Page 34 of Eluvonia (Rift of Ages #1)

AERIS

S oft bedding cradles me as I stir awake, every muscle in my body screaming with sharp, searing aches.

A groan escapes my lips—rough, low, like gravel rolling off my tongue—and I wince as I try to move.

Before I can gather my bearings, a hand clamps over mine—warm, firm, and steady, like a tether pulling me back into the present. My eyes snap to the source.

Declan sits next to me, his broad shoulders hunched forward, worry carved into every line of his face. His usual confident smirk is nowhere to be found, replaced by something raw, something fragile. It doesn’t suit him.

“Aer, are you awake? What hurts? Can I get you anything?” His words tumble out in a rush, his voice tight, almost panicked.

I manage a weak chuckle, though it sends a jolt of pain shooting through my ribs. “Maybe let me answer one question before you fire off another,” I croak, my voice scratchy and dry, like I’ve swallowed sand.

He’s already moving, grabbing a cup of water from the bedside table. Gently, he slips an arm behind my shoulders, careful but firm as he helps me sit up. Even so, the movement pulls a sharp hiss from between my teeth.

“Slowly,” he murmurs, his fingers brushing lightly against my hair as he steadies me. His touch is oddly careful, as if I might break apart in his hands.

The water is blissfully cool as I sip it, soothing my parched throat. Once I’ve had enough, he eases me back down onto the bed, his hands lingering for a moment before retreating. It’s almost like he’s afraid I’ll disappear if he lets go.

“I’m okay, Dec,” I whisper “You saved me. I thought for sure Kaida would let me rot.”

Declan laughs, his voice low and warm. “I told you, you grew on him.”

Aeris scoffs, shaking her head. “It’s just because he doesn’t want to lose half his soul from this stupid bond. But thank you anyway.” I say softly, forcing a small, reassuring smile onto my face. Whether it’s for his benefit or mine, I’m not sure.

He exhales, the breath long and shaky, like he’s been holding it for hours. His shoulders relax—just barely—but the tension doesn’t leave his eyes. It’s strange seeing him like this, all the usual bravado stripped away. Vulnerable.

“You scared me,” he admits quietly, his gaze dropping to the floor. “When we found you—broken, bloody—I thought…” His voice cracks, and he doesn’t finish the sentence.

The silence stretches, heavy and uncomfortable. I want to say something, anything, to fill the void, but the words won’t come. Before I can muster a response, the door slams open, startling both of us .

Kaida strides in, his presence commanding as always. He leans against the door frame, arms crossed, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Well, I assume things didn’t go as planned with your father?” Declan asks casually, as if the last five minutes of tension hadn’t happened.

“Do they ever?” Kaida retorts, his tone dry as dust. His sharp gaze flicks between us, lingering on the way Declan’s still perched on the edge of the bed. “Did I interrupt something?” His smirk widens, smug and irritating.

Declan snorts, standing and pacing a few steps as if he needs to burn off energy.

“You did, actually,” he says, his tone deliberately nonchalant.

“But it’s not like Aeris is going anywhere.

She’s got plenty of time to recover.” His gaze flicks to me, and his grin takes on a mischievous edge.

“We’ll finish this later, Aer. When you’re better. ”

I roll my eyes. “Finish what, exactly? Me trying to keep you from hovering like a worried mother hen?”

Declan winks at me, clearly unbothered. “Exactly.” He claps Kaida on the shoulder as he passes, his usual swagger returning with every step. “Try not to scare her too much, Kai,” he adds before disappearing out the door.

Kaida pushes off the door frame and strides toward me, his movements fluid and predatory, like a cat playing with its prey. He drags a chair closer to the bed and sits, resting his elbows on his knees as he studies me.

“How’s the patient?” he asks, his tone teasing but not unkind.

I shoot him a glare. “I’m fine, thank you. No thanks to you, probably.”

Kaida’s laugh is warm, low, and infuriatingly smug. “You sound as charming as ever, Aer. Good to know your sharp tongue didn’t take a hit.”

I cross my arms—or at least, I try to, but the movement sends a fresh wave of pain through my side, and I wince despite myself. Kaida notices immediately, his smirk softening into something that almost looks like concern.

“Don’t push yourself,” he says, his voice quieter now. “You’re no good to anyone if you get up too soon and end up worse off.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Didn’t know you cared so much, Kaida.”

He leans back in the chair, his arms resting lazily across the backrest. “I don’t,” he says with a shrug, though his eyes betray him. They’re too focused, too intent. “But you’re too stubborn to listen to anyone else, so I figured I’d give it a shot.”

“Charming,” I mutter, but there’s no real heat behind it.

Kaida stands suddenly, his movements as sharp and deliberate as ever. He adjusts the blanket covering me, his hands quick and efficient. “You’re going to need your strength for what’s coming,” he says, his tone serious now.

“What’s coming?” I ask, frowning.

He doesn’t answer right away. Instead, he steps toward the door, his hand resting on the frame. “You’ll see soon enough,” he says over his shoulder, his voice laced with something I can’t quite place.

