The Silvia Saga: Boxset

Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

Dara

I make my way down to the training room, mentally preparing myself for what’s ahead. I know I’ve been slacking off on my training but now I really need to focus since Blair’s now awake. I feel as though I can focus without worrying so much.

Jolie and I have been practising a little with the new magic emerald gave me, but now it is time to do it properly—with a clear head now as I know Blair is on the mend.

As I enter the training room, I stop in my tracks. Harlan’s very shirtless and very sweaty.

Holy mother of all things good. Thank you for blessing me with this beautiful specimen.

After admiring his abs for way too long, I move up to his face and see the scowl on it.

“Stop looking and start training, Princess. You won’t do us any good by just standing there and eye-fucking me,” he growls.

Hiding my smirk, I roll my eyes and head past him toward the magic chamber to go in search of Jolie.

He steps in front of me, blocking my way.

I put my hands on my hips. “What do you want?”

He glares at me and says, “Warm up. Spar with me. Now.”

Ignoring his order, I head in the opposite direction towards the dome where the magic happens. I see Jolie inside, a green ball of magic hovering over her head.

“Dammit, Dara. When will you stop being so stubborn and follow my orders?” Harlan yells from across the room.

“When you stop being such a prick and ask me nicely. How about that?” I snap in reply, not bothering to look back at him.

I’m suddenly being spun around. A hard, hot hand grips me on the arm. Harlan’s enraged face fills my vision as he slams me against the wall. Pain radiates through me. God, that hurt.

“You will be the death of me, woman,” he barks.

His mouth is on mine in the next breath, hungrily biting and sucking my lips. I give it back to him with just as much force. We’re throwing all of our anger towards each other into this kiss, both fighting for dominance. Grabbing the back of his head, I pull it to the side and bite down on his exposed neck hard enough to taste blood. My pussy floods with heat, aching to be touched.

With a deep breath, I shove him away, straightening my clothes impatiently. “Fine. Let’s go.” I head off towards the red mat.

Oliver is pumping weights, and I catch him smirking at our antics. Of course, he would enjoy our little show. He lives for action.

It’s good to see my warriors slowly coming back to their old selves.

Harlan and I spend the next few hours sparring. He brings me down more than once, but I don’t let it get to me. We let out all of our anger towards each other. A bit had released in our kiss but there’s more there begging to be released.

“Enough!” Jolie yells from the side of the mat. “I need Dara already.”

Ignoring her, we continue sparring. That is until we hear a loud clap. Looking over towards Jolie, I see her purple magic aimed and coming right for us. I don’t get a second to think as we are lifted up and thrown back a hundred metres. I land on my arse with a groan, pain splitting up my legs. Fucking hell. After I shake myself off, I get right back up.

“What the fuck, Jolie?” I growl at her.

She throws up her hands. “Well, I had to get your attention somehow.”

The little shithead. I shake my head at her, trying to hide my smile. “Fine, you have my attention now. Let’s go.”

Walking past Harlan, I smack him on the arse, and whisper, “To be continued, hotshot.”

Winking, I walk away, following Jolie into the dome room.

“God, you two are just as bad as each other.” Jolie closes the door behind us and moves toward the altar where all of her herbs, crystals, and magical enhancers are.

“If only there was a way to get you to stop teasing each other.”

I snort. “You think sex would help let out our tension? We’ll most likely fuck then still be the same. We’re both too stubborn—you know that.”

Jolie scrunches up her face. “Eww, Dara, I don’t want to know what you and my brothers get up to behind closed doors. I hate to admit this, but sex always releases the tension.”

“Ooh, interesting. What do you think?—”

“Enough talk about this. I don’t want to picture what my brothers do in bed.” Jolie shivers, screwing up her nose. “But if you’re worried about what I think, don’t be. I’m cool with it—with you and my brothers dating.” She grins. “I know everything, Princess. You can’t get anything past me.” A wave of relief washes over me.

She gathers up some crystals and herbs and comes back to me.

“I think we should practise outside. You need to get used to being amongst nature. That’s your safe zone and the best place to bring forth your inner Zen. You’ll need it for what I have planned for today.”

We make our way out of the dome toward the stairs, Harlan steps in our path. “Where are you taking her?” he asks, eyeing Jolie.

“Just heading outside to practise,” Jolie explains, trying to push past him.

He cuts her off, crossing his arms over his chest. “No, you’re not. It’s too dangerous out there.”

We ignore him and take the stairs two at a time. We are both strong enough to take care of ourselves and fight off anyone else if it comes down to it. Does Harlan think that we are not capable of taking care of ourselves? That we couldn’t fight off any trouble if and when we came across it? I shake my head and continue up the stairs. I am most likely overthinking what he just said and jumping to conclusions. But I can’t help it.

I follow Jolie through our village. When I feel someone behind us, I turn to find Declan following.

What are you doing? I direct the thought at him.

Following Harlan’s orders—something you should learn how to do. Someone needs to keep you out of trouble.

I shake my head, irrationally angry even though I know it’s the smart thing to do. I don’t need a fucking babysitter. We’re capable of taking care of ourselves.

I don’t doubt that, Princess. I’m just following orders.

Okay, fine, but stay out of my way. I reply.

Jolie stops in a clearing ringed by large Silvia trees. We couldn’t be more than a kilometre or two outside of the village.

Closing my eyes, I spin around, breathing in the fresh air.

Thanks, Jolie, for bringing me out here to practise; it’s just what I needed. Opening my eyes, I catch her smiling while nodding her head.

Now I know that Blair is okay, I am able to focus again on the task at hand. I need to find the next stone. Our future depends on it.

Jolie sets out her crystals around the perimeter of trees. Once done, she comes back to join me in the centre of the clearing. Looking up, I find Declan leaning against one of the trees, continuously looking around, on alert for intruders. He is the perfect protector—always analysing everything around him. He folds his arms over his chest causing his muscles to flex. God damn, he’s hot.

Jolie grabs hold of my hands, bringing me out of my thoughts. “All right, Dara, I want you to bring your father's message forth—the one that popped into your head when you came into contact with emerald. Focus on the words; keep repeating them to yourself.”

I close my eyes, going over my father’s words. “He told me that emerald will bring me more than I’ll realise—it’ll bring me the power to heal and insight that will contribute to me becoming the best I can be. To embrace it and believe the insight that comes from within.”

“Yes, that’s right. Now focus on his words. Look for the magic within you and bring it forth,” Jolie orders, taking hold of my hands.

I follow her lead, bringing forth my magic. I don’t have to try as hard these days; it’s always there within easy reach. She lets go of my hands and I feel her retreat. I open my eyes to see her returning with something in her fingers. I cover my mouth, hiding the gasp that threatens to come out.

“What the fuck, Jolie? Are you an animal killer?” I ask, looking at the still rabbit in her hands. Its neck is broken, bent out of place. Looking at it breaks my heart. Animals are a part of the forest. Therefore, I love them dearly.

“Chill, Dara. First, I didn’t kill it, but you’re going to heal this poor little guy.”

I stand there with my mouth hanging open. Jolie wants me to heal it, as in, bring it back to life?

Say what?