Page 65 of Dragon Master (Rise of the Dragon Master)

“It will never happen again,” I vowed, realizing how much I was risking.

With a pleased nod, he returned to the other end of the circle, just as the slices on my skin stitched together on their own. My skin was smooth and healthy once again.

I watched Asher take the spear off his belt, with a whole new appreciation for the man he was. He wasn’t being hard on me because he was pissed off, or because he was punishing me. He was trying to teach me what it took years for them to learn before I faced Lachlan. He was trying to save my life.

“Thank you,” I offered, loudly enough for everyone to hear.

The others grinned. “Awe.”

“That is so sweet!”

“Just kiss each other already!”

The others mocked and a gleam of humor entered my commander’s gaze, but he didn’t smile.

“Lucky for you, Lachlan is not better than I am.”

Jumping, he whirled in the air, extending the spear as he attacked.

By the time Asher was done with me, I couldn’t feel my face. My arms hung uselessly on each side, and I had practically crawled out of the warriors’ area. “Training me harder than ever” was an understatement, and there was one more day of this. He was beating the hell out of me, and pushing me to limits I never even thought existed, but I could feel every cell in my body getting stronger through the screaming of my muscles. The movements were ingrained into my being, every thrust of the spear, each swipe of the sword…

My sword.

Cringing, my gaze fell to the blade that rested on the table as I finished dinner in my room—Asher hadn’t been kidding when he said all I would do was train, eat, and rest. I wasn’t even allowed to go to the dining hall with everyone else, but had to wait for the food to be brought to my room. A part of me wondered if Evie had made sure I wouldn’t because she didn’t want to see me, but I couldn’t think about that right now. I had to focus.

As it was, I’d forgotten to return the sword to Harper after I finished training, which meant I had to take it to her before I got in trouble again.

Bringing the sword closer to me, my finger ran over the elegant wing details, noticing the blood that still stuck in between the fine ridges. The sight destroyed my appetite, and I pushed the plate away. After rinsing my mouth, I slipped the sword into the scabbard and stepped out of the room, crossing the hall to Elijah’s quarters. I knew that was where Harper would be.

“Harper, are you awake?” I whispered from the entrance to the room, and saw her step out to meet me instead.

“Shouldn’t you be sleeping or something?”

“I was having dinner actually, but I realized that I didn’t return my blade.” I saw her eyes widen, realizing she forgot to ask for it too. She instantly reached for it, but I pulled it away. “Wait. My sword is still stained with blood and I was wondering if you know how to get it out?”

She nodded in understanding, but her gaze suddenly travelled beyond me.

“I’ll take it from here. Thank you, Harper.” Asher’s voice echoed in the hall and I cursed under my breath.

Busted.

Turning on my heel, I faced him. He looked at me like I better be dying or else he was going to kill me. “I’m sorry, Commander. I am not trying to disrespect you.” I glanced at the blade. “I was giving it back to Harper, but I realized it is still stained, and I really need that blood off my father’s sword.” Lifting my head, I straightened. “I know I may have lost your friendship with my actions, but—”

He rolled his eyes, yanking the sword from me. “Are you always this dramatic?”

I grinned while he inspected the blood splatters, and shook his head.

“There are scratches all along the hilt, and the hand guard and blade have seen better days. Too much wear and tear hinders a weapon’s performance,” he concluded, then regarded me for a moment. “Come with me. I know someone who will leave it as good as new.”

He headed for the stairs, and I followed.

“I thought you said I couldn’t leave my room.”

“Shut up.”

We crossed the sleeping market while I wondered what the hell we were doing there. Everyone was already home for the night… or at least I thought they were. The loud sound of steel banging against steel echoed the closer we got to the forge, dancing with the crackling of fire, and the hissing of the heated metal being quenched in cold oil.

Skylar’s head lifted the second we entered her shop, and she lay down the hammer, setting a dagger blade next to it. Removing her helmet and gloves, she plunged a clean towel into a bucket of fresh water, wiping her face, neck, and arms, until she was clean. Then turned to greet us with a smile.

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