Ivy #2
He presses his thumb against my mouth. “Please, let me get this out.” He drags a hand down his face.
“You deserve the apology of legends, something greater than I’ll ever be able to provide, but you better believe that I will try again, and again, and again.
Not just with words, but actions. You owe me nothing; not friendship, not affection, and definitely not forgiveness.
I was wrong. I’m still wrong. I thought I was doing it for your own good.
” He scoffs, shaking his head as if the words sound dumb to him now.
“There’s no justifying this shit, me, or anything that goes through my head.
Giving you what you need means giving you a piece of me I haven’t found yet.
I shouldn’t even ask for patience, I don’t deserve it, but fuck knows I won’t get this right the first time. ”
His lips brush against my forehead, overwhelming me with an intimacy that threatens to floor me.
A knock comes from the door, cutting through the tension, but it does nothing to calm my racing heart.
“My replacement has arrived.”
“And if I don’t want a replacement? If I want to be alone?”
He snickers. “Good luck with that.” He takes a step back, staring at me for a moment before he exhales. “Before I leave, are you ready to call Francesca in?”
“No.”
His jaw ticks as his eyes narrow. “Why?”
I can barely think after his speech, but I manage a shrug. “That’s what she wants.”
Another knock sounds at the door and his gaze dips as he huffs, striding toward the intrusion. Swinging it open, he reveals Baron filling the entrance. They communicate without words, glaring at one another for a moment before the new arrival clears his throat.
“We need to work on building up your strength. Are you in?” he grunts, catching me off guard, but I take the distraction without missing a beat.
“Yes.”
Sweat trickles down my spine as beads form at my temples.
I can't imagine what I look like; a hot sweaty mess, I’m sure, but it feels invigorating.
My muscles ache, but I can't bring myself to call time.
We've barely spoken a word to each other. I've managed to keep my mouth shut and listen to his instructions. I hadn't anticipated him showing up at my door with such an offer, and I couldn't refuse.
It's not fencing, but the way it offers my body a release is undeniable.
After last night with Archer, I didn't expect to be able to manage one-on-one time with another one of my hated mates, and I think I'm only accomplishing it now because of Alaric's watchful gaze.
My eyes shift to the dragon in question, a soft smile curling the corner of my lips, the best distraction as Baron's shoulder connects with my stomach, knocking me to the ground.
“Be careful with her,” Alaric snarls as I lie helpless, winded and blinking up at the sky.
“The whole point of combat training, Alaric, is to prepare for the unexpected,” Baron mutters, quickly standing as he brushes his hands down his thighs. “And that was unexpected if you ask me.” The dragon rider cocks a brow at me as he plants his hands on his hips, and I roll my eyes.
“I was distracted,” I grumble, scrambling to my feet.
Despite the ache in my stomach, I can’t deny the silent appreciation that he speaks to Alaric out loud. It's clear that he doesn't need to, but he does it anyway, and it can only be for my benefit.
I like how sweet that is, but hate it all at the same time.
He’s not supposed to be nice or considerate. It messes with my brain.
“Are you okay?” Alaric asks, his face dipping as he stares at me intently.
“I’m okay,” I insist as Baron huffs at his dragon.
“She's not made of glass, you know,” he states, and Alaric huffs back at him.
“I don't care what she's made of. She's precious. You should treat her as such.”
My cheeks heat as Baron clears his throat, glancing over his shoulder at me, and I look anywhere but at him, appreciating the clifftop views around us instead.
I plant my hands on my hips, taking a moment to look off at the water in the distance, the line on the horizon calming my breathing as it becomes less labored.
I sense Alaric drawing closer before I see him, feeling the whoosh of air from his nose over my left shoulder as I turn to face him.
“I’m aware you're not made of glass,” he insists, and I nod.
“I know,” I confirm, returning my attention to the view, and I have to press my lips together in a thin line to hold back my smile.
