Chapter 9
KALLIE
During the days that followed the meeting, Kallie made herself scarce, finding it hard to face the others.
Their lack of faith in her had shaken her.
While she understood their initial mistrust in her, she had hoped they would have learned to trust her by now.
Although she supposed she hadn’t given them a reason to believe she could handle coming face-to-face with Domitius alone.
Maybe Cetia was right. Maybe Kallie was too much of a risk.
Riddled with shame, she avoided public meals and gatherings as best she could, finding any reason to hide away in her room or in the gardens with Nyrri. It was only a matter of time, though, before one of them came knocking.
She had expected it to be Graeson but was surprised, and a little relieved, it was Terin who found her sneaking outside after breakfast. Now, the two siblings strolled through the royal garden, both speaking very little.
Perhaps Terin needed the quiet just as much as she did.
When they had first arrived in Tetria, the garden had been full of life.
But once autumn crept in, the vibrant colors had since dulled as if a film covered the land.
It was as though the world itself was reminding Kallie there was no stopping time, no matter how many times she asked the gods to do so.
As she walked beside Terin in silence, Kallie’s attention strayed toward the forest beyond the stone gate encircling the garden.
A flash of black mixed among the white tree branches.
It came and went in the blink of an eye, but Kallie recognized the drakonis’ silhouette easily.
Graeson must have taken Nyrri out to the woods to continue her training.
Although the exercise was good for Nyrri, Kallie longed for the drakonis’ presence. She had grown attached to the animal.
"Where will Nyrri go?" Kallie asked. She had only heard whispers of the arrangements Terin and Cetia were making for their return, but she had yet to hear what would happen to Nyrri.
"Medenia has volunteered to take care of her," Terin said, looking out toward the woods as Nyrri’s form appeared before disappearing again.
"Graeson is fine with that?" Kallie knew how much Graeson cared for Nyrri and couldn’t imagine him wanting to leave her behind.
"While her wing has healed, Nyrri is still somewhat skittish when it comes to flying. Medenia was able to convince Gray to let Nyrri stay until she gets over the fear."
Though saddened, Kallie nodded. She’d hoped for the drakonis’ company during their trip, despite the complications Nyrri’s presence would have likely caused. Terin had informed Esmeray about the drakonis’ existence, but seeing the creature was an entirely different experience.
"Are you nervous about returning home?" Terin asked, peering at her.
Home. Pontia was not her home. By now, Kallie had spent more time in Tetria than she had in Pontia. Either way, nervous didn’t begin to cover her feelings.
"I—" The clang of metal erupted in the distance, cutting Kallie off. "What is that?" she asked, following the sound of swords clashing together.
As they peered around a tall set of hedges, Kallie found Dani and Ellie sparring.
With sweat dripping down their brows, the two women swung at each other.
Their swords crashed together with a rancorous clang that rang sharply in Kallie’s ears.
On the sidelines, Sylvia cheered Ellie on with a hunger only one’s subordinate could muster.
"God’s breath." Terin groaned and brushed a hand through his brown curls. "The healer told her she needed to rest."
Cursing, Dani gritted her teeth and dug her heel into the ground, creating a divot in the earth.
"I don’t know if the word rest is even in Dani’s vocabulary," Kallie mused as they joined Sylvia.
"Definitely not," Sylvia said.
"I will rest when the war is over," Dani shouted as she blocked Ellie’s next jab.
Each woman moved with an elegance that rivaled the other.
Dani fought as if she was playing a game of chess, carefully analyzing and identifying her opponent’s next move before it was made.
Meanwhile, Ellie swung and blocked as if she was performing some intricate dance.
Although their techniques differed, they were both skilled.
With a swift kick, Dani knocked Ellie onto her ass. Dani peered down at her and smirked. Dani held out her hand, but before Ellie could grab it, Terin was there. He snatched Ellie’s hand and helped her up onto her feet.
"Gods, you’re insufferable," Dani said, resting her hand on her hip.
Kallie chuckled. "At least we can agree on one thing."
To Kallie’s surprise, Dani didn’t roll her eyes at the comment.
Terin ignored both of them. Although he meant well, Kallie had witnessed how he quickly turned into the overbearing brother when it came to Dani’s safety.
Ellie rubbed the dirt off her trousers. "Did Medenia find you?"
"No, why?" Terin asked.
She tossed her hand in the air with a careless wave. "She said something about needing to speak to you."
"Did she say about what?"
