He saw her.
“Now, don’t be shy.” The sound of that cool voice sent a tremble through her chest. She inched toward the mirror and met his wintry eyes. The edge of Tarn’s mouth lifted in a faint smirk. “Hello, Maiden.”
THREE MONTHS LATER
CHAPTER 6
Dynalya
“Clear your mind,” Rawn said as he circled her in the courtyard. “Allow your instincts to guide you.”
After weeks of relentless training, Dyna had long learned to let everything else fall back beneath the surface. Her body was one with her blades. She readied her short swords and nodded.
Klyde launched at her.
She deflected his attack and spun around to parry Rawn’s sword. Their blades clashed as she met them, hit for hit. A blast of purple magic came for her. Dyna ducked and rolled out of the way, leaving it to hit a tree behind her. Her blades crossed, blocking Klyde’s next blow, and she spun away.
All three came at her at once.
But she had been anticipating that.
Dyna spun and delivered a kick to Lucenna’s stomach, throwing her back. She dodged Rawn’s next attack and fought Klyde at the same time. The sound of their blades clashing echoed through the courtyard as she advanced. She parried, knocking Rawn’s weapon out of his hand. But it left her back exposed. A blade flashed at her neck, and she paused, breathing heavily.
Klyde’s knife hovered a needle pin away from her pulse. “You need to watch your back, lass.”
“And you should watch yours,” Dyna said, prompting him to glance down at her blade fixed against his groin.
Barking a laugh, the captain stepped away, and she sheathed her weapons.
Zev came over clapping, a grin on his face. “You’re ready.”
The confirmation settled over them as they looked at each other. The courtyard was free of snow. Winter was over, and it was finally time to move on. They collectively decided to leave once they were ready to face the Horde waiting for them on the Bridge.
After three months of non-stop training, Dyna was confident they would make it out alive.
“When do we leave?” she asked them.
“As soon as the scouts confirm that the snow has melted from the gorge,” Klyde said, wiping the sweat from his face with a towel. “Shouldn’t be long now.”
He took a drink from his waterskin and handed it to Lucenna, but she ignored him. Her anger hadn’t thawed yet, and Dyna was beginning to suspect it was due to more than lying about his identity.
“We’ll need to prepare provisions,” Zev said.
“Aye. Put together a list, and I will take care of it, mate.”
Eagon showed up with Tavin. Klyde went over to join them, and Zev followed as they discussed what would be needed for their departure.
“Were you trying to make me spew all over the courtyard?” Lucenna asked, rubbing her stomach. “That last kick winded me.”
“Next time be quicker with your shields,” Dyna shot back teasingly. “You really should learn your way around a weapon.”
“You’re probably right.” Lucenna frowned thoughtfully at the purple currents of Essence hovering at her fingertips. “Are you able to access any more of your magic?”
Dyna sighed. “No…”
A couple of days after she woke with half of her soul, all traces of her magic were gone. This barrier was thicker and sturdier than Yoel’s had been. No matter how hard Dyna tried, she hadn’t been able to make even a dent in it. Lucenna had confirmed she could sense faint traces of her Essence, but the barrier hid it so well, Dyna felt as if she had none at all.
“Do not be discouraged, my lady. You have been trained by all of us,” Rawn said as he approached. “You are well equipped now, regardless of magic.”
