by A J Manney
Zalia filled him in quickly about Adaire.
Just make sure they both keep their distance from you. Especially Adaire; he’s single, he said in typical Valen style.
Zalia responded with a laugh. I don’t think you have anything to worry about with the Prince and me. He seems quite taken with Raven.
Raven? he responded. That’s interesting. She’s from Sol originally, isn’t she?
Yes, Zalia said.
Okay, well keep your distance anyway and be safe training. You tell them if they hurt you, they answer to me, he said.
Zalia smiled. No reason to threaten them, my handsome prince. I won’t keep you but be safe. I, she paused for a moment, I love you.
He was quiet for a moment. Then he said, I love you too, Zalia. Thank you.
Zalia knew she had a big grin on her face, but she couldn’t help it. She loved that man! Kell and Adaire came in moments later in training mode. Adaire took her aside first to train with her. Raven went to work with Kell.
“Have you ever shot with a bow?” Adaire asked Zalia.
Zalia nodded. “My brother used to sneak me outside and train me. He wanted me to be able to protect myself,” Zalia told him.
“Did you train with a bow with Beckam and Valen?” Adaire asked. Zalia shook her head. “Why not?” Adaire asked quizzically.
Zalia shrugged. “Maybe they were going to but never had the chance. Valen was more concerned about teaching me sword fighting, and Beckam loves his daggers,” she said.
“Well, that’s about to change,” Adaire said. “You’re going to get better at this than any of your other weapons. The bow and arrow is the best weapon of defense for a girl. You can stay away from the action and do just as much damage. It’s much safer than a sword or dagger in battle.”
“Well, don’t tell Valen that. He believes the best weapon is the sword,” she said.
Adaire nodded. “I have seen him with a sword. He’s the best there is, but you’re not that good.”
“Hey, how do you know that?” Zalia asked offended.
Adaire looked at her. “Because I’ve seen Prince Valen with a sword,” he said again.
Zalia just laughed. “Of course, you’re right. He’s the best. I can’t even come close.”
Adaire picked up a bow and arrow and brought it over to Zalia. “The reason I’m training you on a bow and arrow instead of a crossbow is while the crossbow requires less upper body strength, you can only shoot two bolts per minute. In a battle of life and death, that’s too slow. Also, the range is not as far as a bow and arrow. So, we are going to train you on my favorite weapon—the bow and arrow. It’s ideal for you because you don’t have to get into the heat of the battle to make a difference. I’m sure your prince will appreciate that. Now, here’s the problem with the bow. It takes a lot of upper body strength, something I doubt you have.” Zalia frowned at that but didn’t argue. Adaire continued. “We are going to put you on a special protein-heavy diet, and I am going to work you really hard on upper body strength. Do you think you will be able to keep up?” he asked her.
Zalia stood tall. “Of course,” she said, speaking with a confidence she didn’t feel.
Adaire looked at her. “Are you ready to get started?”
“Yes,” Zalia said.
“Okay, let’s go. Grab Raven, and let’s head out,” Adaire said as he left the room.
Zalia walked over to where Kell and Raven were working out. “Adaire said to grab you and head outside,” Zalia said.
Raven looked at Kell. “That’s fine,” he said. “I need to do my rounds anyway.” He waved them off, and Raven and Zalia reluctantly headed outside.
They found Adaire waiting for them outside the door. He led them to an area in the back of the castle, almost off the castle grounds. He walked over to a large tree. “Okay,” he said to Zalia. “Up you go.”
Zalia just stood staring at him. “You want me to climb that tree?” she asked incredulously.
He looked at her. “Have you ever climbed a tree before?”
Zalia shook her head reluctantly. He looked down at her with an evil smile. “Well, there’s a first time for everything,” he said.
Zalia stood there a moment longer before she decided she might as well get on with it. “Come on, Raven. Let’s go,” she called out.
Adaire shook his head. “Nope, just you.”
“Why just me?” Zalia asked.
“Because you’re first. Let’s go,” he said, clapping his hands.
