Page 148 of The Bond That Burns

“If you survive,” he repeated. “You’ll have to start working on control. If you can’t figure it out...” He sighed. “Well, come see me then. Maybe we can talk more.”

“I’d never hurt Pendragon,” I said, my voice low.

“Let’s hope you’re right,” he said lightly, then turned to go. “For her sake and yours.”

CHAPTER 37 - FLORENCE

I smoothed down the lavender tunic for the tenth time. It was simple and practical, long enough to cover my thighs, paired with dark blue leggings that were stretchy and comfortable, and more importantly, wouldn’t get in the way like the long skirts I normally favored might.

But did the outfit say “ready to fight”? Or “ready to read”?

I looked across the room to where Neville sat, perched on the edge of my bed, watching everything.

“Do I look ridiculous, Neville?” I asked out loud.

The fluffin’s oversized ears swiveled at the sound of my voice. He let out a melodic chirp and bounded across the covers towards me, his tail wagging like mad.

“No, no,” I said warningly, wagging a finger and backing away. “This is serious. I can’t show up covered in fluffin fur. You can’t distract me right now.”

His tufted ears dropped dramatically.

I sighed. “I’m learning to defend myself, Neville. That means I have to be focused. Disciplined. Tough as nails.” I straightened my back, then adjusted the silver House Avari brooch pinned to my chest. “No fluffin nonsense.”

Neville tilted his head as if he were unconvinced, then plopped onto one of my pillows with a sigh.

“Stay here and be good,” I told him, grabbing my satchel and slinging it over my shoulder. I gave myself a final once-over inthe mirror. Tunic, cinched belt, leather boots. Simple, practical, and hopefully good enough for my first fighting practice.

“Wish me luck,” I told Neville, who perked up again as I made my way to the door. I shook a finger at him. “Don’t you even think of following me.”

I slipped out into the corridor, carefully pulling the door shut behind me and checking it twice to make sure it was firmly latched. Satisfied, I set off down the hall.

I hadn’t told my mother I was doing this. I wanted it to be a surprise. Once I had something to show her, maybe I’d tell her. But right now, I knew telling her would only make her worry more. She hated violence. And what we’d witnessed in the carriage with Theo... Well, violence didn’t even seem like a strong enough word to describe it. What Aenia had done had been carnage.

And she was only a little highblood girl. How was I supposed to protect myself or my mother from something more? Something bigger?

I was a bundle of nerves, butterflies flapping in my chest. What if I tripped over my own feet? What if I was just wasting Medra’s time? What if she thought this whole thing was ridiculous but just wasn’t telling me?

I squared my shoulders and sped up my pace. Medra wouldn’t laugh. She was brave, kind, and confident. The sort of person I’d always admired but never thought I’d be lucky enough to call my best friend.

A few minutes later I was standing outside the training room used for scouting classes. The heavy wooden door stood ajar. Ipushed it open nervously and stepped inside. The faint smells of sweat and old leather greeted me. Racks of wooden practice weapons lined the walls, while padded mats were scattered across the floor.

“Florence!” Medra’s voice rang out from across the room.

My heart lifted as I spotted my friend sitting on one of the mats, going through some stretches. As I walked towards her, she jumped to her feet. Her fiery hair was tied back in a braid. Paired with the black fitted leather pants that covered her legs like a second skin, she wore a sleeveless black tunic cropped over her midriff, exposing a bare stretch of toned muscle. Her arms and hands were covered with some sort of leather guards. She looked like she’d just stepped out of a warrior’s tale.

“You made it!” Medra stretched her arms out over her head and smiled. “You ready?”

“I hope so.” I was suddenly remembering all the physical education classes I had missed over the course of my childhood—preferring to read in the library or pretending to be sick so I wouldn’t have to run and break out into a sweat. My stomach sank. This had been a terrible idea.

“I think I forgot to mention that I’m not exactly coordinated,” I said miserably.

Medra laughed. “That’s okay. That’s what practice is for. Everyone starts somewhere, right?” Then her eyes moved downwards. “Um, but Florence...”

I followed her gaze and gasped. There, sitting proudly at my heels, was Neville. He looked up at me with his tongue lolling outin a way that could only be described as a grin and thumped the mat with his fluffy tail.

“Neville!” I groaned. “You were supposed to stay in the room.”

Neville tilted his head.

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