Ellie cocked her hip out, her hand resting atop it. "Do I look like her messenger?"
Dani held up her sword, inspecting the blade. "Kind of."
Kallie laughed alongside Sylvia, but Kallie quickly wiped the amusement from her face when Dani glared at her. This, of course, only made Sylvia laugh harder. Maybe Kallie had let her hope get the best of her.
"I didn’t ask you," Ellie grumbled before turning to Terin with a small shrug. "Whatever it was, I think it was important."
Terin’s gaze met Kallie’s, a silent question passing between them.
Before Kallie could respond, Dani held out her sword, hilt out. "Here. You should train too. Your footwork is still sloppy."
Kallie blinked at the hilt.
"I don’t know if that’s a good idea," Terin said, hesitant to let Kallie join in. Even Sylvia looked skeptical, clearly remembering when Kallie and Dani had sparred last. But Dani wasn’t trying to fight. Instead, she was offering Kallie her place.
Kallie eyed the sword. Throwing herself back into her training would be good for her. She grabbed the offered sword before Dani could change her mind and stab her with it instead.
"Go talk to Medenia," Kallie told Terin. "Dani is right."
"I’m often right," Dani said with a scowl. "Don’t act too surprised, Princess."
Kallie held back an eye-roll and adjusted her grip. The leather wrapping was warm to the touch.
"Princely duty calls," Ellie said, shooing him away with a flick of her hand.
"Very well," Terin said, though his hesitation was still apparent.
Kallie offered him a small smile in reassurance.
He shook his head but took his leave, muttering something unintelligible about needing more sleep before they left for Pontia.
Kallie shifted her weight. Although she preferred her dagger, the sword was well-balanced and fit nicely in her hand. The hilt wasn’t too big or uncomfortable, unlike the longswords she had occasionally wielded in Ardentol.
"He means well," Ellie said as she raised her weapon.
"I know he does," Dani said, approaching Kallie, who stiffened immediately. Shaking her head in disappointment, Dani shoved Kallie’s foot back with her boot. "There."
Kallie’s brows raised in surprise at the correction.
Dani crossed her arms. "Terin believes it’s his responsibility to protect me, but I know what my body can and cannot do."
"Have you tried telling him that?" Sylvia asked, twisting their ginger hair into a bun.
"Of course, but his skull is as thick as Fynn’s was, apparently."
Kallie had no time to wallow in the rising guilt and grief before Ellie swung. When Kallie dodged, her balance wavered, and she stumbled.
"Keep your weight even," Dani instructed.
Before Kallie could get her bearings, Ellie struck again. Her sword sliced through the air, and Kallie narrowly missed it.
"Come on, Princess," Ellie taunted.
Kallie rolled her neck and focused. When Ellie swung next, Kallie was prepared.
She dodged the attack smoothly. She tried to retaliate, but Ellie was too swift.
This fight, fake or not, would not be easy.
Kallie and Ellie continued sparring while Dani and Sylvia discussed their plans for the Pontian troops once they returned.
Occasionally, Dani would shout out various instructions and pointers, and Kallie took each one, grateful for the advice.
In the warriors’ presence, Kallie felt like a novice despite her training.
She had been trained not only by Domitius but by some of the best guards in Ardentol.
But despite their accomplishments and accolades, none of the men had taken her stature into account, not like Dani was.
Kallie understood then how Dani had risen in the ranks so effortlessly.
She wasn’t just good at fighting, but excelled at instructing and leading.
So Kallie latched on to every piece of advice like it was a raft.
Once both women were keeled over and gasping, they finally put the swords down and opted to enjoy the warm weather before the cool autumn night swept in.
As they sat in the garden, Kallie brushed a hand across the grass.
The blades tickled her calloused palm. She licked her lips and could taste the salt from how hard Dani had pushed her.
She craved a good bath and was about to leave to fulfill that craving when Dani spoke.
"How serious were you the other day?" she asked, spinning a fallen leaf between her fingers by the stem.
Kallie’s brows knitted together. "Pardon?"
Dani released the leaf and let it fall to the ground. "About offering yourself to Domitius in exchange for Graeson’s mother."
Kallie dug her fingers into the ground, crushing the grass beneath her palm. "Does it matter? The council voted against it."
"Based on what I heard," Sylvia said, "Graeson vetoed it. Terin and the Queen simply said it was risky."
"I don’t really see the difference. Their message was clear either way," Kallie stated.