She’s relentless today, pushing me past simple hand to hand drills. She attacks, stabs, and swings with such precision, that if I wasn’t quick, I’d be skewered on her glinting blade.
I thought escaping last night would save me. But instead, I fucked the heir in the woods and came back like an obedient pet, because something said I would be safest here.Hesaid I would safe with him.
He chose me. So in turn, I chose him.
Gods, I hope I didn’t make a mistake. Escape was freedom—away from Zelos, this world, this war. Staying is praying that Kaden will protect me, that this is for a reason. That I won’t destroy the world.
I twirl, jabbing the dagger into her side that she effectively avoids, knocking the blade away like an annoying insect. Withoutwarning, she rushes my side and I tumble, her forearm to my throat, body pinned.
“You’re quick but clumsy,” she comments, hardly panting. I’m heaving, desperate for air.
“I already know that.”
“Use it to your advantage.” She slaps a hand to my belly, and I wince. “If you feel yourself falling, tripping, use it. Let it power you. Change your tactic. It’ll help you in battle.”
Right, whatever that means.
She stands, agile and gorgeous while I lay mussed, arms wide, body soaked. Coming here was a reprieve at first, distracting me from the confusing feelings stirred up by her brother, but now, I’m exhausted, bleeding and hungry.
As if sensing my thoughts, she tosses me a white apple, the color a stark reminder that the crops grown here are different than the rest of Neevea. Without sun, the people, vegetation, animals have all learned to adapt.
It hits me in the chest, as I struggle to sit. “Thanks.”
“Don’t thank me yet.” She grabs herself one from the pack by the mat. “We’re only taking a small break.”
Gods, what I wouldn’t give to train with Tay. At least he didn’t drive me this hard.
Sourly, I bite into the fruit, a tangy, crisp taste similar to the female’s perfume, melancholy striking as I think of my friend. And how, even though I knew I frightened him, I miss his comforting presence. I miss his friendship.
But Kaden was right. He feared me. Everyone did. It’s probably why he hasn’t sought me out.
“Next lesson you’ll be given a real sword. Not just your dagger to defend against one,” she remarks, tossing her vest into the pile of clothing on the floor. Like the rest of the palace, this training room is all black, with glinting silver weaponry hanging on the walls, and very little else.
“I’m not good with a sword.”
“I gathered.” She sits beside me, fangs cutting into the food. “A sword is helpful in battles. It would do you well to learn more than just daggers.”
“You act as if I’m preparing for war.”
“You are.” She nods, gesturing to a far back wall. Within the shadows, there is a black wooden etching, the lines so fine it’s hard to see the detail. “Our palace is older than most, with the walls marked with various battles from long ago. These are reminders of a past we do not remember.”
There are Fae, ravenous and dripping in gore. But they’re facing another army, with Humans at the front in glinting armor and a massive leader in the back, obscured by smoothed patches. Someone tried to erase the picture, buffing the wood clean, hiding whatever it showed.
“And because of that, we must prepare. For wars we don’t see. For wars that are beginning. For everything.”
Reid comes in, dressed in similar fashion to us, only no shirt. The tattoos around his throat draw my attention, clear to see now.
It’s the crest of the Dark Fae, a flickering flame, intricate and gorgeous that’s surrounded by scrollwork. It crawls over his left pectoral muscle, climbing up his shoulder and down his arm.
When he notices me staring, he winks. “Easy, Max. You’re a taken woman.”
My cheeks burn even as I glare. “Why are you here? Are you going to pummel me into the ground too?”
“Actually,” he drawls, tossing his sword to the side. “Fee wanted me to see how fast you really are. I’m quicker than her. Old age and all that.”
His sister kicks out at him, catching his toe. Laughing, he winces and I smile at their sibling antics.
“I don’t see why I have to train,” I mutter, tossing the apple core to the side. “If your brother hadn’t drugged me, my magic would be enough.”
