10. Ivy #2
“Don’t thank me either. This is all you. You’ve done awesome this week. You refused to hide—not just from the academy, but from the kingdom in general. Watching you take control last weekend with Viola, even when you wouldn’t look at us, was awe-inspiring, and you should be proud of yourself.”
“I feel like you’re trying to butter me up for something,” I mumble, and he snickers, leaning into my personal space as his voice drops an octave or two.
“If I were trying to butter you up, Ivy, it wouldn’t be with an audience,” he rasps, winking as he leans back, and all I can do is gape at him in disbelief, my ability to school my features falling short.
“Since I’m saving all my smooth talk for later,” he states, continuing straight ahead again.
“How about you tell me how you’re feeling? ”
“In what sense?” I clarify, happy to change the subject, and he shrugs.
“In yourself, here on campus, all of it.”
I blink at him for a moment, but the answer forms easily on my tongue. “I feel more myself than I ever have.” A smile graces my lips as we bypass the wildflowers dancing gently in the breeze, their floral scent filling my lungs.
I'm almost a little sad when the fencing room comes into view and our brief moment together nears its end.
He drops my bag at the door, walking back on his heels as he smiles at me. “Do you need me to suit up?” he asks. "Throw a couple of shapes your way?” he teases, and I can't help but laugh.
"Do you even know how?”
He snickers as he shakes his head. “Not a clue, but I'd learn if it meant I got to spend time with you.”
My pulse quickens as my heart races, and I rub my lips together nervously, but the door behind him opens, revealing my brother.
I can't stop my smile from spreading even wider as Hugo nods at Archer.
“Thank you for taking care of her. I'm going to steal her for a little bit.”
“Fine,” Archer grumbles playfully as he reaches for my hand.
I freeze at the contact as his thumb ghosts over my knuckles, making my body want to lean into him, but I'm rooted to the spot. Unfazed, he lifts my hand, pressing his lips against my skin as my brother huffs.
“Don't attempt to grope my sister; I'm standing right here,” Hugo mutters, and my nose crinkles as I snap my gaze to his.
“Don't be gross,” I snark, and Archer laughs, releasing his hold on me before he disappears from sight, opting not to get involved in the sibling argument.
I don’t blame him.
But I instantly miss his presence when I turn to face my brother to find a pointed look on his face. Thankfully, his eyes can’t hide his amusement.
I brace for judgment.
“So, are you padding up or wasting my time?” He doesn’t wait for a response before he spins on the spot, heading back inside without a glance over his shoulder, while I remain frozen, gaping at his back.
That’s… not where I was expecting that to go.
Before he can call me out on taking even longer, I grab my bag and hurry inside.
It’s a nice change to find the room empty, save for my brother, and I make the most of it. As he suits up on one side of the room, I take the other.
The moment I slip my mask over my face, excitement blossoms in my stomach as I enter a familiar trance. Sword in hand, I make my way onto the mat, spine straight, fingers twitching, and the desire for victory thrumming through in my veins.
“I wonder how many sisters get to say that their brother enjoys swiping at them,” Hugo says with a chuckle from behind his mask, and I grin.
“I wonder how many brothers get to say their sister destroys them on the mat,” I retort, hating that I can’t see his reaction behind his mask as we take position.
“Are you ready for some fun?” he asks, and I nod.
“Are you ready to lose?”
“Oh, we’re doing trash talk, are we?”
I nod. “You know it.”
Our swords clang together before we fall into a rhythm, the tension thickening with every step we take around each other, the air so still it threatens to explode as our swords collide again.
The sound is addicting.
I chase as we go back and forth, moving in sync as time melds around us and sweat beads down my spine.
After the tip of his sword presses against my chest for the eighth time, I step off the mat with a huff.
I feel like a hot mess as I take my mask off, exhaling as I let my sword clatter to the floor.
“Maybe next time I don’t come with any trash talk, and then I might win,” I mutter, earning a snicker from my brother.
“You wish.”
I roll my eyes, taking off my kit and falling onto the bench with a huff. “I thought you were supposed to be nice to me on occasion and let me win,” I mutter with a pout as Hugo drags a hand through his damp hair.
“Please, you almost had me a few times there. I can tell you’ve been working with Teddy,” he states, and I shake my head.
“I can't beat him either,” I retort, and Hugo grins, taking the spot beside me.
“You'll get there. I don't know how, but you'll find a way; you always do,” he promises, and I glare at him as though that will solve all of my problems.
“I thought spending time with you would be fun. Now I’m doubting my decision.” Hugo cocks a brow at me, and I sigh. “Fine, that’s a lie; I’m just salty.”
“Salty or sweaty?”
“Both,” I retort, and he laughs. “Thank you for this, for taking the time to come and see me. I appreciate it.”
“I need to be better at it, but sometimes life is just…”
“Life,” I finish, and he nods, wrapping his arm around my shoulder as he plants a kiss on my head.
“Don’t you go near there!”
I lean out of my brother’s embrace with a frown, glancing from him to the door and back again.
“Is that—”
“Lucky, yes. I forget you can hear her too,” he states, running a hand down his face as he stands.
“Is she okay?” I ask, following after him.
“There’s only one way to find out,” he mutters, opening the door to reveal Lucky’s orange scales, but she’s not the only dragon.
The tip of Alaric’s nose is almost pressed against hers, but the way smoke billows from both their nostrils makes it clear they’re not happy to see each other.
“Ivy, tell this wayward fool of a scaly reptile to go away!” Lucky insists, glancing at me out of the corner of her eyes, and I hold my hands up in surrender.
“What’s going on?”
“Lucky thinks you’re hers,” Alaric states, and my eyes widen.
“Let’s separate them before they cause Ivy unnecessary stress,” Baron grumbles, stepping out from behind Alaric. His presence catches me off guard, but as his eyes find mine, a softness nestles in my chest. “Hey, Firefly. I’m here to take you back.”