Page 51 of Vows Forged in Blood

Though I convinced Alaric that my guard doesn’t need to be on duty while I’m training (I’d argued that if he trusted Wesley and Nova enough to train me, then he had to trust them enough to be able to defend me if need be, and he couldn’t really arguewith that logic), they liked to watch my sessions anyway. I don’t actually mind. It’s kind of nice having them all here supporting me, acting like I can really do this, not like this is just an indulgence for a spoiled Consort’s ridiculous request. They’re helpful as well, giving pointers and advice and good-natured jeers, and Malcom graciously agrees to act as a punching bag most days. Even Takara participates, deciding she could stand to learn a bit of fighting as well, so I’m not always alone in my lessons either, which is nice.

It’s…exhilarating. I never thought of fighting as something I’d everwantto do, but now that I’m learning and can see the beauty and art in it, something in me stirs. I never want to be a soldier or anything like that, of course, but the idea of being able to defend myself—or, more accurately, someone else—sends a tingling excitement through my veins, a sense of…purpose, of doing something good and noble. The way Alaric and every soldier in this camp do every day. I’m sure it’s just a silly dream to think I’ll ever be in a position to truly help someone in this way, but the dream is enough to make me want to work harder…maybe even enough to make me not loathe the early morning workouts quite so much.

Maybe.

After a couple of hours, I’m a sweaty, dirty mess, but I can’t stop grinning.

“You’re doing quite well, my Lady,” Viktor says as I take a long drink of water by the edge of the practice ring.

“You have to say that.”

“I most certainly do not. If you did poorly or looked ridiculous, I would simply say nothing at all.” He winks and I smile at him. Nova, Wesley and I decide to head to the pond to lounge and relax after what, in my opinion, was a very hard day’s work. To them, it was nothing, but they indulge me anyway.

We pass Luca on the way and I make a point to stop and speak with him. I’ve seen him a few times since that first day in the cabin after Alaric denied him a spot on my guard and I always try to at least acknowledge him. He seems a little uncertain at first, but relaxes and smiles tentatively at me after we exchange pleasantries. That flash of guilt flares in his eyes again and I know he still blames himself for the attack, though all of the guards on duty near the pass were cleared of any wrong-doing or lapses in duty. They believe the group of Revenants had been in hiding within the boundaries long before that day, somehow managing to stay undetected.

I tell him goodbye and jog to catch up to Nova and Wesley.

“And what was that about?” Wesley asks with a quirk of his brow, looking back towards Highspear over his shoulder.

I shrug. “I ran into him in the cabin once after he was speaking with Alaric and he seemed…dejected. Sad. A little awkward. I get the feeling he doesn’t fit in as well here as the two of you.”

“That’s true,” Nova says, a considering look on her face. “He’s a good enough soldier—obviously good enough to be chosen as one of the High General’s own—but he just doesn’t…fit, as you say. He’s the butt of a lot of good-natured jibes, gets put on less-than-desirable duties, is never on the front lines—that sort of thing. I heard he’s petitioned for promotion a few times but he’s always turned down. I think he wants to be a sergeant mostly just so he can talk down to the rest of us, finally feel…I don’t know, important?”

I think about that as we walk. I feel bad for him, maybe even a bit protective? He has a vulnerability to him that reminds me a bit of Enid when she was young. When she was first diagnosed with the blood disease, before they found the medications to help her, she was so sick and weak. Some of the other children teased her or called her names and though I’d always loved mysister fiercely, that brought out a whole new side of my love. A raw, primal need to protect that honestly horrified mum and delighted da. I may have pulled hair and kicked shins of anyone who dared tease my big sister…there was also an incident with a leech-infested pond. I don’t think that Luca and I will be great friends or anything, there isn’t much of a connection there, but I do feel a bit of that protectiveness and compassion for him.

And maybe I see a bit of myself in him as well. Always underestimated and dismissed by people. Maybe we’ll both prove everyone wrong one day. I push the thoughts away and we make our way to the pond. The temperature is cool, but not cold, and the water looks entirely too inviting after my training.

I strip down to my undershorts and chemise and Novawhoopswhile Wesley pretends to be scandalized.

“My delicate sensibilities!” he cries, shielding his eyes. I put my hands on my hips and narrow my eyes at him.

“I do believe I took those from youyearsago.” I buff my nails on my shirt. “The first one to take them, might I add.”

“Fair point,” he says with a fangy grin.

“I need all the details of that fateful day,” Nova says, taking off her own gear.

“Well, first, he couldn’t figure out how to unlace my corset. All thumbs, I swear. Then?—”

Wesley interrupts the story by picking me up bodily and tossing me into the chilly water before I can divulge the rest of the embarrassing tidbits. I squeal and sputter but laugh as I surface, finding him yanking off his shirt and striding into the water behind me.

“That’s a long enough stroll down memory lane, if you please.” He crosses his arms over his chest and smirks. “I’vemuchimproved, thank you very much.”

I splash him and Nova tackles him from behind, making me squeal again as the water sloshes all over me. We all play around a bit, acting like children, really, but none of us seem to care.

“You really are good,” Nova says to me a while later, floating in the water with her braids fanning out around her head like a silver halo. “With all the training, I mean. You have a natural ability to move your body that’s almost impossible to learn, and even harder to teach.”

“Really?”

“Really,” Wesley confirms. “I’ve been in charge of training exercises for plenty of new soldiers fresh out of the academy and you’re better than many of them.”

“Just wait until I have a blade in my hands,” I say, “you might be singing a different tune—or missing fingers.”

They both laugh. “We’ll start with wooden swords, don’t worry, but you’ll be there sooner than you think. You’ll be a verified rugged-arse as your da would say,” Wesley says with a wink.

Eventually I decide it’s time to lounge on a blanket like a bump on a log, and stride out of the water, pushing wet hair off of my face. A flash of heat sears through me like a wildfire, nearly making me stumble. I gasp, confused and almost dizzy from…desire? I blink and look around, trying to figure out what’s happening, only for my gaze to lock with Alaric’s. He’s standing a few yards away, a basket in his hand—the handle completely pulverized in his grip. He looks as if he’s been carved from granite, not moving a muscle save his eyes as they skate slowly down my face and throat, over the swells of my breasts and my pebbled nipples that are very much visible through the thin chemise, down further still over my stomach and hips and legs. My chest rises and falls rapidly as my pulse races. The way he’s looking at me…well, no one has ever looked at me like thisbefore. Like nothing else in the world exists, like no one has ever looked so beautiful, like he’s…ravenous.

I swallow hard, unable to move or think or speak. He’s in his typical black gear, the leather hugging his muscular body in ways that are nearly criminal, and the gold of his eyes is a dark, piercing amber as he takes me in.

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