Before I came here, everybody thought I was made of glass, held up on a pedestal I had no control over, and now he's apologizing for any concerns that I might think he thinks the same.
A dragon, of all things.
Obviously, I’ve been keeping the wrong company for long enough.
“I think we're done for the day,” Baron states, drawing my attention to find him fastening his hair tie, and I pout at the fact that I missed his long locks falling over his shoulders. Even if only for a brief moment.
I have no idea how much time has passed, but he's right. The way my muscles ache now, I'm done. But there's a lingering thought in my mind that I want to raise before we part ways.
Gnawing at my bottom lip, I push past the invisible barrier weighing on my tongue, and speak. “Can I ask you a question?”
He cocks a brow at me. “Is it going to irritate me?” he retorts, and I scoff, surprised by his question.
I should have just gone straight in with the question.
“Honestly, I don't know,” I admit, my nose crinkling as his lips set in a thin line before he nods.
Clearing my throat, I part my lips before I change my mind.
“The meetings that you were talking about me joining when I am ready,” I start, and his eyebrows pinch, no glee forming on his face, but he doesn't look angry either.
“What are they for?” I finish, avoiding his stare as I return my attention to the water, and he mirrors my stance, staring off in the distance.
“It's about the academy, the kingdom as a whole, protecting it, the power, the threats, and everything that comes with keeping the kingdom safe.”
“Why would they want me at a meeting like that?” I mutter, confused as hell, and I swear I see the edge of a grin on his lips, but it's gone before I can determine if it was real or not.
“You're powerful, Ivy. More powerful than I think any of us really understand. Especially you.”
The truth in his words steals my breath again.
“That doesn't make any sense,” I admit, and he hums.
“I’m sure once you connect more with your magic, you'll realize the powers that you have, the ones that you can see for yourself that aren't just about you resurrecting. Which is already another level of magic in comparison to anyone else, especially here.”
From anyone else, I would guess it was a compliment, but from him, it’s not that, but it warms my soul. I can’t linger on it, though.
“So, when I agree to those meetings, I’m agreeing to fight for the academy and navigate kingdom politics?” I clarify and he hums in agreement again.
“Pretty much.”
There are a million more questions I could ask on the matter, but I don't think I'm ready for the answers quite yet. So instead, I plant my hand on his arm as I speak.
“Thank you.”
He nods, not turning to look at me, and I take that as my signal to leave, but before I can drop my hand away, his fingers wrap around my wrist, halting me in place as Alaric huffs from beside me.
It's a silent warning, and it's highly amusing that it's me against Baron, the one he’s actually connected to.
Baron doesn’t pay him any mind as his eyes drill into mine, storming through emotions I can't quite place.
“Have you forgiven him?” he grunts, and my eyebrows pinch.
“Who?” I ask, and he clears his throat, running his tongue over his teeth before he continues.
“Archer.”
I rear back an inch. “No.”
His shoulders seem to relax a little, bringing me to the realization that they were tense to begin with, and he releases my hand, turning his full attention my way. With his arms folded over his chest, he assesses me.
“You seem different,” he states, tilting his head. “More determined. What's changed?”
I shrug, wrapping my arms around my middle defensively as I answer the best I can. “Your mother helped me list out my priorities,” I offer, and he grimaces.
“Fuck.”
I can't help but grin.
“Not those damn priority lists again,” he says, looking at me with a raised eyebrow, and I nod. “I’m sorry you've been subjected to that,” he mumbles, and I shake my head.
“I think your mother is my favorite person in the entire world right now. Your sisters are not far behind,” I declare, and he balks.
“We cannot possibly be talking about the same people,” he insists, and I grin.
“She has a way of bringing out the best in a person, even though you might not want or need her to, or even understand enough to see the end result. She just…”
“She's magic,” he finishes, and I nod. His eyes gleam with something different now, and it makes me smile even more. “So, do I get to see the list you created together?”
I scoff, putting some much needed distance between us. “Definitely not.”