‘Now for the lift!’Ania called.
Torgrin spun me until he was behind me, and his hand left mine to join his other hand on my hips.
This was not going to go well – I was a tall, muscular woman.
I was surprised to feel him squeeze my hips as if he was trying to reassure me.Taking a deep breath, I relaxed and bent my knees a second before my feet left the floor.I was in the air for only a moment before Torgrin set me back on my feet.I was supposed to take a double step forward, but his hands still held me from behind.Pressed against his body, the hair at my nape tingled as Torgrin’s breath caressed the back of my neck.
‘You smell like lavender,’ he murmured in my ear.
Now, my breathlessness had nothing to do with the dancing.
He pushed me away from him, and I stumbled forward.
‘Excuse me, but I’m expected elsewhere,’ Torgrin said to no-one in particular before marching from the room.
Wolfe skipped through the doorway and greeted Torgrin, but the captain didn’t even slow down to return his greeting.
Everyone looked surprised by Torgrin’s abrupt exit, except for Bethel, who looked at me with hard emerald eyes.
It felt like Torgrin had punched me in the gut and left me with no explanation as to what I had done wrong.I untied the petticoat and stepped out of it.
‘Thank you, Ania, but I’ve had enough for today,’ I said, handing her the garment.
Ania’s eyes became glassy as she took it from me, and guilt swept over me.She had tried so hard to help, but I could not tolerate another moment of lady-in-waiting lessons.
‘I have training tomorrow morning, but after that, I’m free to take you all into the city or wherever you’d like?’That caught everyone’s interest, even Bethel’s.
‘Can we watch you train with the soldiers?’Wolfe asked excitedly.
‘I don’t see why not,’ I replied, smiling at him.
‘Will Captain Torgrin be training?’Bethel enquired.
‘Ahh …’ I looked at Atlas for confirmation, slightly confused by Bethel’s question.
Atlas nodded, a hint of redness in his cheeks as he avoided direct eye contact with me.
Ania stepped forward.‘I would love to go to the markets and perhaps the blacksmith.It would be exciting to see where you worked.I thought the sword you made for Father was beautiful,’ she gushed.
‘Of course, I would be happy to take you,’ I said.I hoped Cillian would be willing to see me and, maybe, that he would allow me to apologise.
I was certain tomorrow was going to be an interesting day.
CHAPTER 13
Training started at dawn, so I was up and ready before the first rays of light entered my room.I dressed in another borrowed shirt from the chest.I still had no leathers to wear, as they were in my rooms above the forge.I pulled on my fingerless gloves and strapped on one of my swords.
My poor old boots had seen better days.I sighed as the soles pulled away, and I examined them closer to see the leather was splitting in places.When I took Lord Warwick’s children into the city, I would need to find a cobbler and see how much it would cost to repair the soles.
Not long after I arrived at the training arena, the soldiers were divided into three groups.Tomas led the most significant group across to the far side, where targets were being set up and bows were being distributed.Atlas had a group of at least fifty soldiers with him, and they were removing their leathers and stripping down to their breeches.A large circle was drawn into the dirt, and two bare-chested men entered the ring, where they began circling one another.The others gathered around as Atlas spoke.
I was in the third group.Closest to me, dressed in tight black leathers, was Torgrin.I tried and failed to ignore how they emphasised his broad chest and hugged his muscular thighs.
The men took turns sparring with swords while Torgrin corrected their form or made them practise a specific manoeuvere repeatedly until they mastered it.
Soon, it was my turn.I won my first round, tapping my opponent on the chest within minutes.
Torgrin crossed his arms and shook his head.‘You can’t always rely on having the advantage of height, Caris.You need to pick your feet up.’
