10
I note the clothes that one of the guards must have left for me while I was on the balcony. I get dressed in a black long sleeve tight fitted shirt and the matching combat pants, standard to what I had available while in Hidale’s army.
I then tie my hair back into a bun.
The mirror next to the wardrobe allows me to take in my appearance. Looking at the reflection, I can see the dark circles under my eyes that match the bruises coating my neck.
Hopefully I’ll get some more rest now that I have my own room.
I walk away and knock on my own door, to let the guards take me to dinner.
The dining hall is a large open room with long tables placed vertically for all the staff and castle residents and another table placed horizontally in front, for all the nobility.
That's where the King and Cole sit, they acknowledge me as I walk in but then turn back to their conversation and I’m left to find a spot on one of the tables.
I look over everyone, some are dressed in armour, others finer clothes, some even dressed like me. The chatter is as loud as the clinking of cutlery against plates. The difference from the way I’d been eating meals on the front line camps is stark.
I see one of the King’s royal guards, Fray.
Her back is turned, so I only see her short black hair, but it’s distinct enough for me to know who it is.
I decide that she’s probably my best option, especially with the state of my throat, knowing that she knows the reason.
It’ll save me having to make awkward conversation with a stranger.
“Mind… if I sit?” I croak out.
Gods, my throat is embarrassing me today.
She looks around, kind of startled. I don’t blame her.
I don’t know if Fray liked Desmond, she probably blames me for his death and maybe like him, she blames me for the death of the other soldiers.
“Sure.” she says cautiously.
Hiding my surprise, I sit next to her and help myself to some food from the buffet in front of us.
She’s watching me curiously as I eat and drink.
“I’m sorry about what Des did to you.”
I almost spit out my drink.
“What?”
“He’s a brute, I should have known he would go after you. He’s only with us because of his useful power or I guess, not anymore.”
There’s no sadness in Fray’s brown eyes, just uncertainty.
“What… was his… power?”
Fray looks back down at her food.
“I can’t say, all our powers are confidential. Not even the people around us know. Xander will have to tell you.”
I scoff. “I know… Finch’s power… already.”
“My brother's power isn’t as unique, it doesn’t matter.”
I raise my eyebrows at her, I should have realised they were siblings. I definitely should have connected the dots when they share the same last name. But I hadn’t cared enough to pay attention.
“Don’t tell him I said that.” Fray says, twisting her face slightly in a cringe.
I laugh bitterly, the gesture scraping my throat in a way I instantly regret. “I… won’t.”
“How long… have you been… working… for the King?” I grind out the question and instantly gulp down water afterwards.
Fray shifts slightly, probably deciding how much she can tell me.
“My brother and I applied to be in the army just over twenty years ago. Xander found out about my power and trained me and my brother up for his royal guard— before you ask, no I can’t tell you my power either.”
I take yet another drink of the water in front of me.
“Of… course.”
I look away from Fray and up to see Cole watching me cautiously. As if he doesn’t know what to think, as if he’s trying to figure me out. I stare back at him, before he catches my eye and looks away quickly, going back to eating his food.
As I wake the next morning, I feel my power rushing through my body, thrumming in my veins. My fae strength, hearing and sight is back. I smile to myself.
Sitting up, I look around the room and find it to be much more beautiful than before. The lights and colours dancing around in a way I couldn’t see yesterday.
I make a sound to test out my voice, clutching my throat as I do. I croak out a noise, the sound that escapes is much more like myself but I still have a small wheeze.
I have to force the covers from my legs. They feel so welcome after so many nights sleeping on the ground. Not to mention, I’m still adjusting to Erador’s cooler climate.
Once I finally make it out of bed, I walk over and look in the mirror to take in the sight of my neck.
The bruises are already starting to fade along with the bags under my eyes.
Smiling slightly, I move to get changed into my usual clothes. I also tug on a leather type jacket that Cole must have sent for when he gathered the garments for me.
It’s a welcome addition to my usual attire. Especially with its insides being lined with fur, it almost feels as comfy as the bed I had just abandoned.
I walk towards my door and knock. The King won’t send for me until tomorrow, so I’ve already decided what I want to do today.
The door opens and I see the guard, a different one from yesterday, though they bear the same uniform.
“Does the King have training facilities... in this castle?” I groan out.
The guard nods once.
“Perfect… take me there.”
The training room is at the other end of the castle. We pass a lush courtyard and several hallways before arriving. It was practically a warm up just getting here.
I look around the large open room, the torches lining the walls and the many windows that look out towards the stables in front.
The room itself is filled with all the weapons you could dream of.
From daggers, swords, bows and arrows, everything.
As well as training dummies, fighting mats, and plenty of targets.
It reminds me of the better part of my training days at the Agency.
They weren’t all happy memories but it’s where I learned to become strong and techniques for when you can’t rely on strength or abilities alone.
It’s the place that helped me feel as confident as I do on all my missions.
For that, regardless of everything that followed, I’ll always be eternally grateful.
I smile to myself as I grab a dagger from the weapons rack and add it to the sheath by my thigh. It's nice to have a weapon to defend myself with again.
I move around to the other side of the weapons rack. Noting the cross bows and the bows and arrows. I grab the latter and a quiver before turning and facing one of the training dummies.
I have used plenty of bows in the past, they’re not my favourite unless I’m going on a stealth mission where I’m shooting from a distance.
In combat, I prefer the dagger paired with my invisibility.
Erix seemingly also preferred that, as I wasn’t handed many missions where a bow and arrow would be more useful.
I breathe in as I notch the arrow and draw the string back. Loving the stretch through my arms as I do.
I take another deep breath and fire, letting the arrow fly fast before finding its mark in the heart of the dummy.
I huff out a soft laugh, today’s going to be fun.