12. Elowen

12

ELOWEN

M y muscles are straining against the relentless assault of another early morning training. Aldric moves with a precision and power that leaves little room for error. Each blow he delivers tests my limits, but I refuse to back down.

I catch a glint of approval in his silver eyes as I deflect his strike. "You're getting faster," he notes, stepping back to reassess his stance.

"Thanks," I reply, breathing hard but keeping my focus sharp. "You're not making it easy."

He smirks, the first hint of genuine amusement I've seen from him. "Easy doesn't teach you anything."

We circle each other, and I take a moment to study him beyond the surface. There's a dedication in his movements, a depth of character that goes beyond the fierce warrior everyone sees. The way he fights, the way he trains—it's not just about skill. It's about something deeper, something that drives him forward.

"You're distracted," Aldric warns, lunging forward with a swift jab.

I parry and counterattack, pushing him back. "I'm not," I say between breaths.

"You're better than that." He knocks me off balance. "Come on. Show me what you really have."

Despite his gruff exterior, there's a truth in his words that resonates with me. He isn't just tough for the sake of it; there's a reason behind his intensity. It's not just about pride or power — it's about protecting those who can't protect themselves.

As we continue sparring, I find myself drawn not just to his physical prowess but to the way he approaches every action he takes. His resilience isn't just physical. It's woven into every part of who he is. There's honor in him that commands respect, even when he's being insufferable.

"Your form's improving," Aldric remarks as our blades lock together again.

"I've had a good teacher," I admit reluctantly.

His expression softens almost imperceptibly before he pushes me away and resets his stance. "Don't let it go to your head."

We exchange blows again, and this time, I see more than just a warrior in front of me. I see someone who's been through battles both on and off the field, someone who understands loss and carries it with quiet strength.

His gaze meets mine, and for a moment, it feels like everything falls away. It's then that I really realize it's not just his body or skill that draws me in — it's the person beneath all of it.

But gods, he is hot.

Aldric might not have really opened up to me, yet, but I've been watching him. He's tough but fair. Strong from years of discipline and practice, which I can appreciate. And he's finally treating me like an equal. Almost like he can change…

"I think that's enough for the day," he rumbles, and I almost think he might be breathless.

No, I tell myself. That's insane.

I nod, feeling not quite steady myself. He takes a step back, but neither of us turn away. We're locked in some silent battle…and the tension is becoming too much.

Just as Aldric opens his mouth to say something, I hear my name.

"Elowen!" I turn to see Jessa approaching. She and I have been sparring in the early afternoon most days with her and Selene helping me address my cuts and bruises afterwards. Since Jessa is a vrakken, she heals much faster.

I turn back to Aldric, but he's already retreating. Irritation flicks up inside of me as I stare at his retreating back, but I shove it down.

I nod at Jessa as she approaches. "Ready to spar?" I ask, already knowing her answer.

"Always," she grins, rolling her shoulders and taking a stance opposite me.

We begin, the rhythm of our movements familiar yet challenging. Jessa's strikes are precise, her footwork fluid. She's tough and fast, her time on the farm clearly evident in her strong frame and quick reflexes. We move around each other, exchanging blows and dodging attacks. It's a dance we've perfected over countless sessions.

She sinks into her stance, her movements fluid and precise. She might be quick, her strikes sharp and calculated, but I've learned a thing or two from my sessions with Aldric. I deflect and counter, matching her pace.

"Nice move," Jessa comments, her eyes twinkling with approval as she blocks my attack.

"Thanks," I reply, focusing on the rhythm of our sparring.

We continue for several minutes, the sound of our strikes echoing in the training ground. Each movement is a test of skill and endurance, but there's also a camaraderie between us that makes it almost enjoyable. Almost.

After a particularly intense exchange, we both step back, breathing heavily but grinning. "You're getting better," she notes, wiping sweat from her brow.

"Guess I've had good teachers," I say, thinking of Aldric's relentless training.

Jessa's eyes narrow slightly with mischief. "Speaking of teachers," she begins casually, "I saw you talking to Aldric earlier."

I shrug it off. "He was just giving me some pointers."

