What happened to her?” Ariana’s voice softened with caution.
“Died in childbirth.”
She did not apologize for the loss as so many might. Nor did she shy away from the topic. Instead, she simply said, “It’s difficult not having the guidance of a mother.” Ariana looked at my ear, and the stone there. “I suppose she still offers guidance and protection, in a way.” Her green eyes met mine again, uncertain only a heartbeat before asking, “Iver?”
