With each step down the stairs, Alchan considered how he could turn all of this to his advantage. If Rain was confident in taking down a challenger with a sword, he wouldn’t succumb to his wyvern and unleash devastation on hapless victims.
“Rainev! Time to get started!” he called out. He held out Luykas’ sword, waiting patiently for the young male to put the ax down. Rainev didn’t say anything when he took the sword.
It started quickly. The drills Alchan put him through were a planned spar, teaching muscle memory to the student. He could do them blindfolded, and Rainev could probably do the same, but with the heavier sword, it was more of a test of endurance.
They went for hours, mostly silent, only breaking to discuss form when Alchan noticed an error. It wasn’t often, but it happened. Even some of his most experienced warriors began to slip up as they grew tired. Even he did. He never expected perfection; it was unreasonable, but he expected them to be the best. He accepted nothing less. With a warrior like Nevyn in the Company, helping train everyone, he knew he had the best warriors the Andinna could offer.
He didn’t stop with Rainev until the young male looked like he was going to drop.
“Get some water and get these cleaned and put away. I’m going to bathe then get lunch started.” He held out his sword, which Rainev took dutifully.
“Yes, sir.”
Alchan shook his head as the young male retreated into his home. Sir—he always hated that. There were two types of sir. The war leader who earned his place and the designation, like General Lorren. Then there was him, a royal brat who was called sir from the first time he drew breath. He hated it, and his hate for it was only beaten by his hatred of ‘Your Grace’ or ‘Your Majesty’ and all the shit like that.
He stripped and dove into his pool, keeping his wings in so he was more streamlined. Swimming wasn’t where the Andinna excelled. In reality, his people were notoriously bad at it. They had a hard time with the way water dragged as they tried to move their wings. It wasn’t impossible, but it was hard.
He surfaced under his waterfall, letting it wash the grime and sweat off his body. He kept his back turned to the world, preferring to stare at the stone cliff behind the water.
It was his favorite place to be, under the waterfall. It was so loud the rest of the world didn’t matter, leaving him to his thoughts. He could pretend, for a moment, that he wasn’t the king of a dying people. He could pretend he had a future he could look forward to. He could pretend when he left the falls, he wouldn’t be so alone.
Alone—he was always alone now. There was a time when he and Luykas were equals before their family was assassinated, but then he’d had to take the role of king, and it had caused a rift that couldn’t be fixed. There would always be a divide now. Sure, they told everyone they both ran the Company, but in reality, Luykas was his right hand, not his partner. They tried to pretend, though. They tried to hold on to the relationship they’d had before the War.
It didn’t help that Alchan needed a degree of separation from his warriors. They were going to die for him one day. They all knew it. Everyone in the Company understood that basic fact, including Mave.
Well, she might never die. She would never let some unskilled Elvasi with a sword take her to the afterlife. Too bad everyone isn’t her.
He shook his head. He hoped Luykas was teaching his student well. Now that she was in the Company, he didn’t want to imagine it without her.
The idea hit him hard enough, he might as well have flown into a cliff. Luykas had suggested he take Rainev as his nemari, his protégé and student. Alchan grinned. It worked out perfectly. He could keep Rainev close and make sure nothing happened that might put others in danger. The training could continue, making sure his youngest warrior was as good as those with hundreds of years of experience.
I wouldn’t be so alone, either. He would have to stay with me all the time. Nemari live with their charges and watch their backs while receiving the important training they wanted.
That was selfish of him, but he didn’t care. It solved all his problems. Now, he just needed to figure out when to broach the topic. The answer came quickly enough.
Spring. His punishment will be over, and it’s the perfect reasoning. His father will hopefully love it, and Rainev will have to accept if he wants to keep training with me. It would also protect him. No one is ever going to hurt my nemari, not among the Andinna, anyway.
Alchan was grinning as he left his pool and went inside to cook lunch, ordering Rainev to go clean up while he cooked.
It could work. He knew it could. He just needed to wait out the rest of the winter.
10
Mave
The week flew by for Mave, and the morning came when she and Luykas were going to test how far they’d come in a short time. She made it to the training field first, getting her stretching done before everyone arrived. Luykas landed next to her before she was finished, smiling warmly.
“Been a good week. You ready for today?” he asked as he began his own stretches beside her.
“I think I am. You?” She smiled back at him. It had been a good week. For the first time all winter, she hadn’t been anxious about seeing him before training. She felt excited. It was an odd change, but she knew where it came from—working with Luykas as a team was easier than being his student. It felt more natural to her.
“I think we can take them, especially since they’re going to be emulating Elvasi soldiers. We’re nowhere near ready for Nevyn and Varon at their best, not after only a week of this.” His smile turned into a grin. “We’re doing lunch again today, right?”
“Yeah, of course.” She stopped, then shook her head. “Actually, no. Can’t today. Mat and Bryn are coming back from another patrol, and I always make sure to have lunch with them when they come home. Sorry.”
“That’s the second time this week,” he said, seeming surprised.
“They do three overnight patrols a week, remember? It was a punishment you and Alchan gave them.” She shook her head at his surprise.
“That’s right. You know, Alchan was the one who gave them three a week. I tried to give them four.”
