Chapter Twenty-One

Salome

I slipped into a pair of breeches, then tugged a tunic over my head. For the last couple of days, Gwenn had had me out training with her. She’d pushed me to the point of exhaustion and had treated me like her own personal battering ram. I had the bruises to prove it.

I didn’t really see any improvement during her practices. She just kept beating the crap out of me, which might have been the whole point.

But once she finished with me, Darach would appear and run me through different drills. He said it’d take me more than a few days to get used to the movements and feel competent enough to fight. He claimed it could take months or years before I developed the skills I needed, but his kindness and patience made me want to be better.

With a sigh, I tied my hair up in a ponytail, then sat on the edge of my bed to pull on my boots.

The scent of autumnal leaves surrounded me, and I sighed, already sure who I would see. Darach appeared next to the balcony door.

“Morning,” I said, standing to greet him.

“Morning to you.” He grinned. “I got to thinking last night, while you slept.”

My eyebrows rose. “About?”

“How would you like to show up Gwenn today?”

I snorted. “Um—are you on drugs?’

He gave me a quizzical look. “What?”

“I mean, you’re joking right? You’ve been at all my practices. I have absolutely no chance at winning. She’s too good.”

He ran a ghostly hand through his auburn hair. “What if I helped you?”

“But what if someone sees you?”

“They won’t. I told you, you’re the only one who can.” He smirked, floating over until he stood in front of me. For a moment, he seemed taller than normal—stronger. He touched my hand. “It’ll be fun.”

He was right. It’d be fun to finally show Gwenn I wasn’t this prissy, weak human she thought I was. Besides, it wasn’t like I could do any worse than I already had.

“Okay, I’m in. I sure hope this doesn’t backfire.” My gaze met his.

“It won’t, I promise. It’s about time they start giving you the respect you deserve. You’ve done so much for Summer by freeing the ungrateful Nevin from his curse and risking your life to come here.” His eyes darkened.

Whoa, I wasn’t expecting that. “Well, thank you. I suppose we ought to go then.”

When I arrived at the training grounds beside the barracks, Gwenn stood with her arms crossed, waiting for me. “You’re late,” she snapped.

“Sorry, I was getting dressed.”

She tossed my wooden sword at me. This time, I caught it midair.

“Thought I’d stop in and see how your training is coming along.” Nevin sauntered over to the fence and leaned against it.

“Be prepared for the worst, Your Highness.” Gwenn frowned. “Your hu—guest isn’t taking to it as quickly as we hoped.”

“Don’t listen to her.” Darach popped up next to me. “She’s jealous that you’re getting so much attention.”

I nodded but didn’t dare answer him. The last thing I needed was for them to believe me insane. My pulse quickened, nervousness coiling in my belly. I hated having an audience. Trust me, I was bad enough without having the added pressure.

“Relax,” Darach whispered in my ear. “I’m going to take control now, okay?”

I gasped as I felt his warmth beneath my skin. My body tingled. I closed my eyes for a second, feeling two heartbeats thrumming within me. This seemed so intimate, the way his movements meshed with mine. Our breathing leveled until it was the same.

This was so much like putting on a favorite sweater. Did it feel the same for Darach? Did the same warmth encompass him? But then another thought flooded my mind. What if he permanently possessed me? Was this some guise to take control of me? Maybe I should order him out of me and just face Gwenn on my own.

“Are you ready?” Gwenn’s voice broke through my thoughts.

My arms raised as Darach lifted his. “Yes.”

“Relax,” he said. “I won’t hurt you. You have my word.”

But what did I really know about him? Thing was, he’d had plenty of opportunities to do something to me before now. And I needed this small victory if I wanted to move forward. If it came to it, I’d fight Darach for control of my body. But for now? It was time to show Gwenn a nice surprise.

So I shoved my doubts aside and let him control my actions. If nothing else, it let my body get used to the maneuvers of fighting, which would only aid me in the future.

She smirked, bringing her weapon in an arc and jabbing at my chest. But Darach stepped to the side. He then swung our blade upward. It caught Gwenn’s and sent her makeshift blade flying. Her mouth gaped as if she didn’t believe what just happened.

