Page 21 of Testing The Waters

I gulp. “Do you know what my dad once told me?” I ask. “That the only thing Valkyries are good for is mating.”

Anger chases across Craven’s face when I look up at him and a muscle pulses in his jaw.

“I’ve never met him but I already can’t stand him.” His tone is chilling, but he softens the edge by rubbing his jawline against my cheek. “Nobody is allowed to hurt you.”

The damage is already done. I’ve had years of it and it’s built into me. I can’t shake it off just like that.

Not even the encouragement from my powerful mate can erase all those years of self-doubt.

“Try again,” Craven rasps.

I want to slay for him and make him proud in the way that I never could make my dad proud. Raising my arm, I try to fight him again but miss over and over. I swallow, feeling the blood drain from my face due to the humiliation.

“Nerves,” Craven says. “It’s common and can be overcome. Try again.”

His tone is more demanding this time and I squirm. I try once more, concentrating really hard.

This time, I manage to land a punch but I know he let me and somehow that’s even more humiliating.

“Stop!” I groan, “Don’t do that.”

I let out a sound of frustration when Craven tries to hug me in an attempt to comfort me. Worming out of Craven’s grip, I flood with annoyance.

Why can’t I make a single man in my life proud?

Craven grips the balusters, his knuckles whitening and I have a feeling that he’s hurt I brushed him off.

“You have to focus,” he rasps and I whip around.

“Is that all I have to do?” I clip and he drags a hand down his face, agitation shining in his eyes.

He crosses his arms over his chest, looking down at me. “And you need to try harder.”

A stunned sob escapes me, my eyes filling with tears and guilt wrapped up in agony floods his face.

He takes a step closer to me, invading my space. “I didn’t mean to be harsh. Let me hold you.”

Helplessness washes over me, making my knees wobble and I rasp, “No!” I shake my head, backing away from him. “What you said about me needing to try harder made you sound just like my father.”

Craven flinches, as if that’s the worst insult I could have given him. His silvery eyes stop blinking as if I just shot him. His tall frame sways a little and his chest isn’t moving as if he can’t breathe. He gives a curt nod.

“Then I’ll leave you alone, female.”

Turning around, he leaves the balcony, his robe fluttering behind him like the wings of a bat. I let out a groan, leaning against the balusters and I’m horrified when a tear slides down my cheek.

I’m full of mistakes it seems.

And now I’ve hurt the one person, I care about the most.

****

Craven

My blood boils, as I slam the door behind me and step into the cave. The dragon is in uproar, trying to tear me apart from the inside. He thinks it’s my fault our mate shunned us; he never would have pressured her like that.

Cursing, I shoot out with my fist and knock down a stalactite.

I just wanted to help.

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