And then he’s gone, leaving me alone with my thoughts. The room feels too quiet, the silence pressing down on me like a weight. I stare up at the ceiling, my mind racing.

“What the hell happened while I was out?” I mutter to the empty room, my voice barely more than a whisper. The only answer is the soft rustling of the wind outside the window .

The next few weeks are a blur of aching muscles, lingering gazes, and an undercurrent of tension I can’t quite put into words.

Declan and Kaida visit me every day, their constant presence both comforting and unnerving.

Something’s changed between the three of us, though I’m not sure what.

Declan’s soft smiles last a little too long, Kaida’s teasing digs have an edge of something deeper, and I’m caught in the middle, utterly baffled.

By the time Kaida’s father’s physician declares me fit, I’m practically itching to get out of bed. The freedom of moving without pain is exhilarating, but it’s short-lived. Kaida corners me almost immediately, his arms crossed and that infuriatingly cocky grin plastered across his face.

“Training starts today,” he announces, like I’m a soldier in his personal army.

I raise an eyebrow, crossing my arms to mirror him. “Oh, does it? And here I thought I’d get a celebratory day off.”

He chuckles, low and dangerous. “You’ll thank me later, little Fae. My father insists we get your magic under control. Unless, of course, you’d rather let my father take over your care?”

“Tempting,” I mutter, but I follow him anyway.

The so-called “training room” is massive, its padded floors stretching out in every direction.

Equipment lines the walls—weights, ropes, targets—and the center is cleared, presumably for sparring.

It’s impressive, though I’d rather eat glass than admit it out loud.

Kaida stands in the middle of the room, spinning a wooden sword in his hand like it’s an extension of his arm.

“Pick one,” he says, nodding toward the rack of practice weapons .

I glance at the options, eventually settling on a sword that feels somewhat balanced in my hand. “Not that I don’t appreciate your hospitality, but what exactly are we doing here?”

“Figuring out how to activate your magic,” he says simply, already moving into a fighting stance. “And the best way to do that is to push you to your limits.”

“Fantastic,” I deadpan, raising the sword awkwardly. “Let’s just hope I don’t accidentally kill you.”

His grin widens. “You’d have to hit me first.”

Before I can retort, he lunges. I barely manage to block, the force of his strike reverberates up my arms. He’s fast, faster than I expect, and his movements are fluid, almost lazy, like he’s not even trying.

I grit my teeth and swing, but he sidesteps easily, countering with a sharp tap to my side.

Pain flares where the wood connects, and I hiss.

“Focus,” he chides, circling me like a predator. “Your magic won’t activate if you’re distracted.”

“I’m trying not to get my ribs cracked again, thanks,” I snap, adjusting my grip.

We go again, the sound of wood meeting wood echoing in the room. Kaida doesn’t hold back, his strikes relentless. My arms burn, my breathing turns ragged, and sweat drips down my face. He pushes me harder and harder, until my movements are sluggish and my legs threaten to give out.

Finally, he steps back, lowering his sword. “Think back to all the times your magic appeared,” he says, his voice serious now. “What did you feel?”

I lean against the wall, gulping air. “Danger,” I manage. “Real danger. Like my life was on the line.”

Kaida nods slowly, his gaze thoughtful. “Danger…” His lips tw itch into a smirk, and he tosses his sword to the side with deliberate nonchalance. “I guess I’m not scary enough to get your blood pumping.”

“You said it, not me,” I quip, though my voice lacks its usual bite.

His eyes narrow, and a predatory grin spreads across his face. “Oh, you’ll regret that.”

He takes a step forward, and something about his demeanor changes. The air in the room grows heavy, and my pulse quickens. “Kai…” I say cautiously, taking a step back. “What are you doing?”

He doesn’t answer, just keeps advancing, slow and deliberate.

I backpedal until my shoulder blades hit the wall.

My breath catches as he closes the distance, his body brushing against mine.

His hand darts out, pinning both of mine above my head with ease.

The other comes to rest on my waist, his touch light but firm.

“There are different types of danger, my little Fae,” he murmurs, his breath hot against my ear. His lips hover near my skin, close enough to feel the warmth, but he doesn’t close the gap.

I’m frozen, torn between shoving him away and calling his bluff. My heart pounds so loudly I’m sure he can hear it. His nose brushes the curve of my jaw, and I swallow hard, every nerve in my body on edge.

“Kai…” I manage, though it’s barely a whisper.

He pulls back slightly, his dark eyes locking with mine. There’s a challenge in his gaze, daring me to react, to push him away or… something else. But he doesn’t move further; he just smirks.

“Hmm,” he says, his tone maddeningly smug. “I guess this type of danger doesn’t… stir you.”

I blink at him, stunned and breathless. “What?”

His smirk deepens as he releases my wrists and steps back. “Looks like I’ll have to try a different approach tomorrow.”

He turns and strolls away, his laughter echoing as he leaves the room. I stand there, my hands still raised, my heart racing. Slowly, I lower them, smoothing my hair and adjusting my clothing.

“What the actual fuck,” I mutter, sinking to the floor.