hoping to quell the tension. “We’ll switch things around. Tomorrow.” I turned my back to walk away, hoping we were done, but Kellin’s outstretched arm stopped me short.
He let out a low chuckle. “No, my dear, we are not done. Not even close. Pick up your sword,” he breathed, leaning down to speak in my ear.
A ripple of goosebumps traveled from my head to my toes. I winced, not wanting to face him. I’d seen Kellin in action in Earth Realm. He was terrifying.
I resolved my courage and picked up my sword to face him nervously. Tarek, Soran, and Rowan backed away to witness my embarrassment from a safe distance. I grimaced as Kellin gave me an encouraging smile. It was the best I could muster.
“You don’t want me to take it easy on you, then?” Kellin stepped forward and tapped his sword against mine, quickly running the blade’s edge along my own.
“N-no,” I answered, hoping my voice sounded strong, but I knew I sounded like a terrified child.
“My brave girl,” he murmured, reaching forward and touching my cheek gently before backing away.
I bit back my fear, my heart thumping painfully in my chest. This would not end well.
His movements were a blur. He moved so fast my eyes could barely track him. I parried his first attack with a grunt, but he used his redirected momentum to swing his sword in a swift arc toward me. I lifted my weapon over my head just in time, knowing I was trapped on the defensive. His blade whipped through the air around me like lightning. The sunlight glinted off it from every direction, virtually blinding me. He was much faster than even Tarek, who was quick. I’d seen Kellin fight before. Being on the receiving end was the least amount of fun I’d had since coming to Winterset.
I darted to the left as he came at me, thinking I’d escaped until his sword caught my leg and tripped me up, causing me to stumble forward and fall roughly onto my stomach. I hit the ground with a painful grunt and rolled back over to find Kellin looming over me, his sword pointed at heart. He cocked his head and winked at me.
“Gotcha.” He smirked down at me, while I scowled up at him. “Don’t be upset. That’s what we’re doing this for. It’s important to know there are many uses for a sword, aside from just cutting and stabbing people with it. You can use it to trip up your enemy, as I did to you.”
“Doesn’t seem fair,” I grumbled, taking the hand he offered and pulling me to my feet.
“War isn’t fair, Ana.” He frowned at me. “Don’t think for one moment that anyone on a battlefield will offer fairness to you. That’s one of the reasons I don’t want to see you out there. If we can avoid it, we will. I will. I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe.”
“I know you will,” I murmured, looking up at him with an aching heart.
He was such a beautiful man, and any girl would be lucky to have him. I was that girl, and yet I wasn’t ready to give in. It made me feel terrible. He reached out and touched my cheek, cupping the side of my face. My eyes closed at his touch, concentrating on his warmth. One step. Just one at a time.
“Come on. Once more,” he said softly as I opened my eyes. “When we’re finished, I’ll make it up to you. Promise.”
“What makes you think you’ll win this time?” I challenged, letting out a shaky breath, knowing damn well he already had his victory in the bag.
“That’s the spirit.” His lips quirked up into a smile as he backed away from me, readying his sword again.
Chapter 28
Kellin made good on his promise of making it up to me. After successfully knocking me to the ground three times and then giving me the opportunity to come back at him, he finally sheathed his sword and tugged me to my feet, declaring our practice over.
“There are still three hours of daylight left,” Tarek grumbled at Kellin. “We don’t end until nightfall.”
“Not today. She’s had enough,” Kellin replied. “Besides, I’ll be taking her to work on her wielding now, if you must know.”
I glanced between the two of them. There was clearly some dislike between the pair, and I wondered why.
“Tarek, perhaps we should go work with the newer group for a few hours. Give Ana