35. Chapter Thirty-Three #5
I let out a low growl and attempted to get free, which of course, didn’t work in my favor.
His arms tightened around me, refusing to let me go.
I could feel his breath, hot against my neck as his mouth hovered over my pulse point.
“No,” he chuckled, “it has more to do with the way your pulse is running wild at my proximity. Could it be that my sweet, innocent Little Seer is deprived of something she shouldn’t want? ”
That was my tipping point. I’d had enough. And I also had a plan.
I let my body relax slightly into his hold, which caused him to pause. He clearly didn’t expect his taunting words to soften me. He was vulnerable here. His words from earlier rang in my ears. You don’t need strength to collapse a stance.
I smirked. He was about to regret teaching me that little lesson.
I felt him start to relax with me in his hold, no doubt about to open that wicked mouth of his again.
Right when I felt him take a breath to speak, I rammed my elbow into the right side of his ribs.
The same spot I’d noticed Caedmon continuously abusing in their sparring match earlier. Even gods could get worn out, right?
I was about to find out.
His grip on me loosened just a fraction, enough for me to wind my leg around the back of his knee and drive my heel into the soft flesh there.
With strength I didn’t realize I had, I spun around using every bit of force I could to shove him down. And then we were in freefall. I landed on top of his chest and barred my forearm across his throat.
His eyes flashed in surprise as I laid on top of him, panting. A slow smile formed on my lips as I took in my victory.
I leaned in so our lips were a breath apart. “Expect the unexpected. Always.” I whispered his words back to him mockingly.
He hooked a strong leg around mine and spun us so that I was now the one flat on my back, his hand closed around my throat. A thoughtful expression overtook his flawless face. “There she is, I never thought I’d…”
He stopped mid-sentence. I took in a sharp breath. The moment suddenly too heavy for both of us.
Before I could respond, we were back on our feet. His teasing attitude was gone, as if that moment never happened. “That was good, I’ll give you that. But as with most things you do, it could have been executed better.”
Wow. I let out an undignified snort. He really did know how to ruin a moment.
He moved back into a guard stance. “Now, again.”
I never thought I’d…what did that mean? The look on his face was so foreign in that moment I wasn’t sure I’d actually seen it, or if my eyes were simply playing tricks on me.
I had little time to ponder it further before he was coming at me once more.
I was a sweaty mess by the time Tairngire decided we were finished. He’d just stepped away to grab a waterskin and was walking back with it.
He sat down on the mat and handed it to me. I grabbed the water from him with greedy hands and gulped it down with zero finesse. After all, I was mortal, and thirsty.
When I finished, he continued his little staring session. Possibly waiting for me to give him attitude, show him my fire, no doubt.
I didn’t have it in me to deny him today.
“What is all of this for?” I blurted. It had been heavy on my mind.
I understood that there was a threat to the realms, and I’d never lived during wartimes.
“There's no way that the temple is condoning any of this. My place is at the rites, in the library, in prayer dedicated to the Godhead. Not…here, training with a blade in Cindraloch. No Seer has ever stepped outside of the Seventh Realm. I’ve always assumed that they used me for the Sight. If there was a threat to the realms, they would want to keep me under watch to gain any intel they could. So…why give me to the most defiant god in the history of the universe?”
He continued to stare at me, his gaze hard and unblinking. “Your place is here. Trust me. Your temple will not argue the word of a Tuatha born god, Little Seer.”
I rolled my eyes, expecting nothing less than some self-important half-answer. “Arrogant, and vague. Why am I not surprised?”
Tairngire drew his knees to his chest and rested his elbows over them. He continued to stare at me, completely ignoring my insolence.
“Stop. Staring. Are you aware that it's considered rude to do so? I asked you a question, and I expect you to answer it.”
The left side of his mouth curved upwards.
“Oh, Little Seer. You should know better by now. I don’t give a shit about what mortals consider rude,” he chuckled, deep and dark, sending sparks down my spine.
“That is not a word meant for gods. Besides, I rather enjoy riling you up by choosing not to answer your constant tirade of questions.”
I crossed my arms and glared back at him. “Do you think me unworthy of truths like Brannach does? Like the very Godhead that chained you?”
We sat in a silent stare off for what seemed like an eternity. His emerald depths were endless, a swirling forest storm ready to break at any second.
He finally tore his eyes away from mine and exhaled deeply. “Neit has been preparing an army on the eastern borders of Cindraloch.”
My eyebrows rose at the mention of the vile war god. “Do you think he intends to side with the King of Ash…and whatever he has planned?”
Tairngire nodded once. “His forces are great, his followers…many. I plan to keep an eye on him, decipher his motives. You’re here because I want you to be able to protect yourself for what’s to come. And if I can’t be around to do it, I want you in the hands of people that I trust.”
My eyes softened for a moment…until I realized that Tairngire was sent to protect the sacred Seer.
My visions were useful to Caerthannas, no wonder they wanted me to finally be able to defend myself.
He couldn’t care less about me, only what I could offer to the realms. He seemed to pick up on my discomfort, leaning in closer.
“Once again, Little Seer, I don’t give a damn about your visions.
I see fire in your eyes every time I look upon your face.
I feel it burning inside of you, looking for release.
I know what you’re capable of if you quit attempting to chain your demons, and instead let them loose in the right direction. The question is…do you?”
I met his gaze, shocked. He had just spoken to my deepest insecurities. Was that a result of the bond? Or could he really just read me that well? I opened my mouth to ask but he was already standing with his hand out.
“Come. Your training for the day isn’t finished. Mairenn will train you with the weights, I need to discuss some things with Scáthae.”
I scowled at his hand, and when he realized I wasn’t going to take it, he let out a dramatic sigh and muttered something that sounded a lot like such a brat.
He really had no idea.
He made his way toward where Mairenn was standing at the corner of the gym in deep discussion with Scáthae. The Goddess of War was probably filling her daughter in on everything going on in this gods-damned realm without hesitation, while Tairngire continued to keep answers from me.
Once he reached them, he said something to Mairenn and she glanced my way with a nod.
She started making her way toward me. I continued to watch Tairngire as he entered a private discussion with Scáthae, her attention was all his. She took in every word the fell from his lips. I narrowed my eyes, once again wondering just how deep their connection went.
“Okay, Aurenya.” Mairenn was in front of me now, a sly look on her face. “Have you ever done push-ups before?”