Chapter Eleven
“I don’t believe it,” Violet repeated in amazement.
Treffon stood on the sidelines of the field, back in humanoid form and stark naked.
The wound on his right side had already sealed itself up, leaving behind an angry red scar. As she watched, the scar faded to pink, and then white, and then vanished altogether, leaving unmarked skin. The entire process only took a few minutes.
“Reginar genes. We are superior in that way,” Madok’s voice boomed from behind the bench seats on the sidelines. He and Reznik strode over to them from the other side of the field, flicking a glance at Treffon. Zura straightened up and her brows drew together in a scowl, but she said nothing. Violet could tell that their estrangement went deep.
“Of course,” Reznik said, with a hint of self-satisfied boasting that set Violet’s teeth on edge, “ideally, one would not allow oneself to be speared.” It was as close to insulting Treffon as he dared get, and from the smirk on his face, he obviously thought he was being terribly clever.
“He did it on purpose, you idiot,” Zura scoffed. “To practice healing. The same way he let you stab him.”
Then, deliberately turning her back on her father and brother, she addressed Violet.
“Your instincts are good,” Zura said approvingly. “You wish to defend your mate. However, you have made a cultural error. You could not have known. But it is important for you to understand – you must never interfere with a sparring match or attempt to defend him in any way, unless you are fighting side by side in battle. It gives the appearance that he is weak.”
“Zura!” Violet and Treffon cried out at exactly the same moment.
Zura smirked. “You prove my point,” she said. “You two are in sync already.”
“You will stop meddling in my affairs,” Treffon growled. “Leave at once. Go spend the day with Voljaki and his guards. Run through some attack scenarios.”
Madok sucked in his breath and glowered, but said nothing.
Zura stiffened and grimaced. “I beg your pardon, Reginar. I have already scheduled orientation and training with the new members of the 10thDivision.”
The look Treffon gave her could have shattered stone. “Then reschedule it. Or have someone else do it. I have spoken.”
“Yes, Reginar.” Zura turned as if to go.
“I do not like my daughter to spend time with such filth!” Madok apparently couldn’t contain himself any further. “They…look at her inappropriately. It is an insult to my family’s name!”
“I have never observed this, and I trust that Zura is more than capable of taking care of herself if necessary,” Treffon said, with an edge of steel to his tone. “Would you like to challenge my decision?” He gestured at the field.
“Two against one?” Reznik said hopefully. “I will join in.”
Both Madok and Treffon gave him scornful glances, which drew a pout and a scowl from Reznik.
“Twenty against one,” Treffon replied. “Choose the best warriors from your clan.”
It looked like a possibly fatal family feud was about to break out right in front of her, and Violet bit back a groan of frustration. She couldn’t argue with Treffon in front of everyone, including the dozen or so pack members who were watching the scene unfold. She understood pack hierarchy; calling out the Reginar in front of pack members was never going to end well.
“Treffon!” she said brightly. “I am very, very sorry to interrupt, but I actually have a request. I was hoping that Zura could do some self-defense training with me this afternoon. Yes, I know I already trained with you this morning, but maybe she can give me some unique female perspectives on it.”
Everyone looked at Treffon expectantly.
“And I really would like to do it today, if possible,” Violet added. “The sooner I improve my ability to defend myself, the safer I am. Also, you did point out that I’m terrible at self-defense, so the more practice, the better.”
“Yes,” Madok said hurriedly. “The human female speaks the truth. If someone succeeds in assassinating a guest of the Thorolf pack, it will bring shame on us all.”
Gee, thanks, you’re all heart, Violet thought.
Treffon nodded, his face impassive. “Very well, then. Zura, you will work with Violet this afternoon.”
Zura appeared to relax a little bit. “I will train her out in the forest,” she said.
The two of them headed off. “Can we check on the Eeplings?” Violet asked once they were out of earshot. “Also, go easy on me with the training. Treffon already beat me up pretty hard this morning. Shut up, I meant when he was training me!” she added as a smirk played across Zura’s lips.
