Chapter 20: Distrust

LYDIA

Lydia dug her heels into the ground and braced herself as a blast of air pushed her backward; she struggled desperately, trying to maintain her balance.

As the wind subsided, the Slifer quickly sprang into action, conjuring a ball of flame, which she hurled directly at Elise.

Lydia watched as Elise gracefully conjured a wall of wind to block the flame, causing the projectile to split in two and harmlessly pass on either side of the Wind Slifer before being extinguished.

Lydia grinned at Elise with grudging respect. It had been a while since she went all out in training, and for once the Fire Slifer relished the challenge.

Perhaps, she thought to herself as she narrowly sidestepped another gust of wind, this change in attitude had something to do with Gabriel’s return—both due to the relief that his safety provided, as well as the tangible effect that his presence had on the strength of her powers.

Lydia began to summon up her strength to prepare another attack when her concentration was suddenly interrupted by the sound of someone else entering the courtyard.

“Lydia! Elise!” Dorian called out. “What in the names of the Gods are you two doing?”

Lydia signaled to Elise that she wished to call a timeout, then turned to face the wizard. “It’s alright, Dorian,” she shouted back at him. “Just a friendly sparring session, that’s all. We want to keep our skills sharp so we can prepare for Uzier’s next attack.”

“Ah, I see,” Dorian nodded. “In that case...would either of you be opposed to me joining you?”

Lydia tried to suppress a laugh. The thought of a common magician standing up to her enviable powers—even in a sparring match—was an absolute joke.

“Are you sure?” Elise asked Dorian, sizing him up with amusement. “No offense, but I don’t think you’ve ever had the opportunity to spar with a Slifer before, let alone two. I just want to make sure you’re not getting in over your head.”

Dorian chuckled. “I’m sure you already know I’m more than capable of holding my own.”

Lydia watched as the wizard stepped out onto the grass of the courtyard.

As he approached, two shimmering, translucent images began to flicker into view, flanking Dorian on either side.

As the two figures began to take on a more definite shape, Lydia realized that what she was looking at was a pair of celestial wolves, snarling and snapping their jaws as they slowly made their way toward her.

“A cute party trick,” Lydia taunted playfully. “But I hardly see how you can expect to take down a Slifer with a simple pair of illusory wolves.”

“Illusory?” Dorian asked. The wizard’s mouth curled into a mischievous smirk. “Who says anything about them being illusory?”

Dorian snapped his fingers, and one of the spectral wolves began sprinting toward Lydia at full speed. Realization kicked in, and Lydia quickly rolled to the side as the snarling beast barreled past, its jaws narrowly missing her.

“Now you’re just playing dirty!” Lydia shouted. “If these wolves are real, they could cause some serious damage!”

“What’s the matter?” Dorian jeered playfully. “Is the big bad Fire Slifer afraid to take on a couple of well-trained doggies?”

“It seems a bit unfair to be so aggressive when we’re only training,” said Lydia.

“Uzier’s forces will show you no mercy on the battlefield,” said the young wizard. “Therefore, I see no reason why I should be merciful either.”

Dorian snapped again, and the second wolf came lunging forward.

This time, however, Lydia was prepared.

As the growling beast barreled toward her, Lydia quickly blasted a spurt of flame downwards with enough force to launch her into the air.

In fact, she may have applied ~too~ much force; though her intended strategy had been to evade the wolf and counter with an aerial attack, Lydia instead tumbled through the air as she struggled to right herself.

Perhaps it was the excitement, or only the fact that her powers had recently become reinvigorated, but suddenly the Fire Slifer no longer seemed to realize her own strength.

“It’s okay!” she heard Dorian shout as she began to tumble toward the ground. “Hang on, I’ll catch you!”

With few other options in mind, Lydia simply closed her eyes and braced herself for the inevitable impact.

***

GABRIEL

“Is everything okay?” Gabriel shouted as he rushed toward the courtyard. The king had been taking a walk through the castle to clear his head before the thunderous crash startled him.

Knowing that Lydia was currently using the courtyard as an impromptu training ground, he feared the worst as he ran over to investigate. What he found was not quite the sight he had expected, although it was enough to set his blood boiling quickly.

In the middle of the courtyard, Gabriel saw the wizard known as Dorian lying on his back on the grass. On top of him was none other than Lydia; her thighs currently straddling the wizard at the waist, her hands firmly planted on his chest.

~What fuckery was this?!~

Off to the side stood Elise, who gave a loud cough to signal Gabriel’s arrival to the others.

Lydia turned to look at what Elise was signaling. As she met Gabriel’s gaze, her face flushed, and she immediately leapt off of Dorian.

“What in the Gods’ names are you two doing?” Gabriel demanded.

“Gabriel!” Lydia said, her voice tinged with embarrassment. “I assure you, that was ~not~ what it looked like.”

“I should hope not,” Gabriel snapped.

“She speaks the truth, your majesty,” Dorian said, standing up as well. “Just a bit of a minor mishap during combat training. Rest assured, everyone is safe and sound.”

“I can see that, Dorian,” Gabriel said, his voice a low growl. Turning to Elise, he added, “If the two of you don’t mind, I need to have a word with Lydia in private.”

As Dorian and Elise slunk away, Lydia crossed her arms and shot Gabriel an angry glare. “So, we’re right back to petty jealousy, are we?” she asked huffily.

“How else do you expect me to react after a display like that?” Gabriel growled.

“‘Display?’” asked Lydia. “For God’s sake, Gabriel, it was an accident!”

Gabriel’s hard eyes softened as he looked around, realizing that their yelling was beginning to draw attention. “We should talk somewhere else,” he said to Lydia. “We’re beginning to make a scene.”

“What do you mean ‘we?’” Lydia demanded as the two took off for a nearby corridor. “Last I checked, I’m not the one flying off the handle in response to a harmless mistake.”

“It didn’t look so harmless to me,” Gabriel said indignantly as they continued down the hallway.

“See, this is exactly what I was talking about,” said Lydia. “How can you expect us to fight side by side if we can’t even trust each other?”

Gabriel’s pace slowed. Lydia watched as the king hung his head and let out a long, weary sigh.

“I’m sorry,” he said softly. “My behavior was uncalled for. I know I should be more trusting. We’ve just spent so much time apart—that’s all.”

Lydia took a step forward, placing a hand on Gabriel’s lower back. “I get it,” she said. “If I caught you in a compromising position with Ayana, I’d probably be just as upset.”

Gabriel scoffed. “Why is Ayana the first person who comes to mind?”

“You’re right, I’m sorry,” Lydia said matter-of-factly. “It’s much more likely that if you were to cheat on me, it would be with Redmond. I’ve seen how you admire those broad shoulders of his when you think no one is paying attention.”

The two of them shared in a hearty laugh. Gabriel stopped to wipe a tear from his eye.

How could he ever think his mate could betray him? They belonged together. Not only were they bound by fate, but by their twin souls.

“But to be more serious,” Lydia said, clasping one of Gabriel’s hands in both of hers. She took a step forward and gave him a sly look.

“If you really need me to prove my loyalty to you, then I have a few ideas how to do that…”

She kissed his lips lustily, then moved down to his neck...

~Yes,~ Gabriel thought as he pulled her closer. ~We couldn’t be a better match.~

***

EVINE

On the outskirts of Ellesmere, a figure stirred in the overgrowth. From her secluded perch among the shadows, Evine watched the kingdom from a safe distance.

~All the pieces are falling into place,~ she mused to herself. ~Soon, we will be able to strike the royal bloodlines where it hurts them the most.~

~All we have to do now is await the signal…~