Page 92 of Whispers of the Elderoak

“It’s lovely.” She sighed as she ran her hand along the rosemary, releasing its sharp scent.

They walked through the gardens onto a winding path opening into a large clearing. A waist high stone wall dotted with trees surrounded an open field where there were dozens of circular areas of dirt. “This is where we train.” Raine gestured as they approached. “Let’s go see if anyone is still out here making fools of themselves.”

Smiling, Ava walked next to him as they ambled along the path on the outside of the stone wall. After a couple of minutes, they stopped before a dirt ring close to the wall where two warriors were facing off, Casimir and Jorrar.

“Be easy on the old man, Cas!” Raine jested.

Ava leaned over, resting on her elbows on the smooth stone and watched with a mix of fascination and fear. Casimir and Jorrar each had a sword and were squaring off in the center of the ring. Both men were drenched in sweat, tunics clinging to their bodies as they danced around each other.

Jorrar advanced and lunged at Casimir, swiping toward him. Casimir parried the blow and pivoted to Jorrar’s side so quickly, Ava could barely register the move. But Jorrar hadprepared for it, sweeping his leg at Casimir’s own, throwing him flat on his back.

“I may be older, but I can still best the general.” Jorrar smiled as he walked around the ring at his victory.

Casimir jumped up with a predatory gleam in his eye. He removed his shirt and tossed it aside before picking back up his sword. Ava watched as he swung it around, taunting Jorrar as if he was stalking his quarry.

“I’m not done yet,” he challenged, a grin on his face.

Jorrar laughed and lunged back at Casimir who blocked his blow. They danced for a few seconds, swords ringing as they continued to swipe and parry, each blow deflected with swift precision.

She couldn’t keep her eyes off the two powerful warriors, mesmerized by their strength and speed. She had forgotten how tall and broad Casimir was until she saw him next to Jorrar who was not short by any means.

Sweat dripped down his muscled back as he continued to land blow after blow, trying to enact his revenge. He turned, and Jorrar now lay on his back while Casimir looked down at him triumphantly. Some of his hair had come loose from the leather strip binding it together and was hanging in his face, framing his golden eyes. Ava’s eyes crept down his chest that was dusted with hair, snagging on the scars painting his sun-kissed skin. Her gaze paused on the deep lines of muscles disappearing below his pants.

Next to her, Raine cleared his throat, breaking her from her trance and she looked up, making eye contact with Casimir, who smirked. Her cheeks burned as she looked away and up at Raine.

He was beaming down at her, delight on his face. “Like what you see, huh?”

“I… um…” she stammered, her face turning an even deeper shade as she rubbed the back of her neck.

She glanced back at the ring as Casimir approached. A gleam in his eye, he paused in front of them and crossed his arms. His rippling, perfectly toned arms. “How’s your tour going?”

Raine answered, humor in his voice. “Oh, it’s going fantastic, Cas. I thought Ava’s favorite part of the tour was our lovely library but now I think I may be mistaken.”

Ava subtly kicked Raine’s shin from behind the wall. “Ouch!” he hissed as he reached down and rubbed his leg, glancing at her.

Casimir chuckled. “Well, I hope you two have a fun rest of your day,” he replied, glancing down at Ava, suppressing a small grin.

She smiled back awkwardly and looped her arm through Raine’s. “We sure will and it’s time we get on with it,” she said, dragging him away.

“Bye, Cas. Thanks for the show!” he called, as he waggled his eyebrows at Casimir.

“Oh god,” she said quietly.

Raine patted her hand resting on his arm. “I’m sorry, dear. Did I embarrass you?”

They walked along the path taking them around the side of the castle and out to the front, following along a small brook sparkling as it reflected the sunlight peeking through the trees.

Ava looked at him and rolled her eyes. “You’re insufferable,” she said, releasing his arm now they were away from the training area.

“Cas tells me that too.” He beamed. “Seems you two have something in common.”

“Oh, you like to embarrass him also?” she jabbed as they strolled along.

He laughed. “I just enjoy pointing out the obvious.” He glanced down at her. “Like when I notice someone eye-fucking my best friend.”

“Oh my god, I wasnoteye-fucking him.” She blushed again.

“Mm hm,” he replied. “I mean, I don’t blame you one bit. Cas is quite fuckable. With those rippling pecs and rock-hard abs. And if you even knew how big his co?—”

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