Zalia glared at him. She was starting to not like this guy. She stared up at the tree, then walked forward and reached out for the first limb. Grunting, she tried pulling herself up. She promptly lost her grip and fell on her backside. “Ugh,” she said. “This is going to be harder than I thought,” she muttered to herself. She stood up and tried again. This time, at least, she kept her grip and pulled herself up into the tree. She reached up to the next limb and climbed again. She kept up the hard work until she finally got far enough that Prince Adaire said she could climb back down.
Zalia stood at the top, frozen for a moment. She slowly began her descent. When she was finally on solid ground, Prince Adaire said, “Again.”
“What?” Zalia blurted out.
“I said ‘again’,” Adaire said. Zalia just stared at him then turned back around to the tree.
“Miserable, conceited princes. They’re all the same,” she mumbled under her breath.
“What did you say?” Adaire asked with a smirk. Zalia just stuck her tongue out at him, and he laughed.
Zalia began her ascent again. She climbed trees for the rest of the morning. Her only consolation was that Adaire made Raven do the same thing in a different tree. After a short break for lunch, their training the rest of the afternoon was more of the same. Adaire found more trees for them to climb. Then he created a really fun game of lifting heavy rocks and carrying them so many yards and placing them down, then picking them up again and carrying them to where they started. It was great fun. NOT! It was horrible. Zalia’s arms were a quivering mess by the time she was done. Finally, Adaire told them they could take a break for dinner. Zalia ate quickly and was ready to head to her room when Adaire told her it was time to train again.
Zalia groaned in her seat. “I can’t even move my arms,” she complained.
“That’s why we’re not going to be working with your arms. We’re going to be conditioning your stomach muscles. Oh, and only protein for the next few days. Don’t eat any breads, jellies, juices, or puddings. We want to add some muscle to your body.” With that, he stood up and walked out.
Zalia stared after him. “It’s official. I hate him!” she moaned. Raven just laughed at her. Zalia scowled. “Hey, don’t think I don’t notice he’s going easy on you. You only have to do about half of what I have to do each time.”
Raven smiled mischievously. “I know. Isn’t it marvelous?” Zalia picked up her linen napkin and threw it at her. Raven just laughed harder.
True to his word, Adaire spent time teaching Zalia how to tone up her stomach muscles, so she could get more use out of her arm muscles. They trained until darkness descended. Finally, Adaire clapped his hands. “All right. That’s it for today. Be sure to take a hot bath and soak your muscles. We will train again tomorrow.”
Zalia was so grateful to take a bath she thought she might cry. She didn’t bother to thank Adaire or even talk to him. She barely managed to get back to her room. As soon as she stepped in the door, she saw Valen’s bed. Out of sheer exhaustion, she started crying. She knew she was just tired. She had never been pushed that hard in her life. She realized now that Valen and Beckam had been taking it easy on her. Maybe they shouldn’t have, because now she was paying the price.
With tears running down her cheeks, she stripped off her clothes and dropped them to the floor as she stepped towards the bathtub. She turned it on and let it run for a few minutes before climbing in. As she sunk down into the warm water, her tears turned into a full-
on cry. Between missing Valen and being scared for him and the horrible beating her body had taken today, Zalia’s emotional quotient was shot. She put her head back and cried it all out.
Zalia! What’s going on? Valen demanded. He was in protective warrior mode. Whenever he got like this, people got in trouble.
Zalia answer me now! What is going on? Are you hurt? Zalia’s failure to answer him right away was sending him into full-blown warrior mode.
It’s nothing. I’m sorry. I’m just crying in the bathtub. You must have picked up on my emotion. Zalia communicated to him.
Why are you crying? Are you hurt? he asked.
I’m fine, really. It’s silly. I’m sorry for bothering you, she said.
He was quiet for a moment. Then he said, What happened that you’re crying in the bathtub?
Zalia could feel his confusion through the bond. She sighed. She didn’t really want to tell him, because then he would get mad. At least he wasn’t anywhere near to be able to beat Adaire.
Zalia! I’m trying to be patient.
