Chapter 11
AERIS
Chapter 11
Soren's grip on her arm was iron, tighter than it had ever been. He said nothing as he dragged her down the long stone hall, past the still garden with its sleeping trees, until they came to the old corner where they used to train beneath the sky.
"Soren—" Aeris began, but the words died as he turned and pressed her back against the cold wall. His hand held her firm by the shoulder. His head hung low, as though bowed under the weight of too many thoughts.
He did not look like Soren then. Not the quiet shield she had always known. He was shaking, just a little, enough that she noticed. Enough to make her silent. "Soren?"
His voice came rough, broken like wind through dead branches. "Why did you do this?"
He lifted his gaze. And she faltered. There it was,pain, as deep as winter. Worry. Anger, too. But it softened quick, and that only made it worse.
"Selene had a plan. Your brothers did too. All of us, we meant to keep you from this." His voice lowered. "We wanted you safe, Aeris. You were not meant to carry this weight."
She drew in breath, the heat rising in her chest. "I didn't ask for this, Soren. That beast—"
He raised a single finger, silencing her with nothing more than the weight of his presence. "You're always like this." His breath came slow, like he hated what he said next. "Careless."
"Hey!" Aeris snapped, taken aback. Since when did she allow Soren to speak to her this way? He was her mentor, her closest friend, but that did not give him the right.
Soren leaned in, resting his head against her shoulder, his breath uneven. In a voice barely more than a whisper, he said, "What will I do if you lose? What if they take you to Skaldur… to marry him?"
"I won't," Aeris murmured, softer now. She and Soren had never spoken aloud of their feelings, but she was not as blind as Selene thought. She knew what lay between them, even if she could not put words to it. As she wrapped her arms around his back, pulling him close, she accepted one truth. If she were to wed, it would be him. No one else could hold her heart like Soren, no one had ever shown her such patience.
"You don't know that," he sighed, still worried. "Scar may not be as large as Zerek, but he may be far more dangerous."
"He is blind in one eye," Aeris reminded him, her breath stirring his hair. "I know how to use that weakness."
Soren pulled away, their faces suddenly close, far closer than Aeris was used to. Heat flushed through her, her heart quickening. But Soren did not falter, did not seem to notice how little space remained between them.
"Don't underestimate your enemy," he warned, voice firm. "Tonight, you won't rest. You'll train until morning."
Aeris grinned, undeterred. "That's harsh. When will I sleep?"
Soren sighed, his breath warm against Aeris's neck. "Please, take this seriously."
"I am," she murmured, tightening her arms around his back. She felt the difference—the broadness, the strength—so much more than before. He had grown in the years since their last secret embrace, his muscles thick from training. Meanwhile, she remained slight, pale, her body refusing to show the labor of all the hours she spent sharpening her skills.
She was about to lean in, to take comfort in his warmth, when Soren suddenly pulled away. Above them, footsteps echoed. A lamp swayed in the hallway.
He turned his back to her. Hiding, as always. It was a shame that he only let his guard down when no eyes were watching. He thought it wrong. And perhaps it was. Her father would surely rage if he knew. Knew how Soren thought of his daughter, how those feelings were not shunned, but welcomed. But Father would have to understand. Soren was not her blood, only raised as if he were. It was nothing but rank and title keeping them apart. When she turned eighteen, she would tell the truth. And her father would have no choice but to accept.
Soren exhaled, tugging his gloves tighter. "Let's begin."
Aeris hiked up her gown and dropped the heavy fabric by the wall, revealing a men's shirt tucked into fitted trousers. Her boots held her dagger—finally returned to her after much pleading with Thorne.
She pulled the blade free and stepped forward.
Soren turned just then, his gaze flicking to the crown still perched on her head.
"That should probably go."
"Oh." She popped it off and tossed it onto her crumpled gown.
A breath of laughter slipped from him. "Don't throw it. That's expensive."
"Oops," she grinned, thinking how Selene would've gasped in horror.
Then he lunged.
No warning. Just a rush of air and the swing of his fist.
Aeris dodged back, blocked the next strike, ducked. Fast. Her heart leapt with the rhythm of each move.
"Good," Soren said, circling. "But I was holding back."
"Soren!" She bristled, about to argue.
"Don't get distracted." His dagger was out now, gleaming cold in the faint torchlight.
"Dodge. Watch my shoulders. Predict my next move."
Her breath sharpened, eyes locking on his posture.
He struck again. Quicker this time.
Steel met steel with a sharp clang. He pressed down, and she felt the strength of him bear into her, her knees buckling under the force. Her boots scraped across the stone as she held her ground, teeth clenched.
"What do you do when your opponent is stronger? Heavier?" Soren asked, voice even as his weight pressed her down.
"Go lower!" Aeris grunted, twisting her hips. She dropped and rolled to the side, dagger flashing toward his ribs. "Aim for their weak points."
Steel clashed—his blade caught hers with a shower of sparks. She jerked back and reached for his eyes, only for her fingers to be caught mid-air.
"Very good," Soren murmured with a smile, and pride surged in Aeris's chest. Just before he swept her legs and slammed her flat on her back.
His breath was steady as he hovered above her, his knees bracketing her hips. "When you're down like this—" he began, but then paused. His eyes flickered. A shift. A thought. A distraction.
Aeris didn't wait. She locked her legs with his, arms hooking around his neck, and twisted hard.
The world tilted.
Now he was beneath her. She straddled his torso, panting, hair clinging to her damp face. "Quick maneuver," she gasped out, triumphant.
Soren stared up at her, his chest rising slow beneath her. Then his hand lifted gently, cupping her face. "You've come so far, Aeris," he said softly. "Don't lose tomorrow."
Her smile bloomed against his palm. She leaned into the touch, like a cat to warmth.
"I won't."