“Well wasn’t that a lucky defensive movement,” she said when she picked her sword up from the ground. “Bet you can’t do that again.”

A small thrill wriggled in my chest. “We’ll see about that,” Darach whispered.

His words made me smile, and we took our stance once more. This time, Darach didn’t wait for Gwenn to come at us. Instead, he hefted our weapon and charged forward. She raised her sword to block our advance. But we dodged to the side and brought our blade upward, catching her in the ribs.

Her face reddened, and she rolled to the side and came up behind us. Darach spun us around, lifting our practice sword right as hers was about to come down.

The wooden swords collided with a loud thwack. She attempted to shove me backward with her strength. But with Darach’s help, I held my ground. My leg came up and caught her in the stomach, separating us and giving me enough room to drive my fake blade into her shoulder.

Sweat dripped down my forehead, burning my eyes. I blinked, then wiped my face on my sleeve. Gwenn let out a low growl and came at me again. But Darach twisted to the side then took our weapon and jabbed her in the ribs. She fell to her knees and stared up at me like I’d grown three heads.

“You’ve certainly improved. I’ll give you this round. But tomorrow, we’re having a rematch.” Gwenn gave me a forced smile. “Congratulations. Looks like you’re better than you let on. Or maybe you’re just better with an audience.”

I held my hand out to help her up. But she avoided it; instead she stood on her own, then wiped her palms on her breeches, her glance shifting when Nevin joined us.

“What a fabulous match. See, Gwenn, I told you that if anyone could teach her, it was you.”

If they only knew. But I grinned, too. Although Gwenn didn’t look happy about losing to me, I saw a brief moment of respect in her eyes, which was more than I could’ve hoped for. Maybe she’d eventually accept me, or at least be nicer.

Nevin reached for my arm, and I took a step back. He came up short and gave me a sheepish smile. “I’m proud of you. You’ve worked really hard. Gareth will be shocked to see how much you’ve learned in his absence.”

At that moment, I heard Darach whisper goodbye. All at once, my body went cold. My skin puckered with goose bumps. The fullness I’d felt before was gone. I guess he’d meant what he’d said, and I’d been right to take a chance on him. He had no intention of possessing me forever. He just wanted to help.

Over Nevin’s shoulder, I saw Darach. He glowed brighter, as if he’d been dipped in sunshine. His gaze met mine, and he gave me a lopsided grin.

I mouthed the words “Thank you”. He nodded then disappeared.

“The three of us should have lunch,” Nevin said, escorting me toward the palace.

Gwenn came up on my other side, carrying our weapons. “I underestimated you. But I promise, I’ll never do that again. You’re the first one to best me in years. But don’t think I’ll let it happen again.”

Pride bubbled inside me. Okay, so I’d had help beating her, but it felt so good. My smile widened. “It’s okay. I understand.”

When we crossed into the gardens, a sudden, sheer pain overtook me. “Oh my God.”

I dropped to my knees. A scream tore from my lips, and I clutched my chest.

Something’s wrong.

Everything hurt. My body felt like it was on fire, and I fell forward onto all fours.

Please make it stop.

“Salome? What’s wrong?” Nevin dropped down beside me.

No. This isn’t happening. I gasped for air. My lungs burned. I couldn’t breathe.

“Salome? Answer me. Are you okay?” Nevin tilted my head back.

It was then I realized it wasn’t my pain I felt. It was Gareth.

“Gareth!” Damn it! “What’s wrong? Please. Answer me!”

For a brief second, I thought his mind opened up to me. But then the doors slammed shut.

“Gareth.”

Tears ran down my cheeks. Nevin quickly lifted me into his arms. “Salome, answer me? What’s wrong?”

“I-I think something’s happened to Gareth.” I sobbed, burying my head against his tunic.

“I’m sure he’s fine.” He glanced at Gwenn.

“Nevin’s right. Gareth’s the strongest soldier in Summer. He’ll be all right.”

I wanted to believe them, but I’d sensed his pain. And he wouldn’t have closed me off like that unless he was trying to hide it from me.

“Let’s get you to your room.” Nevin carried me into the palace and upstairs. “Everything will be okay.”

But somehow, I knew it wasn’t. Gareth was hurt. And I was too far away to do anything about it.