18. Tori

Iwoke up next to Jun. My eyes ached from fretful sleep. I had used a small bit of magic to calm him, but it felt too similar to the sleeping potions for me to use it more heavily. He had tossed and turned all night, but at every fitful awakening, I assured him he was safe with me.

Nowthat morning broke, he seemed to have finally reached a deep sleep. I cautiously crawled out of bed and closed all the curtains in the room to keep it dark. Pallas was passed out in a scrunched position on the cramped couch. She woke up easily when I approached.

"He seems to be sleeping now. Can you stay with him?" She nodded before silently crawling into bed with him.

Igrabbed my sword and left the room; my body ached as I wandered without thinking. My feet led me to the beach. The crisp morning air was filled with the cacophony of shouting from training soldiers. My heart steadied. This was what my mind and body understood. I ran to join the back of the ranks, falling into the routine, but I couldn't find the stillness I craved, even as sweat built on my brow. My thoughts ran amok.

Webroke for water. It had been too long since I trained; I was entirely unprepared for Kaleos when he landed a slap on my back.

"Look who decided to finally put in some work today," he laughed as I choked on the water. I sputtered, and his charming smile only grew.

"I've been a bit preoccupied, Kaleos," I explained, trying to wipe my face on my sleeve.

"Don'tI know it? Perhaps it's time for a little distraction?" He waggled his eyebrows. "Come on, I know what will cheer you up." He tossed a blunted sword at me with an arrogant smile. His mood was infectious.

"Just you? I'll need more of a challenge than that." I winked at him.

"There she is, that cocky asshole I love. Square up, Princess. I can tell you're rusty; you've lost all the definition in your arms."

Itook a casual swipe at him. "Not all of us spend half the day flexing in a mirror, Kaleos." I was grinning as we circled each other, taking casual swipes. As the cold sea air whipped my skin, I focused my breathing and found that place of deep peace inside my mind. That's when we really began to spar.

Itfelt amazing. If only for a few moments, everything else fell away. My doubts and worries were gone. There was just me, my sword, and the sand beneath my feet. Our swords clashed, sending sparks flying through the air. Kaleos spun and quickly dodged my counterattack by ducking and swiping my legs out from underneath me. The feeling of the air being knocked from my lungs was exquisite.

"Hey, didn't I teach you that move?" I laughed.

Kaleosextended his hand with a smug grin, helping me back to my feet. "You did, but it seems like you forgot your own lesson, Princess."

Ibrushed the sand off my clothes, still catching my breath. "I wonder, are you showing off for someone?" I scanned the beach for a head of red hair.

Hesnorted, sheathing his sword. "Just keeping you on your toes, Tori. Besides, if I don"t challenge you, who will? None of these cowards would." He waved to where Noki and Raula had gathered to watch us. Raula shot him a rude gesture.

Ipunched Kaleos lightly on the arm. "Pretty sure there"s a long list, but I appreciate the effort." My hand naturally fell to the sword Abraxas had gifted me, pulling it from its sheath, its two halves locked together. I still hadn't used it as two blades yet.

Iunlocked them, twirling one in each hand. My left arm ached as I swung the weapon back and forth. Pain radiated from the scar wrapped around my bicep. I sighed, about to set the blade down, when I felt mana creep up my body and wrap itself around the old wound. It didn't heal, but some of the ache was pulled away into the earth below. I swung the blade again, and while the discomfort lingered, it was manageable. I looked back up at Kaleos.

Hegave me his signature wide grin. "GuessI'm in trouble now. Try not to stab me this time, Princess." He grabbed a bladed weapon and took a fighting stance.

"No promises." I held each of the twin blades firmly. Their golden guards wrapped around my hands like my bond with Abraxas was wrapped around my heart. The pain in my arm throbbed, but it also said, show them how strong you've become.

Ispun fast, my blades whirling through the air at Kaleos. Sparks flew as the crash of steel echoed over the beach. Whoops and hollers came from the watching soldiers, but it all passed me by. AllI saw was Kaleos and his sword, as we met again and again. No matter what else happened, this I could do.

Theminutes ticked by. Kaleos was still one of the best swordsmen I knew, but my fae blood gave me the advantage of superior stamina. He started to slow down, and I used it, deflecting one of his too-wide strikes and pushing past his defenses. I rammed my shoulder into his chest, and he fell flat on his ass, my sword at his throat.

"Who's out of shape now, Lieutenant?" He grinned up at me from the sand.

"Hey! I need him in one piece!"

Ireached a hand down to help Kaleos up as Oryx sprinted over to check his lover for injuries.

"Oh, do you now?" I waggled my eyebrows at them, and they both blushed.

Kaleosassured Oryx that he was alright as the healer continued to fuss like a mother hen.

Behindme, I heard whooping from the castle. I looked over to see Avlyn on one of the lower balconies with their fist in the air. Next to them stood CommanderTalius, his arms crossed and gaze fixed on me.

Iturned back to the troops. Oryx was still fretting over Kaleos' leg and the long cut that ran around his thigh. My blades were so sharp that I must have cut him without even noticing.

"I'm sorry! I guess I am always hurting you."

Hewaved his hand. "It's nothing. I'm really fine. This one just likes to fuss." Oryx gave him a stern look, which he smartly conceded to.

Iplaced my hand on his leg and reached down for mana. I brought up tendrils and wrapped them around Kaleos, but nothing happened. I frowned. Pulling harder, I focused on sending the energy into his body, and still, nothing. I let out a frustrated hiss.

"Everything alright, YourHighness?" Oryx put a soft hand on my shoulder.

Immediately, I was surrounded by whispers like the beach had been crammed full of bodies. Oryx perked up, and I knew he heard it, too.

Thewind whipped around us, and the voices rose. I looked at the cliffs and saw the green grass that shifted in the ocean breeze.

Springis coming. Spring is coming. Spring is coming.

Thewords were layered over themselves a thousand times, each blade whispering individually and a part of the greater whole.

Oryxfrowned at me. I understood why; it was late summer, nearly fall in the northern climate.

"Something lost in translation?" I suggested.

Heshrugged. "I doubt the grass is well versed in common."

"Talking to the plants again?" Kaleos asked, making Oryx grin. He took his hand off my shoulder, and the whispers fell away.

Ididn't understand this power I had, but it was time to test it.