Chapter Forty-Eight
The Caged
I open my eyes to bright light, sunshine filtering through the windows at an angle too high to make it morning.
I sit up abruptly, hair falling over my shoulders.
Breakfast lay on the table untouched, and the chair Nithe was in is empty.
I swivel my head towards the sitting area, where the settee sits empty.
I sigh and fight the yawn hitting my throat.
A soft snore behind me causes me to jump and I scramble out of bed.
Nithe lay on the other side, his clothing fresh as if he already bathed and changed.
His deep hair is slightly damp and wavy, tucked behind his ears.
The scar running through his eye is nearly the same color as his skin, but still visible.
My chest pounds and my hand settles against my throat as I try to take a deep breath.
My free hand falls to my stomach, and I nearly cry with what I feel.
I rush to the bathroom and lift up my cotton tunic to see the tiniest of swells in my lower stomach. It’s so small that I wouldn’t know it was there if I was eating properly. But I can see it.
A choked sob escapes my lips and tears pour down my cheeks. I let them consume me for only a moment. I let the ragged breathing and the tremors take control, but after a few seconds, I take a long, deep breath. I force the lump in my throat to dissipate and the tears to dry up.
I can’t keep feeling sorry for myself.
I quickly turn to the dressing room and change.
I slide on a pair of leather leggings and a camisole, slipping the leather corset overtop.
I mentioned to Emery that I wanted some, and she made sure it happened.
They are all black, making me feel like I look as powerful as her, even though I know my nonexistent muscles give my weakness away.
I pull my hair back into a plait, letting it fall down my spine as I slip on my boots. Within seconds, I am out the door and headed to the training room.
Enzo and Erik are sparring, swords out and sweat gleaming. Laenie and Scarlett are lounging on a recently added settee, glasses of something bubbly in their hands. They are both wearing loose dresses that barely brush their knees, probably to stave off the heat.
“Elaenor!” Laenie says with a smile, gesturing for me to join them. I smile back but continue my walk up to the raised platform.
“Good afternoon , little sister.” Enzo teases and I roll my eyes.
“We have no idea who was born first.” I sneer as I plant my hands on the platform to hoist myself up.
Two warm hands grab my arms, lifting me onto the mat.
I brush off their arms and scowl. “I can get up here myself.” Their eyes snag on my arms, as if they can see the slight shimmer.
They glance at each other once, but don’t say anything about it.
“Where’s Ni?” Erik asks, sweat gleaming on his upper lip as he breathes heavily.
“He was asleep when I left.”
“Rough night?” Scarlett shouts from where she is stretching out, kicking Laenie in the stomach.
“I was ill, and it kept him up.” Enzo raises an eyebrow. “I must have eaten something.” I shrug and take a few steps towards their rack of blades. “Can I join?”
“You think you can take us?” Enzo laughs, sheathing his sword on his hip.
“Probably not.” I admit, snatching a long, slender blade I have become comfortable with.
“No blades, just evasion right now.” I nod and reluctantly set the blade down.
“Emery has been teaching you as well, right?” I nod again. “Well, just follow our lead.” Erik says with hesitance in his voice.
“I’m not the same girl I was in Chatis.” I snap, noting the glances to Enzo he keeps sneaking. “I need to do this. I need to be able to do this.” Enzo nods and gestures for me to move.
I start walking in a semi-circle in front of them.
I keep my eyes on their feet, anticipating their movements.
Erik lunges forward and I spin out of the way, his fingers grazing my corset and slipping off.
I quickly turn around, keeping them in front of me.
Enzo is smirking, his hands out and ready.
He lunges for my left, and I side-step straight into Erik’s arms.
One of his arms goes around my neck, the other reaching for my stomach.
I jam my elbow into his ribs, causing him to double over.
His arm loosens a fraction around my neck.
I use it to my advantage and throw my legs out from under me, landing on my knees.
He pitches forward and releases me in time to catch himself.
I hear cheering from Laenie and Scar and I let a smile cross my lips. I motion for him to rise, and he sends me a wild look, something like excitement crossing his eyes.
He climbs to his feet and starts to circle.
I keep myself in between them, turning every half second to make sure I have eyes on both of them.
Erik lunges and I duck out of the way, his arm connects with Enzo’s as they both go for me at the same time.
I spin around as I stand, but Enzo’s foot comes out of nowhere, catching me in the back of the knee.
I land to the floor with a thud and try to stand again.
Enzo’s arm goes around me before he throws himself onto his back.
One of his legs wraps around mine, pinning me to him.
His tightens around me, with the other one of them holding the back of my head.
