Page 52 of Rebellious Royals

"No," Bracken said.

But I spoke over him. "Sounds good. Torian will be pissed, but he usually is. It's a lot easier to learn how to protect ourselves when we have someoneelseto spar against, though."

My zez groaned, but he didn't try to stop me from leading the guys back to our room. There, the rest were spread out. Wilder was warming up. Torian was leaning against the wall, and Hawke was showing Aspen how to stretch her arms.

"Fine," Bracken said as he followed us in, "but if we're doing this, we're doing this my way. Rain, create weapons for everyone."

"Uh..." I gave him a confused look.

"Shadow weapons, since that's what you've been using lately."

"Technically shadow armor," Keir corrected.

Bracken just crossed his arms, putting on his stubborn look. "So try some shadow weapons."

"I don't know how," I admitted.

"Give me a sword," Torian said. "Like the one Aspen used Friday, but a little longer."

"Morrigan!" Jack cawed as he flew in to join us. "Rain-Jack. Court!"

"How?" I asked.

"Not how," Bracken told me. "Rain, don't think about it. Just make it. One sword, or I'll have you fighting everyone in here."

Shit. Ok, that was a threat! Mostly since I knew he meant it. So, calling a little of my Wild magic out, I tried to imagine the type of sword Torian had asked for. A blade. Light, solid, but elegant. That was what Aspen had been using, at least.

Grabbing at the first hint of shadow, I pulled it, stretching it out while trying to image a blade. I'd made armor before, and it had withstood a few hits. That meant the shadows could do this. It was possible. I just didn't know how!

But I hadn't known how to do any of this. I'd still managed. I also worked best under pressure, and so many eyes watching me sure felt like a lot of pressure. I just needed to give the magic freedom. I couldn't force every detail, because that was too controlling for something wild. Instead, I needed to trust it.

Between my hands, the blade curved slightly. The hilt rounded, offering a basket to protect his hands. The whole thing was black, but when it solidified, it was exactly what I'd been hoping for. This was the kind of weapon I'd expect royalty to use - except for the matte black shade of it all. And yet, that was somehow even more fitting for Torian.

"Perfect," he said as he plucked the blade from my hand. Swinging it before him a few times, he looked over at Pascal. "You think you can show me something?"

Chuckling, Pascal turned to the closest wall and pulled down a sword. We usually used practice sticks, but clearly Torian had upped the ante. Testing the blade the same way Torian was, Pascal moved into the center of the room, then bowed.

"On your call," he told Torian.

"Tor, that's not fair," Hawke mumbled.

"Fuck fair," Torian said as he lifted his blade. "Fight on!"

Immediately, Torian swung. Pascal blocked, his blade ringing metallically. It wasn't steel, but the blade was still a silvery color. Titanium, maybe? Considering that was one ofBracken's weapons, I knew it wouldn't be a cheap piece of crap. No, my zez liked quality weapons. He collected them.

But Pascal didn't flinch from the collision of their weapons. Nor from the fact that Torian's shadow blade was completely silent. Instead, he parried and thrust, making Torian hop to stay out of reach. Back and forth the guys moved, and I hadn't expected that.

Torian wasgood!

Torian, the guy who'd refused to use a weapon because he said magic was enough? He was fighting as well as Keir could. He moved like he'd actually been trained in this! His style was different, but he was locked-in mentally, and moving like he definitely knew what he was doing.

"What the hell?" Keir asked.

"Hit me, Pascal!" Torian snapped. "Me, not my blade. Me, because if you can't hit the body, you won't survive until the end." And he swung faster.

"Fuck off, pretty boy," Pascal snarled - and then he did exactly as Torian said.

His swings began aiming for arms, legs, and Torian's body. The blocks clanged with gusto, proving the hits weren't being pulled, but Torian was keeping up. Yet when Torian tried to attack, Pascal was able to block his shots too. Some were too close for comfort, but he did block them.