Captive of the Horde King (Horde Kings Of Dakkar #1) - Zoey Draven Page 0,65

left, you asked me if I would kill the Ghertun scout myself if he threatened the horde,” I said. “And that scared me because I haven’t touched a blade since…since my mother. I’d never needed to, back at my village. I stayed inside the walls and lived.” I licked my lips. “But I’m not in the village anymore. I’m here and this is my life now. And if you think there’s a possibility that I will have to protect myself or the horde one day, then I’m asking you to teach me how.”

“I will protect you, kalles,” he said.

“I know,” I whispered. And I did. I knew he would protect me at all costs though I didn’t understand why. “But if you’re not around? What then? It couldn’t hurt for me to know some basics. My piki told me that Dakkari females know how to fight. Why shouldn’t I?”

He blew out a rough breath, considered my words for a long, tense moment.

Finally, he nodded and I felt relieved.

“I will teach you,” he said. “We will begin tomorrow.”

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“Simply because you are my queen,” he said, “does not mean I will go easy on you, kalles. You wish to learn? You will. Just like all other Dakkari do. With blood and sweat and fatigue. Lysi?”

His words sent a chill down my spine, but I set my jaw and whispered, “Lysi.”

But I couldn’t help but wonder what I’d gotten myself into.

Chapter Twenty-Two

“Again,” Arokan commanded roughly.

I was panting and my legs and arms were shaking from the seemingly hours of exercise that Arokan was putting me through.

When he said he wouldn’t be easy on me, he’d meant it.

I’d asked for this, however, so I would take whatever he gave me. I wouldn’t complain. I would learn.

I got back into position, across from him, about arm’s length away. His expression was unreadable as his hand flashed towards me. My stomach dropped and I ducked, the underused muscles in my thighs straining from the repetitive motions.

I popped back up, sweat dripping down my back, just as his other hand whipped out towards me, so fast it was a blur. It was too late. I’d been too slow and his hand connected against my shoulder, not hard enough to throw me off my feet, but hard enough to sting.

Making a sound of frustration in my throat, I prepared for his next strike and managed to block it with my forearm, though there would be a bruise there in the morning.

“Good,” he praised. “Again.”

It was dark already. My day—which had started in the pyroki enclosure—had been long. I was exhausted and aching and hungry…but I felt strangely calm. The exercises Arokan had made me run through made me focus, made all other thoughts and worries drift from my mind until I was centered on nothing but him. My opponent. My husband.

Though we’d been training since before the sun set, he hadn’t given me a blade or a sword or even a small dagger. No weapons, he’d told me, until I strengthened my body, until my muscles reacted instinctively, until I would know how to use them.

So, I got into position again, trying to ignore the warriors and any passing members of the horde that had gathered to watch. I even saw Lavi watching, with her warrior, though I’d dismissed her before I’d finished in the pyroki enclosure.

When Arokan ran through the set again, I didn’t block a single one, though I’d managed to shuffle away and pivot on the last strike.

“You grow weak,” he commented and I hated that he didn’t sound out of breath at all, while I was dragging air into my lungs like it was water and I was dehydrated. “Your movements grow loose. We are done for tonight.”

“One more,” I said, hating that word. Weak. Pulling in a long pull of air, I exhaled slowly, looking at him. “Just one more.”

He nodded.

That set, I managed to block two of his six strikes.

“Enough,” he said, coming to me once it was done. “We will start again tomorrow.”

I nodded, everything aching. I would pay for this in the morning.

His voice softened as he bent his head low. “You did well, kalles.”

Looking up at him, I gave him a small, tired smile. “You’re just saying that so I don’t suffocate you in your sleep.”

He huffed out an amused breath, shaking his head. “Come. You need sleep.”

My body might be tired, but my mind felt energized. Still, I didn’t argue as he led us back