Erik lunges towards us, a blade in his hand.
He slams it down inches from my face. I yelp as it stabs into the mat.
“What did you do wrong?” He demands.
“I—I wasn’t watching your feet.” He nods.
“You have to anticipate their next move, always.”
“There are two of you.” I counter.
“There could be five men up against you at any point, Elaenor.” Enzo says from under me, his leg sliding off of me. I take Erik’s outstretched hand and stand.
“You two are so worried about hurting her, that you aren’t training her properly.” A deep male voice pipes up from the side and the three of us all turn to look at Nithe.
“Fine. You do it then.” Enzo snaps as he steps aside. Nithe snorts as he jumps onto the platform, shrugging off his leather jacket. Enzo and Erik walk to the edge of the mat as Nithe gestures for me to move.
I look over at Scar and Laenie, their faces stuck between nervousness and amusement.
I step further onto the mat and raise my arms. Nithe smiles and sticks his hands in his pockets.
I glare at him and run forward, throwing my arm towards his face.
He slaps my hand away and spins around, shoving his elbow up and into my face.
My nose instantly burns and my eyes water. I fall to the ground, my hand coming up to touch my nose. It comes away bloody, and I look up at Nithe, anger fueling my glare.
“Hey! Too rough!” Erik snaps, running over. I hold my hand up, gesturing for him to stay back.
“It’s not my fault you ran into my elbow.
” Nithe laughs, tucking his hands back into his pockets.
Gone again is the man who pledged his life to me.
He promised to make sure no harm came to me, and the man who uses humor as a front returns.
I find myself questioning which version of him is the true Nithe?
I rise, wiping my bloody hand off on my leggings.
“More?” He sneers as he takes a few steps to his left. I don’t give him a chance. I run for his left and he moves to his right, but I sidestep, sending my fist flying through the air and hitting him in the cheek. My knuckles pop and instant pain radiates to my elbow, but I don’t stop.
His eyes darken as he spins around, reaching for my arm.
He grabs my wrist and yanks me over to him.
I kick out, hitting his knee as he moves to avoid a foot to the crotch.
He stumbles a little before kicking out and sweeping my legs out from under me.
I fall back just as his hand tangles itself in my braid and he flips me before bringing me to the ground.
I slam my eyes shut, expecting the mat to collide with my face, but it doesn’t.
I open my eyes to the mat inches from my nose as I dangle above it. Nithe still has a hold of my hair, my hands wrapped around his wrist. I bend my knee, letting it rest on the mat to loosen the strain on my scalp. He releases me with a shove and my hands catch me before I hit the mat.
“You give your moves away. You don’t have any way to surprise someone.” He stalks around me slowly. Blood drips from my nose onto the mat. “You are weak, and you won’t survive out there.”
“Ni,” Enzo warns.
“No, she needs to hear this. You think you are all high and mighty. You think nothing can touch you.” He continues.
“I know fear.” I whisper. He knows what I am afraid of. He knows. So why is he saying this?
“What?”
“I know fear!” I yell, rising to my knees.
“Then use it!” He yells even louder. I scream, throwing myself to my feet and rushing towards him. His eyes widen as my peripherals turn white. My hand slams into his chest, sending him flying off the platform. He lands hard on his back, a strained gasp escaping his lips.
My eyes widen and my hands cover my mouth as I stare at his still body.
“Oh my gods.” I whisper. Nobody moves, and at once, Enzo and Erik turn towards me. Nithe coughs and the panic slowly subsides.
“You good, brother?” Enzo says. Nithe lifts a hand, giving us a vulgar gesture. Tension dissipates as we all collectively take a deep breath.
He coughs as he stands, his shirt singed where my hand hit him.
“I’m sorry.” I say softly.
“Don’t be.” He brushes his hands off on his pants before stretching his neck and standing.
“No matter how much you train, you will not be strong enough to fight. We can do everything we can to make you as strong as possible, but your strength lies in your aether. Use it. Don’t be afraid of it.
Use the fear, the anger, the resentment to your advantage.
It will make you stronger. It will keep you alive .
” He reaches the platform and holds his hands out.
I walk to the edge, and he grasps my hips before lifting me and setting me on the ground. My hands rest on his shoulders as I look up at him.
“Are you hurt?” I ask. He shakes his head, lifting one of his hands to wipe my nose.
“You need to channel your anger, little witch. You have a lot of it, and out there, in the real world, you won’t have do overs. You have to use everything you have at your disposal.”
I should feel anger at my throbbing nose. I should feel irritated and weak, but I don’t.
I feel powerful.
He made me feel powerful .