Page 19 of How to Keep a Fae

By the time we’re done, every muscle in my body is quivering with fatigue. My fae blood gives me an edge over human alphas. My stamina and strength are both exceptional. A point Cecil is only too aware of. Myself and another fae warrior are put through extra drills after each round until I question whether my blood is a blessing or a curse.

The bastard even singles me out—yes, me and only me—forextraextras at the end of every round.

Bastard.

“AGAIN!” Cecil calls, this time addressing the collective.

Is he joking? No, the wily old warrior master never jokes about anything. I pick up the heavy leather ball and hold myself in the crunch position while twisting from left to right.

When we came back from the last patrol, they gave us over to the feeders again. I wasn’t with Adaline. Jayga didn’t need to say a word. His swagger when I saw him enter the warriors’ hall was indication enough.Hewas with Adaline. Again. The bastard got to be with her twice in a row.

How is that fair?

“CHANGE!”

I move to the ropes, my abdominals on fire, and my arms are not much better.

Then again, what about any of this is fair? We are tools for our masters and mistresses to use however they need. He came from the streets of Bleakness. I came from a breeder hall, separated from my mother at ten, where I was put through brutal training, just the same as him. It doesn’t matter that I’m fae and the son of a breeder. That I still have the opportunity to visit my mother and many siblings is a boon and something I cherish, something more than him. I should pity him and the life he had. Cut him some slack that he got Adaline twice.

Maybe I will get to be with her twice another time…

“CHANGE!”

The kettlebell feels twice the normal weight as I swing it through the patterns: Left arm, right arm, both together, and repeat.

Or maybe I won’t get to be with her at all.

We are due to patrol locally tomorrow. At least we won’t have to sleep in the forest overnight. It would usually offer me comfort, a chance to see my many half-sisters and brothers, and reconnect with the family I love.

“CHANGE!”

I move over to the section allocated for press-ups. My arms have got nothing and I smack my nose into the rough ground. It hurts more than the burn in my arms. Despite my arms shaking like a flagpole in a storm, I don’t hit theground again.

My stepfather might even have words of advice that will get me through this. As a high-ranking alpha who claimed my mother some years ago as his mate, he must know more about the subject than me.

“REST!”

I collapse against the ground, dripping sweat from every pore of my body. The grunts and groans around me bring a husky chuckle to my lips. Somehow, I push myself off the ground and stagger over to the water station, where I gulp the cool water down.

At least he didn’t make me do any extra this time. I must really look destroyed.

“SPARRING!”

Low muttered curses follow. The guards call out names, and warriors pair up for hand-to-hand combat drills.

I’m paired up with Jayga.

Someone up above must really hate me. I’m standing nowhere near him. Divine intervention thrusts us together over and over again, testing our mettle and trying to break us.

A feral energy buzzes inside me. I can see it in Jayga, too, as we eyeball each other across the straw mat. It’s probably for the best that they’ve paired us up because no other bastard deserves this.

Jayga and I assume the fighting stance.

I’m disconcerted to realize I’m wavering on my feet—Cecil has really fucked me up with thoseextra,extra drills.

Jayga smirks, although he doesn’t look much better. If anything, Cecil’s bullshit training has merely evened the odds.

“BEGIN!”

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