“It's not a game, Kel.”
“You know what I mean. You're getting upset for no reason. Focus on the battles you can win.”
“Wow.” I stood up.
“Ember,” Rath said.
“Nope.” I grabbed a roll off my plate and climbed over the bench. “Nope. Nope. No. Not continuing this conversation. That would be bad.” I looked at my men and added, “For you two.”
Then I walked away, and they were smart enough to let me.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
With most of the Wraith Lords in the dining hall, the training yard was empty. I grabbed a practice sword and strode up to the pell I usually worked on. With very little finesse, I swung. And swung. And swung. I pounded that thick wooden pole until my arm ached. Then I dropped the sword and hunched over, breathing hard.
“Your technique is atrocious.”
I spun toward the sound of Jath's voice and found him leaning against the keep wall, in the shadows, arms crossed. “That wasn't about technique.”
“Have a tiff with your lovers?” he drawled.
“A disagreement, and not just with them.” I picked up the sword and returned it to the rack. “Sorry I disturbed your training.”
“You didn't disturb me.”
I stared at him. He stared back. Something shivered through the air between us.
Jath pushed away from the wall and strode over to me. He leaned forward, coming close enough to kiss. My heart pounded. Oh, fuck, was I going to let this happen?
Jath angled to the side at the last second, brushing my arm with his shoulder as he grabbed a practice sword. “I haven't started training yet. Why don't you let me show you a few things?”
“I'm a failure at swordwork. Xae and Rath have been trying for ages, and I haven't made much improvement.”
“You haven't had me work with you yet. This is what I do, Ember.” He waved at the weapons rack. “Choose your weapon.”
I let out a long sigh and grabbed a sword.
“You've already made a mistake,” Jath said.
“What do you mean? It's not a real sword.”
“But the length is approximate to that of a real one, and that sword is too long for you. You don't have the height or muscle mass to use it properly.” He tapped a shorter sword with the tip of his. “This is perfect for you.”
I put the sword back and picked up the one he recommended. “Huh. Yeah, it's lighter. Should be easier to swing.”
Jath grunted and went over to the pell. “Show me how you normally work a pell, not that rage shit you just did.”
Stretching my shoulders, I went to the pell and settled into the stance Xae taught me.
“No.” He tapped the back of my thighs with his sword. “You're too low. With your body, you need to settle into a higher stance. Like this.” He showed me, bending his knees just enough to loosen them, and then bounced. “You see how easy it is for me to move? You don't have the body mass to root yourself in place. So instead of being immovable, you need to move. Fast. You try.”
I mimicked him and bounced. “All right. Yeah. I feel more stable like this. Damn, why doesn't Xae know this shit?”
“I've trained all sorts of men. I know how to work with different body types. Neither Rath nor Xae have trained anyone other than themselves.” Jath settled into the stance again and swung. “Do you see how I keep my hips loose?”
“I thought the power of a strike comes from the hips?”
“The hips direct your strike and can add power, but if you keep them tense, trying to use them alone, you won't get anywhere. The whole body is involved in fighting. Nothing should be tight. Not your grip on the sword or your hips or even your shoulders. Keep loose. That's the key to your success. Now, take the stance I showed you and pick a spot on the pell. Start with your hips, then let your shoulders follow, putting the strength of your biceps into the hit. Think of it as a snapping motion.”
