Page 11 of Enchanted Shadows
“Yes,” she hissed.
They’d likely been bothering her all day and if she hadn’t been drinking enough water, they’d only get worse.
I turned to her partner Jaya. “Go grab her water.”
“Heat should help, hang on.” And before thinking to really ask, I sent my power out in thick strands to wrap around her back and stomach. Remy wasn’t Enchanted, but Nerede seemed to be lessafraid of Enchanted people these days. So hopefully I hadn’t overstepped. “Let me know if it’s too hot.”
Within a few minutes, she was able to breathe better. “Thank you,” she sighed.
“Do yourself a favor and don’t drink any caffeinated beverages until they’re gone,” I told her as she was finally able to stand and drink water, my green magic still around her like a thick belt. “They don’t help. Just narrow your blood vessels.”
Harlow asked, “General Raikes, did they prep you in how to treat menstruating women or something?”
My lips twitched. “No. I was already properly trained by the fact that I have two younger sisters.”
“Didn’t see that one coming,” Jessina whispered, though I could still hear it.
“I know,” Zara agreed. “A little surprised he didn’t tell her to bleed faster.”
I pinned her with a glare. “I would have, if I thought for half a moment it would work.” I turned to Miles. “Go to the healers and ask for some of their heat packs, would you? I need a handful of them to be kept at the barracks for the team.”
He gave me a nod, seeming rather confused by everything he’d just seen. “Sure, boss.”
I turned back to find the women all looking at me like I’d grown horns.“What?”
“That was awfully kind of you,” Molly voiced.
I shook my head. “Well don’t get used to it. Tomorrow I’ll be back to yelling my encouragements.”
“Pick it up,” Pippa imitated.
“Hustle,” another said.
“Exactly,” I laughed.
I allowed Remy a break to sit while my magic warmed her, so long as she kept drinking water. I had Zara train with Jaya while we finished out our first defense session.
I let them learn and get in the proper reps, knowing that would be the best teacher. As I observed, I noted the variety of my team before me. All colors and shapes and sizes. Some Enchanted and some not. All women. So many different strengths and weaknesses before me. My task wasn’t to rid them of their weaknesses, rather it was to magnify their strengths. Pull them out in a way they hadn’t yet considered.
Even though this job had been forced on me, I couldn’t help but be a little proud too. They might annoy me rather regularly, but they weren’t all bad either.
CHAPTER 5
The hardest part, the first week, was done. The women were about to do their first thirty-minute timed trial test. This one wasn’t real, the one that really mattered was still two weeks out. I hadn’t told them that yet, as I wanted them to treat it like it was real.
But first things first.
I put a box on the ground. “Your water bottles are atrocious.”
“What?” Vivian said in confusion. “Why?”
“They’re far too small. When Remy’s cramps got unbearable last week, I noticed how small all of your water bottles are.” The biggest one was maybe two glassfuls worth.
I held open one of the contents of the box. “So these are your new ones. A gift from her royal majesty, Queen Jorah. More of a jug, less of a bottle. Not as pretty, but far more functional. They are all white. I could’ve chosen pink, but I thought that might be insulting to some of you.” Naturally my eyes landed on Zara. “So here they are. Nothing special, other than they are larger. Because as much as I am pushing you, and wanting you to get stronger, youalso have to help me in that endeavor by making sure you’re getting enough protein, water, and sleep.”
Lights out was two hours prior to midnight, but I wasn’t naïve enough to believe they really went to bed at that time. I knew I never had when I was in training.
“So here you go,” I handed the first one over to Fern. “Go fill them up with ice and water from the kitchen before we get started.”
