Unlike the last training session when I was too flustered and too pissed off to focus on anything other than beating him, this time Weston is a good teacher. He doesn’t get frustrated or impatient. When I struggle, he shows me the movements again and again, or offers constructive words until I get the feel for it.
After countless tries and a mediocre performance, my hand starts cramping, so I take the excuse to step away from him.
“Now I just need to learn how to do the flippy thing you do at the end,” I say.
“I would highly recommend you try learning that with a practice dagger, not this one.” He flips it again, so the blade lays across his palm and extends it toward me. The skillful way he handles a blade shouldn’t surprise me, with the years of practicing in Dawnlin under his belt, but sometimes I wonder if there is more to it than that.
“Thank you for teaching me,” I say as I slide the dagger back into its sheath. “I’m sorry I kept you to myself today.”
When his lips turn up in a smirk, I realize what I said.
“I mean, not you, just your instruction. You didn’t have to spend so much time with me,” I stammer, trying to dig my way out of the embarrassment that is consuming me.
“You don’t have to thank me, princess,” he says, smiling softly. “It’s my job.”
The crew around us has calmed after spending hours beneath the blazing suns training. Many sit around in groups in the shade, eating and laughing, and weapons litter the floor.
“It’s not really a captain’s job to teach everyone how to defend themselves.”
“Maybe not, but it is mine.”
“Captain!” someone calls from behind him.
Weston steps backward, his eyes locked on mine until the last moment, before he turns on his heel and heads across the deck. There’s a small flutter in my stomach at his attention, but I turn away and walk back toward Stassia, who has barely moved. I lay down next to her, Auralie and Fin having disappeared in search of some lunch, so we are alone. I close my eyes, letting the heat and sunlight soak into me and let loose a sigh at how amazing it feels.
“I could lie here all day,” Stassia says. “Especially once the shirts start coming off.”
A giggle erupts from my throat, and I reach my arms up, stretching out my forearms.
I’m going to be sore later.
“Yours included?” I ask with a smile.
“You’re lucky it isn’t already,” she says, and something tells me she is not joking.
“We don’t get any sun in Blackwood,” I murmur. “It’s one part of Dawnlin I will definitely miss when we get home.” Light dances over my closed eyes as the sails rustle in the light breeze. Returning to my cold and wet kingdom isn’t enticing, despite knowing I need to get back home for my people.
“Ifwe get home.”
“Yeah, if.”
“I have a feeling we’re about to get a heat wave,” she says after a few moments.
“You mean it gets hotter?” I say, popping up to look at her.
“Oh yeah. It’s going to be glorious.”
I lay back down with a groan. Though it took me time to get used to the heat, I’ve grown to enjoy it, knowing that if we ever do make it home, I likely would never experience heat like this again. The thought of it getting even hotter, however, is not something I am looking forward to.
We fall into silence, enjoying the calm of the deck and the break from our daily tasks. Even though my arms are heavy and exhausted, I feel good. Strong. Like how I felt after a great training session with Brynne.
It’s been a while since I felt that way, especially since being here.
“Why do you hate us?” she asks suddenly.
Her question takes me off guard. I didn’t think I’d have to explain myself, that I don’t really hate them, especially her and Auralie and Sig. Friendly feelings toward all of them have been developing more and more each day, despite still having deep-seateded reservations.
“I don’t hate you, Stass.”
