Page 25 of Enchanted Shadows
Two women still hadn’t crossed the line when the final seconds were running out.
“Thirty minutes!” I finally called out after giving them a few extra seconds. Two more women were gone. And I knew this was bound to happen, there would likely be a few more to go before we really settled into a cohesive team, but dammit if I hadn’t wanted all of them to succeed and pass this.
In the end, all but Harriet and Alison passed. And I again had to wonder if either one was self-sabotage. Alison refused to increase her protein intake, afraid of gaining any sort of weight, even healthy muscle weight. In valuing that over her health, it had affected her performance today. The worst part was, they’d both made it the last time. Just not the one that counted.
I went over to them while Jessina looked on, like she was again going to keep me from kicking someone out. Zara pulled her over, hand around her shoulder, and whispered something to her.
“Harriet and Alison. I am sorry, but you didn’t pass.”
Alison looked gutted but Harriet was either being damn brave or was fine.
“I’m sure this won’t be the last team of women. There will be other training groups. If this is something either of you truly want, use what you learned here, train at home, and come back strong next time. You didn’t make it this time, but you are not defeated.”
Harriet gave me a nod. “Thank you, General Raikes.”
“You both know youcando this, that will be the hardest part to grapple with,” I told them. “But that knowledge can drive you right back here to try again if you allow it to.”
Harriet went to say a few goodbyes, which I allowed.
And then we were down two more girls. Down to sixteen. Most teams worked best at around twelve. I didn’t want to see any of them go, but it was bound to happen.
I led them in stretches and waited until I was sure Harriet and Alison had left before I told the rest, “Well, Slay Sisters, you just earned yourself the afternoon off.”
After the screeching and squealing died down, Summer asked, “Can we go swimming in the lake?”
My eyes tried to leave my head. “Naked?”
Sam died laughing while Molly said gently, “They do make these things called bathing suits, General.”
“Oh.” I hadn’t ever gotten to do this because the lake was already black for my training. “That’s fine. Again, go together in threes or more. I’ll station Miles a ways off, but please do wear clothes. You never know when he or someone from the castle might pop by.”
Sam grinned at me. “What was your training like that you automatically assumewewould do things naked, General?”
We had done a naked run in the forest once, but I wasn’t going to give them any ideas.
Vivian deadpanned, “The men groups probably have back floating contests when they skinny dip.”
I ran a hand down my face. One mess up and they couldn’t just let it slide. “I regret assuming anything,” I mumbled.
“Do you even own a bathing suit, General?” Sam badgered. She just couldn’t help herself.
“I do, but sadly, I have plans this afternoon with my nephews. So no lake day for me.”
“Nephews?” Summer asked, eyes going to Wren.
She explained, “He calls the princes his nephews, even though they’re really not.”
“They really are,” I defended. “I’m their favorite uncle.”
“Yeah, until the one with wings comes to visit,” my sister teased.
“It’s not fair,” I agreed. “Keir had to go and grow wings to compete with me for favorite funcle-dom.” At their weird looks, I added, “Fun uncle? Funcle.”
“Can you tell us about your trips to Dra Skor?” Molly asked. “I just cannot get enough of the stories.” I could read between the lines with what she wasn’t saying. After making it quite far in Keir’s Assemblage, she wanted to know the stories, but likely didn’t feel comfortable enough asking Keir himself for them.
“I will,” I agreed. “But some other day.”
As if on cue, Warrick ran over to where I stood in the training pit. I knew Krew and Jorah were going to be in the area today. They had a trip to Nerede planned while Silvia and I had volunteered to watch the two crowned princes.
