Page 41 of One Last Promise
Pretending to step back in line was the only option until I was strong enough to fight my own battles.If my powers did surface, I could learn to conceal them.I was confident Darce would help me with that, too.
Luz was right.I had to learn when to pick my battles.In a few more centuries, I would hopefully be a formidable force and be able to choose my own fate.All that mattered now was that I followed Darce’s instructions.
With his help, you’ll achieve your destiny.
The voice of the wisp entered my mind.This was Holy Ether’s wish.I trusted her judgement.
It wasn’t easy giving a Noxlin that much power over my destiny, though.Darce could never know the truth about my real identity.Deceiving him was the only choice I had.With his training, I would become a force strong enough to destroy his kind.He wouldn’t train me if he knew that.Still, Darce had to be holding his own dark secrets.Trust wasn’t something either of us would ever share.We were enemy races.Both of us were using each other in different ways.Him for gold, and me for his experience on the battlefield.
I would feel no guilt in my betrayal towards him.Once I became the warrior everyone feared, I would find the Noxlin that killed my mother and watch the life drainslowlyfrom their eyes.I would take down the entire Noxlin race to get to them, including Darce if I had to.
That thought alone would empower me for the next few centuries.Revenge would keep me hungry.With that need, I’d overcomeanyobstacle Darce threw at me in the years to come.He wanted to break me, but I broke the moment my mother was killed.
No onewas going to stand in my way.
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, I would be rebornandunstoppable.
Chapter fourteen
(100 years later)
Fucking prick!The words echoed over and over in my mind.Darce was being his usual, pretentious self as he tried to prove yet another point; that I wasn’t ready to wield a sword yet.My body was toned and strengthened to perfection.I swear part of his refusal was because I had proven him wrong in the last century.I had physically become the perfect warrior.I could liftmorethan my bodyweight, and my flexibility and endurance were better than Darce’s.We often raced around the lake together.He hadn’t won for over ten years.His training had taken its toll on me in the beginning.My body broke more than I ever imagined, but once it began to change, fitness became an addiction for me.Every month we met, I wanted to be better than the last.
“Why are you giving me that face?”Darce quirked his perfect eyebrow at me.“Learning hand-to-hand combat is important.It will help your stance and movement before you train with a sword.I have explained this before.Countless times, in fact!”
“I feel like you’re stalling.Are you trying to make this training last a few more centuries because you’re enjoying your time with me so much?”I teased, putting my hands on my hips.
“Oh, please!Mewanting more time withyou?”Darce snorted, giving me a wicked grin.“You might be a little more appealing to the eyes these days, thanks to my help, but I’m still notthatdesperate!”This was always the banter with us, but it was difficult not to notice how his gazes would linger on my body longer, his sharp intake of breath if our skin connected, or how his eyes darkened if I made a sexual reference.
“Careful, Darce,” I cautioned.“That was almost a compliment.”
“Hardly.”When he stalked me in a circle, I could feel the heat of his body against my back.“It would be more of a compliment if I told you how fuckable you look today.”Swallowing hard, I tried to act indifferent at the feel of his breath tickling my neck.
It was an extremely warm day.Loki, Enyo, and Boulder had hardly moved from beside the lake.Loki and Enyo had grown to be the larger of the three, and came up to my shoulders now, but they were all intimidating.I couldn’t imagine my life without them.Even Darce had a bond with Boulder.You couldn’t help but love them.They would defend us with their lives.
“You would never fuck me.You’ve told me that countless times.”His body was still close behind me.I would have given anything to see his facial expression, but I was too scared to move.
