Fires of War (War and Deceit #4) - Erin O'Kane Page 0,35

to do what I need to. I want to accept my tribal heritage, but I refuse to forget my fae side. I already miss the elves and the forest. Anxiety makes my chest tight as I think of the unknown. There is so much about all this we don’t know. But the chief is right—I do need to train and get as strong as I can if I’m going to survive this.

“Thank you,” I say gratefully. I may be new here, but even I know that having the chief of the tribe directly involved in my training is an honour. Arne looks startled by my gratitude for a moment, as if not expecting it, but his expression soon softens.

“Return here tomorrow, and we will begin your training. Now that I know your capabilities, I can find you a trainer,” he instructs before nodding once towards Tor and turning to leave.

“Eldrin should be involved in Clarissa’s training too. He can help with accessing her fae abilities,” Naril suggests, and the chief pauses to look at him with a raised eyebrow. The elf holds his ground and gestures towards his scowling brother. “He worked with her in Galandell, he already knows how she responds to different training methods.”

“Naril,” Eldrin bites out, clearly unhappy with the way the conversation has turned, but the chief has clearly heard enough.

“Then it’s agreed, you will work alongside us to assist Clarissa in her…elf training.” The chief stumbles over the phrasing, but from the slight smile on his lips, I get the impression he’s enjoying the fact it’s pissing Eldrin off. When there’s no further complaints, he nods and turns, making his way to the main path, and I know he’ll be heading to the meeting place where he’ll report back to my aunt on my progress.

“So,” I start awkwardly, facing the glaring golden-eyed elf. “You’re going to be my teacher again.” I probably could have tried to sound more enthusiastic, but his expression looks just as pained. Tor snorts at my side, amused, and even the corner of Vaeril’s lips is twitching as he watches us.

“Apparently so,” he mutters dryly, his eyes narrowing on me. “We’ve got a lot of work to do.” His gaze travels along my body, making me bristle, but I don’t say anything, knowing that’s exactly what he’s looking for. Tor grumbles low in his throat, my usually laid-back mate still struggling against the grip of the bond. Eldrin smirks at him before his eyes flick back to mine, but there’s no real humour in them. “We may as well start now.”

“Eldrin—” Vaeril calls out, but Eldrin cuts him off as he stalks closer to me, stopping only when he’s an arm’s length away.

“Do you trust me or not?” There’s a challenge in his voice, and I know it has to do with what I said last night, that there would always be a place for him at my side. For that to be true, I have to trust him. The bastard is twisting my words around, and he knows it. Everyone is silent as we stare at each other, the atmosphere growing tense as they wait for my answer. Raising an eyebrow, Eldrin gestures towards me with a ‘well?’ movement that has me gritting my teeth.

“I trust you,” I finally answer, and everyone seems to breathe again as the strain lessens. For a second, I think I see a flash of vulnerability in Eldrin’s eyes, and no one else would see it because they aren’t paying attention, but in the next moment, it’s gone and he’s smirking at me again.

“Then let’s go.” Without any further explanation, he turns and stalks away, making his way down the mountain path.

Confused, I look at Vaeril and Tor for guidance and see they seem just as puzzled as me. Facing forward, I realise Eldrin isn’t waiting for me and is almost out of sight. I shake off Tor’s cloak with a curse and hand it back to him before hurrying after the elf. Naril’s amused laughter follows me as I try not to trip over the rocky ground.

Of course Eldrin wants to start training now. He delights in torturing me. I grumble as I try to catch up to him. Rounding the corner, I see him just ahead, pulling his hair back into a low ponytail.

“Where are we going?” I ask when I reach his side, but his pointed look makes me roll my eyes. It’s going to go like that then. “Right, trust you.