Zalia hurried into it. I’m just sad because I miss you. I’m scared something’s going to happen to you, and my body hurts ridiculously bad. Adaire had me climbing trees, lifting rocks, and doing other strength-related training all day. But it’s okay. I’m in the bath now, and then I'm going to bed. See, nothing to worry about. Zalia cringed as she waited for his reply.
Valen’s voice was calm, too calm. That always meant he was really mad. Zalia, he said calmly, why did Adaire have you climbing trees and lifting heavy rocks all day and whatever other ridiculous things he had you do?
Zalia put her head back on the edge of the tub and groaned. He's working on my upper body strength, for shooting the bow and arrow.
Valen was quiet a moment. Well, you can just tell Adaire—from me—that in our future, only one of us needs to have upper body strength for what we want to do. That’s going to be me, so he can just back off!
Zalia didn’t even think before she blurted out, What do we want to do that you need upper body strength for? She paused for a moment, and then it hit her. Oh! was all she managed.
She could feel his laugh through the bond. She closed her eyes tight. She was so glad he couldn’t see her right now. She was mortified.
He was still chuckling when he started talking to her again. My little innocent. Seriously though, tell Adaire that he needs to back off, or he will deal with me. Can you tell him that, Zalia?
Zalia said quietly to herself, “And just like that, we’re back in protector mode. Yes, Valen, she said.
I'm sorry you’re hurt, he said.
I’m fine. Let’s talk about you. How are you doing? How was the first day? she asked.
Uneventful, he said. As boring as that is, it’s a good thing. That means we haven’t captured my father’s attention yet. We have about three more days until we reach Astra, if all goes as planned. He paused for a moment; then he was back. Hey love, I have to go deal with something. I will say goodnight now, because you need to get some sleep. Are you still in the tub? he asked.
Zalia nodded, then remembered he couldn’t see that. Yes, she said with a yawn.
Go ahead and wash up and get out while I'm talking to you. You sound really tired, and I don’t want you falling asleep in the bathtub, he said to her.
Zalia yawned again. I’m fine, she said sleepily. It was so nice talking to Valen, and the tub was so warm. She closed her eyes to relax.
Zalia! Zalia snapped her eyes awake. Get out of the tub now, he ordered.
Zalia was so sleepy. Zalia! She heard again. Are you out of the tub?
Zalia shook herself and pulled herself up and out of the tub, even though she didn’t want to. I’m out, she said to Valen.
Zalia could feel his frustration. I hate that I’m not there to take care of you.
Zalia almost cried, she was so tired and miserable. Me too, she squeaked out.
It’s going to be okay, sweetheart. You just need some rest, he said in his calm voice. Go ahead and get ready for bed. Let me know when you’re done.
Zalia quickly put on her sleeping clothes and brushed her hair. Then she climbed into bed and under her covers. Okay, I’m in bed, she told Valen.
Tomorrow, you’re going to be even more sore than today. Tell Adaire that I said to take it easy on you. There’s no reason to push you. Tell him if he doesn’t treat you with respect, he will answer to me. Do you understand? Zalia?
Zalia was already asleep and didn’t hear his soft chuckle or him saying, Sweet dreams, my love. Dream of me. I know I will be dreaming of you.
Chapter 25
Zalia opened her eyes slowly the next morning and groaned. “I hate Adaire,” she said. She sat up on the side of the bed. Every muscle in her body hurt. It took her forever to get dressed and ready for the day. She ate a quick breakfast and walked outside to meet Adaire for training.
He was already outside and waiting for her. “Good morning, Princess. How do you feel this morning?” He asked with a grin.
Zalia glared at him. “You know very well how I’m feeling,” she snapped at him. He just laughed. Zalia crossed her arms. “Valen said to tell you, well I can’t say some of what he said, but he said to back off or he will deal with you when he gets back,” Zalia said, smiling smugly at him.
Adaire crossed his arms. “If you think that’s going to get you out of training, it’s not. Valen’s not here, is he?” he said threateningly.
Zalia groaned. “Why are all you princes the same?”
Adaire grinned. “Come on, let’s go.”
