Chapter 34 You Fight Well
Verena
A fter a long and arduous day of war preparations, Eryx, Esmeray, and I gather in the outside training courtyard as the sun dips low on the horizon, casting a warm golden glow around us. The air was full of the scent of sweat and leather as we gear up for the sparring session to unwind. My eyes sparkle with determination as I face off against Eryx, my new husband, something I’d never tire of saying.
Once we were ready to go, we circle each other like wolves, our movements fluid and graceful. He seems almost surprised I can keep the same pace as he, but Esmeray trained me right.
He grins, the dark brown eyes never leaving mine as we exchange playful taunts. “You’ve been getting better.” He starts.
“I can’t wait to show you the moves I’ve learned,” I flash him flirty eyes. It had only been a couple of days after our wedding and the townspeople have been loving the celebrations. It truly was an event of the century. The love and support from everyone was surprising to me and I almost didn’t want to believe it.
“Look alive.” The clashing of steel rang through the air as he comes at me with the staff he uses.
“Oh, so authoritative.” I say to him, breathy as I watch him remove his tunic, my gaze traveling along the tattoos and markings painting his body .
“Do not flirt with me, Seren Fach.” His tone held warning as he smacks my stick with his and we suddenly spar with a passion that only fuels our connection. I move with the precision of a seasoned warrior, thanks to Esmeray. My every strike calculated and deadly. Eryx matches me, though, move for move, his eyes alight with admiration for his fierce and beautiful wife.
“Oh, tell me you’re not just a little impressed.” I press, knowing that he is, based on the gleam in his eyes.
As we spar across the grass in the courtyard, our movements became a dance of power and skill, each strike landing with precision but never intending harm. The rhythm of our combat echoes off the open air around us, a melody of strength and unity. Esmeray watches from the sidelines, her expressions a mix of pride and amusement as she saw the bond between Eryx and I grows stronger with each passing moment.
Suddenly, Eryx swept my legs out from under me, sending me tumbling to the ground with a laugh. I land with a thud, the breath knocks out of me for a moment as I gaze up at him, his face hovering above mine with a playful smirk.
“You fight well, my love,” he said, offering me his hand to help me up.
I take it, feeling the warmth of his touch as he pulls me to my feet. “And you were going easy on me, my dear husband,” I reply, brushing off my training attire and meeting his gaze with a smile.
“Not by much.” He answers, taking the sparring stick from me and handing them to the weapon handler present.
My words die in my throat as Hadeon barges in, his voice booming with accusation. “You let Dryston live and didn’t bother to tell us?” His tone is filled with disbelief and betrayal.
A shiver runs down my spine, the sweat on my skin turning icy as fear grips me. My heart races as I struggle to find a response, knowing the consequences of my actions will not be taken lightly by Hadeon and the others.
“What?” Eryx’s voice is laced with concern as he questions his best friend, casting a quick glance at me before scanning the room for any eavesdroppers. “Leave us,” he commands the staff, who quickly scurry away, leaving us alone in the quiet hallway. Eryx pulls me closer to where Hadeon and Esmeray now stand together, their faces serious and unreadable. I can’t help but wonder if Ruelle had already told them what she had just told me.
“When Ruelle and Verena were kidnapped, Amaelya wasn’t alone.” The memory of that terrifying night floods back, sending shivers down my spine. The words echo in my mind, causing my heart to race and my palms to sweat.
Suddenly, as if on cue, Ruelle comes running out from a side door. Her hair is wild and tangled, her cheeks flushed with exertion. “I’m sorry, Verena,” she gasps for breath as she joins our small group. Her eyes are wide with worry and guilt, and I can sense the tension radiating off of her.
Eryx turns to face me, his eyes cloud with a mix of emotions — hurt, confusion, anger. I can see the questions swirling in his mind, and I know he wants answers. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you,” I begin, my voice strained. “It wasn’t meant to be a secret. After I told you about Amaelya, you made me go back to sleep. I forgot about it until shortly after I woke up, and by that point there was so much going on with the wedding.”
“What happened in the cave with Dryston?” he presses.
I take a deep breath, memories flooding back as I recount the events that took place. As I finish telling him, I see the hurt in Eryx’s eyes deepen into a hardened gaze. “It wasn’t meant to be a secret,” I try to explain.
“You just kept the fact that you could’ve prevented this war, Verena,” Eryx says, his tone accusatory. “I thought Khyrel meant something to you.” His walls are coming up now, and it breaks my heart.
“It does! I never meant for it to turn out this way,” I plead with him, hoping that he can understand my feelings. But his gaze remains cold and distant, and I know he is shutting me out.
“No, it doesn’t matter to you like we all thought. Your revenge apparently outweighs the safety of my people. And you didn’t even tell me. I am your husband but more than that, I am your mate. We are supposed to be one soul.” My heart aches now, pained by the declaration as if I hadn’t already known. Of course I did .
“Leaving him alive wasn’t an easy choice. Of course I thought about the people. Our people.” I try, my voice full of desperation. “You do not understand the gravity of the situation. Yes, I could’ve killed him. But we know nothing of what the cost would’ve been. There was no concrete evidence that he had taken us captive. However, both Princess Lianna and Queen Consort Rya could have perceived it as an act of aggression toward their kingdom. Having spent time with them, I am aware of their perspectives. Rya has blind faith in her son and cannot fathom him causing any harm. She is overly attached to him, almost disgustingly so. On the other hand, she holds a strong dislike for me. If given the chance, she wouldn’t hesitate to declare war on us, likely with more strategic planning than her son. They would change his entire plans, Eryx. Then I would know nothing of their plans of attack and where we can keep our people safe. I didn’t do this out of a haste.” I plead with him but I know he is genuinely upset with me.
“But you never told me. That’s what hurts the most.” He starts to walk away, leaving me in stunned silence. Hadeon follows him, for reasons unknown to me. Esmeray comes over and puts a gentle hand on my shoulder.
“Even if you didn’t consider the consequences, I wouldn’t blame you. As someone who knows the lasting pains of trauma all too well, I can understand the desire for revenge instead of just a quick death. I’ll talk to him.”