Page 53 of Between Realms

I stay quiet on the way to my chambers. I have sent the guards outside my room away. Partly because Eldrin might discover I have Wyn alone with me and partly because I don’t want the guards to overhear what I plan for her. After closing my door, I turn to Wyn.

“On the mats,” I order, and smirk when she whips her head to study my face.

Then she glances over at the sparring area, and her eyes widen at the mats spread out on the ground. “What’s going on?” She doesn’t move to comply.

I snatch her hand in mine and lead her over to the mats. “I will not let you back into any realm without some defense training. The mage predicted trials, and I will make sure you live through them.”

Wyn crosses her arms in defiance and eyes me with deep suspicion. “There isn’t any point to training ahuman.”

I cross my arms, mirroring her, and wonder if she fears my offer is a trap. I grit my teeth, knowing I haven’t won her trust completely, even though I have already overlooked her law-breaking blade. “Are you questioning my expertise?”

“Iquestionyour rationality. Unless you think I will not be allowed to remain in Elfhame, it makes no sense. I’m small and weak compared to elves and most other fae. Sure, I might throw them off me for a moment, but what then? The ghouls would have eaten me if you and Oakes hadn’t shown up.” Wyn’s eyes wander to the weapons wall.

I track to where she’s looking. “Ah! You want a weapon to even out the competition?”

“No. Iwantto be safe without the need to fight for my life.”

“I wish that for you, too.” I nod and rub my chin. “Unfortunately, that isn’t the case, not with what is happening lately. I will train you with a sword.”

“That isn’t allowed—”

“In secret.” I grin wickedly. “Oursecret.”

Wyn puckers her lips to fend off a smile. “How do you know I can keep secrets?”

I chuckle. “I’m no fool. You did more than test the balance of a couple of daggers for Merlara. You practiced quite a lot, and withswords.” I assumed as much after her knife handling display and how she sliced the ghoul in Crowland.

Wyn’s eyes open wide, betraying herself. “Why would you say something like that?”

“Instinct.” I stalk closer. My hands itch to touch her, to feel the pulse of another rebellious heart beating in rhythm with mine. “You like to break the rules. Don’t you?”

Wyn gulps as she gazes up at me. “I would be suicidal if I’d done what you say.”

“Don’t worry, love.Ienjoy breaking the rules. Stones below, how do you think I earned my position with the prince? As security, I have to know how to work around the systems and break rules, so I can recognize what to fix.”

“What needs fixing?” Wyn softens, looking curious. Her golden-brown eyes search my face. I wonder what she sees when she looks at me. A potential mate? A friend?

A dangerous problem to run from?

“Some rules need bending.” I pick up a sword and swing it in a tight circle with a twist of my wrist. “The law against humans carrying weapons is senseless. We have so few humans here, most of them petite and older females. Our realm is full of dangers for them. If an elf is an unprovoked threat to a mortal, then perhaps that elf shouldhaveto test himself against a mortal’s blade. It is more likely a human would only need to defend herself against an imp or now a ghoul.”

“But that is the problem, isn’t it? A ghoul’s safety has more value than my life.” Emptiness reflects in Wyn’s eyes. “When I think about that bias, knowing that I’mnotequal, I consider returning to the mortal realm. But would my life have any value there?”

Knowing Wyn feels she’s a second-class citizen makes my heart ache.

“I see your point about the Elven attitude. I was shocked to witness your treatment in Crowland. It wasn’t like that before the war.” I set the sword back in its cradle and step in front of Wyn. My hands brace her shoulders. “Your life has more value tome. As for the mortal realm, I cannot guess what your experience might be.”

Wyn tries to shrug, but my powerful hands keep her in place. Her brow furrows, and she looks at me, confused.

“Break from my hold,” I order.

Her face ices over.

I smell her fear, laced with anger. “Now.”

Her hands snap up and grip my forearm. Wyn turns, drops to a crouch, and her hips bump up against mine. She throws her body forward, using herself as a catapult.

I flip over her shoulder and onto the floor.

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