Not being able to bite back a retort, I snap, “It’s Lena. You keep calling me Helena, and I prefer to be called Lena.”
He rolls his eyes and crosses his arms over his chest. “Somebody is in a mood this morning.”
When I don’t respond, he smiles maliciously at me. “Oh, did you finally meet our handsome captain at last? A heartbreaker, that one is.”
There’s an evil glint in his eyes. Did this asshole know, too?
I clench my jaw, trying my hardest to keep from exploding on him. He stares me down, waiting for the eruption. When nothing comes from me, he sighs.
“Go get your sword. Let’s do some sparring.”
I turn my back on him and walk towards the weapons building. My muscles ache to be used, and I’m ready to swing a sword at Julius’ head. But when I return, Julius is still where I left him, without a sword or shield.
I stare at him quizzically, and he gives me a flat look.
“Run sprints with your sword and shield.”
My brow furrows. He can’t be serious. “I thought we were—” I begin, but he cuts me off.
“Now!” he snarls.
I spend the entire morning running with my shield and sword.
At lunch, I stumble into the dining hall and see Mathilda and Lachlan glaring at each other. Mathilda’s eyes soften when she spies me, and she waves me over.
But I freeze when Lachlan slowly turns my way.
My breath stalls.
I haven’t seen him so crestfallen since we were kids. His eyes are hollow. The vibrant green is muted and murky with misery. Mathilda mumbles something I can’t hear to him, and he hangs his head, dropping something onto the table, before stalking out. I slowly approach, and she stretches her arms out wide, enveloping me in a hug.
“Lena, I am so sorry. I promise we had no idea you guys knew or didn’t know each other like that.”
She smells of sunshine and poppies, and I sigh in her warm embrace. She steps back to stare into my eyes. There’s a sharpness to her gaze.
“I swear on my mother’s burial mound that I had no idea who he was to you.”
I believe her.
Nodding my head, I take a seat at the table. A small, white, clematis-like flower, sits alone at the end of the table where Lachlan had stood. My chest aches.
Mathilda attempts to make small talk with me throughout our lunch, but my thoughts are muddled. I force myself to eat my lunch to prepare for my session with Mina. Mathilda walks with me down to the training grounds, and I get the feeling that she will not be leaving my side until my mood improves. There’s a warmth blooming in my veins at her kindness. She truly is a wonderful friend.
Mina sits cross-legged in the shade, her eyes closed, and her palms face up in her lap. I share a look with Mathilda, and she grins at me, mouthing “have fun”before turning back.
Quietly, I approach Mina. Her hair begins to float around her, and small pebbles float up from the ground and begin to circle her. The shock has me stumbling, and her eyes flash open. Her hair and the pebbles drop instantly. She looks up at me with a small smile.
“Hi,” she says softly. I give a small wave and plop down on the ground beside her. She pats my leg gently, her eyes studying my face. “You okay?”
My braid whips back and forth as I shake my head and heave a sigh. “I’m dealing with a lot right now.”
She smiles sadly and nods. “Today we’re going to work on some strength and conditioning. Not just for our bodies.” She taps the side of her head. “But our minds too.”
I grimace. My mind is not the place I want to be in right now. She stands quickly and stretches out a hand to me. She’s sosmall compared to my taller frame, but there’s a fierceness glimmering in her eyes. I take her outstretched hand, and she pulls me to my feet, but doesn’t let go of my hand.
“Close your eyes,” she murmurs to me. I follow her instructions and close them. “Listen to your heart and just breathe.”
My muscles tense as my pulse begins racing, anticipating all the emotions that have been warring under the surface to break through. My parents, Gran, and Lachlan circle around and around in my mind. I’m furious with my parents for hiding my birthright from me. I’m shattered that Lachlan,of all people, was a part of the scheme and kept all of this from me. I’m devastated that Gran doesn’t want me to come back.