Zalia looked around. “Where’s Raven?”
Adaire’s face instantly closed up. “She’s inside training with Kell.”
“Why?” Zalia asked him.
“It’s better that way,” Adaire said. He didn’t say any more and Zalia wasn’t about to ask. He was intimidating.
They got to work training. They spent more time working on developing arm strength.
For the next three days, they continued in the same fashion. Adaire pushed Zalia all day and late into the night until she fell into bed exhausted each night. Zalia checked in with Valen periodically, but they never had a chance to talk more than a few minutes. Zalia questioned her sanity a multitude of times. Why was she letting Adaire push her so hard? The only answer she came up with was at least it helped pass the time and keep her mind busy until Valen and Beckam returned. She was pretty sure it gave something for Adaire to do too. She had asked him one day why he stayed here, and he answered that he was waiting to hear the report from Beckam and Valen before he returned to his kingdom.
She hadn’t heard a lot from Valen. She knew that they had made it to Astra but didn’t know more than that. He didn’t say a lot, and she was exhausted each night when she fell into bed.
On the fifth day, Adaire brought a few bows and lots of arrows to training. Zalia’s heart rate picked up. Finally!
Adaire walked towards her. “You said you have some training, right?”
Zalia nodded. A pang of grief hit. She took a deep breath and pushed it aside. She would deal with it later.
Adaire nodded. “All right. Well, let’s see what you got. I know we need to keep developing your upper body strength, but give it a try. Do you know the proper form?” he asked.
Zalia nodded. He gave her a bracer and a pair of leather gloves. She put the bracer on her arm to protect it and put the gloves on. Zalia put took the bow and arrow from him. He pointed at a tree. “Just try to hit the tree,” he said.
Zalia nodded. She got in a ready position. Adaire called out, “Ready?”
“Yes,” Zalia called out.
“Okay, go ahead and nock it,” he said. Zalia put her arrow on the bow and readied herself by using the corner of her mouth as an anchor point as Kael had taught her.
“Draw,” Adaire called out. “Release,” he gave the order.
Zalia let go and watched as it cleanly hit the tree. She smiled. Adaire looked at her and smile
d. “You’re better than I thought you would be. Let’s move right to target practice.” He led her over to an area where he had already set up some targets.
“Okay,” he said, stepping back. “Let’s see what you’ve got.” He stepped back. Zalia took her time with each shot. When she had shot about six arrows, Adaire stopped her.
“You’ve got a natural skill, Zalia. You’re really good. Was your brother a good archer?”
Zalia thought for a moment. “I guess so. I mean he always hit his mark and taught me how, but I never saw him in a battle or anything?”
Adaire nodded. “He was probably really good because you’re trained really well. We just need to build up your arm strength and get you used to shooting for long periods of time. Let’s try it again. I just want to correct a few things.”
They spent the rest of the day working with her bow and arrow. When she went to bed that night, she was exhausted and sore but content. She felt like this was really something she could master. She fell asleep before she had a chance to reach out to Valen to see how he was doing.
The next day brought more training and honing Zalia’s skills at archery. Adaire kept praising her and complimenting her skill. That night when she was ready for bed, she reached out for Valen.
Valen, she called. She lay in bed waiting for a little bit. Valen, are you there? She waited a little longer but didn’t hear anything from him. That’s odd, she thought to herself. Zalia didn’t concern herself too much. She couldn't imagine what he would be dealing with in Astra. She hated not knowing what was going on, but she trusted him to reach out to her when he could. She had no idea if she would be able to hear from him for several days now. She would have to be patient and wait it out.
Zalia spent everyday training with Adaire. She felt herself getting stronger each day, and each day she was growing more confident with her archery skills. Adaire drilled her relentlessly. He found ways to create scenarios where she had to shoot under pressure. She learned how to release an arrow while moving, on top of a horse, in a tree, and more. Zalia fell into bed every night exhausted and worried. During the day, she didn't have time to focus on Valen, but every night she lay in bed wondering where he was and if he was okay. Every night before bed, she tried reaching out to him, but never received a response.