That made her pause and straighten up from her stretching. As she crossed her arms, Luykas realized she was sizing him up and stepped further away.
“Really?” She wasn’t angry, but it was interesting to learn. “Why is that?”
“They started a physical altercation with our commander. Even if you ignored that he’s the king, they deserved a harsh punishment. Plus, I had to make Alchan look good. I knew he wouldn’t go for four nights a week, not with you involved, but I wanted him to look better, so I threw out a harsher option.” He shrugged.
She thought about that for a long time, watching him, an interesting thing to do. It worked. She wanted to strangle him for suggesting a harsher punishment and wanted to thank Alchan for not choosing it. It made Alchan look merciful.
“You’re a smart man when you take your head out of your ass,” she commented lightly.
“You’re pleasant company when you leave the daggers at home,” he retorted.
Even a week before, the comment would have pissed her off, but she just grinned now. Like every male in the Company, Luykas was trying to treat her like he did everyone. It had taken her a long time to get to that point, but she was finally there. It helped that she was the same with most of the Company now. They all exchanged jokes and insults as if they were sentiments of endearment. The only Andinna she didn’t do it with was Alchan. They respected each other, and that was enough.
She didn’t have a chance to find a good way to respond because Nevyn and Varon landed at that moment.
“So, are my two least favorite students ready to get their asses beat?” Nevyn asked, laughing as he walked closer. He and Varon already had their swords drawn, ready for combat. “Grab your blades and let’s get started. Our enemies don’t wait for us to get ready!”
Mave unsheathed her morok quickly, ready
ing herself for a fight. Luykas moved next to her, and they hooked tails. It still hit hard, the rush of their identities merging and fighting for space in her mind and his, but after doing it all week, it didn’t hit as hard. It was still disorientating, but she didn’t lose sight of her opponents.
“Good. No closed eyes today. You were both able to stay focused on us.” Nevyn nodded in appreciation, then raised his sword. He didn’t stand like he normally did. He looked like an untrained foot soldier, not the skilled talent he was.
“Go!”
He lunged at them, aiming for her. She deflected his blow but was yanked by Luykas as he wanted to divert his attention to Varon. He wanted them to move, but she resisted, knowing if she gave ground Nevyn would take it. She didn’t want to leave herself open.
Instead, Luykas growled, and she felt pain over her thigh. Looking down, she realized it wasn’t hers. Luykas had been hit. When she looked back up, Nevyn had his sword pointed to her face.
“Well, that was a mess,” he declared. He narrowed his eyes on her. “From your perspective, what just happened?”
“Luykas wanted to advance on Varon, and it would have left me open to you, so I resisted.”
“Varon was—” Luykas turned on her. She felt the indignant anger through the bond. He was frustrated she didn’t follow him.
“I’m not leaving myself open!” she growled at him, meeting his eyes. They were hot, molten, and full of the anger she felt coming from him.
“I was at a major disadvantage. If you had stepped with me, I could have taken him out, then turned to help you with Nevyn,” he growled back, leaning over her. He had the height advantage, making her look further up. “Taking the step with me wouldn’t have gotten you killed. You’re a better warrior than that.”
“And Nevyn is a better soldier than to let me leave an opening and miss it!”
“Well, this is unexpected,” Nevyn mumbled behind her. She whirled on him, snarling. Varon was by his side again, silent as always. Alas, his face said more than anyone ever could. He was studying them like she and Luykas had grown second heads. When his hands started to move, she paid attention.
“There’s a dominance problem. The drills didn’t force them to make decisions, but this does. Who is in charge?”
“I am,” she snapped. Luykas only snarled behind her, obviously insulted and pissed off with her answer.
Varon tilted his head to the side as Nevyn raised an eyebrow.
“Are you? Luykas is the better commander. He has years of experience leading others in battle. You’re a strong warrior, but teamwork isn’t something you know, much less how lead another. You’ve never had to, but we all know you can follow orders like the best of them.”
She bared her teeth, hoping the sight of her canines would make Varon take that back—it didn’t work. He met her with an impassive stare that slowly turned into a frown.
“How the hell did you two do it during the mission?” Nevyn asked loudly. “Do that again.”
“I led,” Luykas answered. Mave wanted to strangle him. “Mave lowered her eyes because she was injured. Since then…”
“Since then, Luykas hasn’t gone back to his spot,” she grumbled. “We’re unresolved in the hierarchy.”
“Ah…” Nevyn nodded slowly. Varon sighed heavily, shaking his head. “Luykas, you know better than to exert dominance over a female in a tough position and expect it to stick.”
“She’s just as dominant to Alchan, and she doesn’t kill him for not lowering his eyes.”
“He’s the king,” she reminded him. “And that doesn’t mean I lower my eyes to him, either.”
“Well…” Nevyn looked to his lover, nodding toward the two of them. “I think I have an idea they’ll both hate. You know what I’m thinking about.”
“It’s not normal,” Varon signed.
