Page 46 of Courting the Fae Captain
“Oh?” Excitement flared in my stomach, and I grinned as I shifted. “The big, bad captain is going to teach me magic now?”
Raithe widened his stance and crossed his arms, his expression shifting to one of seriousness. “Wield. If you’re going to stand a chance against an opponent with powerful magic, you need to practise.”
He had a point. I focused my attention on my inner strength, calling my powers to the surface. Since the incident in the apothecary, it was easier now. A strange phenomenon, but a welcome one, if this was the result. My shadows surged forward, pooling along the ground at Raithe’s feet. He studied them with a keen eye before his piercing eyes landed on mine.
“Strong, but too slow. Your powers are an extension of yourself. If you must concentrate so hard to conjure them, you leave yourself vulnerable to attack.” To emphasise his point, hetapped me on the shoulder with his own shadows, which I hadn’t even noticed. “Strengthen your connection to your power and hone your instincts. Your magic is not separate to you. Itisyou. Now, attack me.”
I didn’t hesitate to send wave after wave of shadows crashing down on Raithe in an attempt to be quick and lethal. Only, when my power stopped surging, I realised the space he’d been standing in now remained empty. I blew out an exasperated breath as warm arms slid around my waist from behind me.
“You’re just toying with me, aren’t you?” I said with a huff.
“Maybe.” A deep chuckle followed. “Keep practising and don’t be disheartened. Your power is incredibly strong, considering your gift is newly awakened. You are already formidable … just not against me.”
His voice was teasing, but I couldn’t let him have all the fun, so I stepped out of his arms, turned, and responded with a quick whack of my shadows against the back of his head.
Raithe blinked, and I burst out laughing as the shock registered … right before a slow, cunning smile spread over his face. One that promised I’d be paying for my little trick.
As if confirming my thoughts, he said, “I’ll be punishing you for that.”
“Later,” I said, even as my core heated at the thought of said punishment. I jerked my chin towards the small crowd of approaching onlookers. I smiled as I found Akira and Sherai among them. “We have company.”
“Captain,” Jaren said as he approached, a small squad of females trickling along behind him. He nodded at me, then turned his attention back to Raithe. “How nice of you to join us for training today.”
“I can’t stay,” Raithe said. At Jaren’s questioning gaze, he elaborated. “Border patrol out at sea. I have some new information I need to investigate.”
The island.It took everything in me to keep my soles planted firmly on the ground and not bob with excitement. Raithe didn’t look at me as his hand grazed over the small of my back. I understood the gesture. We would do it together. Tonight. Just as we’d planned.
“I’ll be back late, but I’d like to speak to you upon my return. I’ll send word.”
Jaren nodded, even if the words were meant for me. “Captain.”
“Lieutenant. Ladies.” Raithe nodded back, sparing a lingering glance at me, then exited the training field and disappeared within the castle walls.
“Right. Get to work, everyone,” Jaren said. “I want to see you pushing yourselves today. Stretches, drills, then we’re fighting one-on-one.” Groans and grumbles answered him, and he waved an impatient hand. “Yes, yes, it’s that day of the week again.”
Everyone paired off and began their routines.
“What was all that about?” Akira said as she strode over with Sherai.
“We found it,” I said excitedly, doing my best to keep my voice low. “At least, I think we have. We have an inkling of where they’re keeping the females. Where Raithe’s and my mother might be.”
Akira and Sherai looked at me expectantly before Akira huffed when it was clear I wasn’t getting the hint. “And? Spill.”
I looked around at the other females, then pulled Sherai and Akira to the side. “The island,” I whispered. “We think they’re being held there, underground.”
The two considered this with a mix of thoughtful and frustrated expressions. “Of course. It fits the riddle, and with the veil in place, the females wouldn’t have their magic,” Sherai squeaked, her brown eyes lighting with excitement once she’d thought it over fully. She gripped my hands tightly, then giftedme a knowing smile. “The captain isn’t really going on patrol, is he?”
I shook my head and grinned. “We’re investigating tonight. Together.”
“Aeris,” Akira said softly. “You need to be careful. Don’t forget what we saw on that island, and we only explored a portion of it. There could be more creatures guarding them, or worse. If you’re caught—if the Pentad gets even a whiff of your movements, it’ll be over. For everyone.”
“I know.” I sucked in a deep breath before blowing it out. “We’ll be cautious, I promise. No matter what we find, we won’t do anything rash.”
Akira nodded, determination etched into her pale features. “Good. So, what can we do? Should we all go? No, that might bring too much attention … plus if something goes wrong, you’ll need someone to bail you out.”
I was beyond grateful that I wasn’t alone in this, but we were still only a small number. I looked over at the females beyond my friends as the beginnings of a plan came to mind. “Akira, can you keep an eye on Portia and all the females? Maybe try to gauge where they stand on the Rite and whether they feel how we do or more like Portia? This is bigger than us, maybe too big. We might need help when the time comes.”
“What about me?” Sherai said as she bobbed on her feet.
