Page 20 of Her Ivory Flame

“She is a warrior, not a housewife.” He pointed in her direction but still didn’t see her. “That female used to be feared by the best of us, and now is the laughingstock of the training yard because you let her hide away. I know she has been through some shit, but all of us have. Talk some sense into her or we are all doomed.”

She let out a shaky breath to keep her tears at bay and both males snapped their heads to her. She did not look to see their faces before returning around the corner to try and peel her shirt off, now only standing in her underwear.

The sound of the door shutting made her jump, but she kept her back to the doorway. Soft warm hands grabbed her bare shoulders a few moments later and she jumped at his touch. Her nerves were already shot from the day and she couldn't handle the surprise touch.

“I’m sorry.” He breathed, his hands pulling away from her as she turned to face him. She knew he was confused from the expression on his face and she just sighed while holding her shirt to her chest.

“We practiced sparring and he pinned me to the ground..” her voice trailed off.

“You panicked?” he asked calmly.

She only nodded and walked into his chest with tears rolling down her cheek. He slowly wrapped his arms around her and held for a few minutes while she gained her composure.

“Don’t let him get to you,” Silas’s soft voice whispered in her ear. “Take a bath and I’ll help make you feel better after, ok?”

The side of her face rested against his chest, his warmth seeping into and she took a deep breath.

“He’s right,” she whispered. “I was a wreck in the training ring today. I spent so much time hiding that I’ve lost everything I used to be. People’s lives depend on me and I’m failing miserably.”

“You’re not failing,” he whispered, his lips next to her ear. “It was your first day, give yourself a little time.”

“We don’t have time.” Her own words echoed in her mind, making the weight of the situation settle even heavier on her shoulders.

Chapter 9

Silas’s calloused hands on her bare back felt like paradise as his fingers dug into her sore muscles along her spine. Her hot bath had helped loosen them, but his movement on her body was making it feel even more relaxed.

His hand slid up one side of her spine and down her ribs while he straddled her on the bed, a soft grunt coming from her lips. All the panic from before had disappeared and not one flicker of anxiety rose inside her.

“I don’t deserve you,” she mumbled.

“Shut up,” he replied quickly with a chuckle.

“Rude,” she groaned back, followed by another grunt from his hand digging into her shoulder.

“Well, don’t say such stupid things.”

She shrugged her shoulders playfully but kept her lips shut. She fully knew she didn’t deserve him and all the things he did for her, but he always refused to believe it. He did one more pass down her spine, his hands pushing on the tight muscles before retracting them.

He bent down and placed a small kiss on her shoulder before getting up and walking towards the main room.

“Where are you going?” she questioned, lifting her head from the pillow.

“You need food,” he said over his shoulder. “Get a shirt on and come eat.”

She let out a long sigh and lifted herself up, her muscles screaming at her in protest. She had already put soft cotton pants on after her bath, but grabbed a matching shirt from the drawer and pulled it over her head before joining him at the table.

Raine had come in a while ago with a serving tray full of food for both of them, but she wanted a bath and to get cleaned up before eating. Taking the seat across from him, she grabbed some food and started to fill her plate.

“What was your take on your training today?” Silas asked before stuffing some meat into his mouth.

“Kaden is rough. He seemed to hate being there and was super judgmental.” She grabbed some fruit and savored the sweet flavor before continuing. “But he is a good fighter, I can see why Emrischose him. If I didn’t have my issues then we probably could make quick progress.”

“He is the best fighter out of Emris’s whole army.” Silas replied. “I’m sure you two will get along at some point.”

She just shrugged her shoulders and continued eating. She didn’t realize how hungry training had made her until she started to taste the food. The meat was seasoned with expensive spices, and the veggies were fresh, she guessed from a castle garden.

A knock on the door had them both looking towards it, Raine entering with a document in her hand.