Maddox stood off to one side, but he didn’t look my way.
Ignoring him, I strode to a mat and started stretching.
“Pair assignments,” Malcolm called out from the head of the room, his gaze, strangely meeting mine. “King Trewyn is otherwise occupied, so I’ll be leading your team today. He…” He still didn’t look away. “He’ll be back this afternoon, though he’s going to work with only one of you during magical training. Nia will take the rest of your group.”
I had a feeling I knew who Trew would be working with, and I couldn’t say I was upset about it. I wanted to see him again. And that was wildly wonderful.
“Bryson?” Malcolm called out. “I’d like you to work with Fenna and Kerralyn.” He waved to a mat. “I know you’re leaving after lunchtime, so share all you can with them.”
Bryson gave him a nod. “Will do.”
“Lexie’s with Isi.” Malcolm’s gaze swept the room. “Maddox is with Derren.” He clapped his hands. “Finish warming up, then get started. I’ll come around the room and give pointers.”
While Bryson, Kerralyn, and Fenna took a mat, Bryson speaking low with Kerralyn, Derren gave Maddox a slick smile and stepped onto the mat adjacent to the one Lexie and I had taken to warm-up on. Derren looked almost too relaxed.
Maddox lunged.
The sweep of Derren’s foot appeared lazy, but it caught Maddox low and clean, sending his legs out from under him, making him smack face-first onto the mat.
“Sorry,” Derren said, not looking contrite at all.
Maddox climbed to his feet, his jaw tight, and squared up again, only to have Kerralyn “inadvertently” step back, somehow ending up on their mat.
“Let me try something?” she asked.
Derren gave her a long look and eased to the side, giving her room.
She sized Maddox up before waving his way. “Give me all you’ve got.”
Maddox frowned and studied her face before leaping toward her. Something about the way he moved, with his shoulders bunched and the hard set of his jaw, made my stomach knot. I’d seen enough men with that kind of look to know how it felt, like the moment before a blade slips between ribs.
Kerralyn was small and slighter than Maddox, and she still needed a lot of work to get her where she needed to be, but her handwork was merciless. Every time Maddox tried to land a strike, she redirected it, letting his own momentum pull him off balance.
Whenever Maddox stumbled, Lexie’s grin sharpened. I let myself savor the quiet justice of it.
“Take a break,” Malcolm called out from where he leaned against the wall, watching. “We’ll get back at it in fifteen.”
Maddox stood fuming, his breathing raged, color filling his face. He could barely leash in his temper.
Bryson came over as I stepped off the mat. “You’re looking well. Are you feeling alright?”
“I’m fine, thanks.” I raised my voice. “Much better now that the poison is out of my system.” I poured water and took a drink, aware of Maddox standing only a few paces away—and of Bryson turning his back to him as if he weren’t there at all.
Lexie didn’t even glance his way as she joined us. As Bryson brought water to Kerralyn, Lexie chattered about what she hoped they’d serve for lunch and a new soap one of the staff had left in her bathroom.
Maddox actually dared to walk closer to us, though without a hint of threat in his eyes.
“We’re still on for after dinner,” Lexie said, shifting around to step between me and Maddox, feeding him her back.
Derren angled his body to block Maddox’s line of sight, all casual grin but with a stance that said try it and you’ll regret it.
Bryson’s broad back might as well have been a shield, planted between us whenever Maddox moved in our direction.
Kerralyn didn’t so much as glance his way, but I saw her subtly mark his position in the room, like a strategist tracking an enemy’s position.
Even Fenna gave him a sidelong glance and moved away when he walked over to speak with her.
He winced and eased back a few steps, scanning the room for friends. None of our team appeared willing to be with him for even one moment.