"Pointers, huh?" Jessa teases, her grin widening. "Looked like more than just pointers to me."

I roll my eyes, trying to dismiss the flutter in my chest. "It's nothing."

"Sure it is," she continues, undeterred. "You two have been spending a lot of time together lately."

"Because he's training me," I counter, but even I can hear the weak protest in my voice.

Jessa laughs softly. "Come on, Elowen. It's obvious there's something there."

I brush off the comment, focusing on our sparring. "He's just trying to make sure I don't get myself killed."

"Yet, you've been spending a lot of one on one time together…" She ducks as I lunge forward and she gestures like I just proved her point. "Doesn't seem like you need that much extra training to me."

"So?" I counter, but there's an edge of defensiveness in my voice even I can't ignore.

"So," she presses, dodging another strike with ease, "you like him."

I scoff, though the heat rising in my cheeks betrays me. "He's an insufferable ass most of the time."

"Doesn't mean you don't like him," she retorts with a knowing smile.

Her words spark thoughts I hadn't fully acknowledged before. Sure, Aldric is attractive—okay, more than attractive—but it's more than that. There's a connection forming between us that goes beyond the physical attraction. It's in the way he pushes me to be better, the way he sees past my human exterior to the warrior within.

I shake my head, trying to dispel the thoughts. "We're just training partners," I insist.

Jessa raises an eyebrow skeptically. "If you say so."

But as we resume our sparring, her teasing words linger in my mind. The idea of something more with Aldric isn't just ridiculous anymore; it's a tantalizing possibility that refuses to be ignored.

With each strike and parry against Jessa's skilled attacks, I find myself wondering what it would mean to let those barriers down — just a little — and see where this unexpected connection might lead.

But I don't even know if he'd want that.

I'm so caught up in my thoughts that I don't move out of the way in time, and Jessa snatches my wrist, spinning me and pinning me in a position that could break my arm if I move too much.

"You're distracted," Jessa comments, loosening her grip on my wrist but not letting go entirely.

I roll my eyes, trying to shake off her hold. "Just caught off guard."

She raises an eyebrow, her hazel eyes glinting with amusement. "You know, Nikolai and I didn't always get along so well either."

I stop struggling for a moment, curiosity piqued. "Really? You two seem inseparable now."

Jessa nods, releasing me fully and stepping back. "Yeah, but it wasn't always like that. When we first met, he was...conflicted. Arrogant, even."

I snort, rubbing my wrist where she held me. "Sounds familiar."

She chuckles. "Exactly. We clashed a lot. But eventually, I found my way in with him. I learned about who he was underneath. And when it comes to vrakken," she continues, her tone turning serious, "the more you try to ignore it, the worse the pull becomes. It's fated."

I scoff at the notion. "Fated? That sounds like a load of crap."

Jessa crosses her arms, giving me a knowing look. "You can think that all you want, but I've seen it happen too many times to ignore it. The pull is real, Elowen. Maybe you just need to give in. At least try it."

"Give in?" I repeat incredulously. "To what? Attraction? I barely know the guy."

She levels me with a look. "Look. All I'm saying is there is a war coming. If you want something, go after it. Before it's too late."

I roll my shoulders, trying to shake off the uncomfortable feeling her words stir in me. "Well, I'm not about to let something you've imagined —" She rolls her eyes. "distract me from my training."

Jessa sighs softly, almost sympathetically. "I just don't want you to regret it."

With that, she steps back into a fighting stance, signaling she's ready to continue our sparring session.

Determined not to let her words get under my skin any further, I lunge forward again, working my way out of Jessa's hold with renewed vigor.

We fall back into the rhythm of our training, but her words linger at the edge of my thoughts like an itch I can't scratch.

Regardless of what's going on between Aldric and me, I'm not about to let anything distract me from my revenge.

Not even myself.

With each strike and parry against Jessa's skilled attacks, I focus on proving one thing: I will destroy the dark elves.

If it's the last thing I do.

But maybe — just maybe — Aldric doesn't have to be a distraction. Maybe if he wants this as much as I do…we can get it out of our system.

So we can focus on the war.