28
Valen
The estate remains mostly quiet for the rest of the day. The transfer was taxing for everyone involved, and though Wren and Suveo are pushing for action, the rest of us need to take a moment. Gensted is on edge, having retreated to his room, and I still feel hollow. While not as tired as I’d been this morning, I’m not right yet—but I’m going to have to push through.
The plan is to start training first thing in the morning. The hope is that we can coax the magic out. I’m skeptical, but it’s all we’ve got. In the meantime, Zana suggested a session with Suria. I reluctantly agreed. I’m waiting in one of the meeting rooms when she arrives with Tania and Suria.
Zana ushers the girl inside. “You remember Valen, right? He’s going to work on some control techniques with you today.”
“ Lord Valen.” Her tone does nothing to disguise just how happy she is to be here.
“Someone sounds a little cranky. Maybe you should take a nap instead?”
The girl glares at me.
Hah! Look at that expression. She’s managing to convey more disgust in a single glare than I ever could. She might even have Kopic beat.
Zana laughs, a little nervous, and smiles. “Valen, Suria and I have been doing a bit of work together. I think she would benefit from exercising her magic with you.”
She folds her arms. “Why would I need to work with him ?”
“Suria, did someone piss in your breakfast this morning?” They stare at me—which is fair. This is a small break in the monotony, and I’ll be damned if they make me feel guilty about it.
Tania nudges Suria forward. The girl goes but glances over her shoulder, giving her a look of pure venom.
“I hope you’ve been working on her personality, too.”
The girl’s glare wavers—just for a moment. “You’re a pompous ass.”
“That’s the nicest thing anyone’s said to me today.” I jab a finger at her. “How did you get to be so charming?”
“Goddess, don’t I have enough to deal with babysitting you ? A mini Valen is the last thing I need right now.”
“She’s very strong.” Zana looks to Tania and says, “The girl needs to be protected, obviously. And trained.”
“Agreed,” she says. She bends down and smiles at her. “You have nothing to worry about here. You’re safe.”
Suria glares at her. “I was safe where I was.”
“You were living alone in Rotting Ledge,” I say. “Eating Gods know what and wearing a ripped flour sack.”
“Because what you’re wearing is any better?”
“I— You— Wow.”
“Speechless? Really? I wish we’d found her sooner…”
Hey…
Suria glances around the room, giving it a once-over. The long table and accompanying chairs have all been pushed to the outer edge, leaving a large middle section free for us to work.
“I’m supposed to believe you brought me here to fight your battles—but you want to keep me safe?”
Zana balks. “How did you—”
“I’ve been here more than an hour . You don’t think everyone around this place is talking? The Druid Queen is days away from wiping you all out. None of you are fit to protect me.” She looks around the room, gaze lingering on Tania. “Except maybe her.”
“Okay, yeah. She’s really great.”
Suria sighs. She bends down to unlace her new boots, pulls them off, then straightens and squares her shoulders. “I suppose you all want to see what I can do?”
Zana smiles. “We’ve seen what you can do, dear. We’re here to work on your control.”
Her gaze lands on me, and the right corner of her lip curls upward. “You haven’t seen what I can do. Like how I can kick his royal ass.”
“Overconfidence is a dangerous thing,” I tell her. “Careful…”
“Or what?” she challenges. Her grin widens, and she drops her arms to her sides, shaking out her hands with a flourish.
“Or, um… I’ll send you to bed without dinner.”
“Very smooth.”
Suria spreads her feet and cracks her knuckles. “This is going to be fun.”
I wave a hand in front of my face, scrunching up my nose. “Must you do it without footwear?”
Suria smiles. It’s not a friendly grin—it’s one of challenge. Of chaos. She holds her hands up for a moment, wiggling her fingers before bringing them both back and down with a flourish. The floor beneath her feet crackles and turns to ice.
Zana gasps and moves to the outside edge of the room. Tania follows, though she’s less surprised.
“Be careful, Valen.”
I’m not going to hurt her.
“I’m not worried about you hurting her.”
You’re supposed to be on my side.
“Sorry, I’m going with the winning side this time.”
Hey!
“Well?” Suria says. Her lip quirks, and she tilts her head to the left, a chunk of white-blond hair falling across her eyes. “Are you going to stand there and stare at me all day?”
I snap my fingers. A massive squall forms over Suria’s head, and the snow swirls so thick that I lose sight of Zana and Tania.
Time to teach this kid a lesson.