Page 35 of Her Ivory Flame

“He may be a guard to you, but there is more history between us than you know.” She glared at him, her body fully aware of the others around them staring.

“Don’t forget that I was there when he told us the story. He’s the heroic enemy guard that just happened to get you out of the Veiled King’s prison that no one else could find, even most of his own males.” His voice sounded venomous.

“You don’t know anything.”

“I know he should be doing his job and not thinking with his dick. Though, the way you throw yourself at him, I wouldn’t blame the guy for wanting in your pants.” His eyes narrowed on her and she felt it all happen too quickly. Something rumbled inside her, the crack in her wall expanding and she could feel her power surging.

White light spun around her fist before she threw her free hand at him, a line of white flame darted forward and hit him square in the chest. His body launched backwards, his back slamming into the ground a few yards outside the training circle.

The training yard went quiet and she found herself staring at her outstretched hand in disbelief. There was a faint glow to it, a hint of flames flickering around it that only lasted another few seconds before disappearing.

“Well that's progress,” he said with a painful groan.

Rolling onto his side, she watched him rise from the ground and stared at her with a curious look.

“You don’t know anything about what’s happened in the last century other than what I told you so do not assume you know me. Do not insult me again.” Her voice was sharp and she could see the others around them get back to training.

“You’re right, I don’t know you, but how well do you know him?” His tone was condescending and it made her want to slap his judgmental look off his face.

“Fuck you.” she barked furiously at him and then turned to walk to her water pouch on the bench. How dare he question her relationship with Silas when he barely knew her.

He joined her and she could feel that new spark of power spiraling inside her, her anger fueling it.

“What is it with you and him anyways? Do you not trust him?”

He set his pouch down next to hers and cleared his throat. “My opinion of him doesn’t matter, especially to you. Back to training.”

She grunted with annoyance in response and followed him to the center of the ring again.

How well did she really know Silas though? Sure they had spent a few months together right after he rescued her, but then visits were just once a year for a few days. Could she know him that well just from the short amount of time they spent together?

Her heart sank but she pushed the new feeling of doubt away as Kaden swung at her first again, his eyes indicating he knew she was distracted. She blocked it just in time again and then swung another blow towards him. He dodged it like usual and soon she was on her back again.

“Keep focused,” he barked.

She sneered at him and got back up onto her feet. She could feel a very small trickle of power now, a constant feeling and she knew that small crack was the beginning of something. A new feeling coursed through her, one of strength and she narrowed her eyes on him.

“Fine,” she snapped. “Let’s keep training.”

If he was going to push her, then she would take it without complaining from here on out. Whatever they were doing was working, and she couldn’t wait to feel the full force of that power flowing back through her.

Hours later they walked through the castle grounds with dirt and sweat caked all over both of them. She had stepped it up later in the day, knocking him around a few times and even got a small applause from others in the training circles.

Anger still coursed through her at what Kaden had said. Even though he said it, it bothered her so much because deep down, she knew he was right about most of it even though it angered her.

She was a Royal now, a soon to be Queen that should be careful who she courts and with whom she does business.Since she had been in isolation so long, she didn’t think of the repercussions of what she did, even though it was what she wanted at the time.

Kaden was also right about not knowing Silas all that well but she would never admit it to him. She reminded herself of Silas’s rescue, his care and his annual visits, but other than that what did she really know? What had he been doing back here in the capital and who were his friends?

Being alone for so long made her judgment clouded and regret started to surface again. She was at a loss at what to do, but she needed to start acting like a Queen and there was no negotiating that.

“You’ve been unusually quiet,” Kaden mumbled next to her as they walked back towards her room.

“Must be nice for you,” she snapped back.

He didn’t answer and they continued to walk in silence all the way back down the corridors and many staircases. She saw people staring as she walked by but kept her eyes forward just wanting to collapse on the bed waiting for her.

As soon as she opened the door to her room, she knew that was not going to happen seeing Raine waiting for her with a concerned look on her face.