Page 137 of Blackheart

Kyla hit my pell, blocking me efficiently. “Sometimes, biting works.”

“Biting?”

“Mhm. In fights with boys, sometimes I’ve won by biting them.”

I winced at the memory of tasting Payn’s flesh. “Oh, okay. Thank you.”

The other children sporadically gave me tips as we switched partners. From ‘in a tussle, turn your head in the direction you want to go,’ to ‘if you spit, they get distracted for a second.’

I caught Riven watching me with the children a few times, but he never walked over to judge or question it. He minded his own training groups, leaving me be.

Several hours went by before Xavian graced me with his brotherly presence.

“Elora,” he called out, walking over. His black suit was polished beyond his usual attire. The top was decorated with a silver ruler's pin on the left side of his chest, with matching buttons going down the middle. His curly dark hair was groomed neatly behind his ears, and he’d even trimmed his beard.

“What do you need?” I wasn’t done training yet, if that was what he was going to ask.

“We have a meeting in a few hours.”

The cloud-scattered skies overhead weren’t becoming dark yet, just a bit overcast as the afternoon settled in. I still had time.

“I remember the meeting,” I assured him.

“Then remember how to get ready for it.”

“Excuse me?”

“We’re busy!” Kyla yelled.

I whipped around.

Was she not aware Xavian was the king? Back in Drakington, we couldn’t speak to the Draker’s like that, much less a king. I would have to explain to Xavian that she was young and didn’t understand. I could teach Kyla the proper?—

“Your mother is going to want you home soon as well, Kylarove. We have company this evening,” Xavian said, giving her a stern look.

I took a meaningful glance at Kyla, honing in on her brown eyes and the little shadows around her ankles.

She was a spawn of Lady Jocelynn. She’d probably known Xavian her whole life, like an uncle.

“Nooooo,” she whined.

“Yesssss,” Xavian mimicked.

Kyla glared defiantly. “No.”

With that, she disappeared, shadows coiling where she had been. I held in a laugh as the grass softened where her steps trailed straight out of the training grounds. She had more control over her Nature than most of the adult Nightcastors back in the Waywards.

Xavian shook his head. “Are you going to run off with your new friend, or go home and get dressed?”

I shrugged, as my training partner was long gone. “I still have a few hours.”

“So use them to get ready. Mentally. Physically. We need to be every bit of what this kingdom represents when the lords step into the House of Sterling.”

“What do we represent?”

I squinted as the sun peeked out from behind a cloud, nearly blinding me. Xavian was so kind as to step in the path of light, casting a shadow over me.

“Strength. Tonight we show that our bloodline is an unyielding force, and will continue to be for ages to come. There will be no option but to follow us through the storm against the blood bathers and the Nature blamers.”