“I would’ve thought you’d have spies watching me or something,” I said in jest, pulling myself out of my thoughts. And now I was afraid that maybe he had put people on me. Perhaps the others had, too. It did seem highly unlikely that everyone would just leave me to my own devices while I was in the human realm.
“I wasn’t watching you while you slept or anything,” he said as he rolled his eyes. “But, really? What were you doing?”
“Alura was helping me train. And I read, trying to catch up and just heal while I figured out the next step.”
“And did you figure it out? The next step?”
“Not at all. But I guess that’s the point. I’m probably not going to figure it out until I’m already stepping.”
“Truer words have never been said.”
We moved over the cobblestone bridge, and I looked around, taking in the vast beauty of the Obscurité Court. It had seemed so much more somber the last time I was here, but then again, I had died. Everything had appeared a little darker.
I was so focused on not paying attention to Easton that I tripped over my own foot and ended up slamming right into his chest. He looked down at me, raising a brow as he caught me. I growled then reached out and punched him in the chest as he laughed. I moved back to standing.
“Oh, stop it,” I said, snapping.
“I knew you just wanted to touch me. All you had to do was ask.”
“You’re a jerk.”
“Yes, I am. But I’m also the king. So, you better watch what you’re saying.”
“You’re not my king, Easton.”
“Ah, so Rhodes’ family is your court, then?”
“No, I’m not from either court. Period. And you would do well to remember that.”
“Maybe.”
Easton studied me a minute before waving off the conversation. Then he snapped his fingers, a slight flame appearing. It looked as if he’d done it out of habit. Like he was thinking. But I knew my eyes lit up. I smiled, watching the fire. I had always liked fire.
“You like Fire?” he asked as he doused the blaze.
“Of course.” I breathed, unsure why I’d said the words so quickly, so I backtracked. “But then again, aren’t I supposed to have that element too at some point?”
“Then you need to learn it.” The words sent a shiver down my spine, but I nodded. It took so much out of me to unlock an element. It wasn’t going to be easy. It never was. The other two elements I’d unlocked already had hurt, so I had a feeling this was going to hurt just as much. It likely had to.
Rhodes had told me before that Fire was the hardest element to control. Therefore, it would probably be the hardest one to gain, as well.
“So, Alura has been teaching you more about Earth and Air? How can she when she has neither?”
“Do you know what element she does have?” I asked, curious.
Easton shook his head. “Not my place to say. I probably already said too much, but then again, I always do.”
No, he usually said just enough to annoy me. Well, fine then.
I spread out my fingers, feeling the earth beneath me, and I rumbled it just slightly. Easton’s eyes lit up, and he did the same with his Earth Wielding. It was weird, mixing our elements together and using just one Wielding. I had never done that before, but I liked it.
“You’re better than you used to be. Alura’s teaching you well.”
“Well, that one does seem easier to me, though I still can’t like do waves of dirt and all that.” I had seen the Earth pirates and sentries move rocks, boulders, and hills of dirt with just their Wielding. I might be better than I was, but I was nowhere near that level of proficiency.
Easton nodded. “We can help you with that. Once you figure out the basics, it’s just putting it all together over time. And you’re good with Air, too?” I nodded, pushing at him just slightly with my Wielding. He didn’t take a step back, but he did smile. “Oh, I can see you’re tough with it.”
I narrowed my eyes. “I’ve always wanted to try something.” And then I focused on him, letting the Wielding slide from my shoulders and move down my arms and through my fingertips. The Air slid under him, lifting him up ever so slightly.
Easton’s eyes widened, and he threw back his head and laughed. “Now that’s a good one, little one. Can you make me do spins?”
I shook my head, laughing with him as I lowered him to his feet.
“If I did that, I’d probably end up bashing your head in, and that’s not something I really want to do.” I paused. “At least not at the moment. Treason and all.”
“Well, I’m grateful for that. Training begins tomorrow. The uncles will probably begin with you. I have things to do.”
“So, you’re not going to be in charge of my training?” I asked, still a little confused as to why I was here. With him. Alone.
A strange look covered his face, and he shook his head. “I’m king now. I have other things to do. My people will help you. And maybe then you can help us.”
There wasn’t much to say after that. After all, it had been my fault that his mother died, my fault that he was now king. And I still didn’t know how I was supposed to save everyone. I could barely save myself.
So, without words, he walked me back to the castle as the sun set around us, then led me to my room. He still didn’t speak as I closed the door behind me without even saying goodbye to him.
Braelynn was already in the suite, obviously having come back from her trip with Wyn, though I didn’t know when. And though I was hungry, I knew I couldn’t eat. Not when I was so confused. Not when I missed all the things I’d once had, everything I knew I couldn’t have again.
And so, I lay in bed, willing myself to at least go to sleep or wait for the next part to come. Braelynn jumped into my lap, purring as I tried to hold myself together. I didn’t know what was coming next, but I knew what I missed. I missed silver eyes. Missed when things had just been about a crush on a boy and me finding myself. I’d already found a part of myself, but I didn’t know what it all meant.
And there was more to come. There always was. And now it seemed Easton would be part of it, at least in the periphery.
And I still had no idea how I felt about that.
Chapter Six
When they told me I would be training, I had thought about using the sword that had impaled me, going into some kind of medieval or Viking sparring where I would sweat and cry and maybe even bleed. I had pictured going through every motion, trying to fight for my life and learning how to use weapons that were not just my elements.
I remembered Luken, Rhodes’ best friend and fellow warrior. He had used his sword and his Air Wielding together as if they were one. He’d sent his Wielding along the sword as a way to direct where he needed to send his magic and where he needed to fight.
I knew he also used the sword against the Danes who were just as strong as he was, using weapons that they could hold because they didn’t have the Wielding within their bodies.
So, when Easton and the others had said it was time to train, that is what had come to mind.
Me wearing battle leathers and trying to fight for my life as I learned how to build muscle and use weapons that I had never held before.