“Isobel, this is my good friend, Savannah Riley. Savvy, this is my daughter, Isobel.”
Savvy extends her hand out with a wide smile. “It’s an honor to meet you.”
I take her hand. Something about her just emanates warmth and comfort. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Savvy is one of the best fighters and trainers I know. She agreed to help out and teach you this summer.” Lucian crosses his arms, his smile big and easy.
“Sounds good.” I return their smiles.
“I'll leave you ladies to it.” Lucian squeezes my shoulder. “Thanks again, Sav.”
“Oh, no thanks needed!” she returns with a bright smile. “It’s truly my pleasure.”
Lucian heads out, and she turns back to me, taking a deep breath. “Ready?”
I exhale heavily. “As ready as I can be.”
Savvy spends the next hour teaching me different workouts and building a circuit that I can do when she’s not around. Then she teaches me the proper fighting stance. Feet shoulder-width apart, slight bend in my knees, weight balanced, hands up, elbows in. She teaches me the basics. Guarding, footwork, breathing, blocking, parrying, and how to throw a proper punch.
By the end of hour two, I’m drenched in sweat while Savvy looks like she just started to work out. We settle on the floor to take a break.
“How do you know Lucian?” I take the water she hands me gratefully.
“We grew up and went to school together actually. I’ve known your dad since we were little kids.” She takes a swig of her water, then smiles at the memories that must be playing in her mind.
“Your dad was always so nice to everyone, but he had a few dorky years before growing into the man he is today.” She laughs under her breath.
“Really?” I smile trying to think of Lucian as anything other than powerful. Dorky?
“Can you tell me more about him? What he was like to grow up with?”
“You want embarrassing stories.” She pokes at me.
I nod eagerly. “I mean, if you’re willing to share them.”
Savvy laughs and it’s a light but full sound. “Your dad has these friends, Max, Preston, and Derek. I'm sure you'll meet them soon. They've been thick as thieves since elementary school. They banded together over fruit snacks and juice boxes and have been that way ever since.”
“Max, he’s the troublemaker, always daring everyone to do things. While Preston is very proper and craves order, Derek is very ‘go with the flow’ but usually helps Max with all the shenanigans.”
“Oh boy.”
“Yes, anyways, we had a class trip to this ice-skating rink. There was this girl Lucian was trying to impress, and when she asked him if he knew how to, he said yes. When in fact, your dad did not skate. He had never skated.”
“Oh no.” I gasp but laugh.
“Right, but he couldn’t back out now. It would require admitting incompetence, and at that time, Lucian would rather perish than admit defeat.” Savvy laughs, shaking her head.
“So, the moment he steps out onto the ice, he’s slipping and sliding like a newborn deer trying to stand and walk.”
We both laugh. “Oh my gosh! What happened next?”
“He’s gripping the wall like it owes him money, meanwhile, his legs are going every which way and he can’t stand still for longer than a few seconds.
“The girl asks if he’s okay and he insists he's 'warming up'. But ten minutes pass, and he does not leave that wall. A child skates past him— backwards.”
I fall back, laughing at the mental image.
“Eventually, Max tries to teach him. ‘Push and glide,’ he said.”
