18. Elowen

18

ELOWEN

I wake before dawn, my muscles aching from yesterday's training. Aldric's warmth is missing beside me - he must have slipped out during the night.

It's become a routine of ours. He'll meet me in bed, sometimes leaving while I sleep and sometimes waking me the next morning. My days are filled with him, and while we haven't discussed that — haven't discussed anything about us or beyond the training — I'm happy with it.

Pushing through the soreness, I drag myself out of bed and start my morning routine.

At the training grounds, Aldric is already waiting, his silver eyes gleaming as I approach.

"You're late," he growls, but I catch the hint of a smirk.

"The sun's barely up," I retort, rolling my shoulders. "Some of us need sleep."

He scoffs. "Sleep is for the weak. Now, show me what you've got."

We spar intensely, Aldric pushing me harder than ever. His fist connects with my ribs and I stumble back, gasping.

"Focus," he barks. "The dark elves won't go easy on you."

Gritting my teeth, I dodge his next strike and sweep his legs. He goes down hard but pulls me with him. We grapple on the ground until I manage to pin him.

"Not bad," he admits grudgingly.

Later, I limp to the dining hall where Selene fusses over my new bruises.

"You're working her too hard," she scolds Aldric as he joins us.

He shrugs. "She can handle it. Isn't that right, Red?"

"I'm fine," I insist, though my body screams otherwise.

Jessa plops down beside me with a grin. "Looking rough there, El. Need me to kick Aldric's ass for you?"

I laugh, wincing as it jars my ribs. "I can handle him."

"Oh, I bet you can," she says with a wink.

As I eat, my gaze drifts to the other warriors limping into the room. A knot forms in my stomach. We're training hard, but will it be enough? What if we lose Selene or Jessa... or Aldric? The thought makes my chest tight.

Aldric catches my worried look and his expression softens slightly. Under the table, his hand finds mine, squeezing gently. For now, we're safe. But war is coming, and I can only hope we'll be ready when it does.

After lunch, Jessa and Selene pull me aside to help patch me up. We settle into one of the empty libraries, and Jessa starts applying a soothing salve to my bruises.

"Damn, El. Aldric really did a number on you today," Jessa says, her fingers gentle on my ribs.

I wince. "Yeah, well, you should see the other guy."

Selene snorts. "I did. He looked annoyingly unscathed."

"Hey now," I tease, "aren't you supposed to be on my side?"

"Always," Selene says, her amber eyes warm. "But facts are facts."

Jessa finishes with the salve and hands me a cup of herbal tea. "Drink this. It'll help with the soreness."

I take a sip, grimacing at the bitter taste. "Ugh. Are you sure this isn't poison?"

"Don't be dramatic," Selene chides. "It's good for you."

"Speaking of good for you," Jessa says with a sly grin, "how are things with Aldric?"

I feel my cheeks heat up. "Fine. We're... training."

"Is that what they're calling it these days?" Selene quips, surprising me.

"Look who's talking," I retort. "I saw you sparring with Raziel yesterday. Since when did you become a warrior?"

Selene blushes. "I'm not. I just... thought it might be useful to learn a few things."

"Uh-huh," Jessa and I say in unison, exchanging knowing looks.

"Sparring always leads to one thing with my mate…" Jessa adds, giving Selene a knowing look. Selene blushes but doesn't answer.

"You're picking it up fast though," I add, nudging Selene with my shoulder. "Soon you'll be kicking ass with the rest of us."

Selene rolls her eyes, but I catch the pleased smile she tries to hide.

"Seriously though," Jessa says, her tone turning more serious. "Are you and Aldric... you know?"

I sigh, considering how to answer. "It's complicated. We're... something. I just don't know what yet."

Selene squeezes my hand. "Just be careful, okay? Vrakken hearts aren't easily won."

"Says the woman mated to one," I tease, but I appreciate her concern.

"Exactly," she replies with a soft smile. "I know what I'm talking about."

I spend the afternoon with the girls until the sun starts to set and I drag myself out. Selene tells me to rest, but I shrug her off, Jessa walking with me to go to the temple.

I make my way to the training grounds as dusk settles over the base. The familiar ache in my muscles is a constant companion now, but I push through it. As I approach, I notice Aldric's silver eyes scanning me, his brow furrowed.

"How are your injuries?" he asks, his voice gruff but tinged with something unfamiliar.

I shrug, confused by his sudden concern. "I'm fine. Let's get started."

