Chapter Three

" P hillipa, are those clothes I requested ready?" Liana questioned the next morning while she washed in the bath. The older woman combed her chestnut curls to a familiar rhythm that nearly sent Liana back to bed.

Damien had risen early this morning like he normally did and was out the door before the sun rose. She learned very early on in their marriage that he did not waste a single moment of his day, often leaving early and not returning until very late. She'd asked on multiple occasions if there was anything she could help him with, but he'd just smile and kiss her and say something cheeky while undressing her. So, she gave up on it and filled her days with queenly duties with Eva by her side and a constant entity in her days as well.

"Unfortunately, they are," Phillipa sighed in response. "Would you like to wear them today?"

Smiling to herself she nodded. "Yes, I will need to start training again. I'm ready to see what this new power is capable of."

"If you must." Her maid twisted her hair into a simple braided updo for the day before helping her out of the bath and into the dressing room. "Now, I had the dressmaker create a skirt to go with these," Phillipa started after Liana dressed in the loose trousers and blouse. It was men's fashion to be sure but with a distinct feminine flair fit for a queen. "You'll buckle the skirt around your waist while walking through the castle and will be able to easily remove when you train."

As much as Liana wanted to just wear what she pleased, she knew her maid was right to add on the skirt. She already broke too many standards, and the skirt was yet another unneeded burden of propriety. Although, she wouldn't give up on flexibility and comfort during training.

"Fine, fine," she agreed.

After putting on knee high boots, usually reserved for males as well, they attached the skirt. It wasn't horrendous so she left it and hurried out the door. She didn't stop as she breezed by whoever was on duty today. Turned out to be Asher today. He'd been reclined against the wall, his arms crossed, and eyes closed with his head leaned back, the picture of relaxation. It was rather early, even for her as the sun had just risen.

"Good morning, Your Majesty," he said with a smile in his voice as he sped up to walk slightly in front of her. "Where are you off to in such a hurry?"

"To the training courtyard." Her steps were confident and long, her back straight and proud. It felt like she was falling into being queen just fine.

"Do you require Master Kinley? I can send a servant to fetch him."

"No, thank you." She'd sent a letter to Luciano this morning to request his presence. They still needed to keep her power a secret from as many as possible, including Master Kinley. Perhaps even Asher. He was family, but one could never be too careful, something she learned from Damien. "If there is anything else you'd like to do today, you are dismissed."

Chuckling, he gave her a sidelong glance. "You know Damien would rip my head off if I left you alone. Besides, I'm intrigued. I want to see what's got you so enthused this morning."

They would see about that. Surprise filled her when she found Damien and Luciano already sparring in the courtyard, the faintest rays of light shining down on them while their boots flicked up dew droplets from the grass making it appear as if they danced upon a sparkling floor.

The pair didn't cease their fighting when she walked onto the grass. Effortless and astounding as usual, they fought with an expertise Liana could only dream of. And of course, he fought with his shirt off, displaying all that wonderful muscle she was well acquainted with now. She wasn't feeling very patient this morning though and decided to distract her husband.

Into his mind she taunted, "I'd have followed you down here sooner if this was the show you'd be putting on for me every morning."

Steadfast as he was though, the vampire didn't falter. "Do I not give you enough private shows, wife?"

She blushed at the innuendo. "You certainly do. This courtyard seems like a rather private enough place to explore too."

"Damien," Luciano growled in warning as they parried. "Your focus is slipping."

"It is not," he argued then launched into an attack which Luciano met easily.

"The moment you scented her down the hall your attention wavered. Learn to focus on the fight and keep her in mind. If there comes a time to protect her, you must trust that she will protect herself while you fight."

Damien grunted under the weight of a blow, their swords clashing.

"Well, this has taken a decidedly morbid turn. Did I mention how much I do not like your grandfather? You know, I could blast him for you, show him how much protection I really need from either of you."

A surprised laugh burst from Damien before he hissed at the slice his grandfather landed against his side. "Liana," he shouted aloud. "Behave."

Lifting her hands, she shrugged. "What am I doing except standing here?" Into his mind she said, "Perhaps I should distract you more. Your grandfather is clearly trying to teach you a lesson. Although, considering how old you are, I'm not sure how much more he could teach you. Who am I to question the great and almighty Luciano? If he wants distraction, you have it. I should probably mention that I'm wearing something extra special beneath my skirts today too."

"Liana," he growled in warning, not minding to keep it private. "I am going to shackle you to our bed if you don't stop."

"Promises, promises," she taunted.

Before she could track what was happening, Damien threw his sword aside and ran at her with vampiric speed. Laughing, she held on as he gently tackled her to the ground. Zapping him with a zing of magic, she rolled the opposite way of him and stood, a shield becoming visible around her while a taunting smirk played on her lips.

Damien was already on his feet, his eyes dilated and his fangs out while his chest rose and fell with heavy breaths.

