Lienna.
I stood in the courtyard, surrounded by the a activity of preparation. Yesterday’s declarations in the a room still echoed in my mind, and now, the reality of Hermes and Adonis’s departure was before me.
The sun was rising over the castle walls, casting a golden glow over the gathered soldiers, servants, and workers. Horses snorted, their harnesses jingling as they pawed the ground impatiently.
Several carriages were being loaded with supplies, their wooden frames creaking under the weight. Servants scurried about, securing last-minute provisions and checking the horses’ saddles.
King Adonis and Hermes emerged from the castle’s main entrance, their majestic figures commanding attention. Seated atop their powerful steeds, they wore imposing war dresses, adorned with intricate armor and emblazoned with the symbols of their royal lineage.
Their faces were set in grim lines, exuding an aura of determination and authority. Majestic yet terrifying, they embodied the embodiment of shifter kings.
A shudder ran through me as I stared at them, my heart heavy with concern. I prayed silently, fervently hoping they would return unscathed, bearing positive news.
As if on cue, their gazes darted across the courtyard, inevitably falling on me. I stiffened, the hair on my nape standing up as I held their gazes, my heart hammering in my chest. The air thickened, charged with unspoken tension.
I contemplated walking up to meet them, but before I could take a step, they tugged on their horses’ reins and began to ride towards me instead. My heart pounded wildly, threatening to burst free from my chest.
Their majestic steeds’ hooves echoed through the courtyard, and I found myself frozen, unable to tear my gaze away from the two shifter kings.
Once they drew close, I immediately bowed, greeting them with a respectful inclination of my head. My voice trembled slightly. “Your Majesties.”
When I raised my head to look at them, I found Hermes already smiling at me, his eyes twinkling with something mischievous. His expression sent a flutter through my chest.
“It’s a shame we didn’t get to have you one last time before we leave for this campaign,” Hermes began, leaning down from his horse, his voice low and husky. My face flushed with embarrassment as I opened my mouth to respond, but no words would come out. I snapped it shut, feeling like a bird in its cage.
Adonis, on the other hand, still wore that stoic expression, his eyes narrowed. “Be careful,” he warned, his voice grave, the seriousness of his tone a stark contrast to Hermes’ playful demeanor.
I nodded, bowing my head afterwards. “Yes, Your Majesty.” I muttered.
“I wish you two safe journeys,” I added as an afterthought, my voice barely above a whisper.
Hermes’ smile widened, and he winked at me, his eyes sparkling. “We’ll return before you know it, Lienna.”
Adonis shot him a warning glance, but Hermes continued, undeterred. “And perhaps, next time, we’ll have that chance to…” He trailed off, leaving the sentence hanging.
I felt my cheeks burn hotter. “I… ” I started to say but cut myself short.
“Well… That’s all the time we have now,” Hermes announced, pulling on the reins of his horse, causing it to raise its hooves and neigh loudly. Adonis followed suit, and together, they rode back to the soldiers, who were already in formation, awaiting their kings’ command.
As they rejoined their troops, I breathed a sigh of relief, my heart still racing.
“Let us ride!” Adonis declared, his voice carrying across the courtyard.
The sound of hooves echoed through the castle as the procession began, Hermes and Adonis leading the charge. I watched, my heart pounding in my chest, as they disappeared into the distance.
The courtyard emptied, leaving behind an unsettling silence. That’s when I felt a presence beside me. I looked up to see king Caspian, his gaze before him. Unable to help myself, I asked, “Will they be alright? ”
He look at me, his expression neutral. “Well, they have no choice to be.” He answered, his body calming as always. I looked away from him, my gaze now on the empty courtyard. For reasons unknown to me, my mind and head felt strangely blank.
Then Caspian dropped the bombshell.
“Come with me, it’s time to begin your training,” he announced, his voice firm but hinting at excitement.
He began to walk away, expecting me to follow. I snapped my head to look at him, surprise etched on my face. Training? Right now?!
I hurried after him, my steps quickening to keep pace. We left the courtyard behind, heading toward the training grounds. As we approached, the sounds of clashing steel, grunts, and shouts grew louder.
I couldn’t help the gasp that escaped my lips as we entered the training grounds. Though I had been here a couple of times, I had never lingered long enough to appreciate its vastness. The area stretched out before us, filled with various tools and obstacles.
Soldiers and squires were scattered throughout, engaged in intense training sessions. Some sparred with swords, while others practiced archery or hand-to-hand combat.
King Caspian led me past the crowd to a secluded part of the training grounds, where only a few people lingered. We stopped beneath a shaded canopy, providing respite from the morning sun.
Caspian began to remove his ceremonial robes, handing them to an attendant who had discreetly followed us. Beneath the finery, he wore a pristine white tunic and trousers, paired with sturdy boots.
I stood transfixed, my gaze drifting over his imposing figure. Not wanting to be caught ogling, I hastily lowered my gaze to the ground, staring at my feet.
“Can you move around freely in those clothes?” Caspian asked, his voice breaking the spell.
I looked up to find him folding his arms, his gaze assessing me.
I glanced at my dress, unsure how to respond. Though it was comfortable, I had no idea what we would be doing here exactly. “If you can’t, I suggest you change and put on some protective gear,” Caspian advised, his tone firm but gentle.
I nodded, feeling a flutter in my chest. What had I gotten myself into?
“Wait here,” Caspian instructed, before gesture towards the previous attendant thst had come to take his clothes earlier. The latter went away, returning with a bundle of clothing and gear, which he handed to me.
“Change into these. We’ll begin your training shortly.” Caspian instructed as he picked up a sword.
I took the bundle, my heart racing with anticipation and dread. Still confused, I hurried to change into the provided attire. The tunic and trousers were a far cry from my usual dresses, but I knew better than to question Caspian’s instructions.
Securing the outfit with a corset, I added the gloves and knee pads, feeling a sense of trepidation. I packed my hair into a ponytail, ensuring it wouldn’t get in the way.
Through with dressing, I returned to the training grounds, searching for Caspian. He waited for me, two swords in hand, his eyes narrowing as he assessed my appearance.
He strode up to me, handing me the smaller sword. I grabbed it, but its weight surprised me. The sword dropped to the ground, and my face flushed with embarrassment and shame.
“I’m sorry…” I muttered under my breath, struggling to pick up the sword. My fingers felt clumsy, and my palms grew sweaty.
Caspian eyed me suspiciously, his expression unreadable. I tried to avoid his gaze, focusing on the ground, the sword, anywhere but him.
“Have you ever been in a sword fight before?” he asked, his tone neutral.
I shook my head, my flush deepening and spreading across my cheeks. “N-no,” I stuttered.
Caspian’s gaze lingered on me before he turned away. “Well, you’re about to learn,” he said, his voice firm but hinting at amusement.
What!?