Page 30 of Journey to the Elderoak (Daughter of the Earth #2)

A va’s arms vibrated with restraint as the sound of Raine’s sword clashing with hers rang through the air.

“Good,” he coached, their swords crossed in front of her. “Again.”

She whirled around and brought her weapon down but he blocked the blow. She was getting quicker, and though she was no match for the warriors while still human, once she had her fae strength and speed she’d hold her own.

Casimir was in meetings most of the morning, so Raine had taken over Ava’s training for the day.

It had been a couple of weeks since the tavern, and he was yet again back to the quiet general as he pushed her harder every morning.

While she respected him for noticing her hesitance, it also infuriated her, confused her.

“Block left,” barked Raine as she barely got there in time to stop his blow to her leg. A trickle of blood ran down her thigh as his sword brushed her before she knocked him away.

“Dammit,” she said, leg stinging.

“Kai can fix it,” he said as he lunged at her again. She blocked the blow, but soon after, he hooked his leg under hers and threw her on her back, his sword at her throat. “You’re distracted,” he chastised. She glared at him. “Get off your ass and fight me.”

She climbed to her feet and swung her sword in her hand. “I am.”

“You’re holding back.”

She lunged at him, but he blocked it, swords locked in an x near his throat. “No, I’m not.”

He leaned. “Yes, you are, dainty human.”

“I’m not dainty.”

He shoved her off him and backed up, swinging his sword as he taunted her. “Prove it.”

She whirled toward him, and they met blow after blow. Her arms were aching and strength waning, but she pushed on, barely able to keep up. Raine advanced, pushing her to the edge of the ring.

“Not good enough,” he said. “What would Andras say?”

Anger coursed through her at the mention of his name. “Shut up.”

Determination flared in Raine’s eyes as he continued to goad her. “He’d call you a coward.”

“I’m not a coward,” she seethed as she knocked his sword away before it sliced her hip.

“He tricked you. Tortured you,” he went on as he battled her. “He got your friend killed.”

She screamed as she lunged toward him, a burst of strength pulled from her anger. “Fuck you,” she snarled and increased her speed as Raine parried.

“There you are.”

Though he blocked each and every blow she landed, she was faster, stronger and more determined than before. After several minutes of their back and forth, he called it. “Let’s take a break.”

She slumped against the wall, dropping the sword. Raine sat next to her and handed her a water skin. “That was fucking amazing.”

She frowned at him, panting. “You’re mean.”

“So is Cas.”

“Yes, but you’re meaner.”

“He holds back because he lo—” He stumbled before correcting himself. “Because he’s afraid of hurting the dainty human.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “What?”

“Nothing,” he replied and changed the subject. “You’re getting better. You’re ready.”

She shook her head, still wondering what he was about to say but didn’t mention it again. “I’m not.”

“If you fight like you just did, you are.” He took a sip of water before handing it back. “You have the technique down. Once you have your fae strength and speed, you’ll be unstoppable.”

“But I won’t have that on the way to the Elderoak.”

“You won’t need it,” he encouraged. “You can do it now.”

They sat quietly as they rested. Ava watched a family of rabbits dart into the forest, their silver fur a blur. Luna opened an eye from her nap beneath a nearby tree, seeming to debate whether she wanted to hunt them. With a feline sigh she went back to sleep.

“Hey Raine?”

“Hmm?”

“What does Mi’ra V?ssa mean?” she asked, remembering the words Casimir said to her the night of the tavern. She’d been too scared to ask anyone what it meant, not ready to hear the answer.

Raine looked at her and raised an eyebrow. “Where did you hear that?”

She looked around, refusing to meet his eyes. “Umm…Cas said it. ”

“Oh, did he now?”

She turned and looked at him. “Well?”

“I don’t know if I want to tell you. It’s much too fun to watch you squirm.”

“That’s not fair.” She scoffed.

“I should make you ask him. I’m assuming you haven’t, right?”

“No,” she mumbled.

“I’ll tell you on one condition,” he said as he rose and held out his hand.

“Okay.” She grabbed it and stood.

“Beat me in archery,” he replied as he walked toward the archery range.

She flung her arms down and stormed after him. They paused on the edge of the field, a dozen targets displayed at different distances across from them. Bright green grass swayed in the breeze like an emerald ocean and a blue lizard skittered away into a nearby shrub.

