“That’s a smart idea,” Annabeth said with a sharp nod. She looped her arm with Flora’s to lead her into the great hall. “I ken ye’ll be much more confident once he teaches ye a thing or two.”
Flora hummed, falling silent as she was guided to the head table. Through the meal, she couldn’t stop thinking about the conversation she’d overheard. If it wasn’t clear that the subject was sore for Lucas, she’d ask him directly.
I willnae be able to, though. Perhaps Annabeth could tell me?
“Ach, it seems it’s time for yer lesson,” Annabeth said, leaning in close.
Flora followed her line of sight, her heart flipping in her chest when she saw Lucas approaching. His gaze was focused on her, pinning her in place. She took a deep breath, forcing herself tocalm down. It was difficult, though. The maids had gotten into her head.
“Are ye ready to head toward the trainin’ grounds?” Lucas asked as he came to a stop to the right of Flora’s chair. “Ye’ve eaten?”
“Aye, I’m well fed,” Flora said, rising from her seat and smoothing out her clothing, dispelling the nerves and shifting her focus to learning self-defense. “And I’m ready.”
Lucas grunted, motioning for her to follow. The walk was casual, though Flora felt as if what they were about to do was anything but. She’d never considered the possibility of learning to defend herself, though, reflecting on the past, it made sense that her father wouldn’t want to teach her these skills. If she had them, she’d have been able to get away from him and forge her own life.
When they reached the training grounds, it was decidedly empty. The sight was strange, as every time Flora had seen the clearing since arriving, there had been men using the area. Apparently, Lucas had cleared it for their use.
“Ye’re nae goin’ to be a warrior,” Lucas said as he led her to a target run. “There’s nay situation where ye’re goin’ to be carryin’ a sword. But that doesnae mean ye cannae have a weapon.”
She cocked her head to the side as Lucas reached into a pouch at his hip. From it, he produced two small, sharp knives. He held one out to her, and she took it, careful to keep her fingers away from the blade.
“I’m goin’ to teach ye how to use these,” he said, adjusting his grip on the remaining knife. “And once ye ken how, ye’ll always keep them somewhere on yer body. Annabeth can show ye where. I taught her to use them as well.”
“Of course,” Flora agreed, turning the dagger over in her hand. It was heavier than she thought it would be, likely because it was a quality piece of equipment. It felt almost as if it didn’t belong in her hands.
“Once ye’re used to how holdin’ it feels, I’m goin’ to demonstrate how to throw it,” he said as he got into position. “Then, I’m goin’ to have ye try.”
“Aye,” she murmured, gripping the handle tightly. She took a few more moments with it, feeling the way it was balanced, before she locked eyes with Lucas. “I’m ready.”
“Good,” he praised before adjusting his stance.
She watched everything about the way he moved. His feet were planted firmly, his shoulders rolled back. The confidence in his stature sent a little thrill through her.
As he lifted his arm, his eyes never left the target in front of them. She could see the definition of muscles in the sunlight, the result of countless hours of training. Then, with a flick of his wrist that seemed as if it were second nature to him, he let the blade fly. It buried itself directly in the center of the target. The hit would have been lethal if he’d been aiming at a person.
He stood still, his eyes forward. She realized that the compulsion she felt toward him was more than gratefulness for being saved, then she shook her head, banishing the thought.
I cannae find him attractive. He’s dangerous. And even if he werenae, he wouldnae want someone like me. I need to focus.
“Now,” Lucas said, stepping out of the way so Flora could assume her position, “I want ye to try.”
As she planted her feet, attempting to emulate the stance she observed, she adjusted her grip on the hilt. Her body felt wrong, as if she were not meant to be doing this. She pushed through it, though, setting her sights on the target and raising her arm. When she threw the blade, it sailed through the air but stopped just a bit short of the target.
“That’s a good first try,” Lucas said, going to retrieve the knives. As he handed her one, he pocketed the other. “I’m goin’ to adjust yer position then I want ye to try again.”
Without any further warning, his hands were on her waist. Flora’s breath hitched as something zipped through her body. It was as if every single one of her nerves was alight and in tune with his touch. The sensation was so strange that she wasn’t sure if she liked it or hated it. Almost as quickly as it began, he removed his hands.
“Lift yer arm,” he murmured, his voice dangerously close to her ear, “but daenae throw it yet.”
Taking a deep breath, she followed his instructions. Again, his hands came to adjust. He urged her elbow closer to her side while pulling her shoulder back. As he arranged her, he said, “Even if ye daenae feel confident, ye must act as if ye are. It’ll deter enemies, and ye’ll throw better if ye have to.” Then, he stepped back and murmured lowly, “Now. Try again, Flora.”
She closed her eyes, steadying herself. The strange fluttering in her stomach was something that she’d investigate when she was alone. For now, this was a skill she needed to learn. She couldn’t afford to let herself get so distracted. Her fear, or whatever this unnamed emotion was, had no place here.
When her eyelids fluttered open, she threw the knife. As he’d instructed, she pretended to be confident despite feeling anything but. This time, not only did her throw make it to the target, but it drove itself directly into the center. The strike wasn’t as deep as the one Lucas threw, but she knew that had she hit an enemy, he would have been injured.
“Very good,” Lucas praised, his voice still low.
She turned to look at him, a shiver that intensified the foreign sensations running through her. His eyes were dark, and there was a hunger on his face that she hadn’t seen there before. It rivaled the gnawing feeling low in her belly. The closeness that they had just shared must have affected him, too.
