Page 15 of Draekora

“But I don’t want to be a part of yourZeltora,” Alex said. She then turned to Zain and quickly added, “No offence. I’m sure it’s a barrel of laughs having you as a general.”

Zain pursed his lips, and Alex realised belatedly that she probably shouldn’t antagonise one of only three Meyarins who actually liked her—four including the king, but she wasn’t exactly buddy-buddy with him, so he didn’t count.

“We’re not using thevarrungardfor your recruitment into the guard, Alex,” Roka said patiently. “Above all else, it’s an aptitude test. It will allow us to assess your character and observe what skills you naturally exhibit, such as strength, endurance, agility, critical reasoning, and the ability to think quickly under pressure. It gives us an indication of what we need to work on most with your training, and how best to teach you.”

“You have to remember, we’ve never trained a mortal like you before,” Zain said.

At that moment, Alex thought she saw Roka’s eyes flicker with unfocused confusion, as if she’d caught him in a daydream, but then she blinked and he was back to looking steadily at her again.

“Having experienced your Combat classes at the academy, I for one know there is much you must learn before you are ready to cross blades with Aven again,” Zain continued. “Not the least of which is allowing yourself to yield to your Meyarin instincts. And without hesitation.”

Alex only just managed to suppress a shudder at the reminder of just how abnormal she now was thanks to the psychotic, banished prince’s blood running through her veins.

Musing out loud, she said, “So, from what I’m understanding, thisvarrungardthing is less like the Running of the Bulls and more like a peaceful stroll in the woods to see how I handle the scenery?”

Roka shared an uncertain glance with Zain and said, “I’m not sure I understand your reference to oxen, but in essence, I believe you are correct. At least for the stage of thevarrungardthat you’ll be completing.”

“And you promise to step in if my fingers and toes start to fall off from frostbite?”

“You have our word.”

Alex sighed deeply. “Fine. Bring on the fun times.” She then had a thought and turned to Kyia with hopeful eyes. “I don’t suppose I can borrow some of thatmyraesfire stuff to take with me? Just a pinch?”

Kyia’s green eyes sparkled. “Sorry, Alex. Even if I had any to spare, rules say you can’t take anything but the clothes on your back.”

Resigned, Alex said, “Well, let’s make sure I have plenty of those and I just might survive the weekend.”

Roka offered a hum of agreement and stood to his feet. “Now that’s settled, you should get to bed. You have an early morning tomorrow—we leave at dawn.”

“Can’t wait,” Alex said with clear sarcasm.

Failing to hide her smile, Kyia took Alex’s arm and escorted her from Roka’s chambers and back through the palace to her room. Their journey was made faster when the Meyarin activated theValispathyet again, transporting them through the walls and up, around and down the floors until they reached the hall outside Alex’s quarters.

“Sleep well, Alex,” Kyia said, leaving her at the door. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

Left to her own devices, Alex changed into a nightgown that was even more comfortable than the dress, as impossible as that should have been. Shaped perfectly to fit her body, it fell to just above her knees and felt like silk against her skin.

“I could get used to these clothes,” she murmured to herself, twirling in place like a little girl.

Knowing she looked ridiculous but also not caring, Alex continued circling until she was dizzy and then sat down in front of themyraesflames, allowing the multi-coloured blaze to lull her into a relaxed trance. She pulled out her ComTCD to touch base with her friends only to notice she had a message notification glowing on her screen, so she activated the link and watched as a miniature D.C. appeared.

“Just checking in, Alex,” D.C. said, her voice whispering. “Things here are a bit tense—I think William knows it was us who broke into ChemTech today but he hasn’t said anything, so Bear and I are laying low and hanging out with Johnny, Blake and Evie tonight. Gammy made apple pie for dessert, which sucks for you because we know how much you love it.”

D.C. looked over her shoulder as if making sure no one was there, then turned back to face Alex again, her voice lower than before. “Zain said he doesn’t think we’ll see you until the day after tomorrow when we’re all back at Akarnae for dinner. He didn’t say why, just that it was for your training and we shouldn’t worry if we don’t hear from you. He promised they’d all look after you, but please be careful, Alex. I know you always try to be, but let’s face it—”

She was interrupted by a high-pitched giggle and a little girl calling, “Dikthie! Are you playing wiff me? We haff to beat the boyth!”

“Evie, come say goodnight to Alex,” D.C. said just as Bear’s sister ran into view. She was currently missing her two front baby teeth, making her even more adorable than normal, especially when she tried to speak and all she could do was lisp.

“Lekthie! Are you coming home to play with uth?” Evie asked, her rosy cheeks and bright eyes adding to her irresistible cuteness.

“It’s a holomessage, baby girl,” D.C. told Evie, drawing her up into her arms. “Alex will have to play with us some other time. But you and I, little missy, are going to go and kick some boy butt. Am I right?”

Evie nodded enthusiastically. “Leth go!” She turned to face front again and waved wildly, saying, “Buh-bye, Lekthie!”

“Remember what I said, Alex,” D.C. said solemnly. Then she offered a hint of a smile and finished, “Now go and show those Meyarins what you’re made of.”

With that, her friend disconnected the communication and Alex’s TCD turned dark again.

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