Page 52

“You’ll continue up-close defensive training with Lorian. So, we may as well start you on the sword,” he said.

More up-close training with Lorian. Perfect. Galon would only growl at me if I whined about it.

He angled his head. “No comments?”

“Nope. Tell me what to do, and I’ll do it.”

Galon narrowed his eyes, and I couldn’t help but grin. “I need to learn.”

After another long moment, he prowled away to find me a practice sword. I allowed my gaze to wander. The instructors—both fae and hybrid—stalked across the arena, scrutinizing every movement, demonstrating techniques, correcting stances. The air was already heavy with the scent of sweat, and I sucked it into my lungs.

We would fight on a battlefield. Soon. I needed to learn how to wield a sword, because my power would only last so long, and eventually, I’d be forced to fight against people who were larger and faster than me. I had to take advantage of this time. Every minute of training would count.

Galon returned, and I shifted on my feet as he handed me the wooden sword. I could feel eyes on me, and I ground my teeth, loathing it.

Galon swept his gaze past me to the fae and hybrids gathered along the outside of the arena. A moment later, most of the eyes had disappeared.

“Effective,” I said.

He led me to the dummy. “That sword will be a little heavy for you, but you need to build muscle and quickly.”

I nodded, already feeling the weight of it.

“Show me,” he said.

I swung. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d wielded a sword, and it felt awkward in my hands. But I remembered the last combination Tibris had taught me. Cut, cut, thrust, slash. Horizontal, diagonal, vertical, stab.

“Good,” Galon said. “Your grip is too tight, but some of that is the weight of the sword. It’ll ease up as you get used to it.”

He had me continue basic cuts and thrusts on the dummy until my arm was shaking, and then he made me switch to my left hand. By the time we moved to footwork and he let me drop the sword, I was trembling with fatigue.

“Take a break and get some water,” he instructed.

I wandered over to the water station, finding Demos and Tibris watching me, wearing twin looks of approval. Demos handed me a cup. “You’ve got work to do, but at least you know how to move, and you’ve got the foundation in place.”

I nodded at Tibris. “He built that foundation.”

Tibris’s eyes crinkled. His shirt was damp with sweat. The sun was now high above us.

I gulped at the water, watching Asinia and Madinia shooting at the wooden dummy. Asinia managed to hit it in the chest. When Madinia missed, the dummy burst into flames.

“Put it out,” Demos snarled, stalking toward her. I hid a smile, and Tibris nudged me.

“Galon is trying to get your attention.”

My muscles screamed at me, and I heaved a sigh. “Don’t make me go back.”

“Prisca,” Galon growled from across the arena, and I trudged back toward him.

Thankfully, we were moving on to stretches next. The arena began to clear out as the hybrids headed to lunch.

“Straighten your back,” Galon said.

I complied, leaning over my leg and stretching my hamstrings. “Can I ask you something?”

He nodded.

“Crawyth.”