Page 58 of Eluvonia
“What’s coming?” I ask, frowning.
He doesn’t answer right away. Instead, he steps toward the door, his hand resting on the frame. “You’ll see soon enough,” he says over his shoulder, his voice laced with something I can’t quite place.
And then he’s gone, leaving me alone with my thoughts. The room feels too quiet, the silence pressing down on me like a weight. I stare up at the ceiling, my mind racing.
“What the hell happened while I was out?” I mutter to the empty room, my voice barely more than a whisper. The only answer is the soft rustling of the wind outside the window.
The next few weeks are a blur of aching muscles, lingering gazes, and an undercurrent of tension I can’t quite put into words. Declan and Kaida visit me every day, their constant presence both comforting and unnerving. Something’s changed between the three of us, though I’m not sure what. Declan’s soft smiles last a little too long, Kaida’s teasing digs have an edge of something deeper, and I’m caught in the middle, utterly baffled.
By the time Kaida’s father’s physician declares me fit, I’m practically itching to get out of bed. The freedom of moving without pain is exhilarating, but it’s short-lived. Kaida corners me almost immediately, his arms crossed and that infuriatingly cocky grin plastered across his face.
“Training starts today,” he announces, like I’m a soldier in his personal army.
I raise an eyebrow, crossing my arms to mirror him. “Oh, does it? And here I thought I’d get a celebratory day off.”
He chuckles, low and dangerous. “You’ll thank me later, little Fae. My father insists we get your magic under control. Unless, of course, you’d rather let my father take over your care?”
“Tempting,” I mutter, but I follow him anyway.
The so-called “training room” is massive, its padded floors stretching out in every direction. Equipment lines the walls—weights, ropes, targets—and the center is cleared, presumably for sparring. It’s impressive, though I’d rather eat glass than admit it out loud. Kaida stands in the middle of the room, spinning a wooden sword in his hand like it’s an extension of his arm.
“Pick one,” he says, nodding toward the rack of practice weapons.
I glance at the options, eventually settling on a sword that feels somewhat balanced in my hand. “Not that I don’t appreciate your hospitality, but what exactly are we doing here?”
“Figuring out how to activate your magic,” he says simply, already moving into a fighting stance. “And the best way to do that is to push you to your limits.”
“Fantastic,” I deadpan, raising the sword awkwardly. “Let’s just hope I don’t accidentally kill you.”
His grin widens. “You’d have to hit me first.”
Before I can retort, he lunges. I barely manage to block, the force of his strike reverberates up my arms. He’s fast, faster than I expect, and his movements are fluid, almost lazy, like he’s not even trying. I grit my teeth and swing, but he sidesteps easily, countering with a sharp tap to my side. Pain flares where the wood connects, and I hiss.
“Focus,” he chides, circling me like a predator. “Your magic won’t activate if you’re distracted.”
“I’m trying not to get my ribs cracked again, thanks,” I snap, adjusting my grip.
We go again, the sound of wood meeting wood echoing in the room. Kaida doesn’t hold back, his strikes relentless. My arms burn, my breathing turns ragged, and sweat drips down my face. He pushes me harder and harder, until my movements are sluggish and my legs threaten to give out.
Finally, he steps back, lowering his sword. “Think back to all the times your magic appeared,” he says, his voice serious now. “What did you feel?”
I lean against the wall, gulping air. “Danger,” I manage. “Real danger. Like my life was on the line.”
Kaida nods slowly, his gaze thoughtful. “Danger…” His lips twitch into a smirk, and he tosses his sword to the side with deliberate nonchalance. “I guess I’m not scary enough to get your blood pumping.”
“You said it, not me,” I quip, though my voice lacks its usual bite.
His eyes narrow, and a predatory grin spreads across his face. “Oh, you’ll regret that.”
He takes a step forward, and something about his demeanor changes. The air in the room grows heavy, and my pulse quickens. “Kai…” I say cautiously, taking a step back. “What are you doing?”
He doesn’t answer, just keeps advancing, slow and deliberate. I backpedal until my shoulder blades hit the wall. My breath catches as he closes the distance, his body brushing against mine. His hand darts out, pinning both of mine above my head with ease. The other comes to rest on my waist, his touch light but firm.
“There are different types of danger, my little Fae,” he murmurs, his breath hot against my ear. His lips hover near my skin, close enough to feel the warmth, but he doesn’t close the gap.
I’m frozen, torn between shoving him away and calling his bluff. My heart pounds so loudly I’m sure he can hear it. His nose brushes the curve of my jaw, and I swallow hard, every nerve in my body on edge.
“Kai…” I manage, though it’s barely a whisper.
