12. Elora
12
ELORA
T he next few days breeze by fairly quickly. I’d gotten Amon to agree to let me keep the little drakeling, which I’d lovingly named Nyx. Her dark blue scales and black eyes made me think of a book I’d read once on Greek deities.
He’d helped me put together an enclosure for her but had said that if I wanted her to thrive, I would have to ensure she got outdoors quite a bit.
I’d put my hands on my hips and laughed at him. Why he thought I’d ever stay indoors long enough for that to be an issue was beyond me.
Nyx went everywhere with me, and I loved her. She spit little sparks at Balail whenever she came to tend to me, and the demoness would pester her in return. I think it was safe to say they didn’t really care for each other.
Amon on the other hand was always getting drakeling love when he was near, and I’d swear if Nyx was given the choice between me or him, he’d win every time.
I’d roll my eyes and call her a sucker, to which she’d toss her little head and squeak her little roars. She was adorable, and I was thankful to have something to keep me company.
I’d insisted on helping get the library in order, and when Amon tried to order me to stay out I’d given him hell. I was more than capable, and I’d help where I could. I was here to stay, anyway, and had nothing better to do with my time.
Amon had finally acquiesced and stomped off mumbling and growling, hands clenched at his sides. In the process of pulling that room together, I’d met Amara. She was a lesser demoness, and I found I enjoyed her company quite a bit.
She was sweet, and funny, with light pink skin and long white hair. She had two tiny horns that were barely noticeable above the gentle waves.
We became fast friends, and I found out that her mother was a succubus. She had never been to the human realm, however, and had been employed by Amon for a long time.
I had requested from him that night that she attend to me instead of Balial, to which he agreed, and I was thankful to him.
I’d made it very clear right away that Amara and I were friends, she was not my maid. We spent a lot of time together when she wasn’t taking care of her other duties around the castle.
A few times I’d noticed Amon watching us while we were in the garden from his study window, hands clasped behind his back. Amara smiled one afternoon as he turned and walked away.
“You know… I’m pretty sure there’s something going on you’re not telling me.” she says with a smirk on her face. I set Nyx in the grass, and the little drakeling takes to turning circles, her little wings spread wide.
“What are you talking about?” I ask, frowning.
“Oh come on, Elora. You’re going to tell me you don’t notice the way Amon looks at you?” She reaches out and pokes me in the shoulder, biting her lower lip.
I shoo her away and tsk.
“Ohhh, come on. He doesn’t look at me any differently than anyone else.”
I say the words but the knowledge that she’s right sends a flip of anticipation through my stomach. Of course I noticed.
And if it was that obvious to others…
I scoff, holding out a small berry for Nyx to reach for.
I can’t help but glance up towards his study window to see if he’s standing there.
“Just like that, ok-no. Look.” I sigh and lower my bow as Amon stands next to me, drawing the string on his bow up and back towards his cheek. He straightens out his arms, glancing over at me to make sure I’m watching.
“Shoulders back and straighten your stance, you’re hunched when you draw the string.”
I attempt again to pull the string and struggle to get it past the draw.
Amon growls. “Stop. You’re going to hurt yourself.”
I complain audibly and drop my arms in defeat. “I’m never going to get it.” I’m frustrated, and I know he can tell.
“Is that what you believe?” He asks, his words clipped.
I turn on him, my face contorted. “Well, obviously. I can’t even draw the string. How am I ever going to be able to use this thing?”
Amon turns to me then, reaching out and taking the bow from me. He turns to walk away from me, and I look after him, taken aback.
“Where are you going?”
He doesn’t stop but turns to speak over his shoulder at me. “I guess you can’t do it, so why am I going to waste my time teaching you?”
I scoff, placing my hands on my hips and tapping my foot against the stone.
“I didn’t say I couldn’t do it! I’m just frustrated.” I cross my arms over my chest and turn away from him.
“Nobody ever got anything done by saying they couldn’t.” Amon says. “If you truly believe you can’t, then you won’t.”
I scoff again, tossing my hair as I walk away from him.
A large hand wraps around my upper arm, and I gasp as I’m spun around. Amon glares down at me. “Frustration is acceptable. Quitting is not.”
He shoves the bow back into my hands, and points for me to take stance again.
I sigh heavily, stomping a foot before walking to stand next to him.
The smirk on his sinful mouth doesn’t go unnoticed, and I shoot him a glare. His eyes don’t leave mine as he lifts his bow again, drawing the string.
“Come on, female. Again.”
I pull my shoulders back as I pull on the string of the bow. Once it hits the draw, I take a deep breath, not breaking my posture as I push past the tension.
The string gives and I smile as I pull the string all the way back.
“Good!” Amon drops his bow, turning to me. “Don’t let it go. Hold your elbows up.” He places a hand under my elbow, walking behind me to span another hand around my middle. My intake of breath is sharp, and suddenly my mind isn’t on the lesson anymore.
“I want you to imagine there’s an arrow knocked. Your eyes should be here.” He reaches out and holds a clawed finger out in front of me. I chew at my lower lip, my arms beginning to tremble slightly.
“Ok, let it out gently.” Amon releases me as I ease the string back into place.
“Good,” he growls. “Now you practice that until you feel comfortable and can draw the string without fail.”
I push my hair out of my face as I turn to him. A sense of satisfaction overwhelms me, even though I know I’ve got a long way to go.
Amon regards me quietly. “You’ll get there,” he says, taking the bow from me.
He sets both mine and his against the stone wall next to us, and I notice the way his much larger bow dwarfs my small wooden one.
His is ornate and boasts intricate carvings and decorative metal details. I knew with time I would be able to use mine with little effort. I was using muscles I’d literally never used.
I had to give myself some grace.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “For not letting me give up.”
Amon grunts, looking at me a moment. “Don’t underestimate yourself. You’re capable of more than you think.”
I smile at that, watching as his eyes darken and his jaw ticks.
“Do you want to have lunch?” He asks me suddenly. The words are gruff and clipped, and he doesn’t move. He regards me warily.
Caught off guard, I falter, stumbling over my words as I try to get them out.
“It’s ok you don’t have to,” he says finally, turning away from me.
I reach out, grasping his hand as he attempts to stalk away. “I want to,” I say quickly.
Amon stops, turning slowly to look down at my hand in his. I let him go, clearing my throat as I step back. “I mean, I would like that...I think.” I frown at my own words, clasping my hands in front of me tightly.
“I’ll… see what I can put together for us.”
His words are soft as he turns again, pausing before walking back to the castle.
I let out the breath I’d been holding, slumping.
“You idiot,” I curse myself as I follow behind him.