A thwack rings out and I almost slip on my own sweat. The wooden rod hits the spot I'd been standing in just seconds ago and I can already see Rhys moving from the corner of my eye. I move as fast as I can away from the spot I'm standing and this time I feel the brush of air when the pole comes slamming down again.How the fuck is this even fair!He has a huge stick that he swats at me and tries to use and hit me like I'm some kind of fly. I have nothing but my legs and reflexes, both of which aren't good enough or strong enough and I can't seem to think of a way to get out of this."I concede Rhys, please stop!"Another thwack and a smile I found sexy a few hours ago are my only response. I'm running again before I can even get the tears out of my eyes.My body betrays me and the ground is solid when I hit it. I could act dead, or just glare at this demon who's training me, but weapons don't play dead unless they want to be discarded. I won't go back to the life I lived, and I'm not
"No way."Rhys chuckles and cocks an eyebrow up at me while he slurps the last of his vile-tasting smoothie.I am currently buried in a plate of spaghetti and meatballs, and it's a smaller portion than what I had in mind, but Rhys's words are enough to fill my belly ten times over.I shake my head again and swallow the food that's in my mouth. When I speak I make sure there's enough disbelief in my tone."There's no way Cain and Lyros were ever in that kind of relationship."Rhys just chuckles and shakes his head. I feel very naive when he looks at me but he's smiling so I don't register most of the emotion."Do you think I would lie to you about something like that?"I shake my head reluctantly, but there's also some doubt in my heart."When I asked Leah about this she told me nothing like that was going on between them.""You suspected Lyros was bedding Cain already?"I blush at the accusatory tone in his words but I shake my head all the same."I was foolish to think that. Lyros al
"What do you think Lord Lyros really needs me for?"I help Leah carry the watering can and this time she doesn't stop me when I randomly water a batch of her roses. She always makes a point of telling me they're hers, and she treats them so tenderly like they're her children. I don't know if any of the warrior-class Lycans have children, and I'm not eager to ask.Maybe I'll ask Rhys. The thought of him brings a slight fluttering to my belly so I focus on the next batch of roses I have chosen to water.Leah stands up from the floor, satisfied with the roses she's inspected and she turns to face me instead. When she speaks she sounds slightly amused."Why would you assume I know anything about what the Lycan king is thinking?"The conspiratorial look she's giving me makes me catch on to what she's implying quickly and I flush a shade of embarrassed red."I didn't mean any of it that way.""What way Adelaide?" Okay, she's definitely amused "You think I moan the Lycan king's name at night
"Is training usually done shirtless?"There's a clack! clack! before Rhys responds to me."Lord Lyros is usually not present during training sessions. I did hear there were sightings of some rogues at the north border so maybe that's why he's here."I don't take my eyes off the two battling forms in the middle of the large room, but I don't have to before I detect the displeased notes in Rhys's voice.He's displeased at this?'My mind straight up blanks out when I see Cain avoid a hit so powerful that I'm sure it would have left an angry red bruise on his skin. My eyes are drawn to the lean and rippling muscles that make up his upper body, and damn!He looks like a perfectly sculpted piece of art. And never has a sculpture looked so good in leather pants. I would drool if I didn't value my life so much.Lyros advances on Cain again and this is the moment my heart stops. If I would drool for Cain, I would faint because of Lyros.His chest is riddled with scars. His skin isn't as pale
"Do you think Cain is okay?"The wooden pole comes crashing down against mine and I feel the force of it reverberate through my arms. My fingers are numb and my body is sore but I keep on blocking.Rhys sends another strike my way and I block. Another and I block.Another and I feel like my fingers are going to break and fall off. The wood makes a sharp clack as it comes into contact with mine and the thought crosses my mind to ask how he can keep on swinging that.I doubt he'll answer me and I block again. Rhy's eyes are dull. The bright green has dimmed to something darker, more brooding. I'm guessing he doesn't like something that happened today, but he won't say what.I feel something hit my shoulder and I scream.My pole goes clattering to the floor and I am blind for a moment. The pain is jarring. I look at Rhys and he's staring at me with a hooded expression. He looks away for a moment and drops his pole. "I think that's enough training for today. Don't go back to your room,
"Wakey wakey."Leah's voice is what pulls me out of my half-conscious state. I'm blinded by lights the minute I wake up. I cover my eyes immediately."Do the lights always have to be this intense? shit, It's not like you're performing surgery in here are you?"Leah's chuckle almost makes me forget the pain in my back.And my calves.And the lower part of my waist. Fuck, everywhere hurts!"Hey don't move!"I halt like someone pressed a pause button on me and Leah's hands as she rearranges my limbs are the only thing I can feel for a while. She must have used her gift to make my body numb, or I'm just obedient enough that I can be numb on command.I can tell the minute she's done because my body aches again and I groan. Leah chuckles and shakes her head."What were you thinking engaging in a battle with Lyros? He could have killed you."I grimace and try to move my shoulder. Fuck it hurts."I said he could have killed you, Cain.""We both know he wouldn't have."My answer comes out snap
"Can you try moving your hand a bit?" I nod and move my right hand. Leah is standing at the side of the bed, a palm on the skin of my right arm and her eyes staring at something I can't see. She looks unfocused and focused at the same time, whenever she speaks I feel tingles run down my arm. I take a deep breath and try to raise my right hand even more. It hurts like hell. Again there is the urge for me to break out in sobs but I won't do that. It'll just make me look silly. Coming in here crying and then going through a checkup sobbing. I'll definitely look silly. Another wave of tingles runs down the length of my right arm and when I focus on Leah again, I see her frowning. That can't be good. "Your arm's not totally damaged if that's what's making you turn pale so fast." I gulp and Leah takes her palm off my hand with a sigh. She sits at the edge of the bed I'm laying on and she directs a pitiful look at me. I don't know what to feel at this moment. I want to feel fear or
"Your stance is weak." Cain is still shirtless. His eyes are burning a hole into me right now and I grit my teeth in determination. It's just for a few more hours. "What exactly has Rhys been teaching you anyways?" I don't know if the words are meant to hurt me or if they're just passing commentary from him. I take a look at my new instructor and look away just as fast. It's dangerous to look at Cain while he's shirtless. Not good for the heart and equally harmful to blood pressure. If i could blow up I would have. My body still aches but it's a dull ache now. Leah gave me some pills before I left her wing and ever since then, I've been walking in a slightly buttery haze. My limbs feel strong now, but sometimes they just turn into jelly and I can barely stand. I should have gone back to my room but I came here instead. Another foolish decision, but I know there's something I'm not seeing here. Today is a Friday. In three more days I'll have to accompany the Lycan king to an