Page 21 of The Light Falls
Hesitating, he glances at me, then at the guard.
“I would rather not have to explain why you’re carrying me in the middle of the night,” I whisper furiously. “I’ll make it, but if I can’t, I’ll call out to Garren.”
He carefully props me up against the wall. “This should help steady you.”
Leaning heavily against the marble, I shuffle forward a few steps. My body sways, and I hear him curse behind me. With a wave of my hand, I motion for him to get back. “Garren!”
The yummy twin immediately jumps and peers down the hall. Sword drawn; he cautiously approaches until he realizes it’s me. With a flick of his wrist, the sword disappears, and his arms go around me. Just in time, too, as my knees give out again.
With me in his arms, he swings around to look down the hallway. When he doesn’t see anything alarming, he turns his attention back to me. “What happened? Do I need to sound the alarm?” Without waiting for my reply, he strides quickly to my room.
He smells delicious, like peppermint. “Just a small burnout,” I wearily inform him. “I’ll be fine with some rest.”
“I have to tell Kaius about this incident. It’s protocol,” he tells me, a flash of sympathy in his eyes. The door swings open, and he sets me down on the bed in my room. “Do you want me to call Eris?”
Barely able to keep my eyes open, I shake my head. “No. I’ll be fine. Thank you for your help.” My words are stiff, but I need him to leave immediately. The second the door clicks shut; I let the darkness sweep me under.
Minutes later, I hear Eris’ voice.
“According to the schedule, you’re supposed to go to training this morning. Are you going, or do you want me to send a note and cancel?” Eris asks in her usual brisk manner.
Groggy, I lift my head in confusion and realize the sun is shining. When I move to sit up, I can’t help the groan that escapes. Every muscle in my body hurts.
“I’m not sure I can go today.” I wonder what will happen if I just lie here? Can a queen take a day off? An image of the wrecked hallway pops into my mind, and I just want to bury my head in the pillows.
Eris lays down workout clothes. “Well, if you’re not sure, maybe you should go down there and try first.”
Her no-nonsense tone makes me cringe. Staggering up from the bed, I push one foot into the leggings she laid out, then the other. Once I’ve rolled them on, I exchange my shirt for the sports bra and cropped top. For the first time in days, I feel like I can breathe in the clothes I’m wearing.
Eris points to the chair and motions for me to sit. She quickly braids my hair back, then bends down to put my socks on.
“Eris.” I groan. “Stop. There is no reason for you to put my shoes on. Surely, you have more important things to do?”
She taps my head. “Do you think I don’t know burnout when I see it?” A humph sound comes from her throat. “You can’t hide anything from me. Might as well not even try. Now, sit still and let me get these on you.”
Giving in, I close my eyes and try to muster up the energy I’m going to need for training today. This is worse than any hangover I’ve ever had. And that’s saying a lot.
She pats my leg. “There. All done.” Her hand grabs mine and places a glass in it. “Drink. It will put you right as rain.”
Skeptical, I open my eyes to peer into the glass. “Arrgh. No.” I try to hand it back to her, but she refuses to take it. “Fine.” Pinching my nose, I throw back the orange drink like it’s cheap tequila. It takes a minute for me to swallow the thick substance, but I finally get it down.
Eris nods approvingly, takes the glass, and disappears.
Instead of using magic, I use the human way to brush my teeth. As long as it gets done, it doesn’t matter to me.
Feeling like death, I walk gingerly over to the door and open it to find Ansel waiting for me.
He gives me a sympathetic look and offers his arm, but I decline. This time, he gives me an approving nod.
Ignoring his gesture, I start walking.
He quickly catches up and guides me down several hallways until we reach a large indoor training room. The fifteen-minute walk gives Eris’ potion time to start working, and I’m feeling less like dying by the time we walk in.
Nobody even looks our way. Guards are sparring with each other on mats and in rings; their grunts and colorful curses loud in the quiet room. The air is heavy with the smell of sweat and testosterone, and I can’t help but take in a deep, appreciative smell. It’s the same no matter what realm. Muscles moving, bodies pushed to the limit, sweat running in rivulets over hard abs. Tingles spread throughout my body, making all the secret places perk up. Good thing I’m wearing a sports bra and a shirt.
Looking further back, I see an entire wall covered with weapons. Knives, swords, axes, spears, staffs, and whatever the rest of it is. Weapons aren’t really my forte. I bet Arden could name and use every single one of them. I grin. And she could fight better than the guards currently practicing in the corner.
There are very few women in the room. It’s not surprising, since Nyssa didn’t like having them around her. What is surprising… nobody is using magic. I wonder why?
