Page 57

“Hmph,” Liekki interjected.

Avalore figured Liekki was probably thankful she’d freed him of taking on her burden.

Kai began, “Perhaps we can grab something to eat while Aodh and Liekki—”

Clank... Clank... Clank...

The sound of steel against steel was music to Avalore’s ears, and sent her nerves dancing down her spine. Unable to stop herself, she glanced past Kai to the trainees following Khuzaimah’s instructions.

Avalore’s palms itched again.

“Oh, look, Aodh, Eilidh is at practice.” Kai pointed toward a young female Drakh who resembled Liekki in a way the dragon leader did not.

“She hates sword practice, and typically avoids attending for the growing fields,” Aodh cupped the back of Kai’s neck, his fingers moving in a caress.

Avalore focused back on the field and ignored the envious feelings towards the couple.

Unlike those in the district, it was evident Kai and Aodh weren’t only together to gain a year's stipend for having a baby as couples did in the district.

No, there was genuine affection, if not love, between them.

“I guess she doesn’t realize how lucky she is to have a chance to develop such skills.”

Avalore wasn’t aware the words had slipped out of her mouth until two sets of eyes landed on her and Liekki’s fingers flexed into her ample hip.

“Oops...sorry, I—”

“Probably,” Aodh agreed.

“You should try your hand at it,” Kai declared.

“What?” Avalore waved her hands in front of herself and tried to step back but the imposing wall still hadn’t moved out of the damn way.

“Khuzaimah!” Aodh bellowed to the trainer to be heard over the clashing swords.

“No. It’s not necessary... I-I just like to watch,” Avalore stammered, trying to deny how her heart was racing with excitement at just the thought she’d be able to do it.

“It’s better to do,” Kai stated. “Besides, I bet you’d be better at it than you think. Probably better than me since you don’t have to maneuver around a baby bump.”

Khuzaimah broke from her trainees and jogged over to her leader's request. “Yes, Mckenna?”

“Do you think you could fit in one more trainee today?” Aodh asked.

Khuzaimah looked from Aodh to Kai. “Is it your wish to go again, Aguya?”

“No.” Kai nodded her head toward Avalore. “This is Ava. She is with Liekki and new to the Thunder. Would you be willing to give her a few lessons?”

With Liekki. Avalore figured it was probably Kai’s way of saying who was responsible for Avalore if she messed something up.

The sword master glanced over at Avalore, assessing her from head to toe and back as Khuzaimah popped the hilt of her sword up and down in her hand.

Avalore held her breath.

After a curt nod, Khuzaimah said, “At your command, Mckenna, Aguya. I’ll get a practice sword.”

“No.”

Khuzaimah halted mid-step and glanced back over her shoulder.

Aodh and Kai stared at Liekki.

Avalore gasped. Her fists tightened at her side. The insufferable shifter was going to ruin this moment for her.

“She will use my blade. Today show her close, knife fighting.”

Then, before Avalore could turn, before her at waist-level, hilt-first was Liekki’s big hunting-style knife resting in his palm waiting for her.

Trembling with nervous, excitement, and shocked wonder, Avalore grasped the blade. Her finger brushed Liekki’s rough palm. Heat curled around her spine at the contact, but this time her lust for him was secondary to the unfurling of something in the center of her chest.

She’d never had anyone show an ounce of belief in her.

Yes, Kai did . But, having this imposing Drahk do it made her feel some kind of way that she wasn’t ready to decipher.

“Thank you,” was all she could get past the lump in her throat.

When his other hand released her hip, Avalore stepped forward. “Okay, Khuzaimah I’m ready to try.”

Khuzaimah waved her into the practice field. “Let’s get started.”

Avalore expected Liekki and Aodh to leave, but they stood like two twin mountains on either side of Kai.

When Avalore entered the area, Khuzaimah began with sword dancing, just as she had done with Kai. Soon, she guided Avalore closer and instructed her in fiercer, quick techniques that would aid her in a more intimate knife fight.

Then time stood still as Avalore worked hard and was worked hard. If she messed up or got jabbed by the butt of Khuzaimah’s short blade, symbolizing an enemy cutting Avalore, the trainer barked out, “Again!”

A jab in the ribs by Khuzaimah. “Again!”

A strike at the wrist. “Again!”

On and on they continued and Avalore loved every second of it.

Once they were done, Avalore’s chest was heaving and she had several stitches in her side that made her wheeze every time she breathed. She knew she’d have more than a few bruises later, but Avalore smiled, not caring, feeling as if they would be badges of bravery.

“Your skills are rough. But there.” Khuzaimah began at the end of their session, her breathing still relaxed.

“I believe once your claimed strength is attained, you will develop fast and be quite formidable.” She glanced away from Avalore to Aodh.

“We may have just seen my replacement once I retire.”

Aodh gave a brisk nod.

Khuzaimah walked off the field.

Avalore could not have been more shocked at hearing the sword-master’s words, even if her very jaw fell off her face and hit the hard packed ground. She made her way back to the others at the fence on wobbly legs.

“You know, Avalore. You have been honored by Khuzaimah’s words,” Aodh pronounced.

Shaking her head, Avalore tried to deny it. “She was being nice after she had to work with me so long because I kept messing up—”

“No.” The Mckenna sliced a hand through the air cutting Avalore off. “Our Thunder’s sword master does not use idle words. You have found your place in this Thunder.”

Not waiting for her response, Aodh turned and kissed Kai. “There are still things I need to handle before I can meet you this evening in our suite, mate-wife.”

“I will see you later.” Kai set a hand over his heart.

“Ensure you eat.” With that, Aodh strutted away.

Kai remained, leaning against the fence.

Avalore felt Liekki’s gaze on her. When she glanced at him, she saw his arms folded over his chest and his penetrating stare locked on her.

She stepped to him and held out his blade. “Thank you for loaning me your knife.”

“It’s yours. You’ll need it for more practice.”

“Um...” Her typical sarcastic retort was in her mind to tell him that this one session didn’t mean she was staying after the meeting, but she couldn’t get it to roll off her tongue. “It was probably clear to everyone how much work I need, huh?”

“It’s not the effort, but the heart. You get it?” Amethyst flames were in his gaze, something Avalore could only label as pride shining out.

Then Liekki was gone. His long strides caught up to his brother’s.

“How about food in my suite and a little girl talk.” Kai moved up beside her.

Avalore tugged hard to pull her gaze off Liekki’s retreating form and glance at the Mistress of Fire. “I think I’d like that.”