“Why does Pax have a mortal?” Aria asks.
Killian cuts through the conversation with a low growl.
“And she can’t fight,” Aria mutters, adjusting the cord holding her bow to her back. “But we want her to learn?”
Killian nods and makes a sound of agreement, a bit like a throat clearing. Aria looks to Rose, and Rose nods. Obviously, Killian’s grunt wasn’t a sound in Aria’s vocabulary. Killian crosses his arms over his chest, the movement broadening his frame and making both women step back. I was wondering how long he could put up with Aria. The FaunaSeed is naturally an emotional Saber, tuned in to growth and death and the pain of the animals around her. The woman would never hunt with Rose and even has trouble eating plants. Plants are not fauna – but being emotionally connected in the way she is, it changes a person's view of the world. Add that to the things Killian already feels, and it must be driving the guy crazy.
“Well, maybe us women can help,” Aria says, leaning forward to check Rose’s reaction.
Rose nods.
“Only if Pax isn’t going to kill us,” Rose says. “Or the rest of you guys, for that matter.”
“Seth, get Pax,” Killian shouts as we step in closer to the group.
But not too close. I stop before Kitten’s bubble will let her jealousy get the better of her.
Seth stops moaning in the shade of a nearby tree. Grumbling, “Yes, boss,” he climbs to his feet.
“I’ll walk with you,” Aria says, moving off.
Rose rests her hand on Killian’s arm – her power sparking heat with his. BloodSeeds and DarknessSeeds are so closely akin – the closest in this world that Killian has.
Kitten moves, and before I’ve even got a read on what she’s doing, she flicks her curved karambit blade and embeds it into the ground right beside Rose’s boot. Rose’s hand moves off Killian, taking the hint.
“Damn,” Kitten mutters, sounding surprised. “Looks like I do get jealous.”
“Good thing you missed,” Rose says, smiling down at the blade and then across at Kitten.
“She didn’t miss,” Killian rumbles, even chuckles a little.
Rose looks at the big guy with a streak of admiration. “Really?”
Killian nods.
“Impressive. I want to train with her,” Rose says, offering Kitten a playful smile. “Just don’t kiss me.”
Pulling the blade from the ground, Rose holds the hilt towards Kitten. I reach out and take it, not wanting either woman to move any closer.
Not wanting Kitten to move out from my shadow, or not wanting Rose to have a weapon near my woman. I’m not sure which.
Kitten smiles at the Saber as she accepts the blade from me. Does she realize she’s angled herself slightly behind me, that she’s flipped the karambit into an overhand grip and shifted her weight onto the balls of her feet? Every part of her is ready to attack even while she is feigning a desire to run. It’s a little amusing to watch.
And maybe a little sexy. I can’t wait to see this woman strong enough to enter the arena – I shut that thought down.
Nothing but wishful thinking.
Pax steps across the narrow point in the stream. I hook my arm around Kitten and deposit her in Killian’s arms before moving to intercept Pax.
“The others are looking for the Spring. What’s going on here?” he asks.
He’s tense. Too tense.
“Rose wants to train Shade,” I say.
“Like fuck,” he growls, storming toward the women.
Five Paces
Roarke’s a little behind me, keeping my bubble at a comfortable range as Rose moves me through a single block and strike. One quick movement. I mirror her. Block – strike. Block – strike.
The woman hovers at arm’s reach, and I can tell it’s calculated. Killian and Seth are off to the left, Killian with his arms still folded over his chest and bloody Seth with his spear stabbed into the ground and flicking it back and forth like a kid who simply can’t sit still.
“You’ve innately got more flexibility through your midsection and more strength too, so you have to work with that,” Rose is saying. She’s got chuckin’ blood painted down her face and drying on her clothes from the deer she carried in.
I feel badass just for training with her, and I’m listening to what she’s saying, but I’ve also spotted Pax storming towards us.
His eyes aren’t glowing, that’s a plus, but his nostrils have this little flare thing going on, and his fist is clenched around the hilt of his sword.
I know this whole mate business has made him a protective bastard, and that he really only sees the world in two colors – protect or destroy – but he’s definitely going to have to learn to trust my choices about who I want to talk to or be around.
Right now Rose isn’t the enemy. I’m not sure if she ever was, and I’m not against having friends and making my own allies. My friends and my allies, because I’m more than just the Elorsins’ shadow, pet, toy, or possession.
She seems to sense Pax approaching, taking a few quick steps to the side and suddenly looking a smidge more nervous.
“Rose is being helpful,” I declare, pretty much announcing it into the sky before meeting Pax’s gaze.
“Rose needs to prepare to leave,” Pax says.
“Yes, Commander,” Rose says, tossing a look over to Killian – who doesn’t respond.
I mirror her plea, and reluctantly the big guy starts to move, Seth behind him. It’s Killian I’m watching approach, though. Still wearing the same pants. Walking around like there isn’t a handful of mud in them. Which is really annoying. What’s the point of putting mud in a guy’s braies if he doesn’t squeal like a child and storm off?
Killian chuckles at me and my feelings. I just stare back as if I didn’t just think things that he finds incredibly funny.
“Can Rose fight?” I ask.
Killian nods.
“All Sabers can fight,” Roarke adds.
Just rub it in, Roarke. Everyone here can fight, but me – which is all
