Page 15

SPARRING WITH BLADES AND WORDS

I t had been a few days since the mare wyrm incident. I hadn’t seen Gavrel in that time. I wondered what kept him busy as a high-ranking commander within the Order—besides training, giving commands, and walking his rounds.

He frequently attended private meetings with the Elders. With Melina. I doubted he wanted her attention, considering what little information he had shared with me. But the idea of them together lingered. They were both full-blooded adults … with needs . I swallowed, a sour taste lining my tongue.

My hands stretched to the sky, and I yawned. The rising sun painted it in shades reminiscent of ripe peaches. My stomach grumbled as my arms dropped. I was seriously questioning my sanity. Why had I agreed to meet him so early in the morning?

My thoughts drifted as my fingers fiddled with the end of my messy braid, fiery curls struggling against their weaved confines.

The even pace of steady footfalls sounded behind me, bringing my awareness to the present. Gavrel’s bright smile met me. Mocking me, his dimple flashed.

“How dare you be so chipper this early in the morning,” I muttered, tossing my braid over my shoulder so it trailed down my back.

He laughed heartily. “And what a fine morning it is. Have you stretched?”

“Can confirm.”

“Wonderful. We’ll use these to start.” He pushed a wooden sword into my hand. “I trust you remember the basics.”

“Yes, but why can’t we use real swords?”

He looked at me, clearing his throat. “You haven’t practiced in a long while. I’d prefer it if you didn’t cut off your own foot.”

“How dare you!”

“I do dare, only when it’s true.” His smile was good-natured, disarming.

“I yield then. I wouldn’t want to stand in the way of truth.” I chuckled.

“Much obliged, Asteria.” I grinned at his use of my nickname. And then Gavrel promptly knocked my wooden sword to the grass with his own.

“What the?—”

“First lesson. Always be ready,” he advised, his mouth a grim line of composure. “Your enemies won’t wait for you to form a thought.”

He slashed his ligneous weapon toward my belly. I dove out of the way, grasping my sword’s hilt, blocking his downward attack.

“Ah, excellent. I see you haven’t forgotten everything.” He grabbed my hand, pulling me up. I showed my gratitude with a swift stab toward his thigh, which he deflected easily.

I huffed, balancing on my feet and body as he had taught me. Slashing, stabbing, parrying—urging my muscles to recall his earlier teachings and work through the discomfort. We continued until the sky was its azure hue. People were making their way to the palace for breakfast. I swiped sweat from my brow, pushing a loose curl behind my ear.

“What have we here?” Letti asked, trotting up to us from the barracks.

“Just some light torture,” Gavrel deadpanned.

I rolled my eyes. “Practicing my fighting skills.”

“I think that’s best. We wouldn’t want you to get attacked by any more slugs,” Letti stated, her expression solemn.

I cuffed her on the arm. She laughed, kissing my cheek and taking my practice sword from me. “I’ll bring you some breakfast if you want to wash.” She smiled sweetly, returning the sword to the rack.

“Are you saying I smell?” I asked in mock offense, putting a hand to my chest.

“Yes. Yes, exactly.”

I scowled at her, and then we both burst out laughing when I could no longer keep a straight face.

Gavrel dipped his head, a small smile threatening to spread as he looked at me from under his thick lashes. “Uh, I have to wash as well. Shall we head up?”

“But, of course, Commander Larkin. We wouldn’t want to offend anyone with our musk.”

We left Letti at the dining hall and walked to our rooms. We weren’t in a rush, so I took in the mesmerizing paintings lining the hallways as we walked. One of my favorites depicted Morpheus.

It was in the hallway near our rooms, and I often stopped to study it. His golden hair and robes whipped around him as a rainbow of colors spilled from his hands, dancing and twirling through the air. Everything beyond him was in shades of white and gray—until his ember touched and filled them with sparkling, vivid hues. It’s exactly how I imagined Surrelia had been created in all its brilliance.

“Thank you for the lesson,” I said, turning my attention to Gavrel.

“It’s no trouble. With enough practice, you’ll be a fair swordswoman.” A note of pride laced his words. “Would you be interested in working with some other weapon? You’re swift on your feet, so you might enjoy trying a smaller blade.”

“Oh, that sounds intriguing. Yes, I think I would.” A wide grin spread across my face.

“Brilliant. I’ll enlist Breena. I’ve observed her over the last few days. She has quite the talent with a dagger.”

“Good morn, early risers,” Kaden called from down the hall, shutting his door behind him. He wore green attire now. I still wore white. I didn’t think the Elders knew what to make of my gifts. Ancients knew I still didn’t have a clue.

