But then, those grievances vanished. He placed a hand to his chest, ducking his chin. “She’s all yours.”
“It’s for the best,” I joked to satisfy Tol. “I wouldn’t want to have to beat you again, Vincienzo. You might bruise that ego we all adore.”
“I think your memory is challenging you, Alabath. My ego is too firm to bruise.”
“They’re going to kill each other one day,” Rina whispered, and Malakai only grunted.
I exhaled a laugh and turned to Santorina. “How are you feeling with your training?”
Her smile brightened. “Excellent, actually. I was thinking…”
“Yes?” I encouraged when she hesitated.
“It’s a shame humans are never trained. We’re in as much danger as warriors—more so if you consider that you’ve been around weapons since the day you could walk. I think humans should be given the same chance.”
Spirits, Rina’s courage was admirable. “You’re correct. We’ll work on that, as well.” I added it to the list of topics to discuss with the Mystique Council. Perhaps they could establish training posts for humans throughout the territories.
It was likely not all would want to train, but it was wrong to not provide the option. If it had been done sooner, perhaps Rina’s parents would still be here. When I met her glossy-eyed stare, I knew she was thinking the same.
“We’ll give everyone the chance they deserve.” I squeezed Rina’s hand, promises passing between us.
The delegates, Jezebel, and Cyph reappeared from the armory, the latter holding a menagerie of weapons. My sister and Erista took up a basic sparring pattern, Jezebel showing her a few of the simpler keys of spearwork. Cyph was assisting the Starsearcher, Vale, testing different swords.
Rina sighed, and I followed her line of sight to where Esmond stood alone, a sword in one hand and his rapier in the other. As we watched, he sheathed the former, shirked the top layer of his leathers so he stood in only a thin green tunic, and began a solo warm-up routine with the latter. Warm sepia skin stretched across firm muscles with each motion, and it was clear that while he was quiet, he was skilled.
“He’s wary after…everything,” Rina explained. After hearing how we’d slayed numerous Engrossians, likely. At least Santorina seemed to have befriended him. “I’ll go convince him to join.”
“Tol, go with her,” I instructed. “Use your charm.”
“As you wish.” He held out his arm to Santorina and escorted her to Esmond’s side. If anyone could convince him Mystiques were to be trusted, Tolek could.
Cyph sliced blades effortlessly through the air, asking Vale torecreate the motions. She did so better than I’d expect of someone who claimed to have no formal training. Cyph observed how she handled each weapon, his gaze serious, a warrior assessing a challenge. He said something that had her bell-like laugh filtering through the arena, and he smiled back at her.
“It’s nice to see him in his element,” Malakai said, his tone dejected, as it always seemed to be these days. Or perhaps it was jealousy; I couldn’t be sure.
“He’s good at this,” I agreed. Weapons, strategies, and shrewd observation had always been Cyph’s strengths. Seeing him use the skills he honed proficiently brought a smile to my face, but knowing Malakai didn’t share that sense of belonging dimmed it. I only wished he’d allow me to help.
“Shall we?” I held my hand out to him, waiting for him to slip some reassurance back my way.
“That one’s probably too big,” Cyph said as we approached, eyeing the sword Vale lifted. They both nodded at us.
She tightened her grip. “Who’s to say what’s too big for me to handle?”
Malakai exhaled a laugh, but Cyph’s jaw hung open for a moment. “I—I wasn’t?—”
“Relax, I was only teasing.” Vale set the long sword down, a satisfied smile on her face, and I decided then—I liked her. Not everyone could easily find their footing in our tight-knit group, but she held her own, with enough spirit to throw Cyph off balance.
Beyond that, the idea of befriending members of other clans was alluring. We couldn’t share certain secrets, but there were endless histories and practices we could learn from them. We needed alliances, yes, but did it have to end there? Titus may have been difficult, but Vale seemed open to this arrangement.
Besides, if she could conduct sessions with the stars…well, that was an advantage I’d be foolish to waste in light of her chancellor’s reading.
“Men and their sensitivity tosize,” I joked, grabbing a short sword for her instead. “I prefer these.” I gestured to Starfire at my hip. “More nimble.”
As Vale tested the sword, I surveyed her grip and stance. Both were impeccable, control evident in each swing.
“You’re a natural,” Cyph said, finally having recovered.
A faint blush colored her cheeks. “I’ve never held a sword before.”
