Page 45 of A Kingdom of Destruction

“I’m a fighter. It’s what I know how to do, what I’m used to. I can’t be anything other than what I am. All these days of staying still and the empty hours…” She trailed off and slapped a hand down on her knee when it bobbed uncontrollably. “I need activity. I’m going crazy. I need something to do with my body.”

Heat lit his eyes, a fire that might have ignited a candle from fifty paces, and Aven swallowed over the lump in the back of her throat. Roran would have no doubt come back immediately with a sexually charged comment. She waited for Cillian to do the same and gave in to the flicker of disappointment when he stayed quiet.

“I need the comfort of training, please,” she continued with a wince. “Even if it’s just a few hours of lifting weights.”

It pained her to tack on the extrapleaseat the end, as though she had to beg for the ability to work her muscles. Without her normal schedule, her mind had gone crazy, driving her to sleepless nights.

“I’m not sure if it’s a good idea to equip you with weapons just yet,” Cillian replied. “You might sneak into my bedroom at night and slice one across my throat.”

She ignored the jesting tone because she’d had the exact thought. “I don’t need weapons; I only need the space to move. And I don’t plan on spending any time in your bedroom.”

Out of everywhere she’d gone in the palace, the royal chambers hadn’t been part of any tour. She had no idea where to actually find the princes when they rested their heads for the day, let alone the king. No doubt a calculated gesture on their part.

Cillian merely picked at the eggs and bacon still left on his plate. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”

His expression told her he wasn’t convinced of her motives. Which was good. He shouldn’t be.

“If you’re so against it, then perhaps you’d like to take the time to train with me yourself. I noticed you weren’t too quick with your weapons.” She crossed her arms over her chest and waited for him to rise to the bait. “Perhaps you’re a little rusty from being the one planning the strategies rather than the one executing them.”

Cillian chuckled. “Taunt me all you want. I’m as adept with one sword as I am with the other.” He glanced over at her again, and when he spoke, his tone was chatty, light. “Fine, Aven. If you’d like the comfort of training, then I’ll provide you with weights and a designated space.” He held up a finger to stop her before she could say anything. “As well as the guards to watch you. You’re not going there alone.”

“You don’t trust me.”

“Not one bit,” he admitted with a grin. “You’ll shred your claws right through me if I give you half a chance, which is one of the things I like about you.” He dropped the manuscript and craned forward on his elbow. “Perhaps this will be fun for both of us.”

His rich blue eyes were bright, and Aven couldn’t look away from them. She rubbed the back of her bare neck when her skin began to tingle. They’d spent enough time together now for her to have a better handle on Cillian. The only problem was that she had even less of a grasp on herself after every moment in his company.

She also hadn’t seen a hint of Roran over the last few days.

Which wasn’t to say she missed him, only that his absence was marked, and she wondered why. Was he busy, or had he taken to avoiding her after their moment in the safe room? Cillian had stepped up to take up the majority of her attention.

He chuckled and drew her attention out of her mind. “Come on, then. I’ll get you set up. Since you’re obviously worried I’m not going to stick to my word.”

“I said nothing of the sort.”

“You don’t have to say it out loud. I read it on your face as clearly as these words.” He tapped the pages in front of him.

Aven’s mouth tightened, but she pushed out of her seat, waiting for Cillian to move to the front door. “What are you reading, anyway?” she asked curiously.

“Don’t become curious about my war efforts now.”

She blinked at him a few times. “You’re reading reports?”

“What did you think? I’m passing the time on romance novels?”

As good as it felt to tease him, having it thrown at her in return made her back rigid. Cillian watched every emotion fluttering across her face, but at least he had agreed to the training. And weapons… it remained to be seen what kind he would provide, but it was a start.

Had she really thought he’d say no?

He’d been quite flexible with her until this point, even after their tiff in the garden. She’d assumed her attempt at escape would open a rift between them, and although things were a little strained, she’d been mostly mistaken.

The space he designated was a small room on the first floor away from, in Cillian’s words, the exercise arena for the rest of the fae warriors. Even immortals needed to work to keep their bodies in peak physical condition, he assured her. He might be willing to accommodate her wishes, but he did not need her thrown in with the rest of his men.

Not a problem for Aven, as long as she had the ability to physically push herself. The three guards manning the open room were a necessary precaution.

It wasn’t as large as the sparring space she’d used at home, but it would have to do. The floors were covered in springy mats, and an assortment of wooden staffs rested on shelves against one of the walls. A second shelf of weights in an assortment of sizes was there for her whenever she needed. The first day, she’dspent a good thirty minutes warming up until sweat slicked her skin and every breath burned the back of her throat.

She’d traded the dress for a loose pair of linen pants and a shirt that tied around the waist, much to Nora’s dismay as the woman helped her change for the afternoon workout session. Nora had been less than pleased to realize what Aven planned to do with her time, although she never said as much.

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