“How did your swordplay go? I see you don’t have any new wounds,” he teased, walking up to us. He tickled my side, and I laughed, swatting his hand away.

“I’ll have you know, I did just fine. Thank you very much.”

“She’ll do well with more practice,” Gavrel added, his mouth tilting to one side, his lips politely suppressing a smile.

Kaden chuckled as I huffed, crossing my aching arms across my chest. “I’ll find you later, Kade. I want to practice with my ember after work.”

He nodded, and I switched my focus to Gavrel. “Thank you for your help. Same time tomorrow?”

He dipped his head, looking at me through his thick, dark lashes. “Of course, Little Star.”

Kaden squinted at Gavrel, a line of displeasure etched between his brows. I tilted my head to the side, my eyebrows lifting, my lips pressing together. Spinning, I entered my sanctuary and shut the door on the brothers.

My hand rested on my chest as a strange uncertainty pumped through my musings. I wondered if this was how the sun experienced its existence—bound between rising and setting—its power and path influenced by the cosmos.

“Thrust with your whole body, woman!” Breena commanded, standing behind me. She pushed and pulled my limbs into position like a doll made of straw. “You aren’t just stabbing with your arm. Step into it. The blade is an extension of you.”

I did as she instructed, stepping into my thrust and aiming for the soft parts. The belly. Neck. Eyes. If you wanted the heart, you had to go from under the breastbone and stab up. One could stab directly into the chest, but there were ribs and a dense wall of muscle to contend with.

I wiped the sweat from my brow, thinking of the combat advice Breena had poured into our lessons over the last few weeks; the information branded my thoughts. She delighted in describing the gory details of how a blade could damage the body. I did this to myself , I thought, a wry laugh escaping me.

“Shift your grip on the hilt, Seryn. The goal is to stab your opponent, not yourself,” Gavrel interjected. I paused, turning my head and blinking at him once. He was lucky my eyes were the only things throwing daggers his way. One corner of his lips quirked in amusement.

I pushed an errant curl behind my ear, sighing, and stabilized my stance, ready to spar with Breena once more. Her eyes were bright with glee. I gulped, tightening my grip on the wooden dagger.

She enjoyed attacking abruptly, not one to wait for action to commence. I preferred to study my opponent. A quiver of their hand. A tiny shift in their eyes.

Escaped tendrils from my braid drifted over my cheeks, carried by a cool breeze. The corners of Breena’s eyes crinkled ever so slightly, and I tightened my grip on the dagger’s hilt.

Her weapon jabbed toward my chest with stunning speed, like that of a threatened snake. I twisted my torso to my left, using my hand to push the trajectory of her blade away from my body. In a fluid motion, I slashed the dagger in my other hand horizontally under her arm and into her flank.

Breena grunted, her eyes bright as she stepped away from me. “Finally! Well played.” She clapped excitedly.

I rolled my eyes but laughed. “I’ve gotten many strikes in over the last few weeks.”

“You’ve come a long way,” Gavrel agreed, squeezing my shoulder.

“Thank you both for all your help. It’s been … quite the journey.” I smiled, putting my hand on Breena’s shoulder. She grinned, shrugging my hand from her shoulder and pulling me into a tight, damp hug.

“Anything for a friend.” She held my shoulders at arm’s length. “I think we can all agree I’m the most qualified to teach you the majestic ways of the dagger. Without my intervention, I can’t fathom what would’ve happened. These men and their toys. Am I right?” She stepped from our embrace and squared up again, her blade ready.

Gavrel sighed in resignation. “I welcome your feedback, Breena. It looks like the dagger master is ready to go again, Seryn.” One corner of his mouth tipped up briefly as he surveyed the training field and barracks. “I’ll be back shortly. I need to discuss something with Hale.” He stepped toward his second-in-command.

It seemed Rhaegar was finishing his morning rounds through the camp. The strapping warrior smiled brightly at his commander’s approach, thumping a large hand on Gavrel’s shoulder in welcome. Gavrel returned the greeting.

“Rhaegar has been through a lot. I suppose as much as any of us.” Breena’s subdued voice brought my focus back to her. She stood unmoving, staring at her leather boots. Her hesitation falling thickly at her feet.

With a deep breath, she continued, “I ran into him turns ago in Pneumali City while he was on duty. I mean, I literally ran into ‘im. I was outfoxing some Order twats after, uh, borrowin’ some bread from the market. Ran smack into the hulking mass of ‘im.” A faraway smile flitted across her profile, her already strong accent thickening with unsolicited emotions.

