“I’ll take your word for it.” Aleksander found his feet and glanced upward, as if searching for his hawk. His face fell when he seemed to remember that she was back at Valrun, waiting for Aleksander to take her over and inform the rebels if they’d be moving south or not. Still waiting for Lord Balik’s word, as we all were.
“Who are you targeting next?” Aleksander asked.
“I believe you mean who am I teaching or practicing with?”
“Whatever you say.”
“Actually, I’m taking a break.” I darted a glance at Isolde and Thyra, sparring not too far away. Judging by the lack of strength and control in their motions, they’d finish soon. They were merely trying to out-stubborn the other.
“Next time then.”
Aleksander and I parted, and I made my way around the perimeter of the vast training room. Swords continued to whine as they cut the air and metal clanged, both sounds that made me feel in my element.
I watched each match with a keen eye. If anyone required help, or might benefit from a pointer, I stored that information away to share later. As it turned out, there were many tips to give because it wasn’t just the knights and warriors who had congregated in the training room after breakfast.
Much to my surprise, Saga, Marit, and the Balik sisters had opted to join too. Saga might never be a decorated soldier, and she did not naturally take to combat practice, but it brought merelief to know that she wanted to be stronger and able to defend herself.
The only people missing had good reason to be absent. The scholars—Duran, Clemencia, Arie, and Anna—were scouring the books we’d brought from Valrun Castle. Looking for information on Shadow Fae magic. Lord Riis was making himself scarce by visiting his brothels in Myrr. And Thantrel was back in the healers’ sanctuary, hoping to be cleared to train as normal.
On the very far side of the room, three blurs fought one another. The vampire sisters. My fingers flexed keenly aroundSkelda’sgrip. Once Sian and Thordur finished their rounds, we might form a trio to go up against the Red Assassins.
I paused my rounds and contented myself with watching Sian use his light magic to tease Princess Bavirra as they sparred. The dwarven princess never angered over the jabs of light that Sian flung at her between blows. Perhaps because she was finally living out her dream—far away from her kingdom, walking the wider realm. I recalled the first time I’d been tasked with leading an army against an orc horde. It felt like having an adventure too.
“Stars, you’d think that Thyra wouldn’t be quite so vicious, seeing that she loves me now.” My mate appeared at my side, sweat beading her forehead and smelling strongly of smoked vanilla. I pulled her close, savoring the feel of her, the muscle she had put on beneath the soft curves that I’d admired when we first met. I planted a kiss on the top of her head.
“What good would that do you, sister?” Thyra sang, her tone smug, only paces behind her twin. “We’re training for war. Not a hair braiding competition.”
Isolde snorted. “Not that I’d win that either.”
“Correct.”
Last night, Lord Balik had merely asked more questions, not delivered the sisters an answer to their question of an alliance.Since then, the Falks had been on edge, but sparring seemed to be a good way for Isolde and Thyra to distract themselves.
“Didn’t you say you had something to do?” Isolde retorted, a fresh pink hue rising in her cheeks.
Her twin sniggered. “I’m on my way out.”
She swaggered out of the room, clearly pleased with how she’d performed that day. And how she’d gotten a rise out of her twin.
“She was tiring, too,” I assured my wife. “I could tell.”
“Not quickly enough.”
“She’s been training and fighting longer than you, Force. Don’t let it get you down.” My fingers laced through hers. “And it seems like your sister might enjoy goading you as much as sparring with you. Don’t make that easy on her either.”
Isolde looked up at me from beneath those long eyelashes. Tempting me even if she did not mean to. “I’m not bad by any means?—”
“Far from it. For someone who has been training only a few moons, you’ve learned quickly.”
“Butit seems like I should learn faster. Who knows who I’ll find myself face to face with next week?” She rolled her neck out.
“Are you sore?”
“No but I am feeling off today. The magic inside me is restless and acting odd. I can’t pinpoint why though.” Her palm rested against her belly as if trying to calm the darkness inside her.
She didn’t have to explain that she meant her shadow magic.
I pulled her closer and sealed her lips with mine. My mate tasted as sweet as ever and it took great restraint to not sweep her off her feet and return to our suite.
