Page 38 of Ava's Love of the Dragons
Only on second glance did Ava catch a glimpse of Marcus. He sat next to the girl and watched Ava with concern. Warmth flooded her stomach as she ran towards the three of them and a smile spread across her lips.
"Hey Ava, looks like you still need a bit of practice, huh?" Laughing, Lilly pointed to the torn tunic and the abrasions Ava had on her hands and arms. If she interpreted the burning sensation on her cheek correctly, she had another wound gaping there.
"You're welcome to take a round against me, then we'll see who needs practice."
"I'm ready!" With a swing, Lilly jumped over the lowest row of seats and landed in the arena. She raised her fists and swung her fists at Ava, who laughed, holding her stomach.
"Stop, stop, you've won. I urgently need a break."
Heavens, she was going to be incredibly sore.
"And something to drink." Marcus held out a canteen to her, which she gratefully took and drank from. After she had set it down, she wiped her parched lips.
"I've been dreaming of this for hours."
"It's inhuman how you're being taught. You should rather train your mind. And if there's an attack tonight..." He pointed in warning to Ava's exhausted posture while leaning on the stands to stay upright. "You might remember the suspicions I expressed..."
Yes, she remembered, but she didn't believe them. "I trust the master."
"I hope that's not a mistake..."
Lilly jumped to Marcus and boxed him in the stomach. "Stop insulting Master Boom, or you'll have to deal with the most feared aspiring dragon fighter in the whole empire!"
Marcus grinned as he fended off her blows, while Draco puffed out a few clouds of smoke."That would rather be Magg."
"You're right about that..."Ava glanced over her shoulder before turning back to her dragon."Were you with Lilly all day?"
"Yes, she took me to class with her. Lynn is a great teacher."
"Hey!" Lilly planted herself between them, legs apart, hands on her hips. "No secret conversations. Where's Kilian?"
Ava forgot to breathe for a moment. The question felt as heavy as at least ten blows from Magg. She swept her eyes gazeacross the arena, but there was no sign of the dragon fighter. "No idea. I assume he's gone."
"Which is a good thing!" Marcus patted her on the shoulder as if he were proud of her, while Lilly shook her head, frowning.
"Why would he leave right away? He loves you!"
That girl always had to say what was on her mind...
Although her chest tightened, she tried for a casual shrug. "After all, he's the leader of the dragon fighters. He can hardly be here day and night. Besides, he has other obligations and has absolutely no business in this training facility. And I told him what Rob did."
"Oh-oh. He's in for it..." Lilly shook out one hand before dramatically clutching her chest. "Ah, how I would have loved to conquer his heart."
"I haven't conquered his heart."
"Yeah, right, and I'm the future princess." Lilly made a face at her and decisively pulled her towards the dining hall. "Time for dinner!"
"You don't have to convince me today." She let herself be dragged along without protest and cast a final fleeting glance at Magg. The student had paused her fighting and was watching them. But as soon as she sensed Ava's attention, she turned back to the punching bag and doggedly continued her training. The sounds of combat would surely be heard until midnight.
Lynn joined them for dinner, just as she did every evening. Since Draco still fit in the dining hall and caused quite a stir, the other combat students also sat with them. It was a fun group that Ava enjoyed, even though she was physically exhausted. But thecheerful conversation, the laughter, and the relaxed atmosphere did her good.
Ralph couldn't stop praising Draco. Every time he looked at him, his eyes shone like polished sapphires. "Your dragon is incredible. Such beautiful scales, amazing color... It's insane that you bonded with one so quickly! Usually, that happens only in the last stage of training—if it happens at all." An unusual melancholy sounded in his words, which prompted Ava to lean forward and lower her voice.
"Is that why you're training here?"
He looked at her in surprise, but an amused wink followed immediately, instantly dispelling his gloom. "So tired and still sharp... One has to be careful around you, huh?"
Marcus sat next to her and placed a hand on hers. "Around her and her team." He moved closer to her, as if wanting to make something clear. Ava did the same, which was why she removed her hand from his and fished a piece of meat from her stew with her spoon.
