Andi
I don’t recognise where I am when I wake up. The cold, empty space beside me should be filled with a solid, warm body, but here I am alone. Then I remember.
The small hut I’m in is bare, lacking furniture or a comfortable bed. I wash my face over the basin, and droplets of water drips from my fingers down my jumper. Lura’s jumper. Lura’s clothes.
I rip them off, tearing the jumper to shreds and poking holes all over the leggings, things I wish I could do to her, or him. He let me believe everything was fine, he slept in my room while he was with her. That son of a bitch.
I sob uncontrollably, sitting on the bed, clutching the clothes in my hands, using them to wipe away my tears. Pulling and stretching the pieces of fabric until they are nothing but ribbons streaking the floor.
A few deep breaths later, I close my eyes, smacking myself in the head when I remember I have no clothes of my own, and I have just ripped apart the only ones I had.
Well done, Andi.
I climb back under the covers, burrowing my head within the sage green blanket that reminds me of home; the colour of the herbs Mum used for her medicines, the same shade of leather that bound Elana’s favourite book, the tone of the willow tree leaves.Now the colour of my jealous heart.
I’ll go back to sleep, and when I wake, it will all have been a dream, everything. The guards, the magic, and Myles breaking my heart.
I close my eyes and remember how we were in Vendyl, Myles pointing out where our house was going to be, where our children would play. I don’t think I’ll look at a willow tree the same way again.
A small rap at the door snaps me out of a pleasant dream. Reluctant to get out of the warm, comfy bed, I shout, “I’m sleeping.” I listen to hear them walk away, but there is no sound. Instead, this time there is a loud banging on the door.
Hastily, I throw the blanket off me, and I heave the door open. “Can’t a girl…”
My words cut off abruptly as a tall, dark figure stands in the doorway, holding a tray of food and a wine decanter. He steps forward into the light, Ronan’s eyes rake over my body, and I squeeze my eyes closed for a second as the bitter wind nips my skin, remembering that I am standing in my undergarments. The blanket is draped across the floor, too far to reach, and heat rises to my face. I’m going to have to pretend that I am more than comfortable about this embarrassing situation.
I clear my throat. “Is this for me?” Ronan’s eyes lift to mine. I can’t believe he has the cheek to smirk at me. I pull the tray from his hands and slam the door, but he pushes his foot in, blocking it from closing. I raise an eyebrow at him and tilt my head.
Brazen.
“It’s been days. You can’t stay locked up in here. Come by the training field tomorrow, work through some of that anger. We’ll teach you how to use some weapons instead of just playing with fire.” His eyes trail over my body again. “I’ll get you some clothes too. Unless you’re happy training in… those.” He waves his hand at my undergarments.
“Oh, I’m fine like this, you’re the one who looks uncomfortable. Haven’t seen many half-naked women before?” I cock my head with a smirk. He takes a step inside, so close to me I can feel his breath against my cheek. He towers over me, and I have to tilt my head up to look into his eyes. Eyes so dark they’re almost black, with a few scars visible under his stubbled jaw. His finger lightly grazes up my arm, bringing out goose bumps. I draw in a sharp breath at his proximity.
“Now, who’s uncomfortable?” His eyes fall to my heaving chest. I gently place my hand on his with splayed out fingers and shove him out the door.
He throws his head back laughing, smirking as he walks away. He shouts over his shoulder, “I’ll think about bringing you some clothes in the morning,Princess.”
“Don’t call me that,” I shout and slam the door. I can still hear his deep laugh as he walks back through the village.
I wake in the morning with a pain in my stomach, groaning and grumbling for food. Sunlight streaks in, and rainbow hues dazzle through the dewdrops trickling down the windowpane.
Jumping out of bed, my feet feel like they have been plunged in ice water. I slip my feet into my boots, tugging them on. Wrapping the blanket around my half-naked body, I crack open the door and find a small basket outside with black clothes. Hidden beneath them is some food and a canteen of water. I huff under my breath; Wyatt warned me that Ronan was dangerous. Does a dangerous man drop off a basket of food and fresh clothes?
After filling my stomach, I head out the door towards the training field, and a few of the Unbound are already working up a sweat. Ronan smirks as I pass by, but I ignore him, heading straight for Wyatt.Noticing everyone else wears beige and black trousers, except for Ronan, and now me.
Wyatt smiles as I approach, adorning purple bags under his eyes. Arel comes up to us, handing me a sword, so heavy, I almost drop it. Kaleb laughs from his lounging spot next to the weapon stash. I shoot him a dirty look and tap my nose. His smile fades, lowering his head.
“Let’s see what you can do with a sword,” Arel says, removing the steel sword from my hand and replacing it with a wooden practice sword, he holds a matching one and backs a few steps away. “Don’t want you to get injured, like Kaleb here.” My arm starts sizzling, and I hear a tut-tut, “No magic in the training field.” Scowling at all of them, I lift the sword and lunge for him, he parries with me, blocking each of my strikes.
“Good but watch your feet.” I lunge at him continually, watching my feet shuffle around the ground. “Stop looking at your feet,” Arel shouts as he pushes forward, raising his sword.
I lift mine to block him, he’s slender but strong.Spinning around to his back, centring myself, he watches me, a cunning smile on his face. Wyatt jumps out from behind me, lunging his sword forward. I twist, blocking him just in time.
Arel, however, trips me up, holding his sword at my neck and says, “I win.”
“What a cheat.” I scramble to my feet, pointing my finger at Wyatt with a scowl on my face. He steps forward with his finger out, hitting mine like a finger sword. Grabbing his finger, I squeeze it tight and twist it until he cries out.
Wyatt puts his arm around my shoulder, “You did good, who taught you?” My smile fades at his words, lowering my gaze to my feet. “Oh.” His jaw tightens at any mention of Myles.