But as we begin our usual routine, I realize something's off. Aldric's strikes lack their usual force, his movements almost hesitant. It takes me a moment to realize what's happening - he's going easy on me.

Did Selene's comments really bother him?

Anger flares in my chest. "What are you doing?" I snap, dodging a half-hearted punch.

"Training you," he growls, but there's no bite to it.

"No, you're not," I retort, frustration building. "You're treating me like I'm made of glass. I don't need your pity."

Without waiting for a response, I turn and stalk away, spotting Nikolai nearby. "Hey!" I call out. "Want to spar?"

Nikolai raises an eyebrow but nods. As we square off, I can feel Aldric's eyes burning into my back.

Nikolai doesn't hold back. His strikes are swift and merciless, pushing me to my limits. It's exactly what I need. Sweat pours down my face as I struggle to keep up, my bruised body protesting with every movement.

Just as Nikolai lands a particularly brutal hit, sending me stumbling, Aldric appears between us.

"That's enough," he snarls. "She's done for the night."

I push myself up, glaring at him. "I can speak for myself, thanks."

Without another word, I turn and stomp off towards my quarters. The sound of raised voices follows me, but I don't look back.

That night, as I lie in bed, my body aching and my pride stinging, I wait for Aldric's familiar presence. But he never comes.

I wake up feeling hollow, the absence of Aldric's warmth beside me more noticeable than ever. Pushing down the ache in my chest, I drag myself to the training grounds.

Nikolai's already there, and I make a beeline for him, pointedly ignoring Aldric's presence nearby.

"Ready for round two?" I ask, forcing a grin.

Nikolai raises an eyebrow but nods. We square off, and I throw myself into the fight with reckless abandon. Each blow I land feels like a victory, each hit I take a reminder that I'm strong enough to take it.

After, Selene appears at my side, her face creased with worry. "Library. Now," she says, leaving no room for argument.

Once we're alone, she starts examining my fresh bruises. "What's going on, El? You're fighting like you've got a death wish."

I wince as she prods a particularly tender spot. "It's nothing. Just pushing myself."

Selene gives me a look that says she's not buying it. "Spill."

Sighing, I tell her about yesterday - Aldric going easy on me, my anger, the fight with Nikolai. "He treated me like I was weak," I finish, frustration bubbling up again.

Selene listens quietly, her amber eyes thoughtful. When I'm done, she takes my hand. "No, he's being a stubborn vrakken," she huffs. "Did you ever think that maybe he wasn't doubting you, but trying to protect you?"

I blink, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Vrakken, especially warriors like Aldric, are fiercely protective of those they care about," she explains gently. "He saw you hurt and his instinct was to shield you from more pain. It doesn't mean he thinks you're weak."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. "But... why would he care that much?"

Selene smiles softly. "I think you know why. The question is, what are you going to do about it?"

I spend the afternoon with Selene, turning her words over in my mind. As dusk approaches, I make my way to the training grounds, my heart racing with anticipation. I'm determined to talk to Aldric, to clear the air between us.

But as I arrive, Aldric's already there, his silver eyes scanning me intently. Before I can speak, he's circling me, assessing my stance and injuries with a critical eye.

"Hey there, handsome," I tease, trying to lighten the mood. "See something you like?"

Aldric says nothing, his face an unreadable mask. The silence stretches between us, heavy and uncomfortable.

Finally, he speaks. "You shouldn't train tonight. You need rest."

I bristle at his words. "I'm fine. I can handle it."

"No," he says firmly. "You're pushing yourself too hard. It ends now."

Anger flares in my chest. "You don't get to decide that for me," I snap. "I thought you of all people would understand why I need to do this."

Aldric's eyes narrow. "What I understand is that you're being reckless. You'll get yourself killed at this rate."

"At least I'm doing something!" I shout, frustration boiling over. "Unlike you, who's suddenly decided to treat me like I'm a worthless human!" I stomp over to the training area. "Come here. Let me prove to you I'm not."

I expect him to argue, but instead, he follows me. As we square off to spar, relief fills me. This is what I wanted. For things to go back to normal.

But they aren't. With every move I make, I notice Aldric's movements are hesitant, his strikes lacking their usual force. He's still trying to go easy on me.

Rage and disappointment surge through me. Without a word, I turn and storm away, leaving Aldric behind. Selene's words echo in my mind, but I push them aside. I expected more from him.

I'll show him what I'm worth. It's clearly much more than he thinks I am.