I sighed, feeling a headache coming on. “He practically lives where I do. Probably sleeps in a chair outside my room,” I answered, feeling a surge of irritation toward Edda’s persistent pestering. “Now, leave him alone. I’m sure he’s tired of your incessant questions.”
Edda bristled but did not reply.
Kole mouthed,Thank you,to me.
We dropped off Edda at the door to her new living quarters, leaving her to explore and make herself at home. A Lysian was stationed in the hall, ensuring she would not go anywhere that was not permitted. When we got back to the rooms, I hesitated on the threshold.
“Are you alright?” Kole asked, sounding concerned.
“No, I’m afraid I’m not,” I replied without moving another inch. It felt as though every muscle in my body was tight and not just from the travel on horseback.
Kole approached till he stood next to me. “You are doing the best you can for your people. They will be fine.” He softened his tone with me surprisingly quickly. When we were in the Bavadrin lands he was stern, on edge, and easily angered by anyone standing up to Erik or the Lysians in general. After leaving, he regained some of his kindness.
“Am I? Is not having a choice in things supposed to make me feel better?” He did not respond, and I turned to face him. “I cannot just sit here. I need to move.”
“We can go for a run?” Kole offered.
“Do you think Eislyn is free to spar?” I asked instead.
For the first time, Kole didn’t cringe at the mention of her name. Instead, there was genuine concern in his icy gaze as he considered my request.
“If she isn’t available, then I can step in, if you’ll have me. But it could only be for a few hours for you have dinner plans tonight with Erik and his brothers.”
Of course, I had forgotten about that dinner. A night with the Lysian royals while I was in a dark mood. What could go wrong? At least they did not wish to kill me . . . yet. Maybe.
“Fine,” I agreed, resigning myself to the evening ahead.
By the time we got outside, I told Kole to forget about looking for Eislyn. I did not want to waste the time. My muscles burned for a release. Even my power began searing through my veins. I wished to conjure, but that was impossible without risking being found out, so I needed to thoroughly exhaust myself in other ways.
Kole was perfect for the task. He was relentless, offering a consistent challenge and never going easy. Unlike the first time he ever tried to train me, I could actually land a few blows on him. They weren’t harmful, but they pleased me, nonetheless. I was improving. Still, I doubted I could ever physically hold my own against him. Hopefully, I would never need to.
My muscles ached from exertion, sweat coating my skin. My heart raced from effort and my breath left me in heavy gulps. It was a wonderful release.
We moved around our makeshift grassy arena for a few hours before he glanced to the sun and straightened. “We need to head back. You have dinner to attend.”
“Thanks for this . . . I needed it,” I said as we began making our way back.
“You aren’t the only one,” he commented, his icy eyes glancing at me sidelong. “You okay?”
I frowned. Why did he keep asking that? Nothing changedfrom when we started sparring till when we ended. The issues at large remained. But I answered, “Yeah. You?”
“I’m fine.” He said it as if he did not know why I even asked.
“You were on edge before,” I pointed out.
“I was out of my element.”
“You were more on edge than the day you took me from my home.” I couldn’t help but stare at him while we walked, as if I could uncover his secrets if only I looked hard enough.
“Yeah,” he answered. It sounded like him admitting to something other than my question.
“Why?” I asked.
“Perhaps someday I will share it with you.”
“But not today?”
“No, not today.” He grinned playfully while stretching his enormous arms overhead.