"You can't stay behind that shield forever," he declared.

Shrugging, her magic flitted with joy beneath her skin. They loved playing with him, loved teasing and inciting him. "I could." His lip curled, a snarl echoing around the courtyard.

"Enough, Liana," Luciano demanded. "You are purposefully taunting his vampiric side to come out. The more you do, the quicker to trigger he will become."

Rolling her eyes, she sauntered over to Damien and let her shield fall. Damien grabbed her before she could blink and buried his nose into her neck, lips caressing over her claiming mark. She soothed him quickly with her magic to settle him back into himself.

"I know exactly what I'm doing, Luciano. The more he gets used to his baser instincts, the better he'll be able to control them." Damien stepped back, keeping an arm curled around her back. "Besides, I love riling him up too much to stop."

"And I'm certainly never going to stop you," he said with a smirk.

"Ugh, you two are worse than Ramone and Eva." Luciano dragged a hand down his face. "I suppose she calms you easily enough, but I can see this going very poorly if you are not tightly controlled, son. Don't get lax."

Damien sobered. "I won't, grandfather."

Luciano looked toward Asher. "The day is yours, Asher. I'll call on you if we need you."

Asher crossed his arms and leaned against the stone archway. "I'd rather watch. This is entertaining."

Luciano simply stared until Asher's smirk faded.

"Fine," he huffed. "I'm going."

Reluctantly, he sauntered back into the castle, leaving only the three of them and Phillipa in the courtyard. "Are you ready to test this power?" Luciano started.

Curbing her playfulness, Liana nodded, and they got to work.

He and Damien mostly observed or asked if she could perform something, otherwise, let her lead. She started with shields, as she previously did with Master Kinley. Her magic felt even more connected to her than ever before, at the ready and more malleable than she could remember. She didn't utter a single spell during her training, nor did she struggle to keep up her energy.

For an hour she worked her magic into whatever she could think. Her shields were limitless, and her flames blazed hotter than any natural wood-burning fire.

Luciano suggested she try to create a weapon from nothing, specifically stating she was not to summon. Liana imagined a plain dagger. When the magic built in her hand though, no metal appeared, only a solid form of magic in the shape of a dagger appeared, glowing a brilliant gold.

"Test if that works," Luciano commanded, holding out his forearm. Liana cautiously lifted the magical dagger and pressed the point to his skin. With the slightest pressure, it pierced his skin. She drew back with a gasp. They all stared at the drop of blood pooled atop his skin. "Damien, fetch the training busts."

He returned quickly with a life-sized person made of wood and cloth. Many tears and chips were already beaten into the thing.

Luciano gestured toward it. "Stab it."

Liana smiled and raised her arm before stabbing down into where the person's heart would be. It took no effort at all to pierce the fabric, leaving behind a precise cut, cleaner than any sword or real dagger.

"Try to pass the dagger to me."

Liana opened her fingers, holding the dagger out to Luciano. When his fingers tried to grasp the handle, they passed right through before he snapped his hand back. Shaking his arm, his brows furrowed.

"It set my whole body to shuttering," he stated. "What does it feel like to you?"

Liana gripped the handle once more. "It feels like a handle. Solid and sturdy."

Luciano eyed the dagger then her, an odd look on his face. Liana would have said it was almost admiration, but Luciano would never let an emotion like that out, let alone feel it.

"I'd say you are the most powerful weapon this kingdom has ever seen," he declared much to her dismay.

That's the last thing she wanted to be – a weapon to be used and wielded by others. She was just Liana. Liana with astounding power and capabilities.

Damien tried to put his arm over her shoulders knowing she wouldn't have liked such a statement. "Perhaps that is enough for today. I think we can safely assume Liana is well under control of her power and the extent of which is limitless."

She stepped out of his reach and let the dagger dissipate. "I want to continue learning how to fight like you two." She'd had a few lessons before their wedding, but none since then with everything that had been happening to deter her.

"That is hardly necessary. Your magic is far more useful than close combat," Damien reasoned. Liana undid the buckle at her waist and took the skirt off. Phillipa rushed forward to take it.

"I don't care. I want to learn."

Damien crossed his arms glaring down at her legs. "What are you wearing?"

"Trousers obviously, or is your vision already deteriorating in your old age?"

Sighing, he pinched the bridge of his nose. Luciano slapped him on the back. "I think I understand you a bit more, grandson. I'd let my vampire instincts control me too if my Penelope were as defiant and pestering as your wife."

Liana glowered at the ancient vampire.

"Yes, however, I wouldn't have her any other way," Damien responded.

"I can clearly still hear you."

Damien sighed. "Come on, love, let's teach you to become a swordsman." Reluctantly, the two vampires began her training.

Once they fell into the routine of it, their reservations resolved, and they simply taught her as any other soldier. Liana appreciated it even if her arms were dead by the end of it all.