Chapter 30 War Preparedness
Amara’s POV
The training grounds were drenched with dew, and the morning air was icy and harsh. As I stepped outside, my boots crunching on the frozen grass, I tightened my cloak. Kian and Rowan were already waiting. They were standing on opposing ends of the field, their eyes meeting in challenge rather than hello.
They hadn't exchanged any words. Not since the ceremony. Not since I acknowledged that I was unsure of my true desires.
I inhaled deeply before moving between them. "So... let’s start."
Kian nodded briefly and moved forward while examining my stance. "Form first. Show me what you remember."
Rowan folded his arms. Without actual combat, she won't get better. She requires pressure. Not drills for form.
Kian avoided eye contact with him. "And if her stance is a mess, she won't survive."
I forced a smile and replied, "You know, I'm right here." "Not hard of hearing."
“Then show you can manage both,” Rowan said, glancing at me.
Kian was the first to move. With barely enough force for me to evade, he swung a rapid blow toward my shoulder. I blocked with my forearm and sidestepped, just missing his hand.
"Well," he whispered. "Once more."
Faster this time, he returned. I blocked again, but this time I fell hard on my side after twisting my ankle on the damp ground.
“Ow…”
"Fuck it," Rowan snarled. "She's not prepared."
"She is," stated Kian bluntly. "All she needs is time."
I brushed off my cloak and sat up. "I want to fight," I said. I meant it. Try once more.
Now Rowan moved forward to lend a helping hand. "Allow me to demonstrate."
After hesitating, I took his hand. He held on to me as he pulled me up.
His voice was low as he replied, "Follow your gut." "Have faith in your inner wolf."
Suddenly, he came at me, his hand slashing low, aiming for my legs. My heart pounding, I leapt back just in time.
"Faster than before," I said, panting.
Rowan answered, "You'll have to outpace me in speed." "Lilith is not going to be easy."
Like Kian had demonstrated to me weeks prior, I whirled into a countermove, but Rowan easily ducked it.
"Too slow," he said, grinning.
I gritted my teeth and said, "Again."
Kian watched as he moved about us. "She picks things up quickly."
I yelled, "I'm not here to impress either of you."
After becoming motionless, they both nodded. Something changed. The strain in the atmosphere shifted from jealousy to survival.
Rowan struck once more. I grabbed his arm, twisted, and ducked, briefly pinning him in the process.
I laughed at the look of surprise on his face.
"She poses a threat," Kian smirked.
"Perhaps," Rowan said quietly, softly shoving me away. "But not risky enough."
We continued our training. My arms hurt. My legs were burning. However, something deep, strong, and ancient began to awaken inside of me. Under my sleeves, my spirit marks pulsed softly, as if they were listening.
Kian threw me a little silver sword after another set.
"Give it a try."
Although it felt comfortable in my hands, it was heavier than I had anticipated.
"Avoid just swinging," Kian cautioned. "Go with the flow. Let the moon direct your movement.”
"A poet now? What are you? Rowan rolled his eyes as he spoke.
But I briefly closed my eyes. I visualised the moon—calm, brilliant, and full. Then I made a move. My sword moved smoothly and deliberately through the air. For a moment, silver light flickered down its edge.
Rowan's look expanded. Did she just—? "
Kian took a step forward and fixed his look on the blade. "She simply directed moonlight."
I said in a mumble, "I... I didn't mean to."
However, I had soft light spirit marks that seemed to be alive.
Kian and Rowan exchanged a look, this time one of shock rather than anger.
"She's evolving," Kian said.
"Yes," said Rowan. "And quickly."
We were short on time. And I had a gut feeling that whatever was going to happen would be worse than anything we had ever encountered.
The mist from the early morning was still hanging in the air when I stood at the training grounds. The grass was wet under my boots, and the wind's coolness hinted at the impending conflict.
To my right, Kian stood with his arms crossed and his face unreadable. On my left was Rowan, his eyes furious and dark, his jaw clenched. Since their arrival, they had not talked to one another, and their tension was so great that it was choking them.
I tried to break the stillness by saying, "So." Will we stand here and look at one another, or will we fight? "
Kian's eyebrows went up. "Avoid becoming arrogant. This isn't a game.
I looked up into his eyes and said, "I'm not playing." "I'm attempting to live."
Rowan sighed. "Let's just get going."
Both of them moved simultaneously. Kian came up and threw a wooden stick at me. Rowan went around me.
"Protect," Kian commanded.
Without thinking, I quickly raised the staff to stop Rowan's blow. The wood struck him with a loud crack. The force made my arms tremble, but I remained steadfast.
Rowan remarked, "Not bad." "Once more."
We continued. Attack. Block. Turn. Duck.
Kian would yell corrections out loud. "A more expansive posture! Be mindful of your footing! "
Rowan was quick to criticise. Too sluggish. By now, you'll be dead.
Even though their shouts were coming from different directions, I ignored them. I paid attention to the beat. My breath. My feet. My strength.
It was growing within me.
Something savage and old pulsed beneath my skin with each movement.
I dived and twisted, sweeping Rowan's knees out from under him as he rushed again. The breath left his lungs as he struck the ground with force.
I went cold.
Kian blinked. "She simply—"
With a grunt, Rowan burst out laughing. "She understood me."
I volunteered to help him. "Are you alright? "
Taking it, he got to his feet while continuing to laugh. "That was not what I expected."
Kian whispered as he approached, "She's learning quickly." "Too quickly."
That's a compliment, right? I tilted my head and asked.
He whispered, "Don't let it get to your head," but his eyes were glimmering with pride.
We continued our training. Rowan demonstrated to me how to disarm with a simple wrist twist. I learned how to use my body to generate momentum from Kian. I took it all in and became stronger, sharper, and faster.
I cursed myself when I made a mistake. I experienced a rush of excitement when I hit. I was no longer the timid young woman who hid behind people.
I was evolving into something greater.
Breathless, I wiped perspiration from my brow and added, "I want to try something."
Rowan's eyebrows went up. "Now what? "
"I had a feeling. Before. When I stopped your blow.
Kian's look grew strained. "How did you feel? "
"Power." moonlight.