Thoughts of Erik turned his mood to the darker side. The bag became Magnus’ face and kick after kick landed right on his nose.
A soft sound pulled him from his spiral into anger. Sweat dripped off his hair as he spun to find Bryn standing behind him. She wore leggings and a cropped top over a tank, obviously ready to exercise. The tight outfit accentuated her curves. Her eyes searched his face and her browns furled together.
“What’s wrong?”
Sven swallowed hard. She always knew so he didn’t mince words. “Erik is being held prisoner.”
Her hand rose to her mouth but quickly dropped to her side as her shoulders stiffened. “Who has your brother?”
“Magnus. And probably Alitta, if she is indeed with him.” He told her about the note.
“What’s the plan?”
He wiped his face with a towel. “What do you mean?”
A spark of steel in her eyes shone as she stepped closer. “If we’re going to get him back, we need a plan.”
He leaned down and kissed her. “Okay, my little warrior, let’s get this straight. I have an entire army to get him back. I don’t need you getting involved and getting hurt.”
“Like you have a choice.” She pointed to the bag. “Teach me how to kick like you were.”
The next couple of hours passed quickly as he corrected her grip, adjusted her stance, and guided her with steady hands and legs. Every touch sent sparks through his blood, but he forced himself to focus. She needed skills to keep her, and hopefully their unborn child, alive, and despite his best efforts, he knew he couldn’t be everywhere at once.
Sweat dripped off both of them but Sven had to quietly admire her dedication to learning without one complaint.
“One more demonstration and then we’ll call it a day.” He stood behind her. “I’m going to grab you and you show me how you’d try to free yourself.”
Several times he took her to the ground when she failed to get loose. He could feel her anger grow, but he didn’t let up. He explained in detail the moves she needed to accomplish to gain her freedom.
“If someone gets you to the ground, you’re done. You have to make sure you stay on your feet.”
“If they get me to the ground,” she growled, “they’d better hope I don’t get up.”
He pointed at her. “That’s the whole point, Bryn. You won’t get back up. Now try again.”
The anger built in her face and he could see her body tense. “I’m not helpless.”
“Dealing with some of the bad guys out there, you could be totally helpless.”
“I’ll show you.”
Before he could move, she reached out and struck him. Sparks flew from her hands and he flew backwards as her fingers slammed into his chest. Heat surrounded him and his dragon instantly reacted. He fought to steady himself and keep from shifting all at the same time.
“I’m sorry. I am so sorry.”
Soft hands rubbed his shoulders where he stood with his hands on his knees while his lungs screamed for oxygen. His dragon roared in his head, but Sven focused on her touch. Finally, he stood.
“What the hell was that?” Her whispered question calmed the dragon. She stood staring at her outstretched hands.
He grabbed her and pulled her to him. “It’s okay. We’ll figure it out together.”
He didn’t want her scared or hyperfocused on the situation, so he walked her through another round of kicks on the bag without giving her time to think.
Finally, she collapsed flat on her back on the mat. “Okay. I can’t feel my legs anymore.”
He sat next to her. “Are you okay?”
She grinned at him. “I’m going to be sore tomorrow, but I feel like I could kick someone’s ass now.”
