“You and your siblings learned not to fear me—one day, they will as well.”
I laughed. “You think we don’t fear you?”
Her lips twisted into a full, menacing grin as a small shadow danced around the side of her cheek, popping out from the cover of her silver hair.
“You’re learning to control those better, I see,” I offered as I suppressed a shiver that threatened to work its way up my spine.
She glanced to her shoulder where the shadow form hovered. “They are not so bad.”
“Whatever you say,” I said as I focused in on her eyes. They were a constant fuchsia now that she used her preferred dark magic frequently. Although the change wasn't discussed often, we all made an effort to adapt to it.
“If I do not dabble and learn control in times of peace, I will not know how to tame them and their thoughts in times of horror. It is a necessary evil.”
I contemplated her words and was inclined to agree.
We turned a street corner to find Landon making his way to us as he moved through the crowd.
“I will see you this evening, Finnian,” Veli offered as her steps quickened and she wisped herself away within the masses.
“There he is,” Landon greeted as he pulled me into a hug and kissed my forehead. “How’s my favorite healer doing?”
I let out a short laugh. “I’m no healer. Not yet, anyway.”
“Well, you’re a hell of a lot better than I would be,” he teased himself, and guided me through the streets.
“That doesn’t take much,” I joked back. “Did training end early? You’re normally down in the fields still.”
“Zaela let most of us head home early today for a job well done,” he stated.
“Most of you?”
He glanced at me and the corner of his lips tipped up as he huffed out a breath through his nostrils. “It appears that your sister needed a little more…one-on-one training.”
My eyes bulged. “I’m assuming it’s not the sister who has led armies and is a skilled warrior…”
“You would be correct.” His face was riddled with amusement.
A laugh worked its way out of me, even after trying to suppress it. “And she didn’t want an audience for such a thing?”
“I think after watching what happened with you, she threw a fit thinking about everyone deciding her role in the war together.”
“Classic Avery,” I huffed. “How much coin are we betting on how well this goes?” I said with a laugh.
“I’m not brave enough to bet coin against either of those females.” We both began chuckling as we walked down the street. “But, needless to say, we’re off the hook for the rest of the afternoon.” Landon offered me his arm. “Care to join me for dinner?”
Lacing my arm through his, I sent up a silentthank youto the gods that Veli was able to save his life the day he almost succumbed to his wounds in Ellecaster. The growth he had shown since only a few months ago, when he was just a stable hand on the castle grounds, was admirable.
“I would be honored,” I answered, allowing him to lead the way.
Chapter forty-three
Avery
The setting sun wascasting a warm glow on the training platform. My eyes moved with Zaela as she paced on the opposite side of the ring, taunting me.
“Are you ladies ready?” Gage asked from just beyond the combat line, wearing a grin that stretched ear-to-ear.
“Let’s do this,” I breathed.
