Page 38 of Courting the Fae Captain (Romancing the Realms #4)
‘Any Bone Cleaver from the Bone Court can manipulate and guide the dead, but it takes a strong wielder indeed to reanimate multiple corpses for any significant time. In the right hands, such a powerful gift could turn the tides of war… or incite one.’
The Trials and Traditions of a Mithrian Fae
T he next day, I was once again forced to take part in our daily combat training.
Only this time, I was joined by the captain himself, if only for a short time.
We had arrived early and decided to do some of our own practice while waiting.
Raithe slammed me onto the training mat, his face a picture of cocky arrogance.
“Where is your head this morning? It wouldn’t have something to do with last night, would it?”
I smiled slyly as I wriggled beneath his grip. “You mean the excellent sleep I had? I got so much of it, I’m sure I can’t quite remember whatever exciting activity you’re talking about.”
He placed a hand over his heart. “Savage, little lark. I’ll be sure to remember that the next time I make you scream to the stars. We can play beneath them all night if you’d prefer.”
“The next time?” I shoved him playfully and swung my legs out, rising to my feet. “That’s awfully presumptuous of you.”
“I’m an awfully presumptuous guy when I know I can back my words up.” He held his hand out and gestured in a come-hither motion. “Come at me and do not hold back.”
I shifted to a low stance and grinned. “Wouldn’t dream of it.
” I charged, jabbing twice before throwing an upper hook.
The bastard smoothly angled out of the way with ease, but I wasn’t done.
I feinted, then twirled around his body to knee him in the balls.
But he grabbed my knee before it could land, as I knew he would, and I lashed out with a punch to his throat.
To my eternal surprise, this one almost landed.
His eyes widened as he cleared his throat.
“Unexpectedly dirty … I approve. But enough combat for now. Show me how you wield.”
“Oh?” Excitement flared in my stomach, and I grinned as I shifted. “The big, bad captain is going to teach me magic now?”
Raithe widened his stance and crossed his arms, his expression shifting to one of seriousness. “Wield. If you’re going to stand a chance against an opponent with powerful magic, you need to practise.”
He had a point. I focused my attention on my inner strength, calling my powers to the surface.
Since the incident in the apothecary, it was easier now.
A strange phenomenon, but a welcome one, if this was the result.
My shadows surged forward, pooling along the ground at Raithe’s feet.
He studied them with a keen eye before his piercing eyes landed on mine.
“Strong, but too slow. Your powers are an extension of yourself. If you must concentrate so hard to conjure them, you leave yourself vulnerable to attack.” To emphasise his point, he tapped me on the shoulder with his own shadows, which I hadn’t even noticed.
“Strengthen your connection to your power and hone your instincts. Your magic is not separate to you. It is you. Now, attack me.”
I didn’t hesitate to send wave after wave of shadows crashing down on Raithe in an attempt to be quick and lethal. Only, when my power stopped surging, I realised the space he’d been standing in now remained empty. I blew out an exasperated breath as warm arms slid around my waist from behind me.
“You’re just toying with me, aren’t you?” I said with a huff.
“Maybe.” A deep chuckle followed. “Keep practising and don’t be disheartened. Your power is incredibly strong, considering your gift is newly awakened. You are already formidable … just not against me.”
His voice was teasing, but I couldn’t let him have all the fun, so I stepped out of his arms, turned, and responded with a quick whack of my shadows against the back of his head.
Raithe blinked, and I burst out laughing as the shock registered … right before a slow, cunning smile spread over his face. One that promised I’d be paying for my little trick.
As if confirming my thoughts, he said, “I’ll be punishing you for that.”
“Later,” I said, even as my core heated at the thought of said punishment. I jerked my chin towards the small crowd of approaching onlookers. I smiled as I found Akira and Sherai among them. “We have company.”
“Captain,” Jaren said as he approached, a small squad of females trickling along behind him. He nodded at me, then turned his attention back to Raithe. “How nice of you to join us for training today.”
“I can’t stay,” Raithe said. At Jaren’s questioning gaze, he elaborated. “Border patrol out at sea. I have some new information I need to investigate.”
The island. It took everything in me to keep my soles planted firmly on the ground and not bob with excitement. Raithe didn’t look at me as his hand grazed over the small of my back. I understood the gesture. We would do it together. Tonight. Just as we’d planned.
“I’ll be back late, but I’d like to speak to you upon my return. I’ll send word.”
Jaren nodded, even if the words were meant for me. “Captain.”
“Lieutenant. Ladies.” Raithe nodded back, sparing a lingering glance at me, then exited the training field and disappeared within the castle walls.
“Right. Get to work, everyone,” Jaren said. “I want to see you pushing yourselves today. Stretches, drills, then we’re fighting one-on-one.” Groans and grumbles answered him, and he waved an impatient hand. “Yes, yes, it’s that day of the week again.”
Everyone paired off and began their routines.
“What was all that about?” Akira said as she strode over with Sherai.
“We found it,” I said excitedly, doing my best to keep my voice low. “At least, I think we have. We have an inkling of where they’re keeping the females. Where Raithe’s and my mother might be.”
Akira and Sherai looked at me expectantly before Akira huffed when it was clear I wasn’t getting the hint. “And? Spill.”
I looked around at the other females, then pulled Sherai and Akira to the side. “The island,” I whispered. “We think they’re being held there, underground.”
The two considered this with a mix of thoughtful and frustrated expressions.
“Of course. It fits the riddle, and with the veil in place, the females wouldn’t have their magic,” Sherai squeaked, her brown eyes lighting with excitement once she’d thought it over fully.
She gripped my hands tightly, then gifted me a knowing smile.
“The captain isn’t really going on patrol, is he? ”
I shook my head and grinned. “We’re investigating tonight. Together.”
“Aeris,” Akira said softly. “You need to be careful. Don’t forget what we saw on that island, and we only explored a portion of it. There could be more creatures guarding them, or worse. If you’re caught—if the Pentad gets even a whiff of your movements, it’ll be over. For everyone.”
“I know.” I sucked in a deep breath before blowing it out. “We’ll be cautious, I promise. No matter what we find, we won’t do anything rash.”
Akira nodded, determination etched into her pale features. “Good. So, what can we do? Should we all go? No, that might bring too much attention … plus if something goes wrong, you’ll need someone to bail you out.”
I was beyond grateful that I wasn’t alone in this, but we were still only a small number.
I looked over at the females beyond my friends as the beginnings of a plan came to mind.
“Akira, can you keep an eye on Portia and all the females? Maybe try to gauge where they stand on the Rite and whether they feel how we do or more like Portia? This is bigger than us, maybe too big. We might need help when the time comes.”
“What about me?” Sherai said as she bobbed on her feet.
I linked arms with my friend and smiled, walking toward the circle forming around the first one-on-one fight. “What do you know about veils and their magical properties? If all goes well tonight, I have a feeling we’re going to need that knowledge.”