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"I'm fine," I said, but I was too breathless to really give the words any voice, and the others were chiming in quickly with their thoughts.
"We have to improve her stamina," Asterion muttered.
"It's her absurd lack of balance that's giving her issues," Rolant said.
Conall and Hywel were both headed in my direction, and Conall snarled at the dragon, cutting in front of him.
"Cool your temper, pup, she's in no real danger," Hywel said, arching an eyebrow.
"You push too hard."
I sighed, folding my legs under me and preparing to stand, when I really wanted to spread out on the floor and cool down for a moment. "Conall—"
"Should I leave her under-prepared and unable to defend herself should the worst happen?"
"You should do something other than ruthlessly attack her until she drops!"
"Conall!" I cried out.
He spun, eyes wide and wild, rushing towards me. "Are you—?"
"Conall, calm down," I said, firm and gentle.
He blinked, steps pausing, mouth still hanging open and face pale with worry. He stared at me for a moment, the color slowly returning to his cheeks, until he was properly blushing.
"I'mfine," I said, rising and crossing to meet him. The others watched us, not bothering to hide their curiosity. Hywel reached past Conall, and I passed him Excalibur, and then Conall was drawing me to his chest. I coaxed my sweaty, tired hands into his hair, soothing it back and stroking down over his shoulders.
"I'm training, remember?" I teased.
Conall shuddered. "I know…I just—"
"Hywel is a very good dueler, which means he's going to make me look like a clumsy fool most of the time, but he won't let anything happen to me. Will you, Hywel?" I asked.
"Never,blodyn bach," Hywel said, offering me a soft smile.
I leaned back in the close circle of Conall's arms and cupped his face in my hands. "Can you stand to leave andnotwatch?"
Conall scowled for a moment, jaw ticking in my hands before letting out a sigh. "It…might be best."
I rose to my toes, nudging my nose to his, but Conall was greedy and tense, seaming our mouths in a smooth and deep kiss, his fingers digging into my lower back. Which was lovely, actually. I smiled against his lips and considered who I might best bribe for a massage later. Conall pulled away, glaring at me as if he knew my mind had wandered, but he smacked another quick press to the corner of my mouth and stepped away.
"Find me when you're done," he muttered.
"Laszlo, keep him busy," Hywel said, winking at his mate.
"I'll see what I can manage," Laszlo said drily.
Considering I'd woken to the sounds of their puffing breaths and slick touches, while Hywel kissed me under the covers, I was sure Laszlo could distract Conall from whatever mating related stress he was dealing with.
"Come along, Rolant," Asterion said, turning for the door before I could catch his eye. "We ought to let Hywel lead his own instruction."
"Thank you, Asterion," Hywel said, offering a shallow bow to the minotaur.
Rolant sighed and slithered after Asterion. "I suppose we can always correct the damage later."
Hywel rolled his shoulders and turned me away from the group, scooping my chin up in his fingers and lifting my gaze to his. "You're all right?"
I nodded, warmed under that opal stare, wanting to slide against Hywel's chest. "I know a battle will be distracting too, but—"
