Chapter 24 #2
My chest tightened the instant I came face-to-face with Farah. Shit. I made an effort not to stiffen before her. But how could I not?
“You!” she barked. “How could you keep such a thing from me?” Her tone and facial features were mismatched. Mine tensed.
“I—I don’t…Lord Hailin said—”
“Oh, I know what Lord Hailin said. I just can’t believe you told him, yet kept it a secret from us. All these years. And I was the one who interviewed you.”
“Secret? I—what secret?” And I thanked the gods that it came out as a what and not a which.
“Oh, don’t play innocent with me, young lady. A commoner, speaking the Earthen tongue. Do you have any idea how rare that is?” Then, with quirking lips, she whispered, “If I had your skill, I would eavesdrop on so many conversations hushed by the royals.” Her elbow nudged mine.
“Oh, I—yes. Sorry, I don’t know why I never mentioned it.”
“Well, I’m glad you mentioned it to Lord Hailin.
You should have seen Mounir’s face. He tried so hard.
He told the prince that he could arrange for a teacher.
” A short laugh burst out of her. “He even raised the possibility of bringing a Sand Priestess to the castle. But lucky you, Lord Hailin was persistent. You can finally catch a break, at least until the prince leaves.” My blinking face nodded at whatever she was saying.
“Well, go on now. Those translations won’t do themselves.
” I nodded some more. “Have a pleasant afternoon.”
What the fuck was she saying? “You too,” I replied.
I swiftly entered my room and crammed all of my belongings into my bag.
Well, not all. I left the black vial hidden beneath the tile.
Then I rushed back to Aegir’s room with brisk steps and a thundering heart.
I deflated at the sight of his door, still ajar.
My chest calmed once I settled back in his room.
I made my way to the bathing room and secretly placed my belongings—including the red dress—in the bottom drawer of the dresser. Then I plopped myself on his bed, sewing kit in hand.
I was placing his fixed and folded clothes back in his wardrobe when Aegir and Eldric came in.
“I see you’ve kept yourself busy,” Aegir said, casually choosing an outfit from the folded clothes I was holding.
“And I see you’re making sure to keep me as such,” I replied, looking at his ripped shirt.
The white fabric was stained in dark maroon, but the golden skin beneath it was uncut.
And recalling him telling me he had things to get to…
I should have known he meant fun times with the boys.
Or perhaps he and his men couldn’t afford to miss training.
Aegir’s lips curved up. “Maybe I am,” he murmured.
“How did you know I speak Earthen?”
“You said you attended the teachings every day, did you not?”
“And I’m to translate for you?”
“You’re to pretend.” His tongue clicked before he made his way to the bathing chamber.
I was staring at the space where Aegir had been standing when Eldric’s deep voice broke the silence. “I’m going to my room to take a quick bath. Go fetch us dinner, will you? I’m starving.”
Eldric grinned at the piled trolley and sat down—utensils in hand—waiting for the biggest plate.
Opposite to how he had acted that same morning, Eldric was rather silent during dinner.
He seemed lost in thought, almost. It left Aegir and me making most of the conversation, and I admit that my face flushed and my eyes gleamed as I told him all about the Graind Races.
As I was clearing the dining table, Eldric moved close, and I wondered if he’d seen me slip the bread roll I put aside for Nadya in my dress pocket.
But Eldric only said, “I’m afraid there’s been a slight change in plans.
Tomorrow’s training is cancelled, but Lady Wildheart, from the day after, I’m going to make sure you won’t ever miss me.
Your limbs will ache with just the mention of my name. ”
I lifted my eyes at him and gave him a firm nod, ignoring Aegir’s low chuckle.
And let me assure you, he did keep his promise.
It felt as if he kept it close to his heart—always making sure that I was close to fainting before handing me over to Aegir. And not once did he ever use his powers to cool me down.
I soon learned that I preferred the second part of my training.
The thought of it alone made me give it my all during Eldric’s session, just so that I would start the next one sooner.
And it wasn’t because I was excited to feel Aegir’s powers—cooling my skin, caressing my face—nor because it came with Aegir being close to me at very different and interesting positions, some of them from the back.
But it was really because it gave me the sense of control, like I was capable of stopping someone from attacking me.
He always emphasised how I should put myself in a position where I could escape, and to do it as fast as possible.
He showed me where to strike—the throat, the eyes, the kidneys, and for men, right between their legs.
To strike where it hurts regardless of that person’s size, and more importantly, to strike correctly.
He spoke about planting feet, shifting energies, focusing both the mind and the body.
That night—the night after our very first training session—before crawling to bed, I took a small detour.
I snuck into the sewing room and grabbed two pairs of trousers and two tunics, the smallest I could find.
They appeared to fall within the category of training clothes, yet seemed ordinary. Easily forgotten.