“You have better eyesight than me,” she said. “I’m good, but not that good.”

He turned to her and brushed his long blonde hair over his shoulder. “Get three bullseyes in a row, then.”

“Easy.” She grabbed a bow and nocked the arrow, about to warm up.

“Two rules,” he said, putting his hand on her raised arm to stop her. She looked at him and his expression was full of mischief. “No warmup. And you must hit that target,” he added pointing to the one farthest away. The one she had hit before, but never in the center.

“No warmup? That’s unfair,” she argued.

“Like you had time to warm up on the ship, dainty human?”

“Alright, alright. Point taken. You’re going to have to come up with a better nickname, wolf man.”

“I’m working on it. ”

She set her stance and drew her bow, lining it up with the target. Her hand brushed her cheek as she continued to pull back, eyes on the bullseye. She took a slow breath in, exhaled, and released the arrow. It hit right in the center.

“Speaking of,” she said as Raine’s giant silver wolf appeared.

She trotted to Ava and shoved her furry head under her hand, demanding scratches. Ava petted her as Luna joined and wound between Sabriel’s legs.

“Are you friends with all the other animals, Luna?” Ava asked.

Of course I am. Sabriel plays with me. And Aro is so soft for sleeping.

“Is it normal for the animals to be so social with each other?” Ava asked as Titus appeared from the treetops, whipping between them and screeching as he landed on a nearby branch.

“I like that little guy,” Raine said, then answered her question. “I’ve never seen them this social.” He looked at Luna who settled near Sabriel in a patch of sun, enjoying the warmth on their fur. “They don’t hate each other, but they don’t ever play or snuggle. Except with Luna.”

“Luna’s obsessed with Aro.” Ava turned to Raine. “And Cas. She lets him pick her up. She never lets anyone pick her up.”

Casimir is special, Ava.

“I know.”

Raine smirked at her, turning back to the targets. “Alright, stop stalling. Go again.”

She drew her bow and released her second arrow. It landed on the edge of the bullseye. “That counts,” she insisted.

“It does. Last one.”

Taking a deep breath, she squinted at the bullseye—harder to see now that it was blocked by two arrows. She released, frozen as she watched it zoom across the field.

It hit its mark perfectly, splitting her first arrow down the center .

She set the bow down and crossed her arms, beaming up at Raine who appeared shocked. “You didn’t think I could do it, did you?”

“I knew you could do it. I’m just impressed by that last shot.”

“Answer my question now.”

He studied her. “What exactly did he say?”

“He said ‘Goodnight, Mi’ra V?ssa.’”

“When?”

“The night we went dancing.” She sighed. “He walked me to my door, kissed my forehead and said that before he went into his room.”

“Hmm… You two didn’t?—”

“No!” She placed her hands on her hips. “We’ve done nothing .”

“I see.” He smiled. “Somebody’s upset they aren’t getting any.”

“I’m not—I mean—whatever. Are you going to tell me what that means?”

They walked back to the castle, leaving Luna and Sabriel asleep in the sun. Titus screeched and landed on Ava’s shoulder, nestling in her hair.

“It’s an old fae term that isn’t used often.”

“What do you mean?”

“We reserve it for someone who means a lot to us.”

“Have you ever called anyone that?” she asked, heart racing as she gathered his meaning.

“Only one person.” He glanced at her, humor replaced by a sense of sadness on his face. She was silent, letting Raine decide if he wanted to say more. “It means dear one.”

“Okay, and what does that mean?”

“It means you’re important to him.”

“I know. At least, I think I know,” she said.

“There’s a lot you don’t know. ”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ll only say this. Casimir probably won’t make a move until he’s positive you want it. He’s too…honorable or whatever. You need to figure out what’s holding you back. And talk to him.”

“What am I supposed to say?”

“How about this? ‘Hey Cas…I’m in love with you and I’m pretty sure you’re in love with me but we’re both too stubborn to do anything about it so take off all your clothes and ravage me my dearest general.’”

Ava’s jaw dropped. “I’m not in love with him.”

“Uh huh,” said Raine as he patted her cheek and turned to enter the castle, leaving her alone on the steps.