Page 73 of The Dark Fae Princess
“I’ll go and find him,” I say, standing up quickly. “It is far past time that I receive advanced training.”
“We can agree on that,” Gramps says gruffly. “Go now.”
I bob my head and exit his office as quickly as I can in case he suddenly decides he can sniff out Jerrick’s scent on me or something, like a freaking Vampire.
I make a quick stop by my room to change into appropriate ass kicking gear, which consists of tight stretchy pants that Arathia calls ‘yoga pants’, which makes me giggle, and a tight training bra, all in black. Then, I make my way out into the gardens, knowing that Jerrick will be waiting for me in the area that we like to train in. It’s a large square piece of soft grass, surrounded by tall hedges for privacy – I’m wickedly shy about letting people see me make a fool of myself – and a large post that has been erected by my father to kick the shit out of, like the one at Constantine’s castle.
Pulling my usually loose hair up into a high ponytail, I enter the square only to stop dead.
“Uhm,” I mumble as I see all four of my men assembled and, by appearances, ready to train with me. “What’s going on?”
Jerrick beckons me closer and I edge in, suddenly very embarrassed. This is going to be awful.
“We are all going to train you using our various unique skills. This will keep you on your toes and also point out any flaws and strengths you have,” he says.
I grimace at him. Why did he say flaws first? Now, that’s all I will be thinking about.
“Great,” I mutter.
He gives me a sympathetic look, knowing that this is my worst nightmare come true. I don’t mind sparring with him, he knows me, and I’ve grown comfortable with it, but the other three…
I gulp and realize how ridiculous I’m being. I’ve just had sex with all of them in front of each other for the gods’ sake. Surely that lowers inhibitions elsewhere as well?
“The first thing I want to do is practice with swords,” he says and throws me a sword, which I catch in my left hand by the hilt and then promptly drop the tip to the floor.
“Hey!” I complain, my cheeks already flushing. “This is heavy.”
He gives me a scathing look. “It’s real,” he points out unnecessarily.
“We have never trained with real swords before,” I whine, giving him a sour look.
“Today we are,” he says. “And we will all be attacking you at once.”
“What?” I demand. “Are you insane?”
I look at all of them, and my shyness turns slightly to fear. They are going to eat me alive.
“No, perfectly sane. You cannot expect your enemies to wait to attack you one by one. They will swarm you to get to you. You need to defend yourself.”
I grimace at him.
I heft the sword up, not giving any of these huge males a chance to consider me weak under any circumstances. Although, that ship has probably sailed with my pansy-ass complaining. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not a weakling. Icanfight with a sword, but up to date they have been training swords to get me used to the feel and movement. I’m starting to think they are a dumb idea if real swords are so much heavier. The whole balance is going to be off.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Jerrick says. “The weight is going to throw you off, but get the feel for it, get used to the weight and adjust your balance like I’ve taught you. You can do this, Savvie.” He gives me a soft smile.
I nod determinedly at his encouragement and then all four of them rush me, weapons at the ready. I lift my sword, fear coursing through me, but it’s no use. With the clash of silver on someone’s sword, they all come crashing into me with all the force offour large malesand I land flat on my back with my sword half a fucking mile away from my hand.
I groan with humiliation, closing my eyes and struggling to catch my breath, wishing the world away and me along with it.
31
Savannah
“Savvie?” Jerrick asks from above me.
I open my eyes, giving him a steely gaze that he knows has put him in the doghouse.
He gives me an apologetic look, briefly, before his gaze goes hard again. “Not good enough,” he says gruffly, holding his hand out for me to take and haul myself to my feet.
