Page 36 of Dreams of Ash and Smoke

With a graceful flick of her hand, she signals for me to begin. I take a step forward, my muscles tense and ready to attack. But as I move, I can sense that she is not trying to defeat me just yet. No, she wants to test my skills, to see what I am capable of. And in order to do so, she must refrain from fighting back.

I throw a punch, my training kicking in as if it were second nature. Every movement is calculated and precise, each strike with purpose and intention. After what feels like hours, she finally calls a halt to the session. My body is drenched in sweat and my heart is pounding, but I feel stronger and more confident in my abilities than ever.

“Okay, not bad. He did better than I gave him credit for. But I can easily prove that it won’t get you far against our soldiers at least. Ruelle knows more, no offense, and she doesn’t even like training. But you? You will be fun to train because you want it, I can see it.” She gleams excitedly.

“She can hold her own, Esmeray. You just want to prove me wrong. If you actually fight her, she will hold her own.” She quirks a brow at Hadeon, who is supposed to be silent.

She comes at me in surprise and I manage to fight back in defense. But she’s going harder, faster, way more than Hadeon ever gave which almost makes me mad at him. I never wanted him to baby me.

Her footwork is impeccable. I maintain her speed and strength, showcasing just how much I trained but I knew I had more to learn. Then she swipes her foot out as I block her fist again and she takes me to the floor. I gasp from the wind being knocked out of me, unharmed though, and before she can help me up amicably, Hadeon rushes over. I am out of breath and my heart beats so hard I hear it in my ear drums.

“Gods, Esmeray! What is wrong with you? She’s not some skilled warrior.Are you okay, Verena?” He asks, rushed. I look at him as if he offended me and he doesn’t even notice.

“I’m fine.” I grit out, shoving his hands away. Off to the side of him, I watch as Eryx turns from the open doorway to walk off, obviously seeing what occurred. A sense of disappointment flares within me.

“I’m taking you to the infirmary.” I go to deny it but Esmeray beats me to it.

“That, right there, Hadeon? That will get her killed quicker than her training. You baby her for what? She is a grown woman and she did fine. It was more than I thought she’d know.” She looks at me, “I’ll see you tomorrow for our first official day of training, Ren.” She calls me by the nickname she gave me. I smile, nodding and I take in her words about Hadeon. She had a point but he was just trying to help, right?

I will admit that it feels good, training with someone who wasn’t trying to baby me like he does. I’ve noticed throughout the years, I just hoped that he’d get over it. He acts as if I am as fragile as a flower. Maybe I am.

Maybe I am way in over my head.

* * *

Ruelle and I sit in the library, reading silently with each other when another person walks in holding a bouquet of flowers.

They walk straight over to us and I assume he’s going to gift them to Ruelle but he stops right in front me of. “From the king, lady Verena.” He speaks loudly and it gathers the attention of everyone else in this surprisingly busy library.

A blush covers my face and neck, making my skin warm as I reach for them. “Thank you.” The words come out ever-so-quietly I’m not even sure he heard them. I look at Ruelle, who looks just as shocked.

Another fae walks in, this time a female, with another bouquet of flowers, followed by four more fae.

I am beet red by the end and Ruelle calls someone to take them to myroom but before they can grab the group of flowers in my hands, I snatch one of them so I can at least have something to prove I didn’t just dream this.

“Eryx must fancy you,” Ruelle speaks first, smiling wide. “I haven’t seen him fancy anyone since-” She stops herself and before I can ask she fixes her words, “In a long time.” I leave it, still flabbergasted at the act.

I know we said he’d have to start showing interest in me to sell the engagement but this was not what I expected. Each bouquet was a different breed of flower I hadn’t seen in Zorya. I love that they aren’t common either, I had seen them in one of the books I’ve read to learn about this country. The royal garden grows them but otherwise, they grow randomly and rarely across this side of the continent.

“You have some dust in your hair,” Ruelle laughs softly before trying to brush it out of my roots.

My eyes snap to hers as I move away, “Oh, that’s okay. I’ll wash it out later.” How could I have forgotten? “Can I bring some ink to my room?” I ask her, trying to play it off.

“Of course! Just ask the librarian for some and she’ll give you as much as you need.” I nod, smiling before continuing to read the books.

As the day flew by, I realize that I will need to tend to my appearance after everyone retires to their rooms for the night. Leaving the library, I approach the woman at the small desk and request some ink. She hands me a decent-size bottle, perfect for my needs.

Unlike other days, Ruelle did not accompany me to my room. After days of exploring, I had memorized all the well-traveled routes. For a moment, I enjoy the solitary journey.

Once inside my room, I close the door behind me and waste no time in getting ready. My black leather gloves protect my hands from any potential stains as I handle the ink. Placing the bottle on the dresser, I focus on removing the cork top when a sudden knock on my door makes me jump in surprise.

In that split second of distraction, the bottle slips from my grip and shatters on the ground with a loud crash. My heart races as an involuntaryyelp escapes my lips as black ink splatters.

Before I can even react, Eryx flung open the door and rushes inside, his expression full of concern. “Are you okay? What happened?” he asks quickly, scanning both me and the scattered glass on the floor.

“I’m fine. I-I just dropped some ink.” I tell him.

“Why do you have your training gloves on?” He sends me another question.

---