“Shut up!” I snap.
I focus on Kian, watching for the slightest opening. Kian steps forward, and I counter with a quick sidestep, narrowly avoiding the deadly edge of his blade. The world seems to slow as I step forward, my sword slicing through the air with perfect precision, but he blocks with lightning reflexes.
“Impressive.” He gives me a wink.
We clash again and again, each strike fueled by adrenaline. My breath comes in ragged gasps, and my arms tremble from the relentless exertion. But I can’t back down. Not now.
I take deliberate steps sideways, my sword held in front as we circle each other. Kian winks at me again, his calm demeanor still there, though I can make out the sheen of sweat on his forehead, which fills me with a small sense of satisfaction.
Kian deftly feints to the left, tricking me as he swiftly moves from the right, expertly sweeping my feet from under me. The impact of hitting the dirt sends a rush of air escaping my lungs, leaving me momentarily breathless. With a determined glare, I stare at Kian, his sword poised at my throat. The scent of the earth lingers in the air, mixing with the faint smell of sweat.
With a confident smile, Kian sheaths his sword, his dimples adding charm to his expression. “That was amazing. I didn’t know you had it in you.”
I grunt, letting go of my sword and closing my eyes. My chest heaves with exhaustion, and my body throbs with pain as I blink up at the sky.
Kian looks down at me, his body casting a shadow over me. “You okay down there?”
“Peachy.”
Nix flies over, landing on his shoulder. “I don’t think a tonic bath is going to cut it.”
Kian chuckles playfully and holds a handout for me.
I push it away. “Can’t. Not yet.”
Tristan walks over and slaps Kian on the back. “You’re an excellent teacher.”
“Not just a pretty face, eh?”
Tristan shakes his head and stares down at me, curiosity shining in his periwinkle eyes. “You did well. I’m surprised. Are you sure this is your first time with a sword?”
I draw in a deep breath and slowly let it out, my hands resting at my sides. I’m about to say,of course, when a memory pops into my mind. It was Valric going through defense maneuvers with me; I was only four or five. My father had gifted me a sword for my birthday, and I wanted to learn.
The sudden clicking sound startles me, and I instinctively blink. Kian is squatting down, snapping his fingers in front of my face.
“There you are,” he sighs.
“Back it up.” With a forceful shove, I push him away and fight against the weight that keeps me down as I struggle to sit up. “I’m good. Something from my past just came back to me.”
“What was it?” Nix floats down to land on my knee as I cross my legs.
“My paladin. Valric. He was teaching me how to use defense moves with a sword. So, answering your question, no, this wasn’t my first time with a sword.”
Tristan blinks, his expression frozen in disbelief. “Your paladin was Valric? The Valric?”
“Umm . . . maybe?”
Nymeria and Anika make their way over, nudging me back and forth. I groan, my energy depleted. I am too scared to even try to lift my arms. “I think I’ll just sleep out here tonight.”
“Oh, no you don’t,” Tristan grumbles, bending down and lifting me from the ground and placing me on my feet. “You need to walk it off.”
Nix stops in front of my face. “I’ll let Zaria know to prepare the bath.”
Before I can thank her, she’s gone. Tristan’s arm is still around my waist, keeping me steady on my feet, my arm around his shoulders.
“Soon we will have to train you with magic.”
Chapterforty-two
