“You outsmart them. You use your cunning. And based on how you handled Cyrus and the royals in Dusk, you’ve more than got that covered.” Titan nodded, and my cheeks heated at the compliment.
“I don’t know about that.” I confessed, uncertain how much of that was based on any cunning. “I got lucky that Cyrus was so obsessed with me that he couldn’t see what was going on under his nose.”
But Titan was already shaking his head, his square jaw jutting out in protest. “You don’t give yourself enough credit.”
“Prince Kian caught me, remember?” I put my hands on my hips, unsure exactly why I was arguing this point so hard. Maybe it was because I felt like I didn’t do much of anything yet. Titan snorted a laugh though, surprising me.
“That’s only because he was already watching you.” Titan admitted, causing my brows to fly upwards. “We’d sent him a message that we needed you. With the intel we got from him about Cyrus and you, Eryx’s observations, and of course, Liv’s prophecy, we told him to keep an eye on you and see if you’d be willing to work with us. Calix said you weren’t ready when you first met. He didn’t evenknowit was you at that point. Liv drew him a picture later, and when he realized he’d already met you—”
My body seemed to release a tension I hadn’t known it held, realizing that Calix hadn’t specifically sought me out the first time we met. Our meeting—our chemistry—hadn’t been the result of them plotting to grab me because of Liviana’s prophecy. I wasn’t sure why that was so important, only that it was.
Titan shook his head, laughing, “Well, let’s just say that night Calix spent a while drowning his sorrows over his perceived failure to convince you.”
“Failure?” My head reared back. “It wasn’t his fault. I thought Night Kingdom and all Fae were monsters. That wasn’t on him.”
“I know. All of us know that.” Titan softened, his eyes becoming distant. “And you would have been right once upon a time. There were no kingdoms humans were safe in before. I can’t even say what it was that changed Calix. It started not long after his mark came in.” That got my attention, words from last night ringing in my ears about Calix’s soul mark—undeniable proof I had to stay away from him, that he was not meant for the likes of me. A king and a human former-slave? I nearly snorted at the ridiculous thought.
“As the years passed, I watched Calix change. He told me he could feel some of his soulmate’s feelings, sometimes in his dreams, and this feeling of unfairness and anger filtered through. It took him a while to pinpoint what those feelings were surrounding, but when he started balking at slavery here, it became clear. Whoever she is, she obviously doesn’t agree with the practice, and eventually, he couldn’t take it anymore, and abolished slavery here. It was a huge shake up, of course, but he was able to get the lords and ladies in line. The nobility was used to the way things were, but when Calix laid down the law, they eventually came around. It helped that they already trusted him. There’s no one in this kingdom who doesn’t love our king.”
Titan looked softer than I’d ever seen him as he spoke about Calix. “You really do love him, don’t you?” I whispered.
“Of course, I love that boy like my own son.” Titan smiled. “I practically raised him out here in the training yard. Him, Eryx, Baach—the three were always thick as thieves, even back then. I trained them all, the little prince, and his spare heir friends.”
“Wait—” I paused, my eyebrows rising. “How old are you to have been training them as children?” He laughed slightly at the shock on my face.
“Much older. I’m the oldest Fae in Celesterra.” My jaw dropped open, my mouth silently forming the word “wow”. I was speechless. I’d known he was older, but there was older, and then there wasthat. He looked no older than maybe twenty-five, thirty years old maybe. It was one thing knowing Fae were immortal, another to meet the eldest Fae in Adamah.
“Which is why I know you have it in you to be a great warrior.” Titan clasped my shoulder, smiling softly down at me, towering over me like a giant. “Human or not. I’ve trained more boys and girls, men and women, than any other. You have that spark in you, girl. One that burns bright. It’s time for you to wrangle it and use it to your advantage.”
Titan stepped back, and his soft, encouraging smile transformed into a ferocious, battle-ready grin, showing off those sharpened canines. “Now, let’s begin.”
I smiled widely, bolstered by his words. He showed me the different stances. Where to put my feet. How to form a fist. How to block. How to kick, and how to move my body so I didn’t lose my balance after. We worked on repeating movements that would help me evade a stronger opponent. Repetition, Titan said, was the key for my muscles to begin forming those moves instinctually. He promised that my strength would build up with every punch thrown or kick landed. I was exhausted and sweating profusely by the end of our session, and I hadn’t even picked up a weapon yet.
You’ll get there.” Titan laughed as I whined about the lack of weapons. “You’re a natural at this, Asteria. Your body was built to move in this way. I’ve seen a lot of people come and go in this yard. Humans and Fae alike, and you move more fluidly than any human I’ve trained before.”
“Maybe the gods really did choose you.” He whispered, eyebrows rising, and I was fairly sure he hadn’t meant for me to hear him, but the words struck me hard.
I didn’t follow the Fae gods, and they’d already singled me out to Liv, what else could they want? I was helping with the war—did they wish me to be able to fight? I wasn’t sure, but I felt chilled at the thought of the Fae gods interfering in my life.
I couldn’t stopthinking about it as I thanked Titan and headed off back into the palace. I’d just reached the door when Calix appeared. I inhaled sharply, memories of last night flashing in my mind. He stared at me, and his mouth opened once, twice, but no words came out.
I found myself unable to form words either, so I just nodded once and moved to pass by him, but as I came level with him, he caught my arm, stopping me in my tracks.
“Do you—do you want to learn to ride a horse?” The previously smooth king blurted out. I raised an eyebrow at him, wondering what brought that on. Especially after the way he left last night. “You’ll need to know how to ride for battle. I figured now’s as good a time as any.”
His eyes had a hopeful sheen to them, despite the way he shrugged dismissively. Despite myself, I couldn’t bear to snuff that hope out. I sighed, my aching body protesting any more physical activity, especially horseback riding. I’d only just gotten rid of the soreness our ride here had caused, and then I’d spentthe night dancing, followed by a morning of training for the first time.
“I’d like that.” I nodded, giving him a small smile, regardless of the way my body screamed at me to stop.
Calix led me across the expansive grounds, to the other side of the palace. We were both quiet, unsure of what to say in the wake of last night. I was determined to forget about him—well, forget about him in any sexual or romantic way. That was never going to happen, so I had to shut it down.
But just being around him made that difficult. I swore it felt like every inch of space between us vibrated with the need to close it. When a piece of hair fell into his face, I wanted to reach over and caress the strand before righting it. I had to shake myself several times just to prevent myself from drifting towards him. He had a soulmate and was not for me—no matter how badly my body wanted to climb his.
I’d never had such a visceral reaction to anyone before, and it was seriously the last thing I needed right now.
Calix cleared his throat, looking over at me in a way that seemed almost shy. Embarrassed maybe? I couldn’t tell what it was exactly.
“Lilith runs Cosmic Dust Stables as part of her duties.” He explained as we walked, filling the silence. “She’s very proud of the horses we have here. She’s bred them to be the very best. War horses are her specialty, along with ones bred for speed.”
