Of Thorn and Thread (Daughters of Eville #4) - Chanda Hahn Page 0,57

my attacks and toyed with me. He became a little carried away and quickened his steps, attack and feint faster, keeping me on my toes. I barely blocked his side hit.

I faltered and became distracted by Liam’s intense gaze. The staff felt heavy in my hands, and I struggled to raise it. I was tired, and slowing down.

The staff dropped from my fingers and I looked up as Devin’s strike came toward my face.

“Aura!” Hayes yelled in warning.

A golden blur appeared in front of me as Liam pushed me out of the way. I heard his grunt of pain as he took the full force of the hit.

“I’m so sorry, Commander!” Devin cried out, dropping the weapon.

Liam’s eyes were closed, his lips pinched into a thin line of pain. He looked up at me, and I saw the hint of a smile as he turned and picked up my dropped staff.

“My turn,” Liam challenged.

Devin retreated as Liam bore down on him. Devin signaled to Berk, who tossed him two short swords. He crossed the swords in front of his body, accepting the challenge from his leader.

“This is going to be good,” Hayes said.

“Liam is at a disadvantage,” I commented. “A staff against two swords.”

“Don’t let the choice of weapons fool you. It’s Devin you should be worried for. He almost injured you, and Liam is going to make sure he pays. He’s making a statement.”

Devin charged, the swords spinning in a deadly dance. Liam towered over Devin, and with deft movements, he easily sidestepped and blocked, twisting the staff, and pinning Devin’s left arm. With a twist, he disarmed him and tossed the sword into the ground.

“What statement?” I asked.

“That no one hurts you, or they answer to him.” Hayes gestured with his chin to Liam.

“It was an accident. If I were a man, this wouldn’t be an issue.”

“If you were a man,” Hayes warned, “it would be Liam beating you senseless for dropping your weapon. But you’re not, so count your blessings.”

“That’s not fair,” I exclaimed, and watched as Liam made quick work of Devin. He jabbed him in the chest, swung the staff, knocking his knees out from behind, and then brought the end up to Devin’s throat.

“I yield.” Devin swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing against the pressure of the staff. His hands up in the air.

A roar of approval and taunts came from the surrounding troops. Liam didn’t back down, and for a moment, I thought he would strike his friend. His eyes were wild, his nostrils were flared with anger, yet he didn’t even seem out of breath.

Liam nodded and held out his hand to help Devin up. He pulled the man close and whispered something into his ear. Devin’s face paled, and he looked over at me with fear in his eyes. I wanted to know what he was thinking and hearing.

It was my turn to frown with displeasure.

“Why the long face?” Hayes asked. “I would think most women would love the thought of a man fighting for their honor.”

My face flushed. “I’m not most women. And I wouldn’t call that fighting for my honor. He beat him within seconds.”

“Would you rather he dragged it out and completely humiliated him? Which he’s done in the past.”

“No. I wished he wouldn’t have interfered at all. It makes me seem weak.”

Hayes snorted. “Believe me, you have enough weapons at your disposal that you are quite dangerous.”

“What weapons?”

Hayes rubbed his palm over his face and groaned. “It’s sad that you even have to ask. Just shows that you don’t know how to use any of them, which makes you even more innocent.” He looked up and grinned.

Devin limped over, a bruise forming on his cheek, a wide smile on his face. “That was fun. I almost had him.”

“No, you didn’t,” Hayes called out.

Devin shrugged. “Come on, your lesson isn’t even over yet.”

“It’s not?” I asked.

“Commander’s rule. We don’t stop training until you can no longer walk, or until you pass out from exhaustion.”

“I’m going to regret this.” I sighed.

Chapter Sixteen

Devin and Hayes spent every break over the next two days training me in combat. They were both right about working me over until I could no longer walk, and I passed out from exhaustion each night. I’d stretched and worked muscles I didn’t even know I had, and I felt empowered because of their encouragement.

Liam didn’t interfere in my training again. In fact, he was always occupied, even when I wanted to show him I was improving in