Page 123 of The Umbra King

Bellina pointed her scissors accusingly. “You’re checking up on me.”

Rory lifted a shoulder. “Guilty. How are you feeling?”

She sighed. “I feel fine. The potions made me feel as good as new.”

That wasn’t what Rory meant, and they both knew it, but her friend needed time. Rory understood. She didn’t like discussing her attacks, but now that she was on the other side of it, wanting to comfort her friend, she understood why people asked.

“I can ask everyone to dinner tonight,” Rory offered. “They want to see you.”

Bellina smiled, and it seemed genuine this time. “I appreciate everything you’re doing, but I want to work and rest for a while. I’ll let you know when I’m ready.”

Rory nodded. “Okay. I’m here when you need me.”

“Thanks. You two have fun,” Bellina said smugly, a bit of her old teasing self seeping into her words as she looked between Rory and the king.

Rory waved her off as they left, and Caius tugged lightly on her ponytail to get her attention. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.” She took one last look at Bellina before they stepped into the hallway. “Being friends with me did that to her, and she didn’t deserve it.”

Nothing he said would make Rory feel better, and he knew it, because he knew her. “We need to get going,” he said, placing his hand on her lower back. “The doctor is expecting us.”

Caius chuckledas Rory practically bounced out of the doctor’s quarters. He knew of a few potions that reversed memory potions and assured them it wouldn’t hurt Bellina to take them all.

“I’ll send Sam to Erdikoa to fetch the potions as soon as possible,” Caius said as they walked back to their room to change into gym clothes. He wanted Rory to train now more than ever.

They stoodin the middle of the gym as Rory did pull ups while Caius supported her legs. Her bare stomach was on display between her bra and shorts, and it glistened with sweat. Remembering their last gym session, he stopped to adjust himself.

When Rory finished her set, she released the bar, landing gracefully on the ground. “I want to spar.”

“I would annihilate you.” Caius waved his hands over his body. “Immortal strength, remember?”

She planted her hands on her hips. “Exactly. If I can hold my own against you, I can beat anyone without mystical abilities. Besides, I can take potions to heal whatever injuries you cause.”

“Fine,” he grunted.

They moved to opposite sides of the mat and counted down. Circling each other, they analyzed the other for weaknesses. She dropped her arm, and he took his chance, jabbing at her jaw and stopping short before contact.

“You let your guard down,” he said and grabbed her arm. “Keep it up to cover your face at all times.”

“And you pulled your punch.” Her agitation was cute. “If you refuse to fight me, I can’t learn.”

He opened his palms. “I won’t hit you.” He lifted his shirt to wipe the sweat from his brow. “Ask Lauren. I doubt she has reservations about hitting anyone.”

Rory shuddered. “She is vicious. I thought watching her rip a throat out was bad, but it had nothing on the spinal cord.”

Caius agreed. Lauren did nothing halfway; if she was going to kill you, she would make it a show. “What do you want for dinner tonight?”

She made a show of tapping her finger on her chin as she thought. “Burgers. We can pick it up to go; I don’t feel like dealing with your explicit behavior in public again.”

He licked his lips and raked his eyes down her body appreciatively. “I would rather be explicit in private, anyway.”

“Feed me, and maybe you’ll get lucky,” she said as she sauntered to the door.

He would buy as many burgers as the shop could make.

Caius and Rorysat at the table in their room, eating. “Good call on the burgers,” he said, taking a bite.

She grinned with a giant bite in her mouth. “I didn’t know Vincula had burgers until you left one in my room.”

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