Page 11 of Journey to the Elderoak (Daughter of the Earth #2)

A va whirled, avoiding Zeph’s advance with a dagger, but she didn’t get behind her in time and Zeph used her leg to sweep Ava’s feet from under her and had her on the ground in seconds.

“Dammit,” Ava muttered as she pushed herself up to try again.

Boots sounded on the wooden planks of the ship as Casimir approached. “Maybe it’s time for a break.”

“No.” Ava looked at Zeph. “Let’s go again.”

They’d been back at sea three days now and so far, there had been no signs of the daemon army. After the close call with Corvus, Ava was determined to improve her dagger skills and had insisted Zeph teach her more techniques. And maybe she was working out her anger and trauma on the mat.

Though she was terrified of the Elderoak journey, she was ready to get past it, to be free from this task hanging over her.

Ready to have the increased speed and agility that would come along with being fae.

She was fed up with being in this weaker human body where she couldn’t defend herself against these stronger opponents. It made her too vulnerable; too weak .

Zeph lunged at Ava again and she whirled around, quicker this time, positioning herself behind her. She had her arm around Zeph’s waist and a dagger at her throat, but knew Zeph had slowed her speed. She’d never be able to fight off someone who was actually trying.

“Good,” Zeph said. “Now you need a break.”

Casimir had claimed a spot against a pole, arms crossed as he watched.

“Fine.” Ava placed the dagger back in her belt and stretched her arms above her head, heading to Casimir.

“How are you?” he asked.

Ever since Corvus had tried to kidnap her, he’d been especially observant.

Cautious. Always checking on her. But they’d both pulled apart emotionally.

Since he took care of her, bathed her, and let her sleep in his arms. There had been no more subtle touches or flirting and he was back to the gruff exterior as he monitored her training.

What she wouldn’t give to be in his arms again. To burrow into his scent until she fell asleep. And she had a vague memory of him saying something about always protecting her, but she’d been half asleep. Surely it had been a dream.

She shoved the thought away as she stopped before him.

“I’m fine,” she said.

He raised a brow as if he didn’t believe her. “Let’s head to dinner.”

They walked toward the dining space and sat down at the small table. Pax and Raine were already seated, laughing with the other sailors mid meal.

A bowl of hearty stew was passed to Ava and she took a bite, starving after her intense workout.

Though the cook on the ship was good, they didn’t have the variety she was accustomed to in Monterre, limited to what they could store and keep fresh on the water.

Tired of eating the same thing day after day, she was ready to be back home .

“Thank you for helping me,” she said to Zeph, as she plopped down next to her.

Ava missed training with Quinn like she had back in Monterre and craved connection with another woman on the ship. Zeph obliged and had been helpful these last couple of days. She wasn’t constantly asking Ava if she was alright, wasn’t hovering like Casimir was, and she needed that.

“Absolutely.” Zeph smiled, her purple eyes bright in the dim dining space.

“I can show you more moves later,” Pax chimed in. “Show you how to flip someone over the way I did to you.”

Ava laughed. “That hurt, by the way.” She took a sip of wine before continuing. “But I need the practice. After dinner?”

“Yes!” Raine shouted as Ava flipped Pax on his back for the third time.

They had drawn a small crowd around the mats as he taught her more hand to hand combat moves.

Even though he was massive, he’d shown her a technique to take down almost anyone, no matter their size.

She had to duck low, get the angle right, and use momentum.

It was basic physics and once she got it down, she was able to flip him almost every time.

A few others had joined, letting her practice on them, and she managed to take them down as well. She reached out to help Pax up and he gave her a huge grin.

“Great job. But now, we all need to go to bed,” he said.

She agreed as the crowd dispersed, and crew members put away the mats. Ava strolled to the bow of the boat and leaned over the rail to watch the ocean. She closed her eyes, inhaling the salty air, and listened to the waves crashing against the hull. They’d be home in a few days .

She let out a deep sigh and opened her eyes to Casimir standing next to her.

“You’ve got to stop sneaking up on me like that,” she chastised, calming her racing heart.

“Sorry. I just wanted to see if you were doing alright.”

“You’ve been asking me that a lot the last several days.”

“Well…I remember how it felt the first time I took a life. I didn’t handle it well and I want to make sure you’re okay.”

She turned away and looked back over the horizon, the reflection of the moon rippling on the water. “Honestly? I’m not great. I thought throwing myself into training harder would help.”

“Has it?”

“A little. But I can’t stop picturing him dying in front of me.” She shook her head. “It keeps reminding me of—” Eleanor. But she couldn’t bring herself to say it out loud.

“Of what?”

“Nothing. Never mind. How’d you get over your first kill?”

“It’s not something you get over. You must remember you did it out of necessity. Self-defense. It wasn’t calculated. It wasn’t in cold blood. You had no choice.”

“I know. But that doesn’t make it any easier.”

“No, it doesn’t.” He turned to her and she met his gaze. “But the harsh truth of this is, it won’t be the first person you kill, Ava. This is war. When it comes down to it, it’s kill or be killed. You must figure out how to reconcile that.”

“How?”

“I can’t tell you that. It’s different for everyone. But if you don’t figure it out, it will eat you alive. And the first step is talking about the things you’ve been through.”

She knew he was referring to what happened before she met them. Her torture and other traumas. But she still wasn’t ready.

“Oh.” She tilted her head. “Like you talk about your past? ”

His face fell and he turned back to the ocean. “Point taken.”

But Ava knew she was right. He kept pushing her to talk about her traumas and yet she knew he was struggling with his own. Why he’d initially been so cold toward her when she arrived in their world. And he obviously didn’t talk about it either.

They remained silent a while longer before she spoke again. “Thank you…” she whispered.

“For?”

“For what you did that night. When Corvus…you know.” She fidgeted with her braid. “Thank you for taking care of me.”

They both kept their eyes forward, but Casimir reached over and took her hand, interlacing their fingers.

They remained there, holding hands, Casimir’s thumb brushing the top of hers. She wanted to stay there forever. Just the two of them. No war. No fighting. Only peace and comfort.

His presence steadied her as she watched the ocean, taking in the reflection of the stars, like thousands of crystals dancing along the sea.

She knew she had to focus on her preparations for the Elderoak journey.

It was foolish to get distracted by the man with golden eyes who was always watching her.

The man who was supposed to be her teacher.

But in this moment, she didn’t care. She’d let herself enjoy it and get back to business when they returned.

Her eyes continued to take in the magnificence of the ocean, her heart at peace.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered.

Casimir hummed beside her, leaned in, and said into her ear, “Absolutely breathtaking.”

She cleared her throat and almost turned to look at him when her eyes caught on something strange on the water. Dark areas where there was no reflection; no moonlight or stars.

She squinted, trying to look closer. Shapes on the water.

“What is that?” she whispered .

“Where?”

She pointed. “There. Do you see?”

Casimir scanned the horizon, his eyesight much sharper than hers. He tensed beside her and his grip tightened on her hand.

“What is it?” she asked again.

“Ships.”