I listened intently in absolute stillness, not wanting to deter her. It wasn’t often Breena shared glimpses of her life—in such a sincere tone, at that. One wrong move, and I thought she might scamper away into the woods.

She continued, “I’m not sure what he saw in me, but he didn’t give me up. He gave the guards some coins and directed them to pay the shopkeeper. Then he walked me home to Gran. She adored ‘im.” Her lower eyelids glistened with unshed tears I doubted she’d allow to escape. She sniffed and continued, “Made the big lug stay for supper, which was the bread with leftover pickled vegetables. More than most people have in the city.”

“That’s lovely, Breena.” I hugged her sturdy side to mine.

She put her arm around me, squeezing before facing me and standing tall. She pushed her shoulders back, puffing out her chest. “Yes, well. It’s something. Worthy pals are hard to come by. Rhaegar has my seal of approval. As do you.”

“Awwww,” I crooned, touching one hand to my chest. “I adore you as well, Breena.”

She waved her hand at me. “Did I ever tell you Gran and I were originally from Pyria Island?” I shook my head, my eyebrows rising. “After my parents died in a volcanic eruption when I was young, she brought me to Pneumali. I don’t recall the island much, but she said it was too dangerous to stay there. ‘The land is too treacherous, my girl. It’ll eat us alive,’ Gran would say to me.” A wistful smile came over her.

“I’ve only heard tales. It sounds like a harsh wilderness to survive in. I’m sorry to hear about your parents.”

“Thank you, but don’t fuss. I don’t remember them.” She lifted one hand loosely, palm up, and let it drop to her side. “It was always me and Gran. I want to go back someday. Learn more about my people; where I’m from. I think she would have liked that.”

“I think it’s a must,” I agreed, smiling brightly.

She touched my shoulder, giving it a little squeeze. “Right, so. Let’s go again.” Her form settled into a fighting stance once more.

“Now, Breena, you can’t have all the fun,” Kaden interrupted, strolling over to us. His hair was tousled as if he’d just woken up, which was probable.

“By all means, I’d love to watch her stab you,” Breena goaded, handing over her practice weapon. She rubbed her abdomen. “But I’m going to head for breakfast instead. Dagger master, out! Toodles!” I waved a hand, chuckling.

“I’ll take it easy on you, Ser.” Kaden smirked. I rolled my eyes in reply, taking position across from him.

“No need. She’ll prevail either way,” Gavrel countered as he returned, a confident smile unfurling. A warmth seeped through my chest at the compliment.

“Stop the chit-chat, and let’s do this. Unless you’re worried I’ll actually stab you in your tender bits this time,” I taunted.

“I wouldn’t dream of?—”

I thrust the dulled blade toward him, but he feinted to the side, barely dodging my attack. He stumbled a bit before righting himself, holding his dagger in front of him. “Ah, I see how it is.” He chuckled.

“Lesson one. Always be ready.” I smirked. Gavrel’s shoulders shook, one hand cupping his jaw and mouth.

“I was born ready. Especially for the likes of you.” Kaden flipped the dagger in his palm, holding it in a reverse grip. He sliced his hand diagonally upward. I blocked his blade with my own, slamming my shoulder into his arm to create space. He lost his footing, and I swiped my weapon into the side of his neck.

“Defeated again, you braggard. My advice is less talking and more action.”

Kaden exhaled, puffing out his cheeks and tipping his head toward me. He leaned into the wooden blade, grinning. He reached his left hand across his chest, enveloping my hand in its warmth. My heart flipped, forgetting how to beat momentarily.

His eyes held mine with a burning intensity, his grin dissolving. “I see I’ve underestimated you.”

“Per usual,” I murmured.

“I have no objection to taking action with you, by the way.” Kaden’s hand squeezed mine gently before sliding his palm over the top of mine. He took my dagger as his other hand, now empty, met the curve of my waist.

A blush swept across my face and chest. For simply standing still, my breathing was far too hurried. He dropped my dagger on the grass next to his, his other hand rising toward my cheek.

“Perhaps you are the one who needs further lessons, Kaden.” Gavrel’s disgruntled tone broke through the fog.

I hastily backed away from Kaden, his arms slumping to his sides.

“Perhaps you should pay Melina a visit. You’re her pet, are you not?” Kaden’s words lacerated the air. My eyebrows rose.

Gavrel pushed his shoulders back, tipping his chin up. “That’s enough.”

“It never is. I’ll see you later, Ser.” He strode away without another glance.