“Nothing about this is,” Nevyn said softly, turning away from his companion. “Luykas, as the better commander, you’ll have dominance here. Before you argue, Mave, think about it. When he was leading during your fight with the sorcerer, it worked. However, outside of this, Mave is the most dominant. She carries herself that way, Luykas, and you can’t change it. She has a place among our people now. An odd place, but you can’t outrank her, not in the eyes of the females in the village.”
“That’s the most idiotic thing I’ve ever heard,” the mutt said. “And it’s not how we do things as Andinna. Fuck the females in the village.”
“Well, it’s a good thing you’re half-Elvasi, and Mave is…” Nevyn grinned at her. “Well, you’re you. Just think about it. If not, you’re going to have to fight it out. If that’s going to happen, give me some time. I’m going to get the entire Company, and we’ll take bets.”
“Funny,” she hissed. She hated it, but it made sense. She didn’t want to give up control, not anymore. She’d lived her life out-of-control, never had a say in anything except what happened on the sands. This felt like giving up the one place where she was always in control.
“Why do the females in the village matter?”
“Because they finally have a female who ranks close to the king, and our people don’t do well under male rule. We naturally want dominant females, and you represent power they haven’t had in a thousand years,” Varon signed slowly. “This isn’t something to take lightly. They might not even realize how important you are to them, but I promise if you defer to Luykas completely, they will go from indifference towards you to all-out hate. You’ll have lost your sex too much power they had just got back, without even realizing it.”
Mave looked between the three males around her. Was Varon serious?
“Damn it,” Luykas muttered. “Fine. Outside of fighting together, I’ll relent and accept Mave as my superior.”
“Equal,” Nevyn corrected. “A fluid changing of dominance as skills are needed between the two of you. You’re equally dominant, but there’s more at stake than your pride. Mave?”
She was still trying to figure out the politics of what she had just learned when he said her name. With a heavy sigh, she nodded.
“You’re right. Luykas is the better commander. I’ll follow his lead in combat. Don’t make this hard on me, mutt.”
“I won’t. We can do this. I’ll…defer to you away from this. Skies, this is strange.”
“Why don’t you two agree to a trial run? Give it ‘til the end of winter. See how it works out for you. If it doesn’t, the entire Company will get together and you can have a full fight for it.” Nevyn gestured between them. “I know it’s asking a lot, and I’m glad you’re both willing to try, but this isn’t the only option. Just wanted to make sure you both knew that.”
Mave met Luykas’ eyes. With their bond flowing between them, there was nothing to really say. They were both annoyed with the idea of giving up control in any way. They were both nervous about this partnership. They both wanted to succeed.
And neither of them really wanted to fight for it. They were finally getting along, for the most part. A fight would ruin the fragile peace between them and kill the budding friendship.
“Equals,” she said softly. “We can do that, right?”
“Fluid changes in dominance, depending on the situation. It won’t be easy.” He gave her a brave smile. “I’m half-Elvasi. Something about you makes me want to be more Andinna, but I always need to remember who I am. I don’t need to be in charge all the time. It’s how Alchan and I make it work. He’s the king. You’re a female. I should know my place.”
“And you’re an experienced tactician. If anyone can direct both of us to do our best, it’s you,” she said, giving him what was rightfully his. “Trial period. If we want to kill each other by the end of this, so be it.”
“I’m so proud of them,” Nevyn muttered to his lover. When Mave looked over to the pair, Varon’s shoulders were shaking in silent laughter.
“They both hate to fail. We just gave them a challenge. They’ll make it work.”
“I h
ate when they talk about people like they aren’t around,” Luykas whispered to her.
“I kind of do too,” she agreed. Suddenly she broke out in a smile. “Want to start practicing today? I’ll follow orders.”
“Yeah.” He snapped his fingers at the lovers. “Hey, you two. Let’s get back to work!”
They fell back into place. When Nevyn attacked her, she followed Luykas’ lead. She was able to defend herself against the other Andinna as Luykas pressed, using magic to disable Varon. She couldn’t tell exactly what he did, but she was impressed. He turned, and she felt a rush of energy pour through her and grinned, advancing on Nevyn at Luykas’ insistence.
This time, they won.
“All right! This might actually work! Let’s go again!” Nevyn seemed pleased, and Mave never felt prouder.
Mave stumbled into the dining hall, her legs and arms aching. She was meeting her lovers, and they weren’t in sight, so she grabbed a plate of food from the males staffing the hall and found the Company’s favorite table. It was empty as well, which surprised her. Nevyn and Varon probably went to bathe after a long morning of training, Luykas probably right behind them. She had no idea where Senri, Kian, or the others were.
She sat alone, pushing her food around her plate, not paying attention to the world around her. Well, she tried not to pay attention to the world. She could hear other females chattering across the hall. She heard old males talking about the glory days, and young males asking them all sorts of questions.
It reminded her of the pits for a moment and listening to the different things they all got up to in their off time. She looked up from her food, feeling that detached, cold feeling spread through her. She could see the entire dining hall from her seat. Everyone was active and vibrant, laughing and joking with each other as they talked about their days, their futures, who was fucking who.
The mood was the only thing that set it apart from the pits. The pits were always dark, cold, and bordering on violent. This didn’t have that feel, which was the saving grace. She watched the crowds with a small smile.
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