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My gaze falls back to Garrett, who stands watching them from the center of the mat, much like I am. I can see the longing in his eyes. I know he loves her; I’ve heard the stories and seen them with my own eyes.
Even still, he’s not one of us—not yet, maybe not ever. I don’t trust easily, and I never have. That’s how you get hurt, and I won’t let anyone hurt Serena again.
For now, he can love her all he wants, but we’re a family, and he needs to understand that loving Serena isn’t just as simple as it was when they were kids. Somewhere along the way, she chose us, and we chose her. Fates be damned, mated, friends, lovers, it doesn’t matter what it is; if she wants us, we will be here for as long as she will have us.
The guys aren’t bad, though they would benefit from some training, not just physical training. Right now, they still use only the element they had access to while in their home realm. Mother believes they will be able to push past the basics, but only time will tell for sure. I think she’s on to something.
Sol and I spar, but it’s over before it starts. He isn’t excited like Pike, and from everything I’ve learned about him since we met, he isn’t a fighter unless he has to be. He doesn’t shift or use his element, but Serena still cheers him on, and even when I pull him to his feet, I see the blush on his cheeks.
“Not everyone’s a fighter, there's no shame in that,” I tell him in an attempt to make him feel better. I’m not sure if it helps or not though. He hurries off back toward the others, his head ducked, not meeting the others’ gazes.
Which is why Serena almost takes him out when she flies toward him, meeting him halfway across the mat and flinging herself at him in a flying hug of sorts. Sol stumbles back a step but rights himself, keeping them both upright, and that’s a feat in itself. I’ve been there. She’s dangerous.
“You did great,” she praises him with a smile.
“I lost,” he grumbles, but I can see the smile threatening to turn his lips. Serena has a way of making everything better.
They walk back over to the others, and Sol falls into place beside her where Storm was as he steps away and out onto the mat.
Apparently, I have my next challenger.
Pike was quick and vicious, while Sol was easy because he didn’t try. However, I don’t think Storm will be like either of them. It’s strange to think about, but even with them growing up together, they’re all very different, and I think that will translate to the mat much the same way it does in their daily lives.
Storm doesn’t shift as he stops before me, instead simply inclining his head, and somehow I know that’s his way of telling me he’s ready. Ever since he and Serena bonded, he’s been calmer, not so murderous, and much less hostile toward me. I’d dare say we almost get along.
I move first, rushing him, and to my surprise, he manages to step out of the way and avoid me, but just barely. It only takes me a second to realize he’s watching for my movements. Storm is quieter and more reserved than anyone who isn’t Serena and his brothers, but I’ve also heard he has a temper. I guess it’s time to test how he uses that in fighting.
I lag, slowing my movements enough for him to get an opening, and just like I thought, he took it. His fist whips out, aimed surprisingly well at my face, considering how fast he decided to take the shot.
Even still, I’m faster. I duck his fists and sweep his feet, but he doesn’t go down. Instead, he leans into it and flips himself to land on his feet. It’s impressive, but I should have expected it with his beast being a cat. They are usually light on their feet and agile.
He doesn't fall for my trick again, and we fall into a game of cat and mouse, trading off on who’s chasing who. I land a few hits, but none are enough to take him down, and he dusts them off and keeps going. It’s not until he tries to hit me with his water that I get the upper hand. I hit it with my fire, and just like that, visibility is gone as a cloud of steam bellows out around us. After that, I’m able to take him down easily; one solid hit puts him on the mat, and I hold him down much the same way I did Pike.
“Alright, ya giant chicken, I get it. You’re a badass,” he says with a laugh. “Now get off me, you’re making me look bad in front of our girl.”
“I don’t know. She didn’t seem to mind sharing,” I say, pushing to my feet. With a wave, I clear the remaining steam hanging in the air so we can see again.
Storm’s brows climb in shock for a moment before he masks it, but I saw it. I’m not sure what it was, but something told me it would be him with Pike; nobody else really made sense. Well, I guess Blair might have; he’s a mystery for the most part.
“You know I’m not a bird, right?” I ask as he dusts himself off, and he shakes his head.
“Yeah, but calling you a badass wyvern doesn’t have the same ring,” he says, slapping a hand to my back as he walks back toward the others.
Blair refuses to fight. Instead, he shifts and wraps me up in his tail, holding me tight enough that I can’t move before dropping me just as quickly. It’s started and over in the blink of an eye, and Blair’s walking away before I even hit the ground.
From the look on Serena’s face, this isn’t unusual behavior for him.
Which leaves Lyle.
“It’s not that serious, Dad,” Serena teases him, earning a glare. It's not the same one he gives me, though. It’s almost… affectionate, maybe? I don’t really know how to explain it, but it doesn’t look like he wants to bury her the same way it does when he hits me with one.
Lyle moves to the center of the mat, standing opposite me. His eyes are hard, and I get the feeling this is going to be a much more in-depth fight. The others seemed to mostly enjoy the spar or do it because they had to, but with Lyle, it looks like he’s studied and is ready, as if he was waiting for this moment.
Damn, I’m not about to win any brownie points here.
“Whenever you’re ready,” I tell him the same way I did the others.
He doesn’t move, though, and for a moment, I wonder if he hadn’t heard me. I open my mouth to repeat myself before I feel it.
