Kieran’s voice cut through the tension like a blade.
“You can resent it all you want, but that doesn’t change the reality,” he said, his eyes cold, calculated. “You’retied to her, regardless if you don’t like. And if you ever speak about her with disrespect again.”
Ronan took a step forward, his eyes flashing dangerously. “I’ll make sure you regret it.”
There it was again, that infuriating protectiveness, that sense of ownership over her. It stirred something ugly inside me. Jealousy twisted in my gut, a primal, irrational feeling that made my skin burn. They acted like they had some special claim to her, like they knew her better and could protect her better. It made my blood boil.
I’m supposed to be the one protecting her now.
I thought, my fists clenching at my sides. The bond it wasn’t just some mystical tie. It was real. Ifeltit. And yet, here they were, circling around her like I didn’t even exist, like I was some outsider who didn’t deserve to be in her world.
The thought of Kieran and Ronan being so close to her, always looking out for her, stirred something possessive inside of me. I hated it. I hated they knew her better than I did. That they had her trust, her loyalty, things I wasn’t even sure I wanted, but couldn’t stop myself from craving.
“I’m not here to be lectured by either of you,” I snapped, my gaze flicking between them. “I’m here because ofher,because I don’t have a choice. So don’t act like I’m the problem.”
“Enough! Take it out in the sparring,” Elora yelled, her voice bitter. “Ronan, Kieran, you know your orders. Your job is to help him control his powers, just enough so he doesn’t raise suspicion in the human world.”
I clenched my jaw, trying to suppress the irritation building up inside me. Of course, they were here to protectherinterests.
Like she was weak and needed any more protectors.
Kieran’s gaze flicked to me, calm but calculating, while Ronan’seyes still glinted with a mix of amusement and thinly veiled contempt. They were here to train me, sure, but it was obvious they weren’t just doing it for the sake of some mission. They were doing it because they’d do anything to keep Iryen safe, even if it meant dealing with someone they clearly thought didn’t deserve to be in her orbit.
And that stung. More than I cared to admit.
Now I was a liability.Her liability.
I was going to prove them wrong.
“Fine,” I muttered, stepping back, my muscles tense. “Let’s get this over with.”
They shared a knowing glance before moving toward the edge of the moon pond. Their movements were fluid, and practiced, as they propelled themselves forward and broke the surface. The shift from tail to legs was almost instantaneous, as if it was second nature to them.
Their bodies were powerful, muscles rippling beneath their skin as they straightened. Tattoos, dark and intricate, swirled down their arms, weaving seamlessly into their skin, covering any scars they may have. I couldn’t tell what they meant, but there were serpents, waves, and tridents marking their flesh..
Both stood tall, their presence commanding, their gaze sharp. It was irritating how effortlessly they made the shift look. No pain, no struggle. Just a smooth transition from one form to the other, like they’d done it a thousand times before.
“Impressed yet, human?” Ronan’s voice broke the silence. His smirk was as sharp as ever, mocking. The dark ink of flames stood against his golden skin, starting on his biceps and disappearing under his armor.
I tried to mask my irritation, but watching them shift so effortlessly gnawed at me. My body still ached from my transformation, the pain raw, while they made it look as easy as breathing.
Of course, they’d be better at this.
“Less talking, more training,” Kieran said, his voice steady and commanding as he tightened the straps of his armor.
I fought the urge to roll my eyes, ignoring the sting of jealousy that flared up. Of course, they’d be better at this. Warriors trained for years to master both forms. And now they were here to train me, the outsider.The human.
My pulse hammered in my ears as Ronan paced across from me, that smug smirk plastered across his face. Kieran stood nearby, arms crossed, his expression neutral, but I knew he was watching every move, every slip-up, measuring my control, or lack of.
This wasn’t just a spar. It was a test. One I couldn’t afford to fail. Not with them both sizing me up like I didn’t belong here. Like I was nothing compared to them.
Ronan cracked his neck, stretching as if this was some casual warm-up.
“Ready, human?” he taunted, eyes gleaming with dark amusement. “I’ll try not to break you too quickly.”
I clenched my fists, trying to keep my anger in check. I couldn’t afford to lose focus. Not now.
“Let’s just get this over with,” I shot back, taking a fighting stance. I could already feel the pull of water around me, its presence humming beneath my skin. I didn’t know how long I could control it, but I had to trust my powers, or I’d get torn apart.