Page 37 of One Last Promise
“The sacred mountain changedyou, Noor.You know the effects the Barren Lands have.It was no different for me.I gave you the space you needed when you returned.All I’m asking for is the same respect.”Giving me a sad nod, she let me pass.“I’ll be fine, okay?Stop worrying.I’ll be back later.”Loki and Enyo followed, one either side of me in a protective stance.
“Don’t wander too far,” Noor called just before I walked out of sight.She had no idea justhowfar I was about to go.
Darce had shown me a short cut that would be a little safer.It was extremely early in the morning, which made me wonder if he’d arrive soon when he’d explained that he would wait until sunset for me.
Leaving this early avoided all the questions that would have come from those within the palace.Xavier had his spies watching my every move.If this was to become a regular meeting, Darce and I would have to get around him covering me in darkness every time we were together.Uri would work out what was going on in no time.
My hair was down and braided at the sides, keeping the few stray strands off my face.I looked much healthier than I had in the Barren Lands last time.The suns hadn’t made an appearance yet, the pre-dawn sky was lit by our two moons instead.Feeling the land darkened gave me a strange comfort that I had never experienced before.It made me feel a little closer to Darce.
The cave that led into Shielding Valley came into view.Loki and Enyo charged towards it with excitement, recognising the scent from last month.Taking a deep breath, I followed them into the darkness.
Placing my hand against the wall of the cave, I felt my way until trickles of moonlight brightened the space in front of me.One of the pups brushed against me in encouragement.
The familiar lake came into view as the light of the two moons caressed the water with their moonshine.For a barren place, it was beautiful.
“You came,” a smooth voice called from behind me.Turning, my breath almost caught in my chest at the sight of Darce standing in front of me with an arrogant smirk on his face.The face I had pictured in my mind these last few weeks hadn’t done him justice.The familiar feelings began to stir deep inside me.It was difficult to hold them back.
“You said you wouldtrainme.”My tone was clipped as I threw the bag of gold at him.“Your gold!”
“No, I told you I wouldseewhat you had, andthendecide.”
“You shouldn’t underestimate me.”If Darce was my only chance of becoming a warrior, I had to prove myself to him.I believed I could do it, even if no one else did.
“Tackle me to the floor and I will consider it,” he offered, his eyes dark as the night.As I crossed my arms, he began to stalk me in a circle.“I will make the first one easy by not counter-attacking you.Let’s see what you’ve got, Alora.”My father’s disapproving face entered my mind.His harsh words, and the fact that he promised me to Xavier without my consent, began to make me tremble in fury.That wasn’t going to be my life!Rage and adrenaline filled my body as I ran towards Darce.He swerved to avoid my first punch that was aimed at his chest.Spinning around, he grabbed me from behind, touching the bare skin on my stomach.My breathing was so erratic, it was embarrassing.The close contact was making me dizzy.“Lesson one:neverlet emotions get the better of you,” he whispered into my ear, pushing my back.I bolted a few feet away from him.Arrogant prick!
“You get under my skin!I can’t help it!”I fumed, watching Loki and Enyo playing with the third pup in the long grass.Darcestillhad her!
“Focus!”He was circling me again, so I held my stance as I worked out where to strike this time.Darting in, I aimed for his legs and attempted to sweep them.He caught me again, blocking my try as he swept my own leg, bringing me to the ground.“I’ve really got my work cut out with you,” he sighed, holding his hand out to help me up.The moment our palms touched, that same familiar warmth began to spread through my core.When I looked down at my hands, they were glowing.As in...fully flickering.“Careful,” Darce whispered.“I can’t train you if I’mdead.” I doubted I was powerful enough tokillhim.Focusing on my power, I tried to calm the blazing current surging around my body.“If we’re going to do this, you need to control your powers.Breathe, Alora.”The light started to recede from the calmness of his tone.
“You’lltrainme?”My voice was overly hopeful as I gazed into his star speckled eyes.Somehow, they seemed lighter than usual.The darkness was still there, but the universe inside them seemed larger.
“It’s going to take alotof effort.Do you have any idea how much core work you are going to have to do first?That could take a century at least.You need to be able to link the power all the way from the ground, through your core, to your sword when you wield it above your head.That’s not an easy task.”
“I’m aware of how much work will be involved!”He was treating me like a child.He was no better than my father.It made it even worse that he wasNoxlin.
“I don’t think you do.”Moving towards the lake, Darce picked up a large branch that had fallen from an old oak tree.“Lift this up above your head and put it downtentimes.”Determined to prove myself, I braced my body for the weight of the load, managing to lift it above my head and put it down a total of four times before my body gave out.“Not as easy as it looks, is it?”Quirking an eyebrow as he leaned against the base of the tree, he gave me a triumphant grin.
“If we’re doing this, I could do without your sarcastic tone.I’m aware I have a lot of work to do, but a little faith in me would go a long way.”I had been with him for only a matter ofminutesand Darce had me burning with so many emotions.
“Alora, if we do this, you are going to end uphatingme.I will work youhard, and break that body of yours.It’s the only way to make a warrior out of you.”
“You think too much of yourself, Darce.I understand the need to break me, but it should be obvious that Ialreadyhate you.This is all a matter of convenience.I need a warrior that is willing to train me.You’re a condescendingprick, but I can look past that.” Giving him a teasing smirk, I threw the large branch at his feet.
“That mouth of yours isn’t aspureas before.Have Irubbedoff on you?”I couldn’t mistake the hint of sexual reference as he spoke.
“You disgusting pig!There will be no rubbing of any sort!”Keeping him away with insults was the best plan of action.Whatever I was starting to feel for him obviously wasn’t reciprocated.
“That is fine by me,” he snorted, running his hand through his hair.It was slightly longer than before.The ringlets on the ends were more visible.
Looking towards the third pup that was still playing with Loki and Enyo, I grinned.“You kept her, then?Have you given her a name?”
“Boulder.”I gave him a confused expression.“She is always in the fuckingway!”Laughing out loud for the first time in...centuries, I held my stomach, trying to control myself.That was the funniest name I had ever heard, yet perfect for her.“But you were right.She’s grown on me.How are you finding your pups?Are they allowed in the palace?”
“Yes, as long as they keep out of sight.They are hardly any trouble.My friends love them, and help me look after them.”
“That’s good, at least.They will protect you well.”Darce’s eyes lingered on my face for a few short moments before speaking.“I can spare one day a month to train you.You’ll have a lot of ground work to do while we’re apart.If I don’t see improvements, our sessions will end.You have towantit, Alora.”
“I’m allowing aNoxlinto teach me!That should prove to